From Earlier to Updated Quadrifocal Intraocular Lens Designs: An Objective Optical Metrology Analysis

To compare the optical performance of the Clareon PanOptix and Clareon PanOptix Pro intraocular lenses (IOLs) using interferometric metrology and identify measurable optical differences.

Physiological Optics Laboratory, Daegu, Republic of Korea.

Experimental optical-bench investigation.

Three +20.0 D samples each of the PanOptix and PanOptix Pro IOLs (Alcon) were analyzed using a Mach-Zehnder interferometer in a model eye incorporating +0.27 µm corneal spherical aberration. Microscopic imaging, wavefront reconstruction with Zernike analysis, diffractive-step profile reconstruction, point-spread function (PSF)-based retinal image simulation, halo analysis, and through-focus modulation transfer function (TF-MTF) analysis were performed.

Both IOLs showed broadly similar diffractive architecture and spherical aberration profiles. Peak-to-valley step-profile amplitudes were comparable, although the PanOptix Pro showed localized differences in the reconstructed step-height contour. PSF-based analyses showed broadly similar focal behavior, but the PanOptix Pro demonstrated clearer Sloan F contour preservation and more evident central PSF-core brightness at the far-intermediate position. In through-focus average MTF (aMTF) profiles, the PanOptix Pro showed a modestly higher far-focus peak and a less pronounced post-peak dip, particularly at 4.5- and 3.0-mm pupils. MTF50 analysis showed a similar overall pattern, with greater variability and more apparent inter-model differences at larger pupil sizes.

The PanOptix Pro preserves the fundamental design and spherical aberration profile of the original PanOptix, while showing localized diffractive step-height modifications. Together with clearer far-intermediate F-image preservation, sustained central PSF-core brightness, and a shallower post-peak aMTF dip, these findings are consistent with a relative redistribution of optical energy toward the far-intermediate region, supporting greater far-intermediate optical continuity without substantial changes in nominal add power or overall focal structure.