Visual performance and contrast sensitivity after phacoemulsification with implantation of aspheric foldable intraocular lenses

PURPOSE: To compare visual performance after phacoemulsification with implantation of an aspheric intraocular lens (IOL). SETTING: Tertiary eyecare center in north India. METHODS: This prospective study comprised patients with visually significant age-related cataract having clear corneal phacoemulsification with implantation of 1 of 3 types of aspheric IOLs. Twelve weeks postoperatively, visual acuity and contrast sensitivity were recorded. Wavefront analysis was performed with the Optical Path Difference scanner. All patients completed a questionnaire on subjective quality of vision. Main outcome measures were best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), contrast sensitivity, visual function score, and patient satisfaction. RESULTS: Of the 130 eyes (130 patients), a Tecnis Z9003 IOL was implanted in 43 eyes, an AcrySof SN60WF IOL in 41 eyes, and an Akreos Adapt AD IOL in 46 eyes. Contrast sensitivity and BCVA were similar between groups. With 4.0 mm, 5.0 mm, and 6.0 mm pupil diameters, the mean spherical aberrations were significantly less with AcrySof SN60WF and Akreos Adapt AO IOLs than with the Tecnis Z9003 IOL. There were no significant differences in total higher-order root-mean-square (RMS) values between IOLs. Visual performance scores with the 3 IOLs were comparable. CONCLUSIONS: All 3 aspheric IOLs significantly decreased positive spherical ocular aberration after phacoemulsification and may induce negative spherical aberration. However, there was no significant difference in total higher-order RMS values between the IOLs. The 3 IOL models provided comparable contrast sensitivity and visual performance.