Purpose: In this study, the copolymers produced by adding the 2-hydroxypyridine and 4-hydroxypyridine were compared with the previous hydrogel contact lens materials. The utility of hydroxypyridine as a possible UV-blocking and high wettablility material for contact lenses was investigated. Methods: This study used 2-hydroxypyridine and 4-hydroxypyridine as additions with the cross-linker, EGDMA (ethylene glycol dimethacrylate), HEMA (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate), AA (Acylic acid), MMA (methyl methacrylate) and the initiator AIBN (azobisisobutyronitrile) for thermal copolymerization. The mixture was heated at 115 ℃ for 50 mins to produce the hydrogel contact lens. Results: The polymer by using thermal polymerization process for hydrogel contact lens was produced and the physical properties which showed that the contact angle of sample containing 2-hydroxypyridine and 4-hyroxypyridine was in the range of 59.77~69.18° and 55.47~66.31°, respectively. The wettability of sample increased as the ratio of 4-hyroxypyridine increased. Also in case of 2-hydroxypyridine, the measurements showed that visible light 89.0~91.0%, UV-B 8.0~22.0%, UV-A 68.0~74.0% and in case of 4-hydroxypyridine, the results showed that visible light 88.0~91.0%, UV-B 79.0~81.0%, UV-A 84.0~86.0% respectively. Conclusions: The produced copolymer is suitable for hydrogel contact lenses with UV-blocking effect and high wettability.

• Duck-Hyun Kim(Department of Ophthalmic Optics, Sehan University)
• A-Young Sung(Department of Ophthalmic Optics, Sehan University)