Two companies have been named among the most successful businesses in the UK.

Rayner Intraocular Lenses Ltd, based in Hove, and Aspen Pumps Ltd, in Hailsham, have both won the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the category of International Trade.

Rayner, which employs more than 120 people, is the creator of Intraocular Lenses (IOLs) implants which are used in cataract surgery. It remains the UK’s only manufacturer of the sight-saving lenses.

As well as trading across 67 markets worldwide, the company frequently donates IOLs free of charge to charities in developing countries.

Donald Munro, the chairman and managing director of Rayner, said: “The award is a testament to our commitment to medical and scientific advancement, for without new lenses and new applications for IOL technology we can’t grow the business.

“We’re in the business of helping people get back that most valuable of the human senses – sight. I’m confident that with this award, more than ever, the Rayner management and employees share the vision to remain innovative and explore new markets, to ensure we can continue to improve the quality of people’s lives, restoring sight.”

Rayner, whose late founder Sir Harold Ridley was knighted by the Queen in 2000, also won praise from Charles Claoué, a consultant ophthalmic surgeon in Queen’s University Hospital, London. Mr Claoué said: “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 IOL.”

Aspen Pumps employs 80 people and manufactures pumps for air conditioning and refrigeration industries.

Over 15 years it has developed export markets in more than 55 countries throughout Europe, the Americas, Africa and Australia.

Adrian Thompson, the managing director of Aspen, paid tribute to Bernard Leach, one of the founders, who invented the easy-to-install, reliable pumps.

Mr Thompson said: “We are a niche business within the air condition industry and make an excellent product manufactured by local people which has grown steadily in the international market. Bernard has been the driving force and is a real entrepreneur.

From a business that started with three engineers 15 years ago, the achievement in winning a Queen’s Award represents a great honour for the company and reflects our extraordinary success story.”

The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise, which are presented for international trade, innovation or sustainable growth each year on the Queen's birthday, are bestowed on an elite group of UK companies that have excelled in business performance.