Colour contrast sensitivity with different intraocular lens materials in the right and left eyes in same day surgery

Purpose: To study possible differences in colour contrast sensitivity between different intraocular lens (IOL) materials with consecutive same day cataract surgery performed in the right and left eyes. Methods: Central colour contrast sensitivity was measured with a computer graphics system along the protan, deutan and tritan axes. Thirty-four patients with cataract were studied. The patients were randomized to one of three groups: group 1 received a Clariflex (silicone) lens in one eye and an Akreos Fit (hydrophilic acrylic) lens in the other; group 2 received an Akreos lens in one eye and a Sensar AR40e (hydrophobic acrylic) lens in the other, and group 3 received a Clariflex lens in one eye and an AR40e lens in the other. Surgery was performed in both eyes on the same day. A postoperative questionnaire was distributed, asking the patients to describe any differences experienced between their two eyes. Results: There were no significant differences between the three different IOLs in any colour axis. There were no complications of importance during surgery. Thirty-two of the 34 patients answered the questionnaire. Twenty-one patients experienced some difference between their two eyes in distance vision and 23 noticed differences in near vision. For distance vision, nine reported better vision in the eye with the Akreos IOL, eight in the eye with the Clariflex IOL lens and four in the eye with the AR40e IOL. For near vision, 12 preferred the Akreos lens, eight the Clariflex lens and three the AR40e lens. Conclusion: There were no significant differences between the three different IOLs in any colour axis.