Patient Expectation, Satisfaction and Clinical Outcomes with a New Multifocal Intraocular Lens

Purpose: To report patient expectations, visual performance and satisfaction with AcrySof IQ PanOptix multifocal intraocular lens in a heterogeneous patient group. Additionally, determine if identifiable pre-operative characteristics can predict post-operative satisfaction.

Methods: Data were prospectively collected for 67 consecutive patients (134 eyes) who underwent bilateral Panoptix implantation in a private ophthalmology clinic. A pre-operative questionnaire was completed regarding vision satisfaction, visual phenomena and expectations. Routine clinical parameters were collected 1 month and follow-up questionnaire administered 3 months post-operatively.

Results: Post-operative unaided distance vision was 20/20 (0.01 ± 0.10) and binocular near vision 20/25^-2 (N5; 0.14 ± 0.06). Patients satisfied with vision increased from 6% (n=4) unaided and 48% (n=32) aided pre-operatively to 94% (n=63) unaided post-operatively (p<0.001). There was marked increase in frequency of halo from 14% (n=9) to 69% (n=46; p<0.001) but no corresponding increase in how bothersome this symptom was (p=0.193) nor the frequency of other visual phenomena. Worse post-operative vision and fluctuating vision were associated with lower post-operative satisfaction. There was no difference in satisfaction or residual astigmatism in those implanted with toric lenses. A total of 96% (n=64) of patients were spectacle-free at 3-months and would recommend this procedure to others.

Conclusion: This study supports the trend towards increased patient expectations of multifocal intraocular lenses, matched by excellent visual outcomes and satisfaction. Visual phenomena may be less troubling with new multifocal lenses than previously reported. A pre-operative questionnaire may be a useful education tool but could not isolate pre-operative characteristics that predict post-operative satisfaction.