A prospective randomized control trial measuring posterior capsular opacification rates and visual outcomes following insertion of two monofocal intraocular lenses: the hydrophobic RayOne 800C and the hydrophilic RayOne 600C: Twelve-month results

Purpose: To compare posterior capsular opacification (PCO) and visual outcomes between hydrophobic (HPB) and hydrophilic (HPL) acrylic intraocular lenses (IOLs) with comparable haptic shapes, dimensions, and the same manufacturer. Setting: Teaching Hospital in the United Kingdom. Design: Single-centre, prospective, randomised control study. Methods: Patients with symptomatic cataract were randomised to receive either the RayOne 600C IOL (HPL group) (40 eyes, 40 patients) or the RayOne 800C IOL (HPB group) (45 eyes, 45 patients) and assessed at baseline, 1 month (1M), 6 months (6M), and 12 months (12M). Primary outcome measures were development of visually significant PCO requiring Nd: YAG laser capsulotomy, and the mean percentage area of PCO within the central 4 millimetres of the IOL as measured independently by three clinicians from retro-illuminated, digital photographs. Secondary outcomes were uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), patient reported outcome measures (CATPROM-5, EQ5D3L) and adverse events. Results: At 12M, there were no statistically significant differences in UDVA, CDVA, CATPROM-5, or EQ5D3L scores between the HPL and HPB groups. There were no patients requiring Nd: YAG laser capsulotomy for significant PCO in either group in the first 12 months after surgery. There were no differences in percentage areas of PCO between the HPL and HPB groups at 1M (2.05% vs 2.53%; p=0.18), 6M (1.92% vs 2.49%; p=0.22), and at 12M (3.64% vs 3.83%; p=0.86). Conclusions: There were no statistically significant differences in PCO or post-operative visual outcomes between a hydrophilic acrylic and a hydrophobic acrylic IOL with comparable designs.