For a patient with traumatic aniridia, photophobia, and potential visual acuity of 20/25, the best lens would be?

In cases of traumatic aniridia, where the patient has no iris and often experiences photophobia (sensitivity to light), the best choice is a cosmetic iris lens with optics. This type of lens minimizes the light that enters the eye, thereby helping to alleviate discomfort caused by the absence of an iris.

Cosmetic iris lenses are designed to mimic the appearance of a natural iris while also providing the necessary optical correction for the patient's vision. Since this patient has a potential visual acuity of 20/25, a lens that combines cosmetic enhancement with optical correction would serve both functional and aesthetic purposes effectively. These lenses can help reduce glare and improve visual comfort, especially important for patients with photophobia.

The option of clear rigid lenses may not address the issue of photophobia or the aesthetic concerns of the patient effectively, as they do not provide the same level of light filtration or comfort and may expose the patient's eyes to more light. Tinted spectacle lenses can offer some relief from light sensitivity but lack the optical correction that a cosmetic iris lens provides, which is essential for this patient. An occulder lens primarily blocks all light, which could impair any potential visual acuity, making it less suitable for a patient who can achieve good vision with correction.