Abstract: A method for coating a multifocal lens, lens blank, or lens mold is disclosed. The lens, lens blank, or mold is spun about an axis offset from the geometric center thereof. The lens, lens blank, or mold for the lens has at least two focal regions defined by at least one ledge line, and the axis of spinning passes perpendicularly through the ledge line or an extension thereof. A coating is applied during spinning, and spinning is continued until the coating is sufficiently dry that it has adhered with little risk of deformation to the coating on the lens, lens blank, or lens mold upon removal or movement. A lens produced by the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for coating a multifocal lens, lens blank, or lens mold is disclosed. The lens, lens blank, or mold is spun about an axis offset from the geometric center thereof. The lens, lens blank, or mold for the lens has at least two focal regions defined by at least one ledge line, and the axis of spinning passes perpendicularly through the ledge line or an extension thereof. Structure is provided to apply a coating, and spinning is continued until the coating is sufficiently dry that it has adhered with little risk of deformation to the coating on the lens, lens blank, or lens mold upon removal or movement.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for imparting impact resistance to a plastic ophthalmic lens. The method consists of applying a coating of a multifunctional acrylate in a solvent mixture to the back surface of the lens, and curing the multifunctional acrylate to form an impact resistance imparting coat. The multifunctional acrylate preferably has at least about 40%, by weight, of a difunctional acrylate. The multifunctional acrylate preferably has a glass transition temperature less than about 60.degree. C. Lenses with an impact resistance imparting coat on the back, and an abrasion resistant coat on at least the front of the lens, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for casting plastic lenses includes a step in which lens forming materials having at least one liquid monomer and at least one photosensitive initiator are injected into a mold. The lens forming materials in the mold are subjected to ultraviolet light. The mold assembly is cooled in a liquid cooling bath. The temperature of the lens forming material within the mold is monitored, and the ultraviolet light is turned off when the temperature reaches a predetermined upper set point temperature. The ultraviolet light is turned on again when the temperature falls to a predetermined lower set point temperature. The process can be performed automatically with a programmable process control, which monitors the temperature, compares the temperature to the predetermined set point temperature, and turns the ultraviolet light on and off according to the results of the comparison.

Abstract: A radiation-curable coating composition for ophthalmic lens is disclosed which comprises a mixture of a monoepoxysilane, colloidal silica, an alkylalkoxysilane or tetraalkoxysilane, and an ultraviolet activated photoinitiator capable of initiating a cationic cure of such composition. The photoinitiator is an aromatic onium salt or an iron arene salt complex.

Abstract: A finished ophthalmic lens is made by using a pre-manufactured lens or lens wafer as a part of a mold for making the finished lens. A polymerizable lens material is injected between the lens or lens wafer and a conventional mold member and a trio of indexers are used to rotate the conventional mold member relative to the lens wafer, to adjust the spatial relationship between the conventional mold member and the lens or lens wafer, and to control the angular relation between them. The assembly is subjected to irradiation and the radiation cures the polymerizable lens material and fuses it to the lens wafer so that the lens or lens wafer becomes an integral part of the finished lens. A finished lens is made in less than one hour.

Abstract: An apparatus for mating a finished ophthalmic lens includes a pre-manufactured lens or lens wafer as a part of a mold for making the finished lens. A polymerizable lens material is injected between the lens or lens wafer and a conventional mold member and a trio of indexers are used to rotate the conventional mold member relative to the lens wafer, to adjust the spatial relationship between the conventional mold member and the lens or lens wafer, and to control the angular relation between them. The assembly is subjected to irradiation and the radiation cures the polymerizable lens material and fuses it to the lens wafer so that the lens or lens wafer becomes an integral part of the finished lens. The apparatus produces a finished lens in less than one hour.