Purpose: To compare differences in subjective glare and spherical aberration b etween five foldable intraocular lenses (IOLs) made of different materials and t o different designs. Methods: This prospective study comprised 175 cataract pati ents who underwent phacoemulsification and were randomized to receive one of fiv e types of foldable IOL (AcrySof. MA30BA, Alcon; Sensar. AR40, AMO; AcrySof. SA3 0AL, Alcon; Sensar. AR40e, AMO, and Tecnis. Z9000, Pharmacia &Upjohn). All pati ents received a questionnaire investigating the incidence of subjective photic p henomena. Two months postoperatively, we collected data regarding subjective gla re and evaluated pupil size, visual acuity and wavefront aberration of the corne a and eye. Results: With regard to difficulty in performing ordinary activities under different light conditions and light and dark adaptation, the difference b etween the groups was not significant (p >0.05, chi-squared test). With respect to difficulty in driving at night, the MA30BA group had a significant higher in cidence of photic phenomena than the SA30AL, AR40e and Z9000 groups (p < 0.05, c hi-squared test). Wavefront measurements revealed a significant difference betw een the Z9000, AR40e and SA30AL groups, which showed the lowest values, and the MA30BA group, which showed the highest value (p< 0.05, ANOVA with Tamhane postho c test). Conclusions: New generation IOLs such as the Pharmacia Z9000, AMO AR40e and AcrySof. SA30AL have a lower incidence of glare and spherical aberrations; however, their impact on future IOL design should be conditioned by further data , especially regarding posterior capsule opacification. Purpose: To compare differences in subjective glare and spherical aberration b etween five foldable intraocular lenses (IOLs) made of different materials and to different designs. Methods: This prospective study comprised 175 cataract pati ents who underwent phacoemulsification and were randomized to receive one of fiv All types of foldable IOL (AcrySof. MA30BA, Alcon; Sensar. AR40, AMO; AcrySof. SA3 0AL, Alcon; Sensar. AR40e, AMO, and Tecnis. Z9000, Pharmacia & Upjohn). All pati ents received a questionnaire investigating the incidence of subjective photic p henomena. Two months postoperatively, we collected data regarding subjective gla re and as pupil size, visual acuity and wavefront aberration of the corne a and eye. Results: With regard to difficulty in conducting ordinary activities under different light conditions and light and dark adaptation, the difference b etween the groups was not significant (p> 0.05, chi-squared test). With respect to difficulty in driving at night , the MA30BA group had a significant higher in cidence of photic phenomena than the SA30AL, AR40e and Z9000 groups (p <0.05, c hi-squared test). Wavefront measurements revealed a significant difference betwen the Z9000, AR40e and SA30AL groups, which showed the lowest values, and the MA30BA group, which showed the highest value (p <0.05, ANOVA with Tamhane postho c test). Conclusions: New generation IOLs such as the Pharmacia Z9000, AMO AR40e and AcrySof. SA30AL have a lower incidence of glare and spherical aberrations; however, their impact on future IOL design should be conditioned by further data, especially regarding posterior capsule opacification.