To evaluate visual performance as well as patient satisfaction and to explore factors associated with clinical outcomes in pseudophakic monovision acquired after bilateral phacoemulsification and sequential monofocal intraocular lens (IOL) implantation.

The present retrospective study examined patients with pseudophakic monovision. Preoperative and postoperative binocular uncorrected distant visual acuity (UCDVA), uncorrected near visual acuity (UCNVA), refractive errors and postoperative near stereopsis were measured. Postoperative measurements were obtained at least 6 months after the fellow eye surgery. Patient satisfaction and independence from glasses were evaluated using a questionnaire.

Preoperative and postoperative binocular UCDVA, UCNVA, and differences in spherical equivalent refractive error were statistically significant. Postoperative near stereopsis was 107.1 arcsec. Questionnaire responses showed that 71.4% of patients were less dependent on glasses and 85.7% were satisfied with the postoperative visual performance. Various designs of monovision, such as crossed monovision or customized minimonovision with moderate myopic defocus showed the same level of patient satisfaction. Patients who were older than 60 years or had poorer preoperative binocular UCDVA showed higher satisfaction.

Pseudophakic monovision is an effective approach for managing loss of accommodation after cataract surgery, especially in patients older than 60 years.