{"id":25685,"date":"2025-09-15T10:26:27","date_gmt":"2025-09-15T09:26:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rayner.com\/global\/?p=25685"},"modified":"2025-09-22T14:36:42","modified_gmt":"2025-09-22T13:36:42","slug":"st-thomas-pco-study-clarifies-debate-on-iol-materials-no-difference-between-hydrophilic-and-hydrophobic-lenses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rayner.com\/global\/st-thomas-pco-study-clarifies-debate-on-iol-materials-no-difference-between-hydrophilic-and-hydrophobic-lenses\/","title":{"rendered":"St. Thomas\u2019 PCO Study Clarifies Debate on IOL Materials: No Difference Between Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic Lenses"},"content":{"rendered":"

15 September 2025 | Worthing, UK\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

The results of a landmark study comparing hydrophilic and hydrophobic intraocular lenses (IOLs), presented at the 2025 ESCRS Congress, has confirmed both IOL materials can be clinically and statistically equivalent in preventing posterior capsular opacification (PCO).<\/p>\n

The safety of hydrophilic IOLs compared to hydrophobic IOLs has been a subject of debate for decades. Detractors of hydrophilic IOLs point to a predisposition to PCO formation and IOL calcification. Conversely, international experts have highlighted the many benefits of hydrophilic lenses, including their foldability and ease of implantation in micro incisional surgery, uveal biocompatibility, and reduced risk of IOL glistenings.1 <\/sup>Furthermore, calcifications with advanced hydrophilic materials like Rayner\u2019s proprietary Rayacryl are rare \u2013 with zero cases of primary calcification and a secondary calcification rate of 0.0007%.2<\/sup><\/p>\n

To settle the debate on IOL material, researchers at the prestigious St. Thomas\u2019 Hospital in London, UK \u2013 where the world\u2019s first IOL implantation was performed in 1949 \u2013 conducted a prospective single-centre randomised controlled trial (RCT) comparing both materials. Led by Professor David O\u2019Brart, the study compared PCO rates and visual outcomes between two aspheric acrylic monofocal IOLs \u2013 the hydrophilic RayOne (RAO600C) and the hydrophobic counterpart (RAO800C).<\/p>\n

The 24-month results were presented at the ESCRS 2025 congress in Copenhagen by Dr. Khayam Naderi. Both groups experienced statistically significant improvements in uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), best-corrected distance visual acuity (BDVA), and CATPROM-5 scores compared to baseline (p<0.0001), with comparable visual outcomes between groups. Importantly, visually significant PCO formation (defined as PCO requiring Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy) showed no significant difference between the IOL groups (p=0.14)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

This is the first known RCT to directly compare long-term PCO outcomes between hydrophobic and hydrophilic IOLs from the same manufacturer, implanted by the same surgeon. Both IOLs are structurally similar, and feature Rayner\u2019s Amon-Apple 360\u00b0 enhanced square edge design that minimises the migration of lens epithelial cells (LECs) to the posterior capsule. Thus, all possible variables, namely, surgeon, clinic, manufacturer, and IOL optic, were controlled to facilitate a scientifically robust comparison.<\/p>\n

In summary, a hydrophilic IOL with optimised anti-PCO design was comparable to its hydrophobic equivalent, leading the authors to conclude that the surgical technique and IOL edge design could have a greater influence on PCO formation than the lens material<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Tim Clover, CEO of Rayner, remarks, \u201cWith millions of Rayner hydrophilic and hydrophobic lenses sold, we are uniquely able to study material difference by removing critical variables like edge design, manufacturing quality and haptic shape. This result proves equivalence and is important in establishing patient safety profiles. It allows surgeons to choose their lens material based on handling characteristics alone and supports Rayner\u2019s strategy to offer the best patient outcomes in the material that you prefer.\u201d<\/p>\n

The full St. Thomas\u2019 study results are expected to be published in the coming months.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

References:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Eurotimes, May 2023.<\/li>\n
  2. Rayner vigilance data on file, July 2025.<\/li>\n
  3. Ashmal J, Khayam N, Chun Fung JL, et al Twenty-Four month results of a prospective randomized control trial to measure posterior capsular opacification rates and visual outcomes following insertion of two monofocal, aspheric, acrylic intraocular lenses: the hydrophobic RayOne 800C and the hydrophilic RayOne 600C<\/em>, presented at ESCRS 2025.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

     <\/p>\n

    About Rayner: <\/strong><\/p>\n

    Since the implantation of the first Rayner intraocular lens by Sir Harold Ridley in 1949, Rayner has had the goal to improve vision and restore sight worldwide. Today, Rayner\u2019s mission remains to deliver innovative and clinically superior ophthalmic products that respond to the expectations of our global customers to improve the sight and quality of life of their patients.<\/p>\n

    Headquartered in Worthing, United Kingdom, Rayner markets its medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and digital solutions worldwide in over 80 countries through a network of distributors and includes direct sales teams in the United Kingdom, Eire, USA, Canada, Brazil, India, Poland, Australia, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Italy, Spain, and Portugal.<\/p>\n

    Not all Rayner products are approved for sale in every country. Please contact your local Rayner distributor for details of which products are available in your area.<\/p>\n

    \u00a92025 Rayner Group, all rights reserved. \u2018Rayner\u2019 and \u2018RayOne\u2019 are proprietary marks of the Rayner Group. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. Rayner, The Ridley Innovation Centre, 10 Dominion Way, Worthing, West Sussex, BN14 8AQ. Registered in England: 615539 | EC 2025-99 EN<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    15 September 2025 | Worthing, UK\u00a0 The results of a landmark study comparing hydrophilic and hydrophobic intraocular lenses (IOLs), presented at the 2025 ESCRS Congress, has confirmed both IOL materials can be clinically and statistically equivalent in preventing posterior capsular opacification (PCO). The safety of hydrophilic IOLs compared to hydrophobic IOLs has been a subject<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":368,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[946],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nSt. Thomas\u2019 PCO Study Clarifies Debate on IOL Materials: No Difference Between Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic Lenses - Rayner : Global<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/rayner.com\/global\/st-thomas-pco-study-clarifies-debate-on-iol-materials-no-difference-between-hydrophilic-and-hydrophobic-lenses\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"St. Thomas\u2019 PCO Study Clarifies Debate on IOL Materials: No Difference Between Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic Lenses - Rayner : Global\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"15 September 2025 | Worthing, UK\u00a0 The results of a landmark study comparing hydrophilic and hydrophobic intraocular lenses (IOLs), presented at the 2025 ESCRS Congress, has confirmed both IOL materials can be clinically and statistically equivalent in preventing posterior capsular opacification (PCO). 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