Abstract: Unsaturated polyester resin-based ophthalmic lens compositions that are modified for unexpected improvement in speed of manufacture while maintaining uniform, low optical distortion and/or improved tint speed by the addition to the polyester composition of at least one photoinitiator, preferably having at least some activity at a wavelength above about 380 nm so that a UV-absorbing compound can be included in the polyester lens composition, and the polyester resin composition is photocured to gelation in about 7 minutes or less, e.g., using a light intensity of at least about 300 microwatts/cm.sup.2, more preferably at least about 500 microwatts/cm.sup.2, most preferably at least about 1,000 microwatts/cm.sup.2.