Understanding of protein adsorption kinetics to contact lens hydrogels

Protein adsorption kinetics was studied with the amount of proteins adsorbed to contact lens hydrogels over time scales. Hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA) and silicone hydrogels were dipped in protein solutions (albumin or IgG) and adsorption amounts were measured over time scales. The amount of protein adsorbed to both hydrogel types increased rapidly in 10 min, and remained consistently in 90 min. Decreasing interfacial energetics was taken slowly up to an hour in spite of rapid diffusion of protein molecules. This is due to the fact that water deprivation from three dimensional interphase initially formed by protein diffusion took over an hour. Interpretation of adsorption kinetics on contact lens hydrogels was discussed with understanding of relationship between surface energy and protein adsorption capacity.