The primary purpose of the ocular environment is to minimize the color and shape defects of the lens system in front of it, providing a clear image to the user. Producing lenses at correct and stable humidity levels significantly impacts the comfort of the product for the end-user.
Lenses not produced under stable humidity conditions controlled by dehumidifiers during production cannot offer stable usage comfort due to humidity fluctuations caused by variable humidity conditions. A lens that does not get sufficiently moistened during use lacks the normal lubrication provided by the tear film, causing mechanical irritation to the eyelid, cornea, and surrounding tissues, leading to pain or discomfort.
Modern contact lens technology focuses on producing lenses with higher oxygen permeability and flexibility and softness that won't irritate the eye surface. Gas-permeable lenses have been produced by adding silicone, which has high oxygen permeability, to rigid lens material. Additionally, contact lens manufacturers have combined silicone elastomer, which has high oxygen permeability, with hydrogel, which provides good wettability, ease of use, comfort, and mobility on the eye surface, to produce silicone hydrogel and soft contact lenses.
Various contact lens designs have been developed to provide application and ease of use compatible with different eye surface curvatures in both soft and rigid lenses. The production of both types of lenses adheres to cleanroom climate control principles. Considering cleanroom standards, temperature, humidity, and particulate criteria should be followed, aiming for stable formation in the process. High humidity levels in lens production accelerate microorganism growth, while production at low humidity levels can change the refractive index of the lens and steepen its optical curvature radius. Especially in winter, dry indoor air can cause curls on the edges of the produced lenses.
In lens production facilities subject to cleanroom standards and local inspections, high humidity levels are controlled by dehumidifiers, while low humidity levels are managed by humidification devices integrated into central air conditioning units. The geographical location of the production facility and seasonal effects should be considered when selecting a dehumidifier, as the dehumidifier will add thermal load to the central air conditioning system.
At NKT – Nem Kontrol Teknolojileri, our expert engineering team provides the best industrial dehumidifier solutions to maintain the integrity of the contact lens production process and offer energy-efficient, high-performance solutions.
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