Abstract: This invention concerns a minus prescription hydrogel contact lens that permits oxygen diffusion to the cornea in sufficient quantity to avoid the effects of oxygen deprivation; avoids the physiological complications arising from damage to the bulbar conjunctivia due to compression of the limbal capillaries; and avoids corneal scleral or wetting deficiencies. These advantages are accomplished through a combination of lens design and hydrogel properties.

Abstract: The invention provides new hydrogel forming materials comprising synthetic, hydrophilic, aqueous-insoluble polymer networks formed by copolymerization of a hydrophilic dihydroxyalkyl acrylate or methacrylate, a substantially water insoluble alkyl acrylate or methacrylate, one or more additional hydrophilic comonomers selected from the group of vinylic monomers, acrylates, and methacrylates, and a cross-linking agent. The hydrogels are preferably used for the formation of contact lenses, but may also be used for drug and pesticides delivery devices; dialysis, ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis membranes; implants in surgery and dentistry; and the like.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of treating hydrogels formed from the polymerization of monomers having reactive olefinic double bonds by contacting them with reactive thiol compounds. In a preferred embodiment where the hydrogel structure includes a cis-glycol containing unit, a suitable thiol is used in conjunction with a borate buffer. The present invention also provides materials that are treated with the above thiol compounds.

Abstract: The method of making plastic lenses ready for fitting to the contour of the wearer's eye comprising supporting a blank of plastic at one end for rotation about a predetermined axis, turning the blank down to a predetermined diameter, making an annular face cut at the distal end of the blank of predetermined radial width, making a spherically concave base cut at said distal end of predetermined depth relative to said annular face cut, reversing the blank end-for-end, making a first spherically convex cut at said end of the blank of a predetermined radius such that the distance between the inner and outer surfaces is of a predetermined thickness and making a flange cut at the marginal edge of the outer convex surface of lesser radius of curvature; and apparatus for carrying out the method.

Abstract: The invention provides new hydrogel forming materials comprising synthetic, hydrophilic, aqueous-insoluble polymer networks formed by copolymerization of a hydrophilic dihydroxyalkyl acrylate or methacrylate, a substantially water insoluble alkyl acrylate or methacrylate, one or more additional hydrophilic comonomers selected from the group of vinylic monomers, acrylates, and methacrylates, and a cross-linking agent. The hydrogels are preferably used for the formation of contact lenses, but may also be used for drug and pesticides delivery devices; dialysis, ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis membranes; implants in surgery and dentistry; and the like.

Abstract: The method of making plastic lenses ready for fitting to the contour of the wearer's eye comprising supporting a blank of plastic at one end for rotation about a predetermined axis, turning the blank down to a predetermined diameter, making an annular face cut at the distal end of the blank of predetermined radial width, making a spherically concave base cut at said distal end of predetermined depth relative to said annular face cut, reversing the blank end-for-end, making a first spherically convex cut at said end of the blank of a predetermined radius such that the distance between the inner and outer surfaces is of a predetermined thickness and making a flange cut at the marginal edge of the outer convex surface of lesser radius of curvature; and apparatus for carrying out the method.

Abstract: This invention concerns a minus prescription hydrogel contact lens that permits oxygen diffusion to the cornea in sufficient quantity to avoid the effects of oxygen deprivation; avoids the physiological complications arising from damage to the bulbar conjunctivia due to compression of the limbal capillaries; and avoids corneal scleral or wetting deficiencies. These advantages are accomplished through a combination of lens design and hydrogel properties.

Abstract: This invention relates to polymers and hydrogels of polymers formed from a hydrophilic monomer of the group of dihydroxyalkyl acrylates and methacrylates, a substantially water insoluble monomer from the group of alkyl acrylates and methacrylates and preferably a minor amount of a water insoluble epoxidized alkyl acrylate or methacrylate. The hydrogels are preferably used for the formation of contact lenses, but may also be used for drug and pesticides delivery devices: dialysis, ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis membranes; implants in surgery and dentistry, and the like.

Abstract: This invention relates to copolymers and hydrogels formed by copolymerization of a hydrophilic monomer from the group of dihydroxyalkyl acrylates and methacrylates and a substantially water insoluble monomer from the group of alkyl acrylates and methacrylates. The preferred copolymer of the invention is formed from methyl methacrylate and glyceryl methacrylate (2,3-dihydroxypropyl methacrylate). The hydrogels of the invention have unique physical and physiological properties which are particularly useful for the formation of contact lenses, particularly contact lenses having a relatively thin cross-section, though they may also be used for other purposes such as drug and pesticides delivery devices, dialysis, ultrafiltratiaon and reverse osmosis membranes, implants in surgery and dentistry and the like.