Ultraviolet (UV) spectrometry of contact lens materials

Ultraviolet radiation is potentially damaging to ocular tissues. Incorporation of UV-blocking monomers into contact lens materials provides attenuation of this radiation, leading to a reduction in UV incidence at the corneal surface. The extent and spectral characteristics of this attenuation varies according to lens type and parameters. Spectrometry has traditionally been used to measure UV attenuation of a contact lens. A novel contact lens holder was designed and constructed to facilitate the mounting of the lens in an intact and hydrated state during measurement. The UV transmission characteristics of two commercially available hydrogel contact lenses were investigated using the Perkin Elmer Lambda900 UV/VIS/NIR dual beam spectrometer.