Lack of effect of intraocular lens asphericity on visual performance with acrylic intraocular lenses

To determine whether implantation of acrylic intraocular lens (IOL) with aspheric design (Tecnis Z9003, AMO) results in improved visual acuity or contrast sensitivity compared with conventional spherical acrylic IOL (AR40e, AMO).

In an intraindividual randomized prospective study of 60 patients with bilateral cataract, the Tecnis Z9003 IOL was compared with the AR40e IOL. Ocular aberrations for a 4.0-mm pupil and 6.0-mm pupil were measured with a Hartmann-Shack aberrometer. Quality of vision was measured using visual acuity and contrast sensitivity under mesopic and photopic conditions.

Eyes with the Tecnis Z9003 IOL had significantly less spherical aberration and greater Strehl ratio after surgery, showing a better optical quality in comparison with the standard spherical IOL. However, visual acuity and both mesopic and photopic contrast sensitivity were not significantly different between the groups.

The significantly better optical quality achieved with the aspheric acrylic IOL design did not result in improved visual acuity or contrast sensitivity in comparison with a conventional spherical acrylic IOL.