IOL evolution for presbyopia

“As we move into the 21st century the role of the IOL will evolve allowing better outcomes in cataract surgery and find new roles in surgery to improve vision such as through the treatment of presbyopia.” This was the view of Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon, Queen's University Hospital, London, Mr. Charles Claoué on the news that the pioneering and sole British manufacturer of IOLs, Rayner Intraocular Lenses Ltd., has been awarded the prestigious Queen's Award for Enterprise.

“This recognition is well-deserved. Rayner is the most dynamic and innovative IOL company in the world and has a glorious history including having made the first ever IOL. At a time of global financial stress it is impressive for a British company to be achieving so much and excelling in the world marketplace.”

Rayner has advanced from making only monofocal lenses for cataract to excelling in toric and multifocal lens design. In the UK, premium multifocal IOLs treat presbyopia and are currently only available in private practice, for a cost of approximately £2,500 per eye, with no option to top-up from NHS–funded cataract surgery. Rayner's multifocal IOLs permit focus for long, intermediate and short distances. Patients report an average vision score of 92% following implantation of an IOL, where 100' would mean no disability. Rayner also remains committed to researching new biomaterials that offer exciting possibilities for future IOL development.

“We are a British manufacturer that is proud of the fact that we have refused to shift manufacture overseas but instead take our products to these markets and succeed. In Russia, Korea, Brazil, India, USA, Germany and many other countries we win by finding excellent local business partners, teaming up with their eye surgeon-customers and bringing internationally renowned surgeons from one country to another, passing on skills and exchanging clinical results. This week it is a tour of four Chinese cities where we are hosting educational seminars for audiences of hundreds of eye surgeons wanting to learn more about our lenses, especially the multifocal and multifocal toric lenses,” said Donald J. Munro, chairman and managing director of Rayner.