Intermediate and near vision correction in pseudophakic emmetropic patients with implantation of monofocal IOL

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the intermediate and near vision correction required in pseudophakic emmetropic patients following cataract surgery with implantation of monofocal intraocular ocular lens (IOL). Materials and Methods: It was an observational study in which 100 patients with cataract underwent phacoemulsification surgery. After a basic pre- operative workup of the patient and calculation of IOL power, the patient was taken up for surgery. A foldable monofocal intraocular lens was placed in the capsular bag in all the patients. Results: The primary outcome was that at 6 weeks post-operative, 1 patient (1%) required near correction of 1–1.25, 28 cases (28%) at 1.5–1.75, 52 cases (52%) at 2–2.25 and 19 cases (19%) at 2.5–2.75. Only 19% patients required near vision full correction even after monofocal IOL implantation. Those patients who required full near vision correction of +2.50 or above, 68.4% of them were belonging to the age group of 60 years or above. The secondary outcome was that all 100% patients with emmetropic distant vision had intermediate vision of 6/6–6/12 which fell in the good vision category. Conclusion: Monofocal IOLs are capable of providing good amount of post-operative intermediate vision in those having an uncomplicated surgery and an emmetropic distant vision. There is some amount of pseudophakic accommodation and an anterior dynamic movement of the lens inside the capsular bag itself which is responsible as natural lens is replaced with an artificial intraocular lens leaving all other components, that is ciliary muscles function, zonular integrity and capsular bag intact.