Near and intermediate reading performance of a diffractive trifocal intraocular lens using a reading desk.

Purpose To evaluate reading performance of a trifocal intra-ocular lens (IOL) at near and intermediate distances using the Salzburg Reading Desk. Setting International Vision Correction Research Centre and David J. Apple Laboratory, University Eye Clinic, Heidelberg, Germany. Design Prospective, nonrandomized clinical study. Methods Follow-up examinations at a minimum of 3 months postoperatively included uncorrected (UDVA) and corrected (CDVA) distance visual acuity, uncorrected (UIVA) and distance-corrected (DCIVA)) intermediate as well as uncorrected (UNVA) and distance-corrected (DCNVA) near visual acuity. Uncorrected and distance-corrected reading acuity at 40 cm for near, 80 cm for intermediate distance, and at the patient's preferred near and intermediate distances were evaluated with the reading desk. Results In this study, 22 eyes of 11 patients having cataract surgery with implantation of the trifocal Finevision IOL were evaluated. Postoperative monocular Snellen median values were 20/21.44 (range 20/52.61 to 20/14.49) for UDVA, 20/20.47 (range 20/38.11 to 20/16.64) for UIVA, and 20/26.39 (range 20/43.76 to 20/18.24) for UNVA. Subjective intermediate distance at the binocular uncorrected examination on the reading desk was 64.2 cm (range 51.9 to 80.0) with a reading acuity of 0.10 logMAR (range 0.32 to 0.00). Subjective near distance at the uncorrected binocular reading desk examination was 36.5 cm (30.8 to 41.2) with a near reading acuity of 0.06 logMAR (range 0.23 to −0.01). The preferred distances differed significantly from the fixed ones of 40 and 80 cm. The preferred intermediate distance was almost consistent, with the intermediate addition of 1.75 D corresponding to 57.1 cm. Conclusion The visual and reading function of the trifocal IOL was better at the patient's preferred near and intermediate distances. Financial Disclosure No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.