Postoperative presbyopia correction with intraocular lenses implantation in cataract patients – current trends

Abstract

The most popular method of presbyopia correction during cataract surgery involves multifocal intraocular lens implantation. The MIOLs (multifocal intraocular lenses) constitute less than 5% of the intraocular lens market. With MIOLs patients can achieve very good distance, intermediate, and near vision, but very often accompanied by negative side effects. The most bothersome drawbacks of MIOLs include the night-light phenomena and low contrast sensitivity, mainly in low-light conditions. The main trends in MIOL technology developments involve achieving proper balance between good vision at all distances and spectacle independence, and lower contrast sensitivity and presence of negative light phenomena. Over the recent years, due to the changes to our lifestyle, intermediate vision (60–80 cm) has become very important, as has the development of trifocal and EDOF (extended depth of focus) lenses. New designs of diffractive lenses enable higher transmittance of light energy through the optics and the possibility of correcting the chromatic aberration which influences contrast sensitivity, especially in low light conditions. The echelette design makes it possible to eliminate the very disturbing night light phenomena thanks to the elongated focus. Nowadays, modern multifocal intraocular lenses allow patients to achieve very good vision at all distances after cataract surgery without troublesome side effects. And for that reason, multifocals can be used in a wider population of cataract patients, offering them high levels of satisfaction and spectacle independence.