High oxygen-permeable silicone hydrogel contact lens

Silicone Hydrogels. A new class of hydrogels based on silicone has been developed (14). These materials were developed in an attempt to combine the high oxygen permeability of polydimethylsiloxane and the excellent water absorption characteristics of conventional non-silicone hydrogels. This new class of hydrogels was developed primarily for contact lens application. These silicone hydrogels are also prepared by free-radical poljnnerization techniques. 

While the silicone polymer phase provides a high enough oxygen permeability, it also dominates the surface characteristics, i.e., the surface of silicone hydrogel is too hydrophobic to be used as a contact lens. The silicone phase also readily absorbs... 

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