The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible implementation of hydrophilic polymers as recovery agents in air-damaged corneal cells. The sessile bubble technique was implemented to measure the wetting properties of four selected polymers: hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), sodium chondroitin sulphate (SCS), hydroxypropyl-methylcellulose (HPMC) and poloxamer F127 (PO12), at equilibrium conditions and in the case of advancing and receding contact angle. For testing the wetting properties of the polymers, glass slides covered with a confluent monolayer of Statens Seruminstitut rabbit cornea (SIRC) cells were used. HEC showed best properties for a broad concentration range, as the polymer showed capability to maintain low values of the static (equilibrium) contact angle (average static contact angle - 36.07˚, compared to average static compact angles of HPMC - 38.44˚, PO12 - 38.92˚ and SCS - 37.85˚), i.e. better wettability. Sessile bubble technique provides quick, relatively simple and reliable approach for testing surface properties of the listed polymers. The nature of the surface damage produced by the exposition of SIRC cells was used as a plausible model of evaporative dry eye syndrome, and thus the results may have clinical implementation.
Keywords: contact angle measurement; dry eye syndrome; hydrophilic polymers.