To compare the optical properties of bifocal diffractive and multifocal refractive intraocular lenses. Methods: A model eye with a pupil 4.5 mm in diameter was used to determine the point spread function (PSF) of the distance focus and near focus of a diffractive bifocal intraocular lens (IOL) (model 811E; Pharmacia Inc, Columbus, Ohio) and of a refractive multifocal IOL (model SA40N; Allergan Optical Inc, Irvine, Calif) to compare them with PSFs of foci of corresponding monofocal lenses. For interpreting the PSFs the through focus response, the modulation transfer function, and the Strehl ratio were evaluated. Results: The intensity of the distance focus of the bifocal diffractive lens reached 58.5% and the near focus attained 42.7% of the intensity of a corresponding monofocal lens. The maximal halo intensity surrounding both