APPLICATIONS OF RAMAN-SPECTROSCOPY TO OPHTHALMOLOGY - SPECTROSCOPIC CHARACTERIZATION OF DISPOSABLE SOFT CONTACT-LENSES

Disposable soft contact lenses based on HEMA-MAA hydrogels are examine d using Raman and ATR/FTIR vibrational spectroscopies and thermal anal ysis. The main factors dealing with physical, chemical, and biological biocompatibility are evaluated in relation to those of long-wear soft contact lenses with the aim of individuating the most biocompatible l ens. The Raman spectra of HEMA-MAA lenses show that some biocompatibil ity factors are affected by environmental conditions and, in particula r, by changes in pH and ionic strength values. (C) 1998 John Wiley & S ons, Inc.