[Permeability of hydrogel plastics (PHEMA) to different substances of corneal metabolism (author's transl)].

With a new two-chamber apparatus for diffusion measurements, the permeability of Poly (2-hydroxy-ethyl-methacrylate) (PHEMA) is determined for metabolites of the corneal metabolism. Except for ATP, all substances tested, including several amino acids, penetrated the PHEMA material. Compared to the corneal stroma, the permeability of PHEMA is relatively low. Therefore, intracorneal implants of this hydrogel should be as thin as possible.