A study of the effect of X-ray irradiation on the structure of Narafilcon A biopolymer soft contact lenses.

Background: The effects of external factors such as X-ray irradiation on the structure and physical properties of contact lenses are very important for both the patients using contact lenses and medical personnel.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of X-rays on the structure of Narafilcon A silicone-hydrogel contact lenses.

Material And Methods: In order to study the structural changes caused by X-rays in Narafilcon A polymer contact lenses, the following spectroscopy methods were used: positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS), Fourier transform middle infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy (RS).

[Study of the structure of contact lenses using PALS, MIR and Raman spectroscopy in the regard of safety of persons exposed to ionizing radiation].

Among patients and health professionals who are exposed to ionizing radiation during diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, refractive errors are common and soft contact lenses are widely used to correct them. Changes in the inner structure of contact lens may influence the safety of its usage through modification of its water content or oxygen accessibility to cornea. Therefore, analysis of impact of external factors, therein ionizing radiation used in medicine, on contact lenses parameters is necessary, particularly to compare the presence of free volume gaps in the structure of the polymer soft contact lenses.