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Lighting needs of patients that underwent pseudophakic presbyopic corrections: a comparative study

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First Author: E. Panagiotopoulou GREECE

Co Author(s):    S. Taliantzis   A. Perente   C. Mitsi   I. Fotiadis    M. Gkika   L. Doulos   G. Labiris  

Abstract Details

Purpose:

Multifocal intraocular lenses (mIOLs) demonstrate different light transmittance properties than the natural lens. Therefore, the total eye light transmittance is completely different in patients implanted with mIOLs. However, current lighting levels in public settings do not take into account the higher lighting levels needed for these patients. The purpose of this study was to identify in which degree implantation of trifocal diffractive IOLs can modify eye light transmission and estimate the necessary lighting adjustment in order to address lighting needs of patients following bilateral pseudophakic presbyopic corrections.

Setting:

Department of Ophthalmology, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece

Methods:

This is a prospective, comparative study. Αn examination room with user-adjustable lighting with a Color Correlated Temperature of 4000K was constructed. As regards the experimental procedure, firstly, visual acuity (VA) was recorded with lights being at 100% of their illuminance level. Then, lights were switched off and were gradually raised until the participants were able to reach the same VA that they had at the maximum illuminance level. Finally, the minimum lighting level (measured in lux) in which each participant reached his/her maximum VA (measured when lights were on at 100% of their illuminance levels) was recorded.

Results:

Eighty patients, aged 45-70 years, were enrolled in a consecutive-if-eligible basis and populated two distinct groups: 1) Study group (SG): 40 patients that underwent uneventful, bilateral pseudophakic presbyopic correction with trifocal diffractive IOLs (PanOptix or PanOptix toric), 2) Control group (CG): 40 patients of similar age without cataract that their crystalline lens has not been replaced. It was found that participants of SG perceived 63% of the lighting levels that were perceived by participants of CG. In other words, participants of SG needed 60% more lighting levels in comparison with CG in order to reach their maximum VA.

Conclusions:

Participants implanted with trifocal diffractive IOLs perceived significantly less illuminance levels and needed significantly more lighting levels in comparison with participants with a clear natural lens in order to reach their maximum VA. Our outcomes suggested that current lighting levels in public settings might not address the lighting needs of patients implanted with trifocal diffractive IOLs and indicated the necessity of introducing postoperative guidelines for bilateral mIOL implantations that address task and environmental lighting needs in order to enhance the efficacy of the operations.

Financial Disclosure:

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