Quality of life evaluation after implantation of 2 multifocal intraocular lens models and a monofocal model

PURPOSE: To compare vision-related quality of life using the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25) in patients with 1 of 3 types of intraocular lenses (IOLs) and to correlate it with postoperative visual outcomes. SETTING: Vissum Corporation-Instituto Oftalmologico de Alicante, Alicante, Spain. DESIGN: Comparative case series. METHODS: This study comprised eyes having cataract surgery with bilateral implantation of a monofocal IOL (Group A), apodized multifocal IOL (Group B), or full diffractive multifocal IOL (Group C). Distance and near visual acuities, contrast sensitivity, and quality of life were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively. RESULTS: The study enrolled 106 eyes (53 patients; age range 49 to 80 years). All groups had significant improvement in uncorrected and corrected distance visual acuities postoperatively (P <=.05). Near vision outcomes were significantly better in Groups B and C (P <=.01). Groups B and C had significantly less difficulty in some near tasks, such as reading the newspaper (A B, P=.02; A-C, P=.02) or reading bills (A-B, P=.04; A-C, P=.004). Group C also had significantly less difficulty driving at night than Group B (P<.01). Near visual acuity and contrast sensitivity were significantly correlated with difficulty in near visual tasks in Groups B and C. Night-driving difficulty correlated significantly with contrast sensitivity in Group B. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with multifocal IOLs could perform several daily tasks at near and intermediate distances, with less night-driving limitation with the full diffractive IOL than with apodized multifocal and monofocal IOLs.