Ophthalmological application of contact lenses modified by means of ion-assisted carbon films

• Published in: Diamond and related materials 1996-04, Vol.5 (3-5), p.483-485
• Main Authors: Sleptsov, V.V., Elinson, V.M., Simakina, N.V., Laymin, A.N., Tsygankov, I.V., Kivaev, A.A., Musina, A.D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ion-assisted carbon films; Ophthalmology
• ISSN: 0925-9635; 1879-0062
• DOI: 10.1016/0925-9635(96)80064-1

The possibility of producing hard and soft clinical contact lenses with their surface modified by means of carbon films has been shown. The carbon films have been formed by two plasma ion methods, namely direct deposition from plasma ion hydrocarbon vapour flows and high field magnetron deposition from the gas phase. As substrate materials, hard contact lenses containing 38% water and highly hygroscopic lenses with 70% water have been used. Tests of microhardness abrasion wear and chemical stability in solutions used for contact lens storage and sterilization (saline solution, 2.5% Na2S2O3 solution, 3% H2O2 solution) have been carried out. Investigations have demonstrated that material surface modification provides stability of the deposited coating and its adhesion to the substrate material as well as an increase in lens service life by a factor of at least 1.5. Optical characteristic measurements have shown that the coatings reduce eye exposure to UV radiation. The antimicrobe activity of the diamond-like and carbyne-containing films under investigation, which has been established before, leads to a reduced probability of inflammation. The possibility of coating deposition with less adhesion for cells in comparison with materials without coatings has also been demonstrated. Finally, clinical tests of the modified contact lenses are being carried out.