AIM: To observe the early visual quality of the tri-focal and the mono-focal intraocular lens(IOLs)implantation in patients with age-related cataract, under comparison and analysis.

METHODS: A retrospective research design. Totally 168 eyes of 119 age-related cataract patients who underwent cataract phacoemulsification combined with tri-focal and mono-focal IOLs implantation surgery in the cataract department from June 2018 to January 2021 were enrolled. In tri-focal and mono-focal group, 61 eyes of 44 cases and 107 eyes of 75 cases. One month after phacoemulsification combined with IOLs implantation, visual acuity, visual quality and contrast sensitivity were inspected. All data were under statistical analysis.

RESULTS: On LogMAR uncorrected distance visual acuity(UDVA),uncorrected intermediate visual acuity(UIVA), uncorrected near visual acuity(UNVA), best corrected distance visual acuity(BDVA), distance corrected intermediate visual acuity(DIVA), distance corrected near visual acuity(DNVA), tri-focal group were extremely better than mono-focal group(all P<0.001). In terms of visual quality, the scores of modulation transfer function(MTF)cut-off frequency, optical scatter index(OSI), Strehl ratio(SR), tri-focal group were significantly higher than mono-focal group(all P<0.05). On 18 cycle/degree(cpd)spatial frequency under dark and light adaptation conditions, contrast sensitivity scores of the mono-focal group was significantly better than those of the tri-focal group(P<0.001). Based on the questionnaire with the VF/QOF scale, the daily life experience scores and off-glass index, the tri-focal group was significantly better than that of the mono-focal group(P<0.05), and incidence of glare was no significant difference between the two groups(P>0.05).

CONCLUSION: Tri-focal IOLs can provide a full range of relatively better vision and visual quality in patients after age-related cataract phacoemulsification combined with IOLs implantation, and perform well under different conditions.