Friction studies of hydrogel contact lenses using AFM: non-crosslinked polymers of low friction at the surface

The surface of soft contact lenses made of crosslinked poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate), pHEMA, has been investigated with atomic force microscopy in contact mode. The friction force and adhesive force measurements were able to differentiate the non-crosslinked pHEMA chains from the surface of the crosslinked pHEMA networks. These non-crosslinked pHEMA chains at the surface were anchored to the crosslinked pHEMA network, most likely by entanglement and their surfaces were about 2–4 nm higher than the surrounding surface in a dehydrated state. In saline solution, the surface friction and adhesive force of the contact lens were significantly reduced compared to those measured for the surface-dehydrated contact lens.