Binocular function to increase visual outcome in patients implanted with a diffractive trifocal intraocular lens

BACKGROUND To evaluate binocular visual outcome for near, intermediate and distance compared to monocular visual outcome at the same distances in patients implanted with a diffractive trifocal intraocular lens (IOL). METHODS The study comprised of 100 eyes of 50 patients that underwent bilateral refractive lens exchange or cataract surgery with implantation of a multifocal diffractive IOL (AT LISA tri 839MP, Carl Zeiss Meditech, Germany). A complete ophthalmological examination was performed preoperatively and 3 month postoperatively. The main outcome measures were monocular and binocular uncorrected distance (UDVA), corrected distance (CDVA), uncorrected intermediate (UIVA), and uncorrected near visual acuities (UNVA), keratometry, and manifest refraction. RESULTS The mean age was 59.28 years ± 9.6 [SD] (range 44-79 years), repectively. There was significant improvement in UDVA, UIVA, UNVA and CDVA. Comparing the monocular results to the binocular results there was a statistical significant better binocular outcome in all distances (UDVA p = 0.036; UIVA p < 0.0001; UNVA p = 0.001). The postoperative manifest refraction was in 86 % of patients within ± 0.50 [D]. CONCLUSIONS The trifocal IOL improved near, intermediate, and distance vision compared to preoperatively. In addition a statistical significant increase for binocular visual function in all distances could be found. TRIAL REGISTRATION German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS) DRKS00007837.