Pseudophakic monovision yields positive outcomes, high patient satisfaction

J Cataract Refract Surg. 2009;35(6):998-1002.

Monovision produced positive visual and refractive outcomes and a high satisfaction rate among pseudophakic patients, a study showed.

"We recommend monovision with a modest myopic defocus as an option for patients who require cataract surgery in both eyes," the study authors said. "We found a high level of acceptance and patient satisfaction with this technique, and our results show that secondary remedial intervention is extremely unlikely."

The prospective study included 52 eyes of 26 patients with a mean age of 67.4 years. Investigators measured visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, stereopsis, patient satisfaction and spectacle independence preoperatively and 3 to 4 months postop.

Study results showed 96% of eyes had uncorrected distance visual acuity of 20/30 or better; 88% of patients attained binocular uncorrected distance visual acuity of 20/30 or better and binocular uncorrected near visual acuity of N8 or better. Mean anisometropia between the near eye and distance eye was 1.16 D.

The mean spectacle dependence score was 2.77 on a scale of 0 (independent) to 10 (completely dependent); 27% of patients reported full spectacle independence. Mean patient satisfaction was 9.54, with a range of 8 to 10.