Which lens gives sharper sight after cataract surgery? a Head-to-Head trial

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * Age ≥40 years, able to understand the study and give written informed consent * Clinically significant bilateral age-related cataract suitable for phacoemulsification with posterior chamber IOL implantation * Expected postoperative best-corrected visual acuity ≤0.2 logMAR in both eyes * Regular corneal astigmatism ≤4.5 D in both eyes (IOLMaster 700) * Axial length 21.5-26.5 mm in both eyes * Clear cornea without clinically significant opacities, scars, or stromal dystrophies * Normal pupil function; no significant anisocoria (≥1 mm) and no afferent pupillary defect * Acceptance of the target refraction strategy: emmetropia in the dominant eye and -0.50 D in the non-dominant eye * Willing and able to attend all follow-up visits (Month 1, 3, and 6) * Written informed consent obtained before any study-related procedure Exclusion Criteria: * Prior corneal refractive surgery, corneal transplantation, glaucoma filtering surgery, or vitreoretinal surgery in either eye (uncomplicated intravitreal injections allowed) * Irregular astigmatism, keratoconus, forme fruste keratoconus, corneal ectasia, significant corneal opacities or scars, or endothelial dystrophy * Keratometric astigmatism \>4.5 D in either eye * Axial length \<21.5 mm or \>26.5 mm in either eye * Calculated IOL power outside the available range of either study lens * Macular pathology expected to limit visual acuity (e.g., age-related macular degeneration, diabetic maculopathy, epiretinal membrane, macular hole) * Advanced glaucoma with central visual field involvement, or IOP not controlled on ≤2 topical medications * Optic neuropathy expected to limit visual potential * Pre-existing amblyopia in either eye * Significant anisocoria, afferent pupillary defect, non-dilating pupil, or iris abnormalities affecting IOL function or measurement * Endothelial cell density \<1500 cells/mm² * Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (HbA1c \>9%) or autoimmune disease with active ocular involvement * Systemic medications affecting pupil size that cannot be discontinued (e.g., tamsulosin) * Pregnancy or breastfeeding * Intraoperative complication precluding safe in-the-bag IOL implantation (affected eyes withdrawn) * Cognitive impairment, language barrier, or other factors preventing reliable participation * Current enrollment in another interventional clinical study affecting visual outcomes