Standard Monofocal Intraocular Lenses Versus Enhanced Monofocal Intraocular Lenses for Children 6 to 13 Years Old With Pediatric Cataract.

PURPOSE: To investigate whether using an enhanced monofocal intraocular lens (IOL) in the pediatric age group can improve the visual performance at varying distances in comparison to standard monofocal lenses.

METHODS

Forty-five eyes of children aged 6 to 13 years with unilateral or bilateral cataract were prospectively randomized into two groups: the monofocal group (23 eyes) who had a standard monofocal aspheric lens (Tecnis Model ZCB00) implanted and the enhanced mono-focal group (22 eyes) who had an enhanced monofocal lens (Tecnis Eyhance ICB00) implanted (both Johnson & Johnson Vision). Target refraction was emmetropia. Visual acuity was measured at distance, intermediate, and near distance 3 months postoperatively. Defocus curves wearing distance correction were plotted.

RESULTS

Unilateral cataract surgery with Eyhance and Tecnis monofocal implantation was performed in 10 and 9 patients, respectively. Thirteen children underwent bilateral surgery, 4 had an Eyhance IOL implanted in one eye and a Tecnis monofocal IOL in the other eye, 4 had bilateral Eyhance IOL implantation, and 5 had bilateral Tecnis mono-focal IOL implantation. Uncorrected and corrected distance, intermediate, and near visual acuity, and the power of near add were comparable between both groups (P > .05). Mean visual acuity through the defocus range was significantly better (P < .01) in the Eyhance group (0.30 vs 0.41).

CONCLUSIONS

Use of an enhanced monofocal IOL improved visual performance at intermediate distances of greater than 1 meter but did not reduce the power of spectacles needed for distances of less than 1 meter.