Evaluation of Perception of Photic Phenomena Through Diffractive Multifocal Intraocular Lens Designs by Its Virtual Implantation.

Purpose: To analyze the difference in objective and subjective photic phenomena following virtual implantation of three different presbyopia-correcting diffractive intraocular lens (IOL) designs.

Methods: The study was conducted at JENVIS Research Germany. A prospective cross-over and double-masked trial design was used. Seventy-four healthy individuals without cataract (age: 18 to 50 years) were enrolled. All participants assessed photic phenomena with three diffractive IOL designs by virtual implantation using the VirtIOL device (10Lens S.L.U), which allows participants to view through the IOL imaged at the iris plane as if it were implanted: IOL A (Tecnis Synergy ZFR00V; J&J Vision), IOL B (AcrySof IQ PanOptix TFNT00; Alcon Laboratories, Inc), and IOL C (AT ELANA 841P; Carl Zeiss Meditec). The size of the starburst and annular light pattern was measured in degrees, and participants were asked about their preference in terms of quality of night vision when comparing by pairs the IOLs.

Results: The starburst pattern size was significantly larger with IOL A (5.54 ± 0.62º) compared to the IOLs B (3.82 ± 0.90º, P < .001) and C (3.65 ± 0.57º, P < .001). However, there were no significant differences between IOLs B and C (P = .078). Regarding the induced annular light pattern, no significant differences were found between IOLs (P > .05). In a pairwise short-term comparison of the IOLs using a simulated night scene with a glare source, participant preference was in favor of IOL C (P < .001).

Conclusions: IOL A had objectively a significantly larger starburst pattern than the other two. In a short-term comparison, the new trifocal IOL C was significantly preferred in a night driving scene.