Studies on Development of Polymeric Materials Using Gamma Irradiation for Contact and Intraocular Lenses

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Abstract

For the development of materials for contact lenses and intraocular lenses, the selection criteria is based on the (i) capacity to absorb and retain water, (ii) hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity, (iii) refractive index and (iv) hardness besides the other essential properties. Various monomers are being studied to develop suitable materials for such applications. Selection of suitable monomers that can be converted into optical materials of desired characteristics is the most essential step. In the present paper, an attempt has been made to develop suitable optical polymers based on 2-hydroxy ethyl methacrylate (HEMA), N-vinyl pyrrolidone (NVP), methyl methacrylate (MMA), methacrylic acid (MAA), and styrene. Compositions were prepared in such a way that polymers of varying hydrophilicity or hydrophobicity could be obtained keeping HEMA as the base (main) monomer. For polymerization, gamma irradiation (Co-60 as a source) was used. The results of the study showed that: (i) an increase in NVP and MAA content brought in an increase in hydrophilicity of polymerized HEMA (pHEMA), while the addition of styrene and MMA decreased hydrophilicity of polymerized HEMA (pHEMA), (ii) polymers for contact lenses with water retention capacity as high as >50 wt.% and as low as <10 wt% with varying content of suitable comonomers can be designed, (iii) polymeric materials for contact lenses can be made by using radiation processing such as Co-60 and (iv) a dose of 40 kGy was found to be ideal for purpose.

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Manufacture of poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-methyl methacrylate) hydrogel tubes for use as nerve guidance channels.

Paul Dalton, Lauren Flynn, Molly Shoichet (2002)

Hydrogel tubes of poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-methyl methacrylate) (p(HEMA-co-MMA)) made by liquid-liquid centrifugal casting are being investigated as potential nerve guidance channels in the central nervous system. An important criterion for the nerve guidance channel is that its mechanical properties are similar to those of the spinal cord, where it will be implanted. The formulated p(HEMA-co-MMA) tubes are soft and flexible, consisting of a gel-like outer layer, and an interconnected macroporous, inner layer. The relative thickness of the gel phase to macroporous phase is controlled by the formulation chemistry, and specifically by the ratio of co-monomers, HEMA and MMA. By varying the surface chemistry of the mold within which the tubes are synthesized, tubes were prepared with either a "cracked" or a smooth outer morphology. Tubes with the cracked outer morphology had periodic channels that traversed the wall of the tube, which resulted in a lower modulus than smooth outer morphology tubes, yet likely greater diffusive permeability. For tubes (and not rods) to be formed, phase separation must precede gelation as is detailed in a formulation phase diagram for HEMA, MMA and water. The tensile elastic modulus of p(HEMA-co-MMA) tubes reflected the formulation chemistry, with greater moduli (up to 400 kPa) recorded for tubes having 10 wt% MMA. The p(HEMA-co-MMA) tubes therefore had similar mechanical properties to those of the spinal cord, which has a reported elastic modulus range between 200 and 600 kPa.

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Tensile properties of soft contact lens materials.

Ioannis Tranoudis, Nathan Efron (2004)

The strength of contact lens materials is an important consideration with respect to resistance to damage during lens handling and long term durability, and may govern some aspects of in-eye lens performance. The tensile properties of hydrogel contact lenses manufactured from eight different materials were examined in a series of clinical and laboratory experiments using the Instron 1122 Universal Testing Instrument. Lenses from the following eight materials (and nominal water contents) were used: HEMA/VP 40%, HEMA/VP 55%, HEMA/VP 70%, VP/MMA 55%, VP/MMA 70%, HEMA 40%, HEMA/MAA 55% and HEMA/MAA 70% (HEMA: 2-hydroxy-ethyl methacrylate, VP: vinyl pyrrolidone, MMA: methyl methacrylate, MAA: methacrylic acid). Tensile strength, elongation-at-break and Young's modulus were measured. A technique was devised that enables three parallel-sided specimens of identical width to be cut from a single contact lens with good accuracy. It was found that materials made from HEMA/MAA--although having a very low tensile strength and elongation-at-break--exhibit only a moderate Young's modulus. Materials made from HEMA/VP exhibit high-to-moderate tensile strength, high elongation-at-break and moderate-to-low Young's modulus. Materials made from VP/MMA exhibit high tensile strength and high-to-moderate elongation-at-break, but the Young's modulus is high for the 55% water content and low for the 70% water content materials. The HEMA 40% material exhibits a moderate tensile strength, a low elongation-at-break and a high Young's modulus. This experiment highlights the necessity of developing an accepted standard test methodology for contact lens material stiffness evaluation, in order to derive useful comparative information. Six subjects were fitted with the same lenses for one day. In vitro measurements of total diameter and back optic zone radius were taken at 35 degrees C before lens fitting and after 6h of lens wear. Lens water content, the relative change in lens total diameter (%deltaTD) and relative change in lens back optic zone radius (%deltaBOZR) were calculated and correlated with the tensile properties of the eight hydrogel lens materials. It is concluded that hydrogel materials with high stiffness and strength display less tendency to change their geometric parameters and materials with a high water content do not necessarily have the weakest mechanical properties.