Presbyopia Correction at the Time of Cataract Surgery

Abstract

In this article, we review the latest research related to presbyopia management at the time of cataract surgery with attention focused on available options in the USA. With refractive cataract surgery, patient satisfaction is largely dependent on preoperative expectations with regard to spectacle independence and photic phenomena. Monovision with monofocal intraocular lenses have the highest rates of spectacle dependence but the lowest rate of photic phenomena. Extended depth of focus lenses provides excellent distance and intermediate vision, but patients often require glasses for near vision in addition to having mild glare and halos. Refractive multifocal lenses tend to have the highest rates of photic phenomena. Both diffractive and refractive multifocal lenses had excellent near and distance visual acuity but difficulty with intermediate vision. Trifocal lenses provided the most consistent vision at near, intermediate, and distance and only had moderate amounts of glare and halos with excellent patient satisfaction. The current market of intraocular lenses provides patients with the opportunity to experience spectacle independence following refractive cataract surgery. Current options include monovision with monofocal lenses, multifocal intraocular lenses, extended depth of focus intraocular lenses, and pseudo-accomodative intraocular lenses. Future technology is focusing on accommodation, pinhole apertures, and improved multifocality.