Aspheric IOLs perform better than spherical IOLs

Article

Aspheric intraocular lenses induce less wavefront aberrations and perform better in photopic and mesopic conditions than spherical IOLs.

Aspheric intraocular lenses (IOLs) induce less wavefront aberrations and perform better in photopic and mesopic conditions than spherical IOLs, according to a report published in the September issue of Journal of Refractive Surgery.

Aldo Caporossi and co-workers from the University of Siena, Italy conducted a prospective, comparative, randomized study of 250 eyes of 125 subjects with bilateral cataracts. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either a spherical biconvex optic (AcrySof SN60AT [Alcon] or Sensar AR40e [AMO]) or an aspheric optic (AcrySof IQ SN60WF [Alcon], Tecnis Z9000 [AMO] or SofPort L161AO [Bausch & Lomb]).

Aspheric IOLs demonstrated better contract sensitivity compared with spherical IOLs at spatial frequencies of six, 12 and 18 cycles per degree under photopic conditions and at all spatial frequencies under mesopic conditions. There were no significant differences between the aspheric IOLs at all spatial frequencies under either photopic or mesopic conditions. Mean total spherical aberration was statistically lower in dominant eyes with aspheric IOLs compared with eyes with spherical IOLs for a 5 mm pupil diameter.

The results of this comparative study confirm that it is possible to improve the optical performance of IOLs by modifying the surfaces.

Newsletter

Join ophthalmologists across Europe—sign up for exclusive updates and innovations in surgical techniques and clinical care.

Recent Videos
Christine Curcio, PhD, of the University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, shares histology update and revised nomenclature for OCT with Sheryl Stevenson of the Eye Care Network and Ophthalmology Times
SriniVas R. Sadda, MD, FARVO, shares key points from his retina presentation at the International SPECTRALIS Symposium
Robert Sergott, MD, describes fluorescence lifetime imaging ophthalmoscopy (FLIO) and the International SPECTRALIS Symposium – And Beyond (ISS) in Heidelberg, Germany.
Rayaz Malik, MBChB, PhD, a professor of medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine - Qatar, spoke with Ophthalmology Times Europe about his presentation. It's titled "An eye on neurodegenerative diseases: Challenging the dogma" at the International SPECTRALIS Sympsoium. In conversation with Hattie Hayes, Ophthalmology Times Europe
Anat Loewenstein, MD, describes her presentation on remote imaging for age-related macular degeneration and geographic atrophy at the International SPECTRALIS Symposium, in conversation with Hattie Hayes of Ophthalmology Times Europe
Tyson Brunstetter, OD, PhD, a US Navy Aerospace Optometrist at the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, shares key takeaways from his keynote at the International SPECTRALIS Symposium (ISS)
Rayaz Malik, MBChB, PhD, shares his presentation, titled An eye on neurodegenerative diseases: Challenging the dogma, at this year's International SPECTRALIS Symposium
At the Retina World Congress, Siegfried Priglinger, MD, speaks about ensuring the best outcomes for preschool-aged patients
At the 2025 ASCRS meeting, Robert Ang, MD said small aperture IOLs can benefit all patients, especially those with complex corneas or who have undergone previous corneal refractive surgery
Viha Vig, MBChB graduate student at the University of Auckland, New Zealand, discusses her poster presentation on the relationship between mitochondiral disease, Alzheimer disease, and other types of dementia.
© 2025 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.