Strategic Design of Biocompatible, Glistening-Free, and Foldable Artificial Intraocular Lenses Based on Hydro-Amphiphilic Ternary Copolymers

The increasing prevalence of cataracts underscores the urgent need for intraocular lens (IOL) materials that provide optical clarity, foldability, glistening resistance, and long-term biocompatibility. In this study, we developed hydro-amphiphilic ternary copolymers composed of styrene, hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), and poly(ethylene glycol) phenyl ether acrylate (PEGPEA) to address these requirements. This rational design integrates the strength and refractive index of hydrophobic styrene with the flexibility and hydrophilicity of HEMA and PEGPEA. The optimized formulation (H3), comprising 50 wt % HEMA, 30 wt % PEGPEA, and 20 wt % styrene, showed excellent transparency after accelerated aging, sufficient modulus and elongation for safe surgical handling, and low cytotoxicity in CCK-8 assays. Cytokine analyses revealed no significant inflammatory response compared to a commercial hydrophobic acrylic IOL. These findings highlight hydro-amphiphilic copolymers as a promising next-generation material platform for IOLs, offering a biocompatible, glistening-free, and foldable solution for enhanced surgical outcomes and long-term patient satisfaction.