Modification of Silicone Hydrogel Contact Lenses with Vitamin E for the Delivery of Ofloxacin

This study synthesized silicone hydrogel (SHL) contact lenses modified by vitamin E (VE). First, the prepolymer GKF8010, methacryloxymethyltris (trimethylsiloxy) silane, and N,N-dimethylaniline were used to synthesize SHL contact lenses through ultraviolet irradiation by using ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as crosslinker. Then, VE was combined with SHL contact lenses (VE/SHL) in ethanol solution. The obtained SHL and VE/SHL contact lenses were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmittance analysis, contact angle test, mechanical property analysis, and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis. Compared with SHL contact lenses, VE/SHL contact lenses had a porous structure, good transmittance, hydrophobic properties, and mechanical properties. Ofloxacin (OFL) was loaded into SHL and VE/SHL contact lenses by the soaking method. The drug release, antibacterial, and biocompatibility properties were further characterized. VE/SHL-OFL contact lenses could deliver OFL at therapeutic doses for 5 days. The antibacterial test indicated that VE/SHL-OFL contact lenses displayed inhibition ring sizes of 8.14 and 16.66 mm for Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, respectively. Besides, cell viability assays showed that the obtained VE/SHL contact lenses were cytocompatible and might be potential drug carriers for oculopathy treatment.