The ZnONPs were screened for their antimicrobial activity against ophthalmological bacteria.

The effect of different sized NPs on biocompatibility was investigated.

When ZnONPs were used with 400 nm femtosecond laser irradiation, bacterial growth was drastically decreased.

The antioxidant activity of ZnONPs was studied, as well as their biocompatibility with retinal epithelial cells (ARPE-19).

ZnONPs showed moderate antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity.

For ophthalmological applications, ZnONPs could exhibit laser-activated antimicrobial effect.

The unusual physical, chemical, and biological features of nanoparticles have sparked considerable attention in the ophthalmological applications. This study reports the synthesis and characterization of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) using laser-ablation at 100 mJ with different ablation times. The synthesized ZnONPs were spherical with an average size of 10.2 nm or 9.8 nm for laser ablation times of 20 and 30 min, respectively. The ZnONPs were screened for their antimicrobial activity against ophthalmological bacteria, methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The significant decrease in bacterial growth was observed after treatment with ZnONPs in combination with 400 nm femtosecond laser irradiation. ZnONPs were investigated for their antioxidant activity and biocompatibility towards retinal epithelial cells (ARPE-19). ZnONPs showed moderate antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity. ZnONPs prepared with an ablation time of 20 min were safer and more biocompatible than those prepared with an ablation time of 30 min, which were toxic to ARPE-19 cells with LC50 (11.3 μg/mL) and LC90 (18.3 μg/mL). In this study, laser ablation technique was used to create ZnONPs, and it was proposed that ZnONPs could have laser-activated antimicrobial activity for ophthalmological applications.

Laser ablation

Zinc oxide nanoparticles

ARPE-19 retinal epithelial cells

Antimicrobial agent

Antioxidant

Biocompatibility

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