AIM: To compare visual function in patients with bilateral diffractive multifocal intraocular lenses(IOLs)and patients with monovision.

METHODS:This study comprised consecutive bilateral cataract patients 45 cases(90 eyes)between March 2011 and January 2012. All cases were divided into two groups: multifocal IOL group(23 patients)with implantation of AcrySof ReSTOR +3D(SN6AD1)multifocal IOLs, monovision group(22 patients)with implantation of AcrySof IQ(SN60WF)IOLs. Parameters analyzed 3 months postoperatively included binocular uncorrected distance, intermediate, and near visual acuities, stereo vision, photopic, mesopic contrast sensitivity function without glare; spectacle independence and subjective visual symptoms. The independent-samples t test was used to compare the measured data which met normal distribution. The Chi-square test was applied to compare categorical variables.

RESULTS: There were no significant differences between groups in bilateral uncorrected distance vision(t=2.001, P=0.052), intermediate(t=1.304, P=0.199)and near vision(t=1.642, P=0.108). Percentage of patients wearing spectacle for distance vision were less than 4% in all groups. On the questionnaire, patients in multifocal IOL group complained with double vision, trouble in night vision and halo.

CONCLUSION: Pseudophakic monovision and multifocal IOL achieved distance vision, intermediate vision and near vision.