Ophthalmic Application of Poly(HEMA)s Containing Nanoparticles and Dimethylacrylamide

Abstract

High functional ophthalmic lens materials, poly(HEMA-co-MMA)s were prepared by the copolymerization of HEMA, MMA, MA, EDGMA, and N,N-dimethylacrylamide in the presence of platinum nanoparticles with antimicrobial properties. The hydrophilic monomer N,N-dimethylacrylamide has excellent biocompatibility and oxygen transmissibility. The combination where platinum nanoparticles were added produced a colorless transparent lens. The water contents were in the range of 36.68-44.08% and the refractive index was measured to be in the range of 1.424-1.436. Meanwhile, the oxygen transmissibility ranged from 11.13 x 10(-11) to 17.63 x 10(-11) (cm2/sec) (mlO2/ml x mm Hg) increased with increasing the addition ratio of N,N-dimethylacrylamide. The physical properties measurements of the produced polymers showed that the nanoparticles did not show significant effect on the water content and refractive index of the hydrogel contact lens, but the materials effected to reduce oxygen permeability to a certain extent. The copolymers have excellent oxygen permeability, indicating that the material can be used to fabricate hydrogel contact lenses with high oxygen transmissibility.