Comparison of Multifocal Lens Implantation in Femtosecond Laser–Assisted Versus Traditional Cataract Surgery
Purpose
To compare the visual and patient satisfaction outcomes between an initial series of eyes undergoing femtosecond laser versus traditional cataract surgery with implantation of a diffractive multifocal intraocular lens.
Methods
The first 49 consecutive eyes undergoing laser cataract surgery and ReSTOR implantation between October 2013 and April 2014 were enrolled in the study (LCS group). The manual cataract surgery group consisted of a retrospective consecutive cohort of 44 eyes that also received ReSTOR implantation between October and July 2013 (MCS group). The following parameters were then collected: post-operative visual acuity, refraction, patient satisfaction, visual symptoms, need for glasses, and complications postoperatively. The data was compared using two tailed t-tests.
Results
Patient satisfaction was significantly better in the MCS group (p=.001). Uncorrected visual acuity was 0.89±0.15 and 0.83± 0.16 in the LCS and MCS groups (p=0.046). There was a suggestion that the LCS group had less postoperative astigmatism (0.36±0.44 vs. 0.4±0.33) and better uncorrected near vision (1.59±1.17 vs. 1.84±1.48). There was no significant difference of glasses use and the presence and frequency of halos in vision, but there was a suggestion that the LCS group had less severe halos and found them less disturbing.
Conclusion
The ReSTOR lens is associated with seeing halos in vision, regardless of the method of surgery. Although laser cataract surgery may result in better visual acuity, have less post-operative astigmatism and less bothersome halos, manual cataract surgery appears to have better satisfaction rates. Reasons for this finding will be discussed.