Characterization of Biocompatible Hydrogel Lenses Using Methacrylic Acid with Neodymium Oxide Nanoparticles

• Main Authors: Min-Jae Lee, Seon-Young Park, A-Young Sung
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-05-01
• Series: Polymers
• Subjects: neodymium oxide nanoparticles; methacrylic acid; hydrogel contact lens; tensile strength; wettability
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/13/10/1575

We prepared hydrogel contact lenses containing nanoparticles of neodymium oxide and methacrylic acid (MA) to investigate their effect on the physical and chemical properties of the lens. Neodymium oxide nanoparticles improved the tensile strength without affecting wettability. The tensile strength, wettability, and light transmittance were all increased when MA was added in a specific ratio. To confirm the safety of the newly used nanoparticles, test on absorbance, eluate, and pH change were conducted and it was found that the safety level was satisfactory. In conclusion, it was confirmed that durable contact lenses can be manufactured with neodymium oxide nanoparticles, and most of the basic elements of the lens such as transparency, strength, and wettability could be improved using MA, which is a hydrophilic material. It is believed that the study will be helpful as part of basic research to use new materials.