Oxygen permeability and water content of silicone hydrogel contact lens materials

PURPOSE. To measure the oxygen permeability (Dk) and water content (WC) of silicone hydrogel (Si-Hy) contact lens materials. METHODS. Randomized and masked determinations of the Dk of 5 Si-Hy and two hydrogel materials were made using a modified version of the polarographic measurement method described in ISO 9913-1. Stacks of one to six parallel-sided contact lenses (all -1.00 DS) were evaluated, with each stack measured at least twice. The resulting value for t/Dk was plotted against the thickness (t) of each stack, with Dk calculated as the inverse of the gradient of this relationship. This methodology corrects for boundary effects. A mathematical calculation was used to correct for edge effects. Gravimetric determination of lens WC was conducted at room temperature and 35°C. RESULTS. Measured values (±95% CI) of Dk, and WC at room temperature, with manufacturer-claimed values in parentheses, were Focus Night & Day: Dk 162.0 ± 9.8 (140), WC 23.0 ± 3.2 (24); Acuvue Oasys: Dk 107.4 ± 7.4 (103), WC 36.9 ± 1.0 (38); O2 Optix: Dk 80.5 ± 4.9 (110), WC 32.1 ± 1.2 (33); PureVision: Dk 75.9 ± 6.6 (91), WC 35.8 ± 1.3 (36); Acuvue Advance: Dk 75.2 ± 9.8 (60), WC 46.5 ± 1.1 (47); 1.Day Acuvue: Dk 21.0 ± 1.0 (21.4), WC [not measured] (58); and Seequence: Dk 8.2 ± 0.7 (8.5), WC 36.6 ± 2.7 (38). CONCLUSIONS. Claimed Dk values for Acuvue Oasys and the two reference hydrogel materials fell within the 95% confidence interval of our measured values. Our measurements of Dk for the other four Si-Hy lenses were not in agreement with claimed values. There is a general inverse relation between Dk and WC (both at 35°C) for Si-Hy lenses. Our modified polarographic methodology can be successfully employed for measuring the Dk of Si-Hy materials. © 2007 American Academy of Optometry.