ESCA AND SIMS STUDIES OF PLASMA TREATMENTS OF INTRAOCULAR LENSES

The surfaces of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) intraocular lenses (IOL) modified by treatment in a plasma containing various fluorine-containing gases were studied by surface analytical techniques. The hydrophobicity imparted to the lens surface was monitored by water contact angle measurements and the degree of fluorination was determined by XPS measurements. The fluorine chemistry on the surface, monitored by XPS and SIMS, was a function of the gas mixture employed in the plasma. SIMS imaging was used to monitor coating homogeneity and demonstrated the fragile nature of the coated surface.