Evaluation of a new silicone-methane polymer contact lens.

A new gas permeable contact lens is produced using a solid silicone core and a plasma polymer surface. This surface is hydrophilic and impermeable to macromolecules. The surface characteristics of this lens were compared with the surface characteristics of available silicone contact lenses. We found that in contrast to our lens, the silicone contact lenses lost their hydrophilic surface with time. In addition, they are permeable to lipid dyes, eg, Sudan red.