Effects of PVP/NVP Additives on the Surface Wettability and Hydration Kinetics of Low-Silicone TRISS-Based Hydrogel Contact Lenses

Silicone hydrogels offer high oxygen permeability but suffer from poor wettability. This study integrates a TRISS-based system (0–2.0 wt%) with a fixed PVP/NVP matrix (1.0/0.5 wt%) to enhance hydration-induced dimensional stability and surface properties. Fabricated via cast-molding, the lenses demonstrated that TRISS incorporation significantly enhances oxygen transport. Specifically, the 2.0 wt% TRISS formulation (S2.0) achieved an ~1.9-fold increase in oxygen-induced current (from 0.97 μA in pure-HEMA to 1.86 μA) while strongly suppressing hydration-induced swelling. To counter TRISS’s inherent hydrophobicity, the PVP/NVP matrix acted as a vital compensatory mechanism, driving the equilibrium contact angle down to 56.04° and avoiding the severe hydrophobic plateau (93.79°) of the additive-free comparator. S2.0 maintained a robust oxygen response alongside improved wettability. In conclusion, this system defines a workable low-silicone design window accommodating up to 2.0 wt% TRISS without wettability loss or optical degradation (>97%). Crucially, by leveraging TRISS to mitigate swelling-induced mechanical stress and PVP/NVP to ensure stable wettability, this structurally robust hydrogel provides a highly viable foundational matrix for future smart contact lenses equipped with diagnostic micro-components.