Abstract: A hybrid contact lens has a rigid gas permeable (RGP) central portion and a soft flexible portion that extends outward from the RGP central portion. The soft flexible portion defines the posterior surface and base curve of the hybrid contact lens that contacts a user's cornea, such that the RGP central portion does not contact the user's cornea while wearing the hybrid contact lens. The hybrid contact lens can be a single lens system with one optical power, or a dual lens system with two different optical powers.

Abstract: A method of increasing the hydrophilicity of a polymer surface, such as a contact lens surface, includes exposing the polymer substrate to a first plasma under conditions selected to generate free radicals on the surface of the polymer substrate. The method also includes reacting an organic compound with the free radicals on the surface of the polymer substrate to thereby form an organic coating. The method further includes exposing the organic coating to a second plasma under conditions selected to oxidize the organic coating to thereby form a hydrophilic layer at the substrate surface. The hydrophilic layer can have a contact angle with respect to water that is less than about 50°.

Abstract: A hybrid contact lens includes a substantially rigid center portion and a substantially flexible skirt portion connected to the center portion. The skirt portion is formed using xerogels compatible with diluents comprising at least one selected from polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, lactide, glycolide, a polyacetal, a cyclic acetal, a polyketal, a cyclic ketal, a polyorthoester, a cyclic orthoester, di-t-butyl-dicarbonate, tris(trimethylsilyl)amine, and 2,2,2-trifluoroacetamide. These diluents are formulated to function as a stand-in for water in the xerogel polymer, allowing the xerogel to form and bond to the rigid center portion in its fully expanded state. Upon hydration of the hybrid lens, substantially little dimensional change, and thus substantially little distortion, is obtained in the skirt portion.

Abstract: Contact lenses which exhibit improved wetability are provided. In one aspect, the surface of the contact lenses may be modified using a hydrophilic layer which imparts improved wetability to the contact lens. The contact lens may be exposed to a first plasma so as to generate free radicals on the contact lens surface. An organic compound may be further reacted with the free radicals on the surface to form an organic coating. The contact lens may be exposed to a under conditions selected to oxidize the organic coating and form the hydrophilic layer. Surface modified contact lenses may exhibit contact angles with respect to water less than about 50° using a broad range of organic compounds, including alcohols, ethers, aldehydes, ketones, esters, organosilicon, organophosphorous, organotitanium, organotin, organogermanium, and organoboron compounds. The improved wetability is also substantially maintained when the lens is subject to wear.

Abstract: A hybrid contact lens comprises a central zone comprising a substantially rigid, gas permeable material having a DK of at least 30, a relatively soft peripheral zone and an intermediate zone comprising a film or coating that is created around the central zone, and then cured. The film facilitates chemical bonding between the central zone and the peripheral zone, and also provides a protective barrier to prevent modification of the physical characteristics of the central zone. The film may be created by soaking the central zone in a chemical solution for a predetermined amount of soaking time.

Abstract: A hybrid contact lens comprises a substantially rigid zone having a base curve and a substantially flexible hydrophilic portion coupled to the substantially rigid zone, wherein the substantially flexible portion has one of a plurality of radii.

Abstract: A hybrid contact lens comprises a substantially rigid zone having a base curve with a first curved section defined by an apical radius and an aspheric section defined by a conic constant. A substantially flexible hydrophilic peripheral portion is coupled to the substantially rigid zone, the peripheral portion having one of a plurality of radii, wherein a conic constant of the aspheric section varies with apical radius, so as to provide a nearly constant deviation between the aspheric shape of the aspheric section and a sphere having a radius equal to the apical radius, regardless of the length of the apical radius.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for reducing or eliminating the progression of myopia, including a lens having an intentionally created aberration pattern for reducing or eliminating the progression of myopia. The aberration pattern may comprise a positive spherical aberration that produces a wavefront error in which the paracentral wavefront is disposed in front of the retina, thereby producing a signal that counters axial length growth of the eye and preventing the progression of myopia.

Abstract: A hybrid contact lens comprises a substantially rigid zone having an aspheric base curve with a given apical radius and a substantially flexible hydrophilic peripheral portion coupled to the substantially rigid zone, the peripheral portion having one of a plurality of radii, wherein a conic constant of the substantially rigid zone varies with apical radius, so as to provide a nearly constant deviation between the aspheric shape of the base curve and a sphere having a radius equal to the apical radius, regardless of the length of the apical radius.

Abstract: The present invention relates to contact lenses manufactured using a gas permeable material with improved hydrophilicity. A method for improving the hydrophilicity of the contact lens includes providing a contact lens comprising a gas permeable contact lens material and exposing the material to a treatment solution comprising a chemical agent under conditions that are effective to significantly reduce the contact angle of the contact lens for a period of at least about two months. In another embodiment, the method includes irradiating the contact lens to sterilize the contact lens material. A contact lens manufactured using this method includes a substantially rigid portion comprising a polymeric material, the polymeric material comprising a hydrophilic surface having a contact angle of about 65 degrees or less.

Abstract: A hybrid contact lens comprises a central zone comprising a substantially rigid, gas permeable material having a DK of at least 30, a relatively soft peripheral zone and an intermediate zone comprising a film or coating that is created around the central zone, and then cured. The film facilitates chemical bonding between the central zone and the peripheral zone, and also provides a protective barrier to prevent modification of the physical characteristics of the central zone. The film may be created by soaking the central zone in a chemical solution for a predetermined amount of soaking time.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing hybrid contact lenses using a mold are provided. The methods include pouring liquefied resin of a substantially rigid material within an inner section, curing the substantially rigid material, pouring liquefied resin of a substantially flexible material within an outer section and curing the substantially flexible material. In some embodiments, a wall disposed between the rigid and flexible materials is angled and/or bent to increase bonding strength between the rigid and flexible sections. The curing steps involve the application of heat, UV light, or a combination of both heat and UV light.

Abstract: A hybrid hard-soft contact lens is provided. Several embodiments of the invention include methods of coupling the hard and soft sections of the contact lens. Other embodiments of the invention include contact lens materials and coatings that increase oxygen transmission though the lens. Yet other embodiments of the invention are directed to cost-effective manufacturing methods of a hybrid hard-soft contact lens. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the Abstract requirement rules that allow a reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure contained herein. This Abstract is submitted with the explicit understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a hybrid contact lens having a substantially rigid center portion and a substantially flexible outer portion, comprising forming the substantially rigid center portion, treating the substantially rigid center portion to form a coating on the perimeter of the substantially rigid portion, forming the substantially flexible outer portion around the substantially rigid center portion and chemically bonding the substantially flexible portion to the substantially rigid portion. Hybrid lenses comprising a substantially rigid center portion and a substantially flexible outer portion joined at junction comprising a first segment and a second segment are also provided.

Abstract: A hybrid hard-soft contact lens is provided. Several embodiments of the invention include methods of coupling the hard and soft sections of the contact lens. Other embodiments of the invention include contact lens materials and coatings that increase oxygen transmission though the lens. Yet other embodiments of the invention are directed to cost-effective manufacturing methods of a hybrid hard-soft contact lens. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the Abstract requirement rules that allow a reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure contained herein. This Abstract is submitted with the explicit understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A contact lens is provided. One embodiment of the present invention provides a method for fitting and prescribing a contact lens. Another embodiment of the present invention comprises a contact lens construction that provides a stable prescription platform. Yet another embodiment comprises a contact lens that is constructed to accommodate ectasia associated with keratoconus. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the Abstract requirement rules that allow a reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure contained herein. This Abstract is submitted with the explicit understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.