Vitreoretinal surgery through multifocal intraocular lenses compared with monofocal intraocular lenses in fluid-filled and air-filled rabbit eyes.

PURPOSE: To compare vitrectomy procedures and visualization of posterior segment structures through multifocal silicone intraocular lenses (IOLs) with the same procedures through monofocal silicone IOLs in rabbit eyes. DESIGN: Experimental study. PARTICIPANTS: Twelve eyes of six rabbits. METHODS: Each rabbit eye underwent phacoemulsification of the lens and posterior chamber implantation of a silicone multifocal or silicone monofocal IOL. The type of IOL (monofocal vs. multifocal) implanted in the first eye of each rabbit was randomly decided. The fellow eye then received the other IOL type. Vitrectomy procedures were performed through the IOLs by using a flat contact lens (part 1) or wide-angled contact lens (part 2) for visualization through fluid-filled (parts 1 and 2) and air-filled (part 2) eyes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Image quality, stereopsis, and contrast were subjectively graded on a scale of 0 (none) to 4 (excellent) for each eye by each surgeon. RESULTS: In part 1, image quality averaged 4 for the monofocal IOL and 3.6 for the multifocal IOL. Stereopsis averaged 4 for the monofocal IOL and 4 for the multifocal IOL. Contrast averaged 4 for the monofocal IOL and 3.9 for the multifocal IOL. Vitrectomy with retinal surface maneuvers was successfully performed in both pigmented and nonpigmented rabbit eyes through both IOL types. In part 2, image quality, stereopsis, and contrast were rated as 4 for both multifocal and monofocal silicone IOLs. Air-fluid exchange was performed without difficulty. Image quality, stereopsis, and contrast were rated as 4 for air-filled eyes. CONCLUSIONS: Visualization of posterior segment structures through multifocal silicone IOLs was sufficient for retinal surface maneuvers during vitrectomy procedures in both fluid-filled and air-filled rabbit eyes.