Purpose: To study the relationship between pupil size and AMO-Array multifocal intraocular lens (MIOL) performance in a population of elderly patients.
Methods: This prospective trial included 62 patients (mean age 76 years; range 70 to 86) undergoing bilateral cataract phacoemulsification and MIOL (AMO-Array SA-40N, Allergan) implantation. Patients were divided into two groups based on preoperative pupil diameter: small pupil group (pupil size of 2.5-2.9 mm; 45 subjects) and large pupil group (pupil size of 3-5 mm; 17 subjects). The analysis included uncorrected (UC) and best-corrected (BC) near and distance visual acuity (VA), spectacle dependence, and photic phenomena complaints (postoperative follow-up 16.6+/-6.2 months; range 11-26 months).
Results: Patients in the small pupil group showed postoperatively significantly higher distance UCVA and BCVA, but lower near UCVA compared to those in the large pupil group (Mann-Whitney test, p< or = 0.02). Patients with small pupils also tended to: be more (not statistically significant) spectacle independent for distance (73.3% versus 47.1%) and spectacle-dependent for near vision (55.6% versus 28.4%); report significantly less photic phenomena complaints (37.8% versus 93.1%, chisquare test, p<0.001); and, more satisfied with the surgery (95.5% versus 76.5%). Posterior capsular opacification (PCO) was observed in 19.4% of the patients.
Conclusions: Bilateral AMO-Array MIOL implantation in elderly patients seems to be an effective and safe surgical procedure that improves distance and near UCVA, providing spectacle independence in many cases. The use of these MIOLs, however, can induce photic phenomena and cause PCO. Patients with small preoperative pupils (<3 mm) presented less photic phenomena complaints and expressed a higher visual outcome satisfaction after surgery.