The surface treatment of polypropylene molds and its effect on the quality of cast contact lenses.

An investigation of the surface by XPS photoelectron spectroscopy has shown that the process of production of cast contact lenses based on poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-diethyleneglycol methacrylate) is accompanied by mass transfer at the lens-mold boundary. This phenomenon, which impairs the compatibility of the lens during its application, can be considerably suppressed by employing a suitable surface modification of polypropylene molds. The surface treatment consisting in the oxidation of the mold surface by an AC corona discharge in the oxygen atmosphere increases hydrophilicity of the material, thus facilitating separation of the lens from the mold. The results of the XPS study were also confirmed microscopically by employing the SEM method.