To evaluate the visual outcomes of multifocal intraocular lens (IOL) implantation for unilateral cataract and compare with binocular cataract multifocal IOL.

Age related cataract patients with age 40-70 years were collected and divided into two groups. Monocular group included 30 eyes of 30 patients with monocular cataract, and the other eyes were no significant cataract or early cataract needn′t surgery. Bilateral group included 64 eyes of 32 patients with binocular cataract. Patients were implanted with multifocal IOLs unilaterally or bilaterally.Three months postoperatively, monocular and binocular uncorrected distance, intermediate and near visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and near stereoacuity, the rate of spectacle glass independence and patient′s satisfaction were examined and assessed.

The mean binocular uncorrected distance, intermediate, and near vision (logMAR) in the unilateral group were (0.10±0.14), (0.29±0.16), (0.28±0.24) and in the bilateral group were (0.09±0.19), (0.24±0.13), (0.26±0.17). The difference was not significant between the two groups (t=0.32、0.54、0.78, P=0.75、0.59、0.44). Near stereoacuity was slightly worse in the unilateral group than in the bilateral group(χ²=5.16, P=0.02). The rate of spectacle glass independence was 62.50% in the unilateral group and 71.88% in the bilateral group. There was no significant difference among the two groups (χ²=0.52, P=0.47). The differernce in patient satisfaction of the two groups was not statistically significant(χ²=0.52, P=0.53).

Unilateral implantation of multifocal intraocular lens may increase the rate of spectacle glass independence and improve patient satisfaction. The treatment of implantation of multifocal intraocular lens for monocular cataract is worthy of recommendation.

Cataract, unilateral; Lens, intraocular, multifocal; Visual outcome