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

PURPOSE: To compare the optical performance of the Clareon PanOptix and Clareon PanOptix Pro intraocular lenses (IOLs) using interferometric metrology and identify measurable optical differences. SETTING: Physiological Optics Laboratory, Daegu, Republic of Korea. DESIGN: Experimental optical-bench investigation. METHODS: 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. RESULTS: 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. CONCLUSIONS: 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.