Evaluation of Visual Function in Pseudophakic Eyes and Phakic Eyes in Various Age Groups

Abstract

In ages at which the visual functions become comparable in phakic and pseudophakic eyes, clear lens extraction may be justified for eyes that have even slight pathology. The purpose of this study was to compare the visual function between phakic eyes with a clear lens and pseudophakic eyes with a monofocal intraocular lens in various age groups. Patients with phakic eyes and pseudophakic eyes in each age group (40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s) were recruited. The accommodative amplitude, region of accommodation, and contrast visual acuity (contrast VA) and that with glare (glare VA) were examined. In those who are in their 40s and 50s, the accommodative amplitude was significantly greater in the phakic group than in the pseudophakic group, but no significant difference was found in those who are in their 60s, 70s, or 80s. In those who are in their 40s and 50s, corrected visual acuity (CVA) at near intermediate distances in the phakic group was significantly better than that in the pseudophakic group (0.3–1.0 m), while distance CVA was similar. In those who are in their 60s and 70s, CVA did not differ significantly at any distance between the two groups. In all age groups, there were no significant differences in either the photopic or mesopic contrast VA and glare VA. In conclusion, in their 40s and 50s, the accommodative amplitude and region of accommodation is less in pseudophakic eyes than in phakic eyes, but it is similar in their 60s, 70s, and 80s. Because contrast sensitivity is similar at all ages, visual function is comparable in patients 60 years and older.