Aspheric diffractive lenses are disclosed for ophthalmic applications. Forexample, multifocal intraocular lens (IOLs) are disclosed that include anoptic havingan anterior surface and a posterior surface, at least one of which surfacesincludes anaspherical base profile on a portion of which a plurality of diffractive zonesaredisposed so as to generate a far focus and a near focus. The aspherical baseprofileenhances image contrast at the far focus of the lens relative to that obtainedby asubstantially identical IOL in which the respective base profile is spherical.
