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Monovision cataract surgery popular among older patients, study finds

April 15, 2009
Monovision cataract surgery is a special type of refractive cataract surgery designed to reduce or eliminate the need for prescription eyewear, including reading glasses, after surgery.

In a Japanese study designed to assess the visual performance and patient satisfaction with monovision cataract surgery, researchers in Japan have found that 87 percent of patients between age 60 and 70 and 94 percent of patients over age 70 are satisfied with this type of vision correction.

Monovision cataract study: Methods

Eighty-two patients ranging in age from 49 to 87 years and who had cataracts underwent cataract surgery in both eyes and were given a monovision correction with monofocal intraocular lenses (IOLs).

Following surgery, refractive errors, visual acuity at various distances, contrast sensitivity and near stereopsis (depth perception) were measured. The patients were also asked to complete a questionnaire regarding their satisfaction with their new monovision visual correction.

Monovision cataract study: Results

After surgery most patients enjoyed binocular uncorrected visual acuity of 20/25 or better at all distances. The mean amount of refractive difference between eyes for the monovision effect was 2.27 diopters (D), or the equivalent of wearing a reading glasses lens of +2.25 D in front of one eye.

Overall, 81 percent of patients were satisfied with their monovision results. Patient satisfaction, however, was different for different age groups: Conclusions

The researchers concluded that monovision achieved by using monofocal IOLs is an effective approach for managing loss of accommodation and the need for reading glasses after cataract surgery.

But they cautioned that proper patient selection is important and they suggested reserving the use of monovision cataract surgery on patients over age 60.