Retrospective Study of Long-term Patient Satisfaction after Bilateral Implantation of Multifocal Intraocular Lenses of Different Generations - a 10 Year Follow-up

Abstract

This retrospective study investigates the postoperative satisfaction of patients with a mixed generation background after bilateral implantation of non-toric multifocal intraocular lenses between the year 2006 and year 2017. 245 patients between 45 and 95 years old were included in the study. Patient satisfaction was examined with the Heidelberg DATE questionnaire (DATE: Daily Tasks Evaluation), with respect to everyday tasks and the perception of optical phenomena. All criteria of the questionnaire were assessed for significant differences with respect to the time of the operation, the age of the patient, gender as well as the model of the implanted intraocular lens. The data was analysed with the statistics software SPSS 23.0. At the time of the survey, 97.1% of patients reported they were completely or partially satisfied with the outcome of the operation. 95.9% of patients could accomplish all common tasks without any significant problems. 34.6% said they only needed glasses under very challenging visual circumstances. The older patients more often reported that they needed glasses (p < 0.01). Women wore glasses more frequently for driving during night than men. They also described dazzling as more disturbing (p < 0.03). Younger patients perceived halos more drastically than older patients (p < 0.01). Patients with bifocal lens implants used glasses for intermediary distances far more often than patients with trifocal implants (p < 0.01). Most patients were independent of additional optical correction. Optical phenomena are commonly reported, so extensive preoperative briefing is inevitable. The need for further information seems to be especially high among younger, female patients. The Heidelberg DATE questionnaire is well suited for surveying patient satisfaction after the implantation of multifocal intraocular lenses.