Approaches to improving the biocompatibility of porous perfluoropolyethers for ophthalmic applications.

Porous perfluoropolyether (PFPE) membranes for ophthalmic applications were prepared with a zwitterion monomer, 3-[[2-(methacryloxy) ethyl](N,N-dimethyl)ammonio]-propane-1-sulphonate, copolymerized in weight ratios of 0-10%. The polymer samples were assessed for a range of physical properties, including equilibrium water content, bovine serum albumin permeability, transparency, refractive index and the ability to support corneal epithelial cell and tissue attachment, growth and migration. In vitro assessment of the polymers using bovine corneal epithelial cells and tissue showed that a zwitterion incorporation level of between 0% and 6% in the PFPE membranes supported the migration of an intact sheet of epithelial tissue without compromising epithelial cell attachment and growth, with 4-6% being the optimal level for these properties.