Long-Term Stability of Diffractive Multifocal Intraocular Lenses: Contralateral Comparison between Silicone and Acrylic Materials

Objective: To compare visual function stability between silicone and hydrophobic acrylic materials of diffractive multifocal intraocular lenses (MF-IOLs). Methods: This retrospective study reviewed clinical records of 10 patients who received a silicone MF-IOL in the first eye and hydrophobic acrylic lens in the fellow eye. Intra-individual differences in logMAR corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) and distance-corrected near visual acuity (DCNVA) were evaluated until 2 years postoperatively. Contrast sensitivity at 1 year was also compared. Results: Age of the patients ranged from 39 to 77 years. There was no statistical difference in the uncorrected distance visual acuities at 2 years, while the uncorrected near visual acuity of the silicone IOL was better (P=0.046). The medians of the CDVA and DCNVA with the silicone MF-IOLs were -0.13 and 0.10 logMAR, respectively, while those with hydrophobic acrylic MF-IOLs were -0.09 and 0.12 logMAR, respectively. No significant difference was found between the two materials (P>0.17). There was no difference in the contrast sensitivity (P>0.11). One eye with the silicone MF-IOL underwent Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy. Conclusions: The differences in the material and fabrication of diffractive MF-IOLs did not influence the longterm visual performance.