Physical Properties and Interaction With the Ocular Surface of Water-Gradient Contact Lenses.

Erika Ponzini, Alberto Recchioni, Riccardo Cheloni, Fabrizio Zeri, Silvia Tavazzi

Journal: Eye & contact lens 2023;49(4):152-159

PMID: 36811833

Abstract

Since the introduction of silicone hydrogel contact lenses, many silicone-hydrogel materials have been produced, including water-gradient contact lenses with a silicone hydrogel core and a thin hydrogel outer layer (e.g., delefilcon A, verofilcon A, and lehfilcon A). Their properties have been investigated in various studies assessing both the chemical-physical characteristics and the comfort, but the overall picture is not always consistent. In this study, water-gradient technology is reviewed by looking at basic physical properties both in vitro and in vivo and at the interaction with the human ocular surface. Surface and bulk dehydration, surface wetting and dewetting, shear stress, interaction with tear components and with other environmental compounds, and comfort are discussed.

Address: Materials Science Department (E.P., F.Z., S.T.), University of Milano Bicocca, Via R. Cozzi 55-I-20125 Milan, Italy; COMiB Research Center (E.P., F.Z., S.T.), University of Milano Bicocca, Via R. Cozzi 55-I-20125 Milan, Italy; Academic Unit of Ophthalmology (A.R.), Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, UK; Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre (A.R.), Birmingham, UK; Optometry & Vision Sciences Group (A.R.), School of Life & Health Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, 8UK; UCL Institute of Ophthalmology (R.C.), London, UK; and College of Health and Life Sciences (F.Z.), Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK.

DOI: 10.1097/ICL.0000000000000974

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MeSH Terms: Humans, Contact Lenses, Hydrophilic, Water, Hydrogels, Silicones, Eye, Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate, Surface Properties