WHICH TECHNIQUE AND INTRAOCULAR LENS WOULD CATARACT SURGEONS PREFER FOR THEMSELVES?

To present the results of a qualitative observational study conducted via a questionnaire administered to 100 ophthalmic surgeons older than 45 years old. The surgeons were asked about their preference for intraocular lenses if they were to be operated on for cataract or refractive lens exchange. 

1. 2nd Department of Ophthalmology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece

2. MSc Ocular Surgery, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, University Campus, Thessaloniki 54124, Greece

An anonymous questionnaire of twenty multiple-choice queries was completed by 100 participants, consultant ophthalmic surgeons, males and females, older than 45 years old. Demographical data of the participants were documented as well as their surgical experience in phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation. Subjects were asked about their personal preference for intraocular lens implantation as well as the technique/method to be used if they were to undergo a lens surgery.

In total, 72 male and 28 female ophthalmologists participated in the study with the majority of those aged between 45-55 years old. 47% reported to be myopes and 17% hyperopes. A significant proportion was using reading glasses (42%), while half of the participants (49%) were using distance glasses. The vast majority (94%) were independent cataract surgeons however years of experience and number of surgeries per month varied significantly between individuals. One-third of the surgeons stated that do not implant premium IOLs, whereas the majority of the rest do implant toric and monofocal plus IOLs. Only 11% of the sample would undergo refractive lens exchange surgery now or in the future and 69% would not prefer multifocal lenses for themselves. On the contrary, the majority (54%) stated that would prefer EDOF IOLs if they were to undergo a phacoemulsification cataract surgery compared to other premium intraocular lenses with only 15% of ophthalmologists deciding on multifocal IOLs for themselves.

The present study highlights the reluctance of ophthalmic surgeons to undergo refractive lens surgery themselves as well as the reluctance of the majority to adopt for personal use premium intraocular lenses for the correction of presbyopia, despite their widespread use in patients as a daily practice. EDOF and monofocal plus IOLs appear to be preferred by ophthalmic surgeons over multifocal IOLs when it comes to personal use.