Clinical outcomes with distance‐dominant multifocal and monofocal intraocular lenses in post‐LASIK cataract surgery planned using an intraoperative aberrometer

IMPORTANCE: Studies evaluating the clinical benefits of intraoperative aberrometry (IA) in cataract surgery are limited. BACKGROUND: The study was designed to determine whether IA improved clinical outcomes of post-laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) cataract surgery with different intraocular lenses (IOLs) implanted. DESIGN: A retrospective chart review of clinical outcomes from one surgeon at one surgical centre was conducted. It included post-LASIK cataract surgeries where IA was used for the confirmation of IOL power, with either a distant-dominant multifocal IOL or a monofocal IOL implanted. PARTICIPANTS: Records for 44 eyes of 31 patients were analysed. METHODS: Differences in visual acuity (VA) and refractions by lens type were compared, and the effects of IA were evaluated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Uncorrected distance VA and the percentage of eyes with a spherical equivalent refraction within 0.5D of the intended correction were the primary outcome measures. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in the percentage of eyes with uncorrected distance VA of 20/25 or better between IOL groups (P = 0.41). More eyes in the multifocal group had a refraction within 0.50D of intended (P = 0.03). In 39% of cases, the preoperative and IA power calculations suggested the same IOL power. When not equal, the IA results were not significantly more likely to be 'best' (P = 0.08). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Results suggest that a history of previous LASIK is not a contraindication to use of distant-dominant multifocal IOLs. IA did not appear to improve clinical outcomes in post-LASIK eyes, although a positive trend was evident.