A hydrophilic, aromatic-based monomer has an aromatic group substituted with at least one hydrophilic substituent and a reactive functional group. Polymers comprising such a hydrophilic, aromatic-based monomers avoid or reduce the risk of forming vacuoles of absorbed water. Furthermore, such polymers have high refractive index, and, thus, are advantageously used for making ophthalmic devices, such as intraocular lenses, contact lenses, corneal rings, corneal inlays, and keratoprostheses.