[Performance evaluation of a visual simulator for intraocular lenses].

BACKGROUND

Intraocular lens (IOL) simulators are gaining increasing interest in preoperative consultation and assessment of patient acceptance of IOLs in refractive lens exchange. A novel optical device, RALV (DEZIMAL GmbH, Vienna, Austria) enables patients to look through an actual commercially available IOL prior to implantation.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the performance of RALV for preoperative simulation of postoperative visual performance following implantation of trifocal IOLs.

METHODS

Preoperative and postoperative measurements of visual acuity and contrast sensitivity at near, intermediate and far distances were performed as well as halo/glare measurements in patients undergoing Clear Lens Exchange (CLE). Pairwise clustered equivalence tests using the Two-One-Sided-Test (TOST) procedure were conducted to assess statistical equivalence between preoperative and postoperative measurements.

RESULTS

A statistically significant equivalence was found between preoperatively predicted outcomes obtained with RALV and postoperatively measured values for visual acuity and contrast sensitivity, with an agreement better than ±0.1 logMAR and ±0.25 logCSWeber, respectively. Halo/glare measurements showed agreement within ±4.55 mrad.

CONCLUSION

The RALV system enables preoperative prediction of visual performance with a trifocal IOL in CLE patients within reasonable bounds. This could support preoperative counselling and improve predictability in refractive lens exchange.