Abstract: This invention relates to contact lenses having an oxygen gas permeability constant of at least ##EQU1## comprising homopolymers and interpolymers formed by the polymerization of monomers comprising at least one alkyl styrene monomer having at least one C.sub.1 or higher alkyl group on the aromatic ring and improved surface wettability and to the method of making such contact lenses utilizing ultraviolet (UV) and chemical treatment.

Abstract: A sterilizer for use in sterilizing articles removably received therein, includes first thermal insulating means with a receiving cavity formed therein; cover means including a second thermal insulating means, the cover means being movable with respect to the first means for selectively covering said cavity; heating means received within the cavity and defining recess means for removably receiving therein an article to be sterilized, the heating means having a preselected volume for relatively slowly dissipating heat; and power control means for selectively applying electrical power to the heating means for heating the heating means, and for automatically cutting off the power to the heating means in response to a first predetermined temperature being reached by the heating means, the combination of the heating means and the first and second insulation means resulting in a relatively slow rate of heat loss from the heating means for enabling the temperature of the heating means not to fall below a second pred

Abstract: This invention relates to ultraviolet absorbing lenses, particularly corneal contact lenses, comprising a polymeric shaped body having an ultraviolet absorber dispersed substantially uniformly throughout said body and being in a steady state with respect to extraction thereof from said body by an aqueous medium, and to the method of making such lenses.

Abstract: This invention relates to bonnets for making contact lenses and contact lenses having high gas permeability shaped from a polymer selected from (a) polymers consisting essentially of the polymerization reaction products of one or a combination of different alkyl styrene monomers with one or more alkyl substituents on the aromatic ring and an unsubstituted vinyl group, and optionally at least one compatible cross-linking monomer, (b) polymers consisting essentially of the polymerization reaction products of at least one alkyl styrene monomer as defined in (a) with one or a combination of other styrene monomers selected from styrene, styrene with an alkyl substituent on the vinyl group only, and styrene with both an alkyl substituent on the vinyl group and one or more alkyl substituents on the aromatic ring, and optionally at least one compatible cross-linking monomer and (c) polymers consisting essentially of the polymerization reaction products of one of the styrenes defined in (a) and (b) or combinations the

Abstract: Contact lenses comprising hydrophilic units of which the only or major proportion are derived from an N-vinyl heterocyclic monomer hydrophobic units derived from a hydrophobic monomer, and allylic cross-linking units containing more than one polymerizable double bond selected from monoallyl itaconate, diallyl itaconate, triallyl cyanurate, triallyl isocyanurate, triallyl trimellitate, N,N-diallylmelamine, other multifunctional allyl monomers formed by the esterification of polybasic acids with allyl alcohol, or mixtures thereof; the proportions of said monomers being adjusted to give the desired water content and resistance to dissolution when the polymer is swollen to equilibrium in an aqueous environment.

Abstract: This invention comprises a gas-permeable contact lens consisting essentially of a plasticized cellulose resin selected from a partially esterified or partially etherified cellulose polymer plasticized with a compatible plasticizer in an amount sufficient to increase the gas permeability of the cellulose resin.

Abstract: In the process of making optically clear hydrophilic copolymers formed by copolymerizing a glycol monoester of acrylic or methacrylic acid with an alkoxy monomer having the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 straight or branched chain alkoxy group, R' is a C.sub.2 or C.sub.3 straight or branched chain alkylene group, X is hydrogen or a methyl group, m is either 1 or 0, and n is an integer from 1 to 20, the improvement comprising distilling at least said alkoxy monomer under high vacuum and low temperature prior to copolymerization, promptly adding to said distilled monomer an amount of polymerization inhibitor below that which would inhibit copolymerization, but sufficient to provide a hydrated copolymer of high optical clarity, and then copolymerizing said monomer and said glycol monoester to form said hydrophilic copolymer. The invention also comprises the improved method of making hydrophilic buttons and contact lenses, particularly corneal contact lenses, from said hydrophilic copolymers.

Abstract: A hydrophilic polymer and contact lens made therefrom, said polymer consisting essentially of a diester-free glycol monoester of acrylic or methacrylic acid and a comonomer having the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is a C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 straight or branched chain alkoxy group, R' is a C.sub.2 to C.sub.3 straight or branched chain alkylene group, X is hydrogen or a methyl group, m is either 1 or 0, and n is an integer from 1 to 20.

Abstract: An improved contact lens treating composition is provided through the incorporation of an amphoteric surfactant as a detergent. The amphoteric surfactant provides good cleaning properties with no eye irritation and is stable in the presence of positively-charged bacteriocides in the composition.

Abstract: A container particularly adapted for use in carrying and storing a pair of contact lenses and a storage solution therefor, and also, in a preferred embodiment, serving additionally as part of an autoclaving system for sterilizing the contact lenses, essentially comprises a body member, and a carrier device. The body member is basically comprised of a generally hollow casing member having an open end portion which defines a single access opening therethrough, a closed end portion opposite the open end portion, and a first securing device.

Abstract: A process for prescribing and manufacturing contact lenses wherein a first concave curvature is developed on the interior face of the lens in the central optical zone. This concave curvature conforms to a portion of a sphere having a radius equal to the radius of a base curve determined to be suitable for the particular patient. A second concave curvature is developed on the interior face of the lens to provide a bearing zone in surrounding relationship relative to the optical zone. The second curvature conforms to an annulus of a sphere having a radius determined by the slope of the patient's eye at points of contact of the second curvature with the eye. The slope is determined by calculating the eccentricity of the ellipsoidal surface which most closely describes the shape of the patient's eye.

Abstract: This invention comprises a gas-permeable contact lens consisting essentially of a plasticized cellulose resin selected from a partially esterified or partially etherified cellulose polymer plasticized with a compatible plasticizer in an amount sufficient to increase the gas permeability of the cellulose resin.

Abstract: This invention relates to ultraviolet absorbing lenses, particularly corneal contact lenses, comprising a polymeric shaped body having an ultraviolet absorber dispersed substantially uniformly throughout said body and being in a steady state with respect to extraction thereof from said body by an aqueous medium, and to the method of making such lenses.