Contact Lens Biocompatibility Analysis
It has been estimated that about 125 million people use contact lenses worldwide, including 28 to 38 million in the United States and 13 million in Japan. Dr. Jean Jacob investigates the biocompatibility of contact lens materials as well as the biocompatibility of lens solutions to the lenses. The scope of her investigations include:
Oxygen permeability
-coulometric analysis of lenses and polymer films with DK 1000
-polargraphic analysis of lenses and polymer films
Contact angle/wettability-
-Captive bubble or sessile drop techniques with Rame-Hart goniometer
Biocompatibility testing-
-In vitro and ex-vivo analysis of lenses for protein and lipid uptake
-Using lab-on-a chip bioanalyzer, 2-D PAGE, Western blot, HPLC
Artificial blinking device for in vitro modeling of lens biofouling/release characterizations
Solute permeability
-Contact lens and cornea diffusivity studies using small volume apparatus
Additionally, Dr. Jacob chairs a yearly international Symposium on the Material Science and Chemistry of Contact Lenses held here in New Orleans.