Responsive Hydrogels Based Lens Structure with Configurable Focal Length for Intraocular Lens (IOLs) Application

Stimuli-responsive hydrogel has attracted wide interests in bio-applications, especially in bio-optical systems that need tuning and adjustment of their optical performances. In this paper, we have investigated the materials and structural designs for the potential intraocular Lens (IOLs) design by studying swelling induced morphology changes and subsequently optical properties of ionic responsive Poly (Acrylamide-co-sodium acrylate) hydrogel. The equilibrium swelling ratio and swelling kinetics of gel were measured under both free standing and confined conditions. The Poly (Acrylamide-co-sodium acrylate) hydrogel has shown reversible swelling response to the ion concentration. Autonomous focusing of the gel lens was demonstrated under the certain ionic stimulus. Initial optical results have been presented with designable stimuli-responsive focal length shifting under structural confinement.