Alcon is introducing its newest addition to the U.S. intraocular lens (IOL) market: the Clareon PanOptix Pro Trifocal IOL for cataract patients.
Most notably: This will be the first presbyopia-correcting IOL available in the U.S. from Alcon in its single-use Clareon AutonoMe preloaded system (we’ll explain all about this later).
First, a look at the Clareon brand.
To start, the Clareon family of IOLs—including monofocal, trifocal, extended vision, and toric models—was first launched in the U.S. in 2022 with the purpose of delivering advanced vision, clarity, and predictable refractive outcomes.
The company’s trifocal lenses are designed as next-generation IOLs that replace the natural lens damaged by cataracts (or other ocular conditions) to improve vision at near, intermediate, and far distances.
- Notably: The PanOptix trifocal platform was first launched in Europe in 2015 before becoming the first and only FDA-approved trifocal IOL in the United States in 2019.
Now to this lens.
The newest trifocal lens is a multifocal IOL intended to focus images clearly onto the retina to enable clear vision following cataract removal.
- As Alcon noted: The IOL’s center provides improved near and intermediate vision without compromise compared to the vision a monofocal lens would provide.
Key to its performance: Alcon’s ENLIGHTEN Optical Technology, which essentially provides a more normal range of vision for patients.
Talk more about this technology.
What it is: A proprietary design engineered to deliver the “highest reported light utilization of any trifocal IOL—and the lowest light scatter,” according to Alcon data.
As used with the original PanOptix lens, the unique diffractive structure of the lens transmits 88% of light to the retina at a 3 mm pupil size for an “exceptionally high light utilization,” Alcon noted.
- And with a 4.5 mm diffractive zone, ENLIGHTEN technology also enables a reduced dependence on pupil size in various lighting conditions.
See here for a visual rundown on how these lenses achieve 20-20 vision at near, intermediate, and distance vision in a single design (hint: it involves the development of a new focal point at 120 cm and redirecting light energy to distance).
So does the PanOptix Pro have these same capabilities?
They’re actually intended to be more advanced, essentially building off the features designed for the PanOptix.
Due to the tech’s superior light utilization and low light scatter, the company noted “more uninterrupted light distribution from distance to near, and a 16% increase in optical image contrast between distance and intermediate.”
In speaking on these enhanced capabilities, Alcon’s Rob Scott, vice president, intraocular devices, Research & Development, shared:
- “Our team looked at hundreds of design options, ultimately landing on a targeted diffractive refinement that helped us recover 50% of light lost to scatter, and reposition it to a beneficial focal point for PanOptix Pro.”
Nice! Now let’s talk technical specifications.
The PanOptix Pro includes powers ranging from:
- +6.0 through +30.0 diopters (D; in 0.5 D increments)
- +31.0 through +34.0 D (in 1.0 D increments)
- +2.17 D intermediate
- +3.25 D near add power
To note: The lenses will also be available with blue light and ultraviolet filtering.
And its mode of delivery?
As we mentioned earlier, the PanOptix Pro will be the company’s first presbyopia-correcting IOL in the U.S. available in its single-use Clareon AutonoMe preloaded delivery system.
- What this is: An advanced, automated, and disposable cataract surgery delivery system designed to provide surgeons with intuitive control for an automated IOL delivery of up to 3 mm/sec.
Per Alcon: The lens will also be available for use with the Clareon Monarch IV delivery system beginning in 2026.
Lastly: Where can I find this?
While the PanOptix Pro has already been introduced to select clinical practices in the United States, Alcon plans to extend its availability to the broad commercial market in May, with additional market rollouts beginning in late 2025.
In the meantime: If you’re attending the 2025 American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery annual meeting later this month (April 25-28) in Los Angeles, California, stop by the Alcon booth (#1815) to learn more about the lens.
If not, click here.