Visual outcomes of cataract surgery using multifocal intraocular lenses in young adults with developmental vs. nondevelopmental cataracts.

PURPOSE: To compare visual outcomes following cataract surgery with multifocal intraocular lenses (MIOLs) in young adult patients with developmental cataracts (DCs) versus nondevelopmental cataracts (NDCs).

METHODS

In this retrospective cohort study, patients aged 20–45 years were divided into the DC group (n = 16) and the NDC group (n = 17). The NDC group consisted of patients with high myopic, uveitic, steroid-induced, diabetic and traumatic cataracts caused by injuries in adulthood. Individuals with signs of amblyopia were excluded. At least one month post-surgery, uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), uncorrected intermediate visual acuity (UIVA), distance-corrected intermediate visual acuity (DCIVA), uncorrected near visual acuity (UNVA), distance-corrected near visual acuity (DCNVA), wavefront aberrations, modulation transfer function (MTF), point spread function (PSF), and contrast sensitivity (CS) were measured. Functional vision was assessed using the Visual Function Index-14 (VF-14) questionnaire.

RESULTS

No significant differences in UDVA, CDVA, UIVA, DCIVA, DCNVA at 40 cm, UNVA at 33 cm, or DCNVA at 33 cm were observed between the two groups (P > 0.05). However, compared with the NDC group, the DC group had a greater postoperative UNVA at 40 cm (P = 0.04). Overall, the visual quality of the NDC and DC groups was comparable. Compared with the NDC group, the DC group exhibited significantly fewer ocular aberrations and more corneal aberrations but also demonstrated better MTF (HO) values and CS and VF-14 scores (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

MIOLs can yield favorable visual outcomes for DC patients when strict inclusion criteria are applied.