Huaxia Eye Cataract Group Meeting Spotlights Breakthroughs in New Materials for Ophthalmic Devices – Eyedeal’s xPIB Intraocular Lens Leads an Industry Revolution

From March 29 to 30, the 2025 Cataract Group Conference of Huaxia Eye Hospital Group placed a spotlight on a breakthrough material—polyisobutylene (PIB)—that captured widespread attention. Professor Zhang Guangbin, Head of the Cataract Group at Huaxia Eye Hospital Group and Deputy Director of Xiamen Eye Center of Xiamen University, delivered a keynote titled “Progress in the Application of Breakthrough New Materials in Ophthalmic Medical Devices”. In his talk, he provided a deep analysis of the transformative potential of this material in implantable ophthalmic medical devices, highlighting a major technological achievement by Xi’an Eyedeal Medical Technology Co., Ltd.: the world’s first intraocular lens (IOL) made from cross-linked polyisobutylene (xPIB), which has completed clinical trials in China and is set to benefit patients soon.

Industry Pain Points: Limitations of Traditional Materials and Unmet Needs

Professor Zhang pointed out that while mainstream IOL materials—such as silicone rubber and acrylic—are widely used, they often lead to problems such as brittleness, calcification, and inflammatory reactions over time, severely affecting patients’ postoperative quality of life. For younger patients or those needing lifelong implants, the long-term stability and biocompatibility of materials remain the biggest clinical challenges.

“Polyisobutylene-based materials offer a revolutionary solution to these problems,” Zhang noted. Composed purely of carbon and hydrogen, PIB contains no hydrolyzable groups and is characterized by non-degradability, flexibility retention, and zero calcification. Its biocompatibility surpasses that of acrylic and silicone, and it has been described by the prestigious journal Bioactive Materials as “an ideal candidate for long-term implantable biomaterials of the future.”

Global Recognition: Proven Safety and Application of PIB Materials

Zhang cited several international case studies demonstrating the safety and reliability of PIB-based materials. For example, the Taxus stent from Boston Scientific uses PIB as a drug coating and has been implanted over 5 million times worldwide, with more than 20 years of validated safety. The Preserflo® MicroShunt by Santen Pharmaceutical, used for glaucoma treatment, has been approved in 33 countries and accepted for review by China’s NMPA, with a two-year post-op infection and inflammation rate of zero.

“These cases provide solid clinical evidence of PIB’s safety. Eyedeal’s innovation—using cross-linked PIB (xPIB) in intraocular lenses—marks another significant expansion of this material’s medical value,” Zhang stated.

Eyedeal’s Breakthrough: From Laboratory to Clinical Application – A Milestone for ‘Made in China’

As a pioneering company in China’s IOL industry, Eyedeal began developing xPIB as early as 2017, earning selection in China’s National Key R&D Program. In 2020, its xPIB IOL was also accepted into the NMPA’s Special Review Procedure for Innovative Medical Devices. Professor Zhang praised Eyedeal’s achievements: “Their independently synthesized xPIB combines a high refractive index with a high Abbe number. It’s like a ‘diamond of polymer materials’—suitable for large optical surface designs and micro-incision implantation, with mechanical properties far superior to traditional products.”

xPIB IOL

Eyedeal’s new-generation xPIB intraocular lens has completed clinical trials in China and is the first IOL in nearly 30 years globally to feature a brand-new material in clinical use. This milestone not only represents a world-first innovation but also signifies a leap for Chinese enterprises—from market followers to global leaders in high-end ophthalmic biomaterials.

Expert Panel: Breakthrough Potential and Broader Applications

During the panel discussion, experts unanimously agreed that the potential of PIB extends far beyond intraocular lenses. Professor Zhang proposed future applications in artificial corneas, iris-lens complexes, and scleral-fixated IOLs—potentially solving many unmet needs across both anterior and posterior segments of the eye.

Professor Haike Guo, Vice President and Chief Cataract Specialist of Huaxia Eye Hospital Group, highly praised the material as a major breakthrough in ophthalmic materials. “Since 1949, the development of IOLs has been long and mature—meaning innovation is extremely difficult. Eyedeal’s ability to make breakthroughs in both materials and design is commendable and deserves recognition.” He expressed hope for even greater achievements and encouraged more physicians to support and adopt the new material and product.

When asked about the current progress of the xPIB IOL, Guangxu Guo, Chairman and CEO of Eyedeal, shared that the company holds global patents for its innovative PIB materials. The xPIB IOL has completed clinical trials in China and is preparing for market entry. He emphasized Eyedeal’s commitment to open collaboration, expressing a strong desire to work closely with clinicians to align innovative materials with practical needs and develop products that better serve patients.

Conclusion:

From lab research to clinical transformation, Eyedeal has spent a decade advancing xPIB, using polyisobutylene as a lever to push the evolution of ophthalmic materials. As this new product approaches commercialization, cataract patients in China—and around the world—will soon have access to a safer, longer-lasting treatment option. Xi’an Eyedeal will continue to focus on advanced material innovation and partner with clinical experts to drive technological progress in ophthalmology.

Note: This article is based on public presentations at the Huaxia Eye Cataract Group Conference and authoritative literature.