Unilateral Refractive Lens Exchange with a Multifocal Intraocular Lens in Emmetropic Presbyopic Patients

Purpose: To evaluate the visual outcome and patient satisfaction after a unilateral multifocal IOL implantation in the non-dominant eye of emmetropic patients with presbyopia. Methods: An interventional case series of consecutive patients who underwent unilateral phacoemulsification with femto-laser assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) and refractive lens exchange (RLE), followed by an implantation of a trifocal diffractive IOL (FineVision Micro F), was performed in the non-dominant eyes of emmetropic patients with presbyopia. After 6 months of follow-up, the main outcome measures were uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), uncorrected intermediate visual acuity (UIVA), and uncorrected near visual acuity (UNVA). Secondary outcomes included spherical equivalent (SE), refraction, contrast sensitivity, patient questionnaire and presence of visual side effects. Results: A total of 26 eyes of 26 patients, with an average age of 53.8 ± 4.1 years, were included in this study. Preoperative mean UDVA was 0.13 ± 0.04 logMAR (Snellen 20/27), UIVA was 0.46 ± 0.12 logMAR (Snellen 20/58), and UNVA was 0.66 ± 0.17 logMAR (Snellen 20/91), in comparison to postoperative mean UDVA of 0.18 ± 0.32 logMAR (Snellen 20/30) (p = 0.32), UIVA of 0.17 ± 0.21 logMAR (Snellen 20/30) (p < 0.005), and UNVA of 0.02 ± 0.10 logMAR (Snellen 20/21) (p < 0.005). Monocular UNVA of 20/25 or better in the operated eye was achieved in 23 (88%) patients. Twenty-four (96%) patients said they would recommend this procedure to family and friends. There were no intraoperative complications and no IOL exchange was required. Conclusions: A unilateral RLE of the non-dominant eye with FLACS and a trifocal diffractive IOL (FineVision Micro F) implantation in emmetropic, presbyopic patients is provides satisfactory distance, intermediate, and near visual outcomes with no complications reported in this preliminary case series.