A novel application of UV-LEDs in the contact lens manufacturing process

Sharon McDermott; James E. Walsh; Robert G. Howard

doi:10.1117/12.605063

3 June 2005 A novel application of UV-LEDs in the contact lens manufacturing process

Sharon McDermott, James E. Walsh, Robert G. Howard

Proceedings Volume 5826, Opto-Ireland 2005: Optical Sensing and Spectroscopy; (2005) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.605063
Event: OPTO-Ireland, 2005, Dublin, Ireland

Abstract

The majority of soft contact lenses are manufactured using a process of ultraviolet (UV) radiation initiated photopolymerisation. The main source of UV radiation in this manufacturing process is from UV fluorescent lamps. However, there are a number of disadvantages to these lamps, namely, their intensity varies over time and has to be constantly monitored. This paper presents a comparison between light emitting diodes (LEDs), which emit in the UV, and fluorescent lamps used in the contact lens manufacturing industry. The spectral and temporal stability of both UV sources is presented. The ability of both sources to photopolymerise 2-Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate (HEMA), the main component of soft contact lenses, was measured using FTIR and Raman spectroscopy. The percentage polymerisation of HEMA, using both sources, was calculated for several UV sensitive photoinitiators and is presented here. The potential of these UV-LEDs in replacing fluorescent lamps in contact lens manufacturing is discussed.

Citation Download Citation

Sharon McDermott, James E. Walsh, and Robert G. Howard "A novel application of UV-LEDs in the contact lens manufacturing process", Proc. SPIE 5826, Opto-Ireland 2005: Optical Sensing and Spectroscopy, (3 June 2005); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.605063

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