Multifocal Intraocular Lenses and Corneal Refractive Surgery

Abstract

The eye is actually an optical system of two refractive planes: the cornea and the intraocular lens. These two refractive organs concentrate light rays from infinity to a certain focal point. If we want to change the focal point, we can do it either by changing the corneal refractive power, by changing the lens power, or by changing both. While discussing multifocal intraocular lens implant and laser refractive surgery, there are two possible clinical conditions – multifocal intraocular lens implant after refractive laser (or radial keratotomy) treatment and refractive laser enhancement after multifocal intraocular lens implant. These two possible conditions raise different issues to be considered as timing of procedures, corneal topography, aberrations, lens power calculations, amount of the needed refractive power change, etc. In this chapter, we discuss the different aspects of this issue, the preoperative and postoperative considerations, as well as the lens power calculations and consideration after laser refractive surgeries.