Comparison of optical aberrations and contrast sensitivity between aspheric and spherical intraocular lenses

To compare visual acuity, aberrometry, and contrast sensitivity in patients who had a spherical intraocular lens (IOL) (SoFlex SE, Bausch & Lomb) implanted in one eye and an aspheric IOL (SofPort AO, Bausch & Lomb) implanted in the fellow eye during uncomplicated cataract surgery.

A prospective, multicenter, double-blind study was performed. Forty patients (80 eyes) underwent bilateral phacoemulsification with implantation of a spherical IOL in one eye and an aspheric IOL in the fellow eye. Postoperatively, visual acuity, aberrometry, and contrast sensitivity tests were performed. Statistical analyses were performed using Student t and Wilcoxon tests, and mixed effects were used for each contrast condition situation.

Thirty-nine patients (30 women, 9 men; 78 eyes) with a mean age of 69.3±6.17 years (range: 51 to 82 years) completed the study. No statistical differences were found regarding visual acuity among eyes. Lower levels of higher order aberrations were achieved in the aspheric group. No statistical difference between groups under photopic conditions was noted. In low spatial frequencies, better performance was observed with the aspheric IOL under mesopic conditions. In high spatial frequencies, the spherical IOL produced better quality of vision. Comparing mesopic conditions with glare, visual performance was statistically better using the aspheric IOL.

Cataract surgery results cannot be measured by means of visual acuity alone. Quality of vision must be considered, and implantation of IOLs with low levels of spherical aberrations and better contrast sensitivity are preferred. In this study, the aspheric IOL demonstrated better visual function, especially at night, when compared with spherical IOLs.