The Issues Related to the Permeability of Oxygen through Contact Lenses - Assignment Example

? Oxygen Permeability through Contact Lenses Department Oxygen permeability through contact lenses In the past, individuals with eye problems could only be able to wear spectacles. Over the recent past, there has been the development and use of contact lenses which have replaced the traditional use of huge spectacles. However, individuals wearing contact lenses have to be careful as there might be challenges associated with wearing these contact lenses. For normal eye functioning, it is of significance for the eyes to get enough oxygen. In this regard, contact lenses ought to be designed in a way that ensures oxygen to pass through into the eye. This paper focuses on the issues related to permeability of oxygen through contact lenses, and also offers a description of structural features of the materials developed in the last fifteen years to solve these issues as well as their rationale. Issues related to permeability of oxygen in contact lenses Oxygen penetrability or absorptivity is considered a significant aspect in the planning, creation, and production of contact lenses as it upholds and sustains ophthalmic, visual, or optical wellbeing. According to Acton (2013: 291), “As established by Holden and Mertz in 1994, a minimum of 87.times.10.sup.-9 (cm ml 0.sub.2)/(sec ml mmHg) oxygen transmissibility is required for hydrogel contact lenses to limit overnight edema to 4%”. Aspects of contact lenses denoting their characteristics and properties include oxygen penetrability, oxygen communicability, and oxygen fluidity. Oxygen fluidity is referred to as the capacity or amount of oxygen that enters or infiltrates a quantified region of the contact lens within a specified period or interval. Oxygen penetrability is referred to as the quantity of oxygen infiltrating the contact lens solidified substance within a specified interval and density variance. Oxygen communicability is referred to as the quantity of oxygen infiltrating the contact lens of a quantified width or breadth with a quantifiable time interval and density. The amount of oxygen infiltrating through a contact lens is dependent on the breadth and type of material that has been used to create the contact lens. Structural features of materials developed in the last fifteen years and their justification A great proportion of individuals are regularly seeking medical attention for treatment of contact lenses linked issues. It is important for eye specialist to comprehend these issues so as to give the right kind of treatment. Currently, there have been advancements in the type of materials that are used in the creation of contact lenses geared towards mitigating these issues. It is in order to posit that the current cohort of contact lenses have excellent infiltration of oxygen. Depending on the eye problem affecting an individual, some people have been advised and consequently recommended to use rigid gas-permeable lenses. Individuals using these kinds of lenses are those experiencing corneal anomalies. It is important to elucidate the fact that various compound substances are incorporated in the production or manufacture of contact lenses. The kind of substance used has an impact on fluidity, infiltration of oxygen, tractability, cosiness, immovability, as well as the excellence, superiority, and features of visualisation and image (American Academy of Ophthalmology and Burling-Phillips, 2013). Over the recent past, there has been the introduction and advancement of polymers that have been proved to offer or present better and elevated levels of oxygen penetrability. Consequently, this has contributed to the substantial and huge upgrading and perfection of contact lenses plans of production. Researchers have recently posited that the development of lenses produced by the use of silicone hydrogel is one of the most significant and exhilarating invention of the modern world. In addition, the recently available list of options with great bounds and strictures has made it possible for eye specialists to treat astigmatism. In layman’s terms, astigmatism is referred to as an eye condition that is characterised by a slight irregular shape in the front of the eye that makes them see improperly. What scientists and eye specialists have done is the integration of the recently developed silicone polymers together with the conventionally used hydrogel lenses to come up with a high quality contact lens that ensures the infiltration of higher amounts or quantities of oxygen. In fact, this has led to the elevation of the infiltrated oxygen through the contact lenses by a whooping seven times (Chhabra, 2007). Therefore, this invention has contributed to the advancement and improvement of the wellbeing of individual health in regard to cornea protection. Chhabra (2007) posits that fluorine has also been currently used in the manufacture of contact lens. Addition of fluorine in hydrogel gives the same qualities as silicone geared towards infiltration of oxygen through the lens into the cornea. There are also other benefits of the silicone over other conventional lenses. Agarwal, Athiya and Apple (2002) asserts and consequently supports the fact that silicone hydrogel elevates oxygen penetrability such that the cornea is able to function normally. This in return leads to a decrease or drop of pressure or strain in the cornea. Furthermore, the use of silicone has led to a significant drop in the prevalence or probability of contagions or contamination in the eye as a consequence of the use of contact lenses. Low levels of oxygen in the cornea elevate the risk of acquiring an eye infection. In other words, elevated levels of oxygen reaching the cornea from the use of silicone has contributed to the decrease in the level of pressure or strain experienced by the cornea, lessened the possibility of the rupture of the thin tissues lining the cornea, and an impasse of bacteria that causes infection of the cornea. Due to their numerous benefits and advantages, contact lenses produced by the use of silicone hydrogel have continues being the most widely used and accepted lenses all over the world. It is also important to posit the fact that, rigid gas permeable lenses have considerably been advanced. One of the main aspects that have been improved in these lenses is their ability to be comfortable to the individual wearing them and at the same time allow more oxygen to infiltrate into the cornea. In conclusion, there have been a lot of advancements in the last fifteen years in terms of inventions of new substances to be used in the production of contact lenses that elevates the level of oxygen infiltrating in to the cornea. There are also important aspects of the contact lenses that have led to the improvement of the health and protection of the cornea. Aspects of contact lenses denoting their characteristics, properties, and abilities to improve the wellbeing of the cornea include oxygen penetrability, oxygen communicability, and oxygen fluidity. It is also important to note that the level or amount of oxygen infiltrating the lenses into the cornea is dependent of the width of the lens, as well as the type of substance or material used in the manufacture of the lens. The most significant innovation and advancement in terms of materials creating lenses include the use of silicone hydrogels, and advancements in rigid gas permeable lenses that have elevated the level or amounts of oxygen infiltrating into the cornea. Many people today have opted the use of these advanced kinds of lenses as they have health related benefits and advantages. References Acton, A. (2013) Ethylene Glycols-Advances in Research and Application. Atlanta: Scholarly Editions. Agarwal, S., Athiya, A. and Apple, D. J. (2002). Textbook of Ophthalmology. New York: Jaypee Brothers. American Academy of Ophthalmology, and Burling-Phillips, L. (2013) Keeping Contact Lens Patients Problem Free. Retrieved from http://www.aao.org/publications/eyenet/200901/comprehensive.cfm?RenderForPrint=1& Chhabra, M. (2007) Oxygen Transport Through Soft Contact Len and Cornea: Lens Characterization and Metabolic Modeling. New York; Proquest. Read More