[Spherical aberration, contrast sensitivity and color discrimination after cataract surgery with the aspherical...

To determine whether implantation of an intraocular lens (IOL) with a modified prolate anterior surface results in reduced spherical aberration and improved contrast sensitivity after cataract surgery.

Consecutively 72 eyes were selected from 53 senile cataract patients who had received phacoemulsification and IOL implantation in Peking University Eye Center. Each was randomly assigned to receive Tecnis Z9001 IOL or Sensar AR40e (both made by AMO). Three months after operation, the eyes underwent several tests including visual acuity, optometry and wavefront aberration examination. Mesopic contrast sensitivity test was measured with ROLAND BA-4 Contrastometer.

The eyes treated with Tecnis Z9001 had significantly less spherical aberration. The eyes treated with Tecnis IOL got lower C12 coefficient and RMS4 than those with Sensar AR40e (P<0.05). The mesopic contrast sensitivity and color discrimination were not significantly different between the two IOL groups.

A significant reduction in spherical aberration after Tecnis Z9001 IOL implantation was achieved, but mesopic contrast sensitivity was not affected by the aspheric silicone IOL as compared with spherical acrylic IOL.