Aberrometry and contrast sensitivity after cataract surgery: aspherical IOL evaluation

We report a prospective clinical study investigating efficacy in terms of aberrometry and contrast sensitivity of the aspherical IOL (SW60AT) versus the standard IOL Alcon (SN60AT). Twenty patients in each group underwent phacoemulsification of both eyes. Both eyes of each patient received an aspherical IOL (SW60AT) or a similar standard IOL (SN60AT). The integrity of ocular function was assessed with clinical examination before surgery. Postoperative examination (1 month after the second surgery) included best visual acuity, an aberrometry with a 5-mm pupil (Bausch and Lomb), and a contrast vision (Zalonghi scale) in scotopic place examination. We noted no statistically significant difference between the two groups before surgery. Best spectacle-corrected visual acuity improved in both groups with no difference (8.15/10+/-1.39/10 and 7.95/10+/-1.54/10 for the aspheric group eyes and 7.85/10+/-2.13/10 and 7.60/10+/-2.14/10 for the standard group eyes). Otherwise, a statistically significant difference was found for the Z40 aberration with RMS=0.0095 with SW60AT versus RMS=0.07625 with SN60AT. The pupils had a similar size in both groups. There were no statistically significant differences for contrast sensitivity between two IOLs; nevertheless, contrast vision seemed to be better with the aspherical lens (33.15+/-6.85 points and 32.15+/-6.95 points for the standard group eyes and 36.05+/-3.63 points and 35.70+/-3.93/10 points for the aspheric eyes). The quality of vision can be objectively increased with the aspherical IOL because of less spherical aberration.