Visual performance: Comparison of foldable intraocular lenses.

PURPOSE

To compare best distance visual acuity, color perception, and contrast sensitivity between eyes with an AcrySof Natural intraocular lens (IOL) (Alcon Laboratories Inc.) and fellow eye with an AcrySof IOL and to compare results in the IOL groups to those in normal, similarly aged patients with clear phakic eyes.

SETTING

Sri Sankaradeva Nethralaya, Guwahati, India.

METHODS

This prospective randomized parallel group single-center patient-masked examiner-masked study comprised 26 eyes of 13 healthy patients with bilateral age-related cataract. All patients had cataract surgery by phacoemulsification in both eyes; 1 eye received an AcrySof Natural IOL (SN60AT) and the fellow eye, an AcrySof (SA60AT) IOL. Final postoperative examination was performed at the end of 18 months. In addition to other findings, visual acuity, color perception, and contrast sensitivity were recorded. A group of normal, similarly aged phakic individuals with clear lenses was examined for contrast sensitivity. The records thus obtained were analyzed statistically.

RESULTS

The AcrySof and AcrySof Natural IOL groups had a statistically significant improvement in visual acuity and color perception in comparison to preoperative status, and this was maintained until the last postoperative follow-up at 18 months. There was no statistically significant difference in the findings between the 2 IOL groups. The AcrySof and the AcrySof Natural IOL groups showed significant improvement in contrast sensitivity from the preoperative to the postoperative period (both P < .001). However, the AcrySof Natural IOL group was better than the AcrySof IOL group when each group was compared separately to similarly aged phakic individuals with clear lenses.

CONCLUSIONS

Pseudophakia following AcrySof Natural SN60AT and AcrySof SA60AT IOL implantation led to equivalent visual acuity and color perception. But the contrast sensitivity in the AcrySof Natural group was better and near normal in reference to a healthy, age-matched control group.