Extended range of vision lens found superior to monofocal

(HealthDay)—Extended range of vision (ERV) intraocular lens (IOL) targeted to achieve micro-monovision shows superior range of visual acuity and independence from glasses compared to the monofocal IOL targeted to achieve emmetropia, according to a study published online May 3 in Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology.

Daniel T. Hogarty, B.Med.Sc., from Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, and colleagues compared visual acuity, range of vision, and independence from glasses in monofocal and ERV IOLs among 88 participants (176 eyes) with bilateral IOL implants at five-month postoperative follow-up.

The researchers found that there was no significant difference between ERV and monofocal groups in uncorrected binocular visual acuity at distance (P = 0.595). However, in the ERV group, binocular uncorrected visual acuity at intermediate distances (P < 0.001) and near distances (P < 0.001) were significantly better. For binocular uncorrected near vision all in the ERV group read N8 or better, versus 36 percent in the monofocal group (P < 0.001). Also, 93 percent of the ERV group reported spectacle independence at near distances, compared to 33 percent in the monofocal group (P < 0.001).

"These findings are important as they provide quantitative information on ERV IOL function in comparison to the gold standard monofocal IOL that can help inform patient decisions about which IOL to choose and what visual outcomes they can expect," the authors write.