Vinyl Polymers as Key Materials in Contact Lens Design: A Review of Progress and Future Directions

Abstract

Vinyl polymers, crucial in contemporary contact lens design, present unique attributes with promising implications for vision correction. This comprehensive review navigates the trajectory and future trajectories of vinyl polymer‐based contact lenses. The introduction underscores the vital role of contact lenses in vision correction and positions vinyl polymers as ideal materials due to their exceptional properties. Delving into material specifics—high oxygen permeability, optical clarity, surface wettability, and mechanical strength—the analysis emphasizes their influence on corneal health, comfort, and durability. The versatility of manufacturing techniques, encompassing spin casting, molding processes, polymerization, and surface modification, underscores their feasibility in crafting high‐quality lenses. Examining clinical applications, encompassing daily disposables, extended wear, silicone hydrogel, and specialty lenses, alongside biocompatibility assessments and user feedback, provides a nuanced understanding of vinyl polymer‐based lens effectiveness. The article candidly addresses challenges—dehydration, deposits, mechanical stability, and durability—alongside regulatory considerations. Future prospects involve novel formulations, smart materials, bioinspired designs, and noninvasive technologies to amplify comfort and performance. In conclusion, this review distills progress, acknowledges challenges, and charts a sanguine course for vinyl polymer materials in advancing contact lens design, envisioning a future marked by enhanced vision correction technologies.