In this application, a 785 nm Raman spectroscopy system is evaluated as a tool for monitoring the curing processes of ophthalmic materials used in surgeries. Precise monitoring of curing rates can improve quality and safety.
With aging populations and the increasing prevalence of eye disease, the global ophthalmic industry has become a multibillion-dollar marketplace. For manufacturers of lenses used in eye surgery – for example, intraocular lenses (IOLs) for cataracts – simple tools and methods utilizing spectroscopy can speed development of newer, more effective ophthalmic materials.
Experimental Setup
To evaluate the viability of 785 nm Raman spectroscopy to characterize the curing process in ophthalmic materials, Ocean Insight used a modular Raman setup to measure a mixture of compounds irradiated by a curing lamp. Multiple measurements were conducted over varying levels of exposure time. Based on several clear indicators of polymerization revealed in the data, Ocean Insight proved that Raman spectroscopy can be effective as a QC tool to characterize the ophthalmic materials before they are used by surgeons in the hospital.