Background: Clinical studies of multifocal intraocular lenses have primarily investigated functional results unilaterally. In the following study we have examined functional results after bilateral implantation of a refractive multifocal intraocular lens, which had already shown good results with unilateral testing situations.
Materials and methods: After implantation of 36 foldable refractive multifocal posterior-chamber lenses in 25 patients we compared two patient groups concerning functional results: 11 patients with bilateral implantation against 14 patients with unilateral implantation of this lens type. We tested binocular function of distance visual acuity, near visual acuity, depth of focus, stereopsis, glare visual acuity and contrast sensitivity.
Results: The patients with bilateral implantation had a significantly better distance visual acuity, depth of focus and stereopsis tested according to Lang. Stereopsis tested according to Randot or Titmus and near visual acuity were not significantly but in trend better in patients with bilateral implantation. There were no differences in glare visual acuity or contrast sensitivity. The patients with bilateral implantation used more seldom glasses for reading, but they did not describe more disturbing optical phenomenons.
Conclusions: Having a satisfied patient with a multifocal lens in one eye the implantation of the same type of lens into the second eye will bring further functional advantage to the patient.