The problem: Millions of people around the world wear contact lenses. However, symptoms such as reddened eyes or a feeling that there’s something in your eye can significantly impair wearing comfort. These complaints are often related to the lens material. If the lens does not allow enough oxygen to pass through to the cornea, cannot store sufficient moisture or is not dimensionally stable, this can lead to redness and irritation, and even impair vision.
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The solution: High-purity raw materials and advanced synthesis processes can help to avoid such undesirable side effects. Contact lenses consist of a polymer network that is held together by so-called crosslinkers. This is precisely where Evonik plays a key role. The company offers high-purity specialty monomers and crosslinkers that give hydrogel lenses high oxygen permeability, dimensional stability, and a great ability to retain moisture. Evonik’s portfolio also includes bio-based monomers that enable more sustainable product solutions. The result is contact lenses that combine sharp vision with high wearing comfort.