Monomer’s Residuals Test Elimination for Soft Acrylic Buttons at Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico

Abstract

In the cataract surgery, the natural lens in the eye is replace with an Intraocular Lens. Five monomers (EA/EMA, TFEMA, EGDMA, UV Chr) are mixed to produce the soft acrylic lens. Residual monomer testing measures the amount of monomer and crosslinker not polymerized or removed by annealing process. During the last years residual monomer testing become a high-cost test due to equipment maintenance, chemical purchases, and spare parts cost. Historical data was collected from the residual testing for Optiblue from January 2019 up to May 2020and Opal from June 2018 up to May 2020. DMAIC methodology was used in this analysis. Process Performance Index (Ppk) value varies from 5.62 to 49.52 for Opal and 2.09 to 30.00 for Optiblue, which confirm annealing process is a capable and is in statistically control. Trend analysis was performed, and no negative trend was observed. Therefore, the monomer residual test can be eliminated. KeyTerms⎯ Residual Monomer Testing, Opal, Optiblue, Process Performance Index.