VISUAL-ACUITY RECOVERY RATES FOLLOWING CATARACT-SURGERY AND IMPLANTATION OF SOFT INTRAOCULAR LENSES

To determine whether eyes receiving soft optic lens implants had faster visual recovery times then eyes receiving firm optic lens implants, we calculated the visual acuity recovery rates following our standard cataract operation. Visual acuity of 20/50 or better without correction was obtained in 31% of eyes on the first day following surgery, 55% at one week, 74% at three weeks, and 89% at six weeks and three months. Fifty best-case soft optic lens implant cases were reviewed and their visual recovery rates were calculated. There were no statistically significant differences in the visual acuities without correction at any follow-up point. There was a slightly significant difference at one week with correction and a significant difference at three weeks with correction favoring the soft lens/small incision group. Because optical correction is generally not provided on these visits, we conclude that soft lens implants with small incisions did not provide clinically significant improvement in visual acuity recovery over our standard cataract procedure.