PLASMA SURFACE TREATMENT OF SILICONE HYDROGEL CONTACT LENSES

摘要

The present invention provides an optically clear, hydrophilic coating upon the surface of a silicone hydrogel lens by subjecting the surface of the lens to a process comprising plasma treatment, hydration, and heat sterilization that is controlled to result in a silicate-containing film having a mosaic pattern of projecting plates surrounded by fissures when viewing a 50x50 micron square AFM image, wherein the peak-to-valley distances of the fissures are on average between about 100 and 500 angströms and the plate coverage is on average between about 40 % to 99 %.