Refractive lens exchange with an array multifocal intraocular lens.

PURPOSE To prospectively evaluate safety, efficacy, predictability, stability, complications, and patient satisfaction after refractive lens exchange (clear lens extraction) followed by posterior chamber implantation of a multifocal intraocular lens (IOL). METHODS Fifty eyes of 25 patients (mean age 51 years, range 44 to 62 years) with preoperative spherical equivalent refraction between -15.50 and +5.75 D and cylinder between 0 and 1.50 D underwent bilateral implantation of a zonal progressive multifocal IOL (Array, AMO). RESULTS Eyes were divided into group A (n=24; myopia, average preoperative spherical equivalent refraction -7.11 +/- 3.25 D (-1.75 to -15.50 D), and group B (n=26; hyperopia, average preoperative spherical equivalent refraction +3.04 +/- 1.04 D). Follow-up was 6 months in all eyes. Postoperatively, all eyes of both groups were within +/-1.00 D of target refraction. No eye in group A and three eyes in group B sustained a loss of one line of BSCVA. Forty-seven eyes (94%) remained unchanged or gained one or more lines of their preoperative BSCVA. In all eyes, postoperative UCVA was 20/40 or better. When compared to preoperative, uncorrected near visual acuity improved (statistically significant). All patients achieved uncorrected binocular visual acuity of 20/30 and J4 or better. Patient satisfaction was extremely high; no intra- or postoperative complications were reported. CONCLUSION Six-month results of implantation of the AMO Array multifocal IOL for refractive lens exchange demonstrated safety, efficacy, and predictability in correcting high ametropia and significant improvement of uncorrected near and distance visual acuity.