Optimization of the Oxygen Permeability of Non-Silicone Hydrogel Contact Lenses Through Crosslinking Modifications
The main weakness of non-silicone hydrogel contact lenses is their low oxygen permeability (Dk). Hence, we have tried to optimize their Dk using various concentrations and lengths of the poly (ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate crosslinker in a mixture of N,N-Dimethylacrylamide and Cyclohexyl methacryl...
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MDPI AG
2024-11-01
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| author | Clara Lim María García-Montero Andrew Courtis Paul Hainey David Madrid-Costa Almudena Crooke |
| author_facet | Clara Lim María García-Montero Andrew Courtis Paul Hainey David Madrid-Costa Almudena Crooke |
| author_sort | Clara Lim |
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| description | The main weakness of non-silicone hydrogel contact lenses is their low oxygen permeability (Dk). Hence, we have tried to optimize their Dk using various concentrations and lengths of the poly (ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate crosslinker in a mixture of N,N-Dimethylacrylamide and Cyclohexyl methacrylate monomers. After synthesizing the different contact lenses, we evaluated their chemical, optical, and mechanical properties. The resultant non-silicone hydrogel contact lenses presented similar high water contents (75.69–80.60%) and adequate optical (e.g., a transmittance ranging from 85.91% to 99.91% and a refractive index between 1.3630 and 1.3740) and elongation at break (178.95–356.05%) characteristics for clinical applications. Conversely, they presented high contact angles (81.00–100.00°) and a low Young’s modulus (0.066–0.167 MPa). Regarding the impact of the crosslinking modifications, the water content, contact angle, refractive index, transmittance, and Young’s modulus of the synthesized lenses were slightly affected by crosslinker conditions. In contrast, the elongation at break (178.95–356.05%) and, more importantly, the oxygen permeability, which reached values of up to 73.90 Fatt units, were considerably impacted by the crosslinker conditions. To our knowledge, this study demonstrates for the first time that, in addition to water, other usual hydrogel components, like crosslinkers, can modulate the Dk of non-silicone contact lenses. It also provides a simple and scalable method to fabricate more permeable non-silicone lenses. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ef7e7189e4754431bf17c17599dd51ec |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2310-2861 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Gels |
| spelling | doaj-art-ef7e7189e4754431bf17c17599dd51ec2024-11-26T18:05:30ZengMDPI AGGels2310-28612024-11-01101172610.3390/gels10110726Optimization of the Oxygen Permeability of Non-Silicone Hydrogel Contact Lenses Through Crosslinking ModificationsClara Lim0María García-Montero1Andrew Courtis2Paul Hainey3David Madrid-Costa4Almudena Crooke5Department of Optometry and Vision, Faculty of Optics and Optometry, Complutense University of Madrid, 28037 Madrid, SpainDepartment of Optometry and Vision, Faculty of Optics and Optometry, Complutense University of Madrid, 28037 Madrid, SpainResearch and Development Group, Mark’ennovy, Widnes WA8 0RP, UKResearch and Development Group, Mark’ennovy, Widnes WA8 0RP, UKDepartment of Optometry and Vision, Faculty of Optics and Optometry, Complutense University of Madrid, 28037 Madrid, SpainDepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Optics and Optometry, Complutense University of Madrid, 28037 Madrid, SpainThe main weakness of non-silicone hydrogel contact lenses is their low oxygen permeability (Dk). Hence, we have tried to optimize their Dk using various concentrations and lengths of the poly (ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate crosslinker in a mixture of N,N-Dimethylacrylamide and Cyclohexyl methacrylate monomers. After synthesizing the different contact lenses, we evaluated their chemical, optical, and mechanical properties. The resultant non-silicone hydrogel contact lenses presented similar high water contents (75.69–80.60%) and adequate optical (e.g., a transmittance ranging from 85.91% to 99.91% and a refractive index between 1.3630 and 1.3740) and elongation at break (178.95–356.05%) characteristics for clinical applications. Conversely, they presented high contact angles (81.00–100.00°) and a low Young’s modulus (0.066–0.167 MPa). Regarding the impact of the crosslinking modifications, the water content, contact angle, refractive index, transmittance, and Young’s modulus of the synthesized lenses were slightly affected by crosslinker conditions. In contrast, the elongation at break (178.95–356.05%) and, more importantly, the oxygen permeability, which reached values of up to 73.90 Fatt units, were considerably impacted by the crosslinker conditions. To our knowledge, this study demonstrates for the first time that, in addition to water, other usual hydrogel components, like crosslinkers, can modulate the Dk of non-silicone contact lenses. It also provides a simple and scalable method to fabricate more permeable non-silicone lenses.https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/10/11/726crosslinkinghydrogeloxygen permeabilitysoft contact lens |
| spellingShingle | Clara Lim María García-Montero Andrew Courtis Paul Hainey David Madrid-Costa Almudena Crooke Optimization of the Oxygen Permeability of Non-Silicone Hydrogel Contact Lenses Through Crosslinking Modifications Gels crosslinking hydrogel oxygen permeability soft contact lens |
| title | Optimization of the Oxygen Permeability of Non-Silicone Hydrogel Contact Lenses Through Crosslinking Modifications |
| title_full | Optimization of the Oxygen Permeability of Non-Silicone Hydrogel Contact Lenses Through Crosslinking Modifications |
| title_fullStr | Optimization of the Oxygen Permeability of Non-Silicone Hydrogel Contact Lenses Through Crosslinking Modifications |
| title_full_unstemmed | Optimization of the Oxygen Permeability of Non-Silicone Hydrogel Contact Lenses Through Crosslinking Modifications |
| title_short | Optimization of the Oxygen Permeability of Non-Silicone Hydrogel Contact Lenses Through Crosslinking Modifications |
| title_sort | optimization of the oxygen permeability of non silicone hydrogel contact lenses through crosslinking modifications |
| topic | crosslinking hydrogel oxygen permeability soft contact lens |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/10/11/726 |
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