SURFACE WETTABILITY AND HYDROPHILICITY OF SOFT CONTACT-LENS MATERIALS, BEFORE AND AFTER WEAR

Surface wettability and hydrophilicity of pHEMA soft contact lenses we re investigated utilising adherent liquid/laser method (ALLM) and adhe rent liquid/balance method (ALBM). The measurements were carried out b efore and after periods of 15 min to 2 h contact lens wear. Following the lens removal, the wetting angle of the contact lens of the left ey es and hydrophilicity (maximum force) of the contact lens of the right eyes of the five subjects were immediately measured, respectively, wi thout cleaning (one value for pre-lens wear and eight values for post- lens wear). The wettability of soft contact lenses significantly incre ased after 15 min of wearing and stabilised at a maximum level after 3 0 min in vivo. Contact lens hydrophilicity was found to decrease as th e lens was worn. The reduction continued for up to 1.5 h of wearing, f or male cases, and for the female cases, the reduction continued until the end of the experiment.