Purpose: To determine the preferred type of intraocular lens (IOL) that ophthalmologists would choose for themselves in case of cataract surgery.
Design: Prospective convenience questionnaire study.
Materials and Methods: We developed an electronic survey with seven (7) questions, combining multiple and open options. The following categories were established: monofocal (MonoIOL) without monovision (MonoIOL-SM) and with monovision (MonoIOL-CM) and multifocal (MultiIOL) that could be either a bifocal (MultiIOL-B), trifocal (MultiIOL-T) or extended focus (MultiIOL-E). The link for the survey was sent to ophthalmologists from Latin America and Spain through different ways. The 1209 responses were analyzed statistically.
Results: We received 1209 responses from 14 countries. The average age was 47.977 years (SD 11.711 years). Gender distribution was 839 males (72.8%) and 313 females (27.2%). Overall preference was MonoIOL-SM 23.90% (289), MonoIOL-CM 12.16% (147), MultiIOL-B 4.63% (56), MultiIOL-T 34.99% (423), MultiIOL-E 15.22% (110), and unsure 9.10% (110). Ophthalmologists that implant IOLs showed a greater preference for MultiIOL (64%) than those who did not implant IOLs (32.3%). Although all ophthalmologists preferred MultiIOL, anterior segment specialists chose them more frequently (59.1%) than posterior segment specialists (41%).
Conclusion: Ophthalmologists would prefer to receive a multifocal IOL implantation despite the lower frequency of multifocal IOL implantation observed in the general population. The frequency was greater among ophthalmologists who implant IOLs compared to those who do not implant them. It was also greater among those who identified themselves as anterior segment specialists compared to posterior segment specialists.
Keywords: ophthalmologists, IOL type, cataract surgery