ROLE OF BULKY POLYSILOXANYLALKYL METHACRYLATES IN OXYGEN-PERMEABLE HYDROGEL MATERIALS

Polysiloxanylalkyl methacrylates, such as methacryloxypropyl tris(trim ethylsiloxy)silane (TRIS), have been used extensively in rigid gas-per meable contact lens materials due to their ability to produce high oxy gen permeability in the resulting polymeric material. In this study, t he role of TRIS was evaluated as a component in silicone hydrogel mate rials based on polysiloxane-based prepolymers. It was found that it no t only gave high oxygen permeability, but also gave hydrogels with bet ter tear strength and lower modulus. These changes in properties are a ll favorable for applications such as oxygen-permeable hydrogel lenses . (C) 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.