Clinical Evaluation Of Reading Performance With A Diffractive Continuous-Range-Of-Vision Intraocular Lens Using The Salzburg Reading Desk

Evaluation of the near and intermediate reading performance with a novel presbyopia correcting IOL combining bifocal and extended depth of focus technologies using an electronic reading desk.

This ongoing prospective, interventional clinical study is conducted at a university eye clinic in Germany.

In this study 56 eyes of 28 patients who undergo refractive lens exchange procedure and bilateral implantation of the TECNIS Synergy IOL (Johnson & Johnson, New Brunswick, NJ) are included.

Uncorrected and distance corrected reading acuity, reading distance, reading speed, and the smallest print size that can be read effectively at a set (40 cm/80 cm) and subjectively chosen near and intermediate distance are assessed using the Salzburg reading desk. All patients are examined preoperatively and 6 months after refractive lens exchange surgery. 

Uncorrected near reading acuity increased from 0.59 ± 0.17 logMAR preoperatively to 0.08 ± 0.08 logMAR postoperatively at the set near distance (40 cm) and from 0.60 ± 0.18 logMAR to 0.10 ± 0.07 logMAR at the subjectively preferred distance (38.6 ± 5.5 cm and 37.2 ± 4.7 cm). Uncorrected intermediate reading acuity was 0.33 ± 0.18 logMAR preoperatively and 0.09 ± 0.07 logMAR postoperatively at the set intermediate distance (80 cm). The preferred intermediate distance was 72.5 ± 10.5 cm preoperatively and 73.9 ± 3.8cm postoperatively. Uncorrected intermediate reading acuity at the preferred distance was 0.40 ± 0.20 logMAR preoperatively and 0.08 ± 0.09 logMAR postoperatively.

Uncorrected intermediate and near reading function considerably improved after bilateral implantation of the TECNIS Synergy IOL. Patients preferred a closer near and intermediate distance to the set distances. Reading function was comparable for the set and subjectively preferred distances, however.