Keratocyte attachment to hydrogel materials

We have developed an in-vitro model for keratocyte interactions with hydrogel materials. With the aid of inverted phase contrast microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, we observed the growth of baboon stromal keratocytes on the surface of various hydrogel materials. In this study, the Bioflex lens (0.5% hydration) surface was extensively covered with keratocytes, whereas 1% to 25% of the surfaces of Crofilcon A (40% hydration) and Perfilcon A (70% hydration) lenses were covered with keratocytes. The Bufilcon A (55% hydration) lens was free of keratocyte attachment. Keratocytes attached to the surfaces of the lenses produced extracellular collagenous material as evidenced by positive staining with alcian green-metanil yellow. These in-vitro results correlate with our non-human primate studies using Bioflex, Crofilcon A and Bufilcon A lenses as intracorneal implants.