Patient selection key to optimal multifocal outcomes

Rigorous patient selection holds the key to obtaining the best possible outcomes for patients implanted with a multifocal intraocular lens, according to Laurence Lesueur MD, who presented her study at the French Implant and Refractive Surgery Association (SAFIR) annual meeting.

“Our study showed the importance of a personalised preoperative evaluation in obtaining optimal results for patients implanted with a multifocal lens,” she said.

Dr Lesueur’s four-year retrospective study included 97 eyes of 49 multifocal IOL patients with an average age of 64.

The majority of patients were very satisfied with their implant, said Dr Lesueur, with less than 5% saying that they were dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with their postoperative vision. No explantations were required in the four-year follow-up period and spectacle independence was achieved in 73.5% of patients. YAG laser treatments were required after an average of 28 months postoperatively in almost 10% of implanted eyes.

“We noted a strong correlation between patient satisfaction and the degree of independence from spectacles,” said Dr Lesueur.

In order to obtain consistently good results, Dr Lesueur stressed the importance of comprehensive preoperative assessment (astigmatism, macula, pupil diameter, biometry, IOL formula, etc). Patient counselling is also critical, she insisted, in order to understand the needs, expectations and lifestyle of each individual patient so as to select the most appropriate IOL for that particular patient.