The eye is an essential sensory organ that helps us perceive and interact with the surrounding environment. Various parts of the eye take in light and feed information to our brain. This amazing body part is complex and extremely sensitive. It is this delicate nature of human eye that highlights the need for high-precision medical devices. That’s why ophthalmologists prefer ophthalmic devices that are treated with hydrophilic medical device coatings. Such coatings have revolutionized the devices that help diagnose and treat eye conditions such as Cataract and Glaucoma.
This guide discusses the use and benefits of Hydrophilic Ophthalmic Device Coatings. We will cover the uses and benefits of these coatings for several devices, such as IOL injectors and surgical needles. First we introduce hydrophilic medical coatings. Then we dive into how these coatings benefit different ophthalmic devices. If you are a biomedical engineer or ophthalmologist you will want to read to the end. That is because these coatings can help improve your products and make your job easier.
Related: Hydrophilic Coatings For Medical Devices: Uses and Benefits
What are Hydrophilic Medical Coatings?
Hydrophilic medical coatings are lubricious coatings applied to many medical devices, such as ophthalmic devices.
The term “hydro” means water, and “philic” means affinity or love for. In short, these are water-loving coatings that modify the surface of the medical devices they are applied to.
They are also known as the “slippery-when-wet” surface modifications. That is because they create a thin, highly lubricious layer on the surface of medical devices when activated by fluids. These coatings significantly reduce friction between the medical device surface and biological tissues. As such, they drastically improve surgeons’ ability to insert and maneuver ophthalmic devices through the complex structure of a patient’s eye.
Companies, such as Hydromer®, Inc. create advanced, custom hydrophilic medical coatings. These coatings are widely used for a variety of medical devices, including ophthalmic devices. Such multi-functional coatings provide more than just lubricity. For instance, Hydromer® coatings can be custom-formulated to have the following properties:
- Highly lubricious
- Thromboresistance
- High wettability
- Antimicrobial
- Drug-eluting capabilities
- Biocompatibility
- Low particulate
- Enhanced adhesion
- High durability
How Hydrophilic Ophthalmic Device Coatings Improve Common Eye Surgery Outcomes
Eye surgeries are mostly performed to remove, repair, or manipulate the patient’s eye and surrounding tissues. They are intended to improve the patient’s vision. The specifics of the surgery depend upon the part of the eye involved and the underlying condition being treated.
Here is a quick list of the most common eye surgeries. We also include the benefits of using ophthalmic devices coated with Hydromer hydrophilic coatings in these surgeries.
1. Cataract Surgery
Cataracts cause a clouding of the eye’s natural lens. The eye’s lense bends (refracts) and focuses light rays on the retina. As per reports, more than 50% Americans develop cataracts by the time they reach their 80s. Moreover, around 17% of people around the world experience vision problems due to cataracts. These numbers clearly show why cataract surgery is the most common type of eye surgery.
Cataract surgery is used to prevent and improve impacts on a patient’s everyday activities. It usually includes the insertion of an artificial lens (Intraocular Lens or IOL) into the patient’s eye.
Benefits of Hydrophilic Coatings For IOL Cartridges
The IOL is injected into the eye using an injector. It uses a cartridge to hold and deliver a folded intraocular lens during the surgery. Surgeons can fold the intraocular lens into a compact shape and pass it through a tiny incision (between 2.2 and 5 mm) using the cartridge.
Where do hydrophilic medical coatings come in?
The inner surface of the IOL cartridge is coated with hydrophilic formulations.
Hydrophilic coatings provide the following benefits for these devices:
- Improve the movement of the IOL through the injector
- Reduce the risk of IOL damage during delivery
- Enhance the precision of implantation
- Reduce protein adsorption and ensure a clean and sterile path for the IOL
- Chemical and thermal stability (autoclavability)
2. Glaucoma Surgery
Glaucoma causes damage to the eye’s optic nerve, which transmits electrical signals or visual information from the retina to the brain. Our optic nerve is made up of millions of nerve fibers. Intraocular eye pressure is the most common cause of glaucoma. It may lead to vision loss and blindness.
Such a condition is first treated with medications that aim to lower intraocular pressure (IOP). However, if the damage becomes severe, then glaucoma surgery is usually required. This surgery is intended to improve drainage of aqueous humor fluid. During such a surgery, glaucoma valves (GVs), also known as aqueous shunts, are implanted in the eye.
Benefits of Hydrophilic Coatings For Glaucoma Valves (GVs)
A pressure-reducing valve or glaucoma valve (GV) implantation is critical in treating Glaucoma. Aqueous shunts divert aqueous humor from the anterior chamber to an external reservoir.
One of the leading complications of these shunts is fibrosis after implantation.
How do hydrophilic coatings improve these devices?
Hydrophilic coatings are used to prevent fibrosis and enhance the overall efficiency of glaucoma valves (GVs). Specifically they:
- Ensure biocompatibility
- Have antimicrobial properties that reduce the risk of infections
- Increase durability
- Provide corrosion resistance
- Can increase longevity
3. Vitrectomy
This is an eye surgery where the vitreous fluid or humor is removed from the eyeball. Such fluids maintain the eye’s shape and ensure a clear passage for the light. The fluid is replaced if the patient has diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachment, macular hole, etc.
The ophthalmic surgeon makes a small incision or cut in the patient’s eye. They then insert a vitrectomy probe to remove the vitreous humor.
Benefits of Hydrophilic Coatings For Vitrectomy Probes, Micro Forceps, and Cannulas
Vitrectomy includes the use of ophthalmic devices such as vitrectomy probes, micro forceps, and cannulas. All of them can be coated with hydrophilic formulations. This is because they offer many benefits. For instance, they help:
- Create a slippery, lubricious surface which is beneficial during the insertion through tight incisions (often <1 mm)
- Improve the maneuverability of the devices inside the eye
- Limit or even eliminate the risk of mechanical damage
- Enhance precision
- Ensure biocompatibility
- Reduce the risk of infections
These coatings are also applied to microscopes. This was to prevent the sticking of blood, vitreous, or tissue debris and ensure better visibility through the scope during vitrectomy. Learn more about hydrophilic coatings for endoscopes and scopes.
Hydromer® Hydrophilic Coatings for Ophthalmic Devices
Hydromer®, Inc. is a leading hydrophilic medical device coating manufacturer. Our company has 40+ years of experience in formulating, manufacturing, and supplying clinically proven medical coatings to OEM customers worldwide. We aim to allow our clients to focus on their core strengths and help them quickly bring advanced products to market.
Our coatings are fully customizable, and they are available in both thermal-cure and UV-cure versions.
Get in Touch
Do you need to develop a custom medical coating to meet your medical device product requirements? If so, we can help regardless of what stage you are at in the product development process.
There are a lot of coating suppliers out there. So why choose Hydromer? You will get more than just a coatings supplier. You will get a partner able to help you meet both specific product goals and regulatory requirements. Our team includes highly qualified Ph.D. chemists, scientists, engineers, and regulatory experts.
But what sets us apart from our competition is our extensive line of support services. Here is a quick list of the services we offer:
- Research and Development (R&D) services
- Contract coating services
- Worldwide supply of high-quality medical coatings
- Specialized Analytical Testing
- Custom Machine Building
- Turn-key Operations
- Technology Transfer Services
- Technical consulting and support services
Contact our team of experts today to learn more about our custom coatings and services.
