Would you implant a multifocal IOL in a patient with age-related macular degeneration?

Depends on how bad the AMD is. Or how bad it might become. In general, the vision with a multifocal IOL is going to be adversely affected (at any distance) in an eye whose macula is not healthy. This will happen more so than would typically be the case with a single-vision IOL.

While visual performance with a multifocal IOL in an eye with macular degeneration is of primary importance, you also have to consider the extra out-of-pocket cost to a patient. If the macular problem is going to compromise excellent uncorrected near vision, they may not be getting the extra value they paid for.

_Written by J. Trevor Woodhams, M.D. - Chief of Surgery, Woodhams Eye Clinic