In this work, Rigid
gas permeable (RGP) contact lenses based on Fluoro Silicone Acrylate, were irradiated
by using 193 nm ArFexcimer laser, at 1 Hz pulse repetition rate with 75 mJ/pulse
energy to improve surface wettability. We investigated the morphology of the
ablated area by imaging the surface modification with Atomic force microscopy
(AFM) with roughness analysis and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
Characterization techniques were performed too via contact angle measurement in
order to determine the surface wettability and Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy
(FTIR). The morphological appearance of samples reveals the effect of a
photochemical and photothermal ablation mechanism.
The laser irradiation without changing the chemical bonds has modified
the lens surface properties and increased the surface hydrophilicity.
Morphological surface changes with laser exposure and the water contact angle
decreases as the surface of the fluorosilicone acrylate material is modified.
Cite this paper
Ariyafar, T. , Saffar, A. P. , Tajalli, P. and Tajalli, H. (2015). Wettability and Surface Morphology Investigation of RGP Eye Contact Lens Irradiated by 193 nm Excimer Laser. Open Access Library Journal, 2, e1463. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1101463.
Hyung,
S.S., et al. (2009) Surface
Modification of Rigid Gas Permeable Contact Lens Treated by Using a Low-Temperature
Plasma in Air. Journal of the Korean Physical Society,55, 2436-2440. http://dx.doi.org/10.3938/jkps.55.2436
Giraldez, M.J., Serra, C., Lira, M., et al. (2010) Soft Contact Lens Surface Profile by Atomic Force
Microscopy. Optometry and Vision Science, 87, 475-481. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/OPX.0b013e3181e170c5
Srinivasan,
R. and Braren, B. (1989) Ultraviolet Laser Ablation of Organic Polymers. Chemical
Review, 89, 1303-1308. http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/cr00096a003
Zhang,
Z., Hu, X. and Luo, Z. (1996) Wavelength Sensitivity of Photo-Oxidation of Polypropylene. Polymer Degradation and Stability, 51, 93-97. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0141-3910(95)00210-3
Torikai, A. and Hasegawa, H. (1998) Wavelength Effect
on the Accelerated Photodegradation of Polymethylmethacrylate. Polymer
Degradation and Stability, 61, 361-364. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0141-3910(97)00119-5
Gesenhues, U. (2000) Influence of Titanium
Dioxide Pigments on the Photodegradation of Poly(vinyl chloride). Polymer
Degradation and Stability, 68, 185-196. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0141-3910(99)00184-6
Geretovsky, Z., Hopp, B.,
Bertoti, I. and Boyd, I.W. (2002) Photodegradation of Polycarbonate under Narrow
Band Irradiation at 172 nm. Applied Surface Science,186, 85-90. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0169-4332(01)00615-8
Lippert, T. and Dickinson, J.T. (2003) Chemical
and Spectroscopic Aspects of Polymer Ablation: Special Features and Novel
Directions. Chemical Review, 103, 453-486. http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/cr010460q
Dorronsoro,
C., Siegel, J., Remon, L. and Marcos, S. (2008) Suitability of Filofocon A and PMMA for Experimental
Models in Excimer Laser Ablation Refractive Surgery. Optics Express, 16, 20955-20967. http://dx.doi.org/10.1364/OE.16.020955
Spyratou,
E., Asproudis, I., Tsoutsi, D., Bacharis, C., Moutsouris, K.,
Makropoulou, M. and Serafetinides, A.A. (2010) UV Laser Ablation of Intraocular Lenses: SEM and AFM
Microscopy Examination of the Biomaterial Surface. Applied Surface Science, 256, 2539-2545. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apsusc.2009.10.101
Wisniewski,
M., Sionkowska, A., Kaczmarek, H., Skopinska, J., Lazare, S. and Tokarev, V. (2006) The Influence of KrF
Excimer Laser Irradiation on the Surface of Collagen and Collagen/PVP Films. International
Journal of Photoenergy, 2006,
Article ID: 35126.
Jaleh, B., Parvin, P., Sheikh, N.,
Zamanipour, Z. and Sajad, B. (2007) Hydrophilicity and Morphological Investigation
of Polycarbonate Irradiated by ArF Excimer Laser. Nuclear Instruments and
Methods in Physics Research Section B, 265, 330-333. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.nimb.2007.08.067
Kowal,
A. (2005) Application of STM and AFM Techniques for the Investigation of
Corrosion Processes and Materials Protection. Materials Protection, 46, 44-46.
Saffar, A.P., Jaleh, B., Parvin, P., Wanichapichart,
P. and Farshchi-Tabrizi, M. (2014) Surface Modification and Dielectric Response Investigation
of Cellulose Acetate Membrane Treated by ArF Excimer Laser. Open Access
Library Journal, 1, e488.
Tsilimbaris, M.K., Lesniewska, E., Lydataki, S., Le Grimellec, C., Goudonnet, J.P. and Pallikaris, I.G. (2000) The Use of Atomic Force Microscopy for the Observation
of Corneal Epithelium Surface. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science,
41, 680-686.