Background/objectives: This study aimed to characterize the visual performance in patients with bilateral cataracts and a unilateral epiretinal membrane (ERM) undergoing cataract surgery with non-diffractive extended depth of focus (EDoF) intraocular lens (IOL) placement in both eyes and phacovitrectomy in the eye with ERM.
Methods: This was a prospective, descriptive, single-arm study. Visual outcomes were measured in monocular and binocular conditions in patients with bilateral cataracts and unilateral ERM stages 2 or 3 implanted with an EDoF IOL. At 6 months, visual acuity (uncorrected and corrected at different distances and contrast levels), contrast sensitivity, and visual disturbances assessed using a Light Distortion Analyzer were determined.
Results: We included 22 patients (50% females, mean age of 71.4 ± 5.8 years). Mean monocular best-corrected visual acuities at 100% contrast were 0.07 ± 0.09, 0.23 ± 0.10, and 0.48 ± 0.14 logMAR for eyes with ERM, and 0.02 ± 0.08, 0.19 ± 0.11, and 0.41 ± 0.18 logMAR for fellow eyes for far, intermediate, and near distance vision, respectively. No differences were observed in visual outcomes, contrast sensitivity, or visual disturbances between ERM and non-ERM eyes, except for near distance. No unexpected adverse events were observed.
Conclusions: Non-diffractive EDoF IOL can be considered in patients with cataracts and stage 2 or 3 ERM pursuing spectacle independence.
Keywords: cataract; epiretinal membrane; extended depth of focus; intraocular lens; pars plana vitrectomy; phacoemulsification; phacovitrectomy.