Array multifocal intraocular lens in a charity hospital training program: a resident's experience

To evaluate the frequency of spectacle use for distance and near activities and the satisfaction with visual acuity for distance and near activities in low-income patients implanted with the Arra multifocal intraocular lens (IOL) (Allergan, Inc.) by residents in a charity hospital.

E.A. Conway Medical Center, Monroe, Louisiana, USA.

This retrospective study compared patients who had bilateral implantation of the Array multifocal IOL and those who had bilateral implantation of a monofocal IOL. The primary outcome measures were postoperative spherical equivalent, cylinder, corrected and uncorrected distance visual acuities, frequency of spectacle use for distance and near, satisfaction with overall vision, satisfaction with the ability to see at distance and near with and without spectacles, and problems with unwanted visual phenomena such as glare, rings, and halos.

There were 17 patients in the multifocal group and 14 patients in the monofocal group. Postoperatively, more patients in the monofocal group used spectacles (86% and 53%, respectively; P =.068). Significantly fewer patients in the multifocal group used spectacles for near vision (P =.018). Problems with glare, rings, and halos were more frequent in the multifocal group (P =.041). The multifocal group reported significantly greater satisfaction with the ability to see at distance (P =.002) and at near (P =.002) without spectacles.

Implantation with the multifocal IOL may be a cost-effective option for low-income patients because it reduces the need for spectacles after cataract surgery.