LENS OF HYDROPHOBIC ACRYLIC OR METACRYLIC POLYMER

摘要

The invention relates to contact and intraocular lenses made from a non-hydrophilic acrylate and/or methacrylate polymer or copolymer comprising a hydrophilic surface layer of controlled thickness produced by a partial hydrolysis of sulfonation in such a way that the swelling degree continuously changes from its maximum at very surface to a minimum in the non-swelling core unaffected by hydrophilization. In this way, light reflex formation is avoided or at least substantially reduced as well as the tendency to the surface growth of cells, irritation of neighbouring living tissues, and the formation of pressure necroses. Strong inorganic acids are most suitable for surface hydrolysis. Their ability to swell and dissolve the polymer matrix can be arbitrarily limited by dilution with water and/or addition of inert, soluble salts. The hydrophilic surface layer may be crosslinked by simultaneous esterification with multifunctional alcohols.