BackgroundTo compare the clinical performance of bifocal and trifocal intraocular lenses (IOLs) in cataract surgery, a meta-analysis on randomized controlled trials was conducted.MethodsA comprehensive literature retrieval of PubMed, Science Direct and EMBASE was performed in this systematic review. Clinical outcomes included visual acuity (VA), contrast sensitivity (CS), spectacle independence, postoperative refraction and surgical satisfaction.ResultsThere were 8 RCTs included in this study. The difference of uncorrected near VA (UNVA) between the bifocal IOLs and trifocal IOLs had no significance [MD=0.02, 95%CI: (-0.03,0.06)]. There was no significant difference in the distant-corrected near VA (DCNVA) with MD of 0.04 [95%CI (-0.02, 0.10)]. Compared with trifocal group, the uncorrected intermediate visual acuity (UIVA) [MD=0.09,95%CI:(0.01,0.17)] was significantly worse in the bifocal group. No difference was found in distance-corrected intermediate VA (DCIVA) [MD=0.09, 95%CI: (-0.04, 0.23)] between two groups. Analysis on AT LISA subgroup indicated the bifocal group had worse intermediate VA than trifocal group (AT LISA tri 839M) [MD=0.18, 95%CI: (0.12, 0.24) for UIVA and MD=0.19, 95%CI: (0.13, 0.25) for DCIVA]. However, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in the uncorrected distance VA (UDVA) and corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) [MD=0.01, 95%CI: (-0.01,0.04) for UDVA; MD=0.00, 95%CI: (-0.01,0.01) for CDVA].The postoperative refraction of bifocal group was similar to that of trifocal group [MD=-0.08, 95% CI: (-0.19, 0.03) for spherical equivalent; MD=-0.09, 95%CI: (-0.21, 0.03) for cylinder; MD=-0.09, 95% CI: (-0.27, 0.08) for sphere]. No difference was found for spectacle independence, posterior capsular opacification (PCO) incidence and patient satisfaction between bifocal IOLs and trifocal IOLs. [RR=0.89, 95% CI: (0.71, 1.12) for spectacle independence; RR=1.81, 95% CI: (0.50, 6.54) for PCO incidence; RR=0.98, 5% CI: (0.86, 1.12) for patient satisfaction].ConclusionPatients receiving trifocal IOLs, especially AT LISA tri 839M, have a better intermediate VA than those receiving bifocal IOLs. Near and distance visual performance, spectacle independence, postoperative refraction and surgical satisfaction of bifocal IOLs were similar to those of trifocal IOLs.