Mechanical properties of the soft contact lens of poly(methyl methacrylate-N-vinylpyrrolidone).

The mechanical properties of the hydrogel membrane of poly(methyl methacrylate-N-vinylpyrrolidone) were studied for the purpose of making soft contact lenses for extended wear. The dependence of tensile fracture energy, flexibility, and recovery from deformation on the water content and thickness of the hydrogel membrane was studied. Reducing the thickness of a lens was found to exert a more advantageous effect than increasing its water content on maximizing the tensile fracture energy under the condition of an adequate supply of oxygen to the cornea through the contact lens. As long as its water content is controlled between 63 and 78%, the contact lens made of poly(methyl methacrylate-N-vinylpyrrolidone) has the flexibility on the same order as that of conventional soft contact lenses of poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate). The rate of recovery from deformation increases with water content, and the residual elongation is negligible in the range of water content over about 70%. It is concluded that practical requirements for use of these contact lenses, determined by these three mechanical properties, can be satisfied at the same time if the water content of the contact lens is adjusted at about 70%.