Antifouling Silicone Hydrogel Contact Lenses with a Bioinspired 2-Methacryloyloxyethyl Phosphorylcholine Polymer Surface

Abstract

Inspired by the cell membrane surface as well as the ocular tissue, a novel and clinically applicable antifouling silicone hydrogel contact lens material was developed. The unique chemical and biological features on the surface on a silicone hydrogel base substrate were achieved by a cross-linked polymer layer composed of 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC), which was considered important for optimal on-eye performance. The effects of the polymer layer on adsorption of biomolecules, such as lipid and proteins, and adhesion of cells and bacteria were evaluated and compared with several conventional silicone hydrogel contact lens materials. The MPC polymer layer provided significant resistance to lipid deposition as visually demonstrated by the three-dimensional confocal images of whole contact lenses. Also, fibroblast cell adhesion was decreased to a 1% level compared with that on the conventional silicone hydrogel contact lenses. The movement of the cells on the surface of the MPC polymer-modified lens material was greater compared with other silicone hydrogel contact lenses indicating that lubrication of the contact lenses on ocular tissue might be improved. The superior hydrophilic nature of the MPC polymer layer provides improved surface properties compared to the underlying silicone hydrogel base substrate.

Nanoscaled Morphology and Mechanical Properties of a Biomimetic Polymer Surface on a Silicone Hydrogel Contact Lens

“…11 In addition, the PMPC-modified silicone hydrogel contact lens can prevent adsorption of biological components such as lipids and proteins from tears. 12 However, the morphology of the PMPC chains at the interface was not clear. In this study, we observed the morphology of the PMPC layer on the silicone hydrogel contact lens surface and clarified its similarity to the natural corneal tissue.…”

“…Thus, the surface exhibited superhydrophilicity . In addition, the PMPC-modified silicone hydrogel contact lens can prevent adsorption of biological components such as lipids and proteins from tears . However, the morphology of the PMPC chains at the interface was not clear.…”

“…The PMPC-modified silicone hydrogel contact lens was prepared by a previously reported method. , Briefly, to prepare the base silicone hydrogel contact lens, reagent-grade PDMS monomethacrylate, glycerol-functionalized polydimethylsiloxane dimethacrylate, N -vinylpyrrolidone, tetraethylene glycol dimethacrylate, methyl methacrylate, ethylene glycol methyl ether methacrylate, and 2,2′-azobis­(isobutyronitrile) were mixed together and polymerized in polypropylene molds at elevated temperature. After that, the cured silicone hydrogel contact lens was removed from the mold, soaked in a poly­(methacrylic acid) solution, immersed into an aqueous solution of PMPC which contains 10 mol % 2-aminoethyl methacrylate units (NOF Co., Tokyo, Japan), and finally autoclaved at 121 °C for 45 min.…”

Lab‐on‐a‐Contact Lens: Recent Advances and Future Opportunities in Diagnostics and Therapeutics

“…Surface coating or nano-composited mixing [356,357] strategies have been widely employed as current contact lenses lack antibiotic properties. However, long-term stability and biocompatibility require further investigation.…”

Modification of Silicone Hydrogel Contact Lenses for the Selective Adsorption of Ofloxacin

“…Considering that the moisture content of pure silicone material is zero, the prepared contact lenses are easy to attach to the cornea due to their hydrophobicity, making the user uncomfortable. Therefore, we developed silicone hydrogel (SL) contact lenses that combine the excellent oxygen permeability of silica gel and the excellent hydrophilicity of conventional hydrogel materials [17][18][19].…”