Contrast sensitivity and higher order aberrations in eyes implanted with AcrySof IQ SN60WF and AcrySof SN60AT intraocular lenses

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of the aspheric optic of the AcrySof IQ SN60WF intraocular lens (IOL) in decreasing spherical and total higher order aberrations and improving contrast sensitivity after cataract surgery compared to the spheric AcrySof SN60AT. METHODS: Fifty-two eyes of 36 patients were evaluated at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas 3 to 6 months after phacoemulsification with implantation of the AcrySof IQ SN60WF (27 eyes) or AcrySof SN60AT (25 eyes) IOL. Eyes with previous surgery or ocular pathology were excluded. RESULTS: Eyes implanted with the AcrySof IQ SN60WF had less total higher order and spherical aberrations than AcrySof SN60AT-implanted eyes at pupils of 4 mm (0.14±60.06 vs 0.18±0.04 μm and -0.01±0.03 vs 0.09±0.03 μm, respectively). 5 mm (0.24±0.07 vs 0.34±0.08 μm and 0.03±0.02 vs 0.23±0.08 μm, respectively), and 6 mm (0.42±0.13 vs 0.67 ±0.12 μm and 0.08±0.04 and 0.46±0.09 μm. respectively). (P<.05 for all), with similar mean coma, trefoil, and 5th order aberrations. AcrySof SN60WF eyes showed better contrast sensitivity than AcrySof SN60AT eyes at 12 and 18 cycles per degree (cpd) under mesopic conditions (1.65±0.23 vs 1.51±0.25 and 1.22±0.21 vs 1.01±0.19, respectively), and at 18 cpd under glare (1.12±0.30 vs 0.87±0.31. respectively) (P<.05). Photopic contrast sensitivity was similar in both groups. The two groups had comparable mean age, axial length, IOL power, and postoperative mesopic and photopic pupil sizes. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to a spheric optic, the aspheric design of the AcrySof IQ SN60WF reduces spherical aberration, especially under larger pupil sizes, and improves mesopic contrast sensitivity at higher frequencies with and without glare.