Optical Performance Of Rayone Galaxy Spiral Iol Versus Clareon Vivity In A Real Model Eye: Defocus Curve, Contrast Sensitivity, And Night Glare

To compare through-focus visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and night glare characteristics of the RayOne Galaxy spiral intraocular lens (IOL) (Rayner) with the Clareon Vivity extended depth-of-focus (EDOF) IOL (Alcon) using a custom real model eye system.

ASUCA Eye Clinic Sendai Mark One

A real model eye was constructed with a PMMA corneal lens (spherical aberration +0.20 μm; refractive index 1.4938; radii 7.668/7.460 mm) filled with balanced salt solution and a CCD camera (Pentax Q10®, RICOH IMAGING). Both IOLs were evaluated at 20.0 D. Through-focus visual acuity was measured from +2.0 to −4.0 D (0.25 D steps) at aperture diameters of 2, 3, and 4 mm. Contrast was quantified using the Michaelson contrast formula [(Lmax−Lmin)/(Lmax+Lmin)]; mesopic contrast sensitivity and area under the log contrast sensitivity function (AULCSF) were compared between Galaxy and Clareon Vivity. Night glare was photographed at Φ5 mm using a real nocturnal urban scene. Model eye data were correlated with clinical through-focus outcomes.

At Φ2 mm, Galaxy demonstrated a functional range of 2.5 D at logMAR 0.2. At Φ3 mm, Galaxy produced a bimodal defocus curve with peaks at plano and −1.75 D, yielding a broader extended range compared to Clareon Vivity. At Φ4 mm, Galaxy achieved −0.1 logMAR best-corrected distance visual acuity with sustained performance to −3.5 D; Clareon Vivity declined steeply beyond −2.0 D. Mesopic contrast sensitivity and AULCSF were significantly higher for Galaxy than Clareon Vivity across all spatial frequencies tested (p < 0.05). Night glare photography showed Galaxy produced minimal halos comparable to an EDOF lens, with no diffractive ring artifacts. Model eye findings were concordant with clinical data.

The RayOne Galaxy spiral IOL delivered a broader defocus range and superior contrast sensitivity compared to Clareon Vivity in a validated real model eye, while maintaining an EDOF-equivalent low-glare profile. The AI-optimised spiral freeform design positions Galaxy functionally between conventional EDOF and diffractive trifocal IOLs, offering meaningful near and intermediate vision gains without diffractive photic penalties.