Abstract: The present disclosure relates to degradable polymers which contain a hydrophobic and hydrophilic segment which is sensitive to pH. In some aspects, the polymers form a micelle which is sensitive to pH and have backbones which are capable of undergoing degradation in vivo. In some aspects, the disclosure also provides methods of using these degradable polymers for the delivery of a drug.

Abstract: The invention provides a class of hydrophilized polydiorganosiloxane vinylic crosslinkers. Each of the hydrophilized polydiorganosiloxane vinylic crosslinkers of the invention comprise (1) a polydiorganosiloxane segment comprising dimethylsiloxane units and hydrophilized siloxane units each having one methyl substituent and one organic substituent having a phosphorylcholine moiety; (2) ethylenically-unsaturated groups. The invention also provides a silicone hydrogel contact lens, which comprises a crosslinked polymeric material comprising repeating units of at least one of such a class of hydrophilized polydiorganosiloxane vinylic crosslinkers. The invention further provides a method of producing a hydrophilized contact lens from a polymerizable composition comprising at least one of such a class of hydrophilized polydiorganosiloxane vinylic crosslinkers.

Abstract: Described herein is a method for producing a contact lens comprising a central zone that has a diameter of about 13 mm or less, is concentric with the central axis of the contact lens, and possesses at least one photo functionality. The method comprises: applying a first polymerizable fluid composition containing at least one photochemically functional compound on a central portion of the molding surface of a female mold half to form a circular layer; partially curing, in situ, the circular layer in the female mold half; dispensing a second polymerizable fluid composition over the partially-cured circular layer on the molding surface of the female mold half; and a step of curing the second polymerizable fluid composition and the partially-cured circular layer immersed therein in the mold cavity formed between the the molding surfaces of the female mold half and a male mold half.

Abstract: Described herein is a cost-effective and time-efficient method for producing photochromic contact lenses, in particular, preferably photochromic silicone hydrogel contact lenses, from a polymerizable composition comprising an unique selection and combination of main polymerizable components, a photochromic compound and a visible-light photoinitiator, based on the Lightstream Technology™. This invention also provides photochromic contact lenses or more preferably photochromic silicone hydrogel contact lenses made according to a method of the invention. A photochromic contact lens of the invention is capable of undergoing a reversible color change upon exposure to UV-irradiation or high-energy-violet light (HEVL) (with wavelengths from 380 nm to 440 nm).

Abstract: Described herein is a cost-effective and time-efficient method for producing photochromic contact lenses, in particular, preferably photochromic silicone hydrogel contact lenses, from a polymerizable composition comprising an unique selection and combination of main polymerizable components, a photochromic compound and a visible-light photoinitiator, based on the Lightstream Technology™. This invention also provides photochromic contact lenses or more preferably photochromic silicone hydrogel contact lenses made according to a method of the invention. A photochromic contact lens of the invention is capable of undergoing a reversible color change upon exposure to UV-irradiation or high-energy-violet light (HEVL) (with wavelengths from 380 nm to 440 nm).

Abstract: Described herein is a cost-effective and time-efficient method for producing photochromic contact lenses, in particular, preferably photochromic silicone hydrogel contact lenses, from a polymerizable composition comprising an unique selection and combination of main polymerizable components, a photochromic compound and a visible-light photoinitiator, based on the Lightstream Technology™. This invention also provides photochromic contact lenses or more preferably photochromic silicone hydrogel contact lenses made according to a method of the invention. A photochromic contact lens of the invention is capable of undergoing a reversible color change upon exposure to UV-irradiation or high-energy-violet light (HEVL) (with wavelengths from 380 nm to 440 nm).

Abstract: Described herein is a method for producing HEVL-filtering contact lenses in a relatively efficient and consistent manner from a polymerizable composition under a controlled thermal curing scheme. The polymerizable composition comprises at least one N-vinyl amide monomer and at least one Cu(II)-meso-aryl-substituted porphyrin free of any ethylenically unsaturated group. The resultant HEVL-filtering contact lenses each comprise a polymer matrix to which the Cu(II)-meso-aryl-substituted porphyrin is grafted or covalently attached.

Abstract: Described herein is UV/HEVL-absorbing contact lens of the invention comprises a bulk hydrogel material that comprises repeating units of at least one UV-absorbing vinylic monomer, repeating units of at least one UV/HEVL-absorbing vinylic monomer, and derivatives of a reactive Cu(II)-porphyrin present in selected amounts and at a selected ratio. A UV/HEVL-filtering contact lens of the invention not only can provide Class I UV protection against UVA and UVB rays (i.e., filtering more than 90% of UVA and 99% of UVB rays) but also can mimics the natural crystalline lens of a human eye in providing HEVL protection.

Abstract: Described herein is a cost-effective and time-efficient method for producing UV- and HEVL-absorbing silicone hydrogel contact lenses capable of blocking ultra-violet (“UV”) radiation and high-energy-violet light (HEVL) with wavelengths from 380 nm to 440 nm, thereby protecting eyes to some extent from damages caused by UV and HEVL radiation. This invention also provides UV- and HEVL-absorbing absorbing contact lenses made according to a method of the invention.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides metalloporphyrin and metallochlorin compounds (e.g., compounds of Formula (II) and (III)), which are useful in the preparation of optical devices (e.g., contact lenses, intraocular lenses, implantable contact lenses) that protect retinal pigment epithelium by the selective blocking of blue light. Also provided are precursor porphyrin and chlorin compounds (e.g., compounds of Formula (I)), and compositions and optical devices incorporating the compounds of the disclosure. Also provided are methods of selecting appropriate metalloporphyrin and metallochlorin compounds for incorporation into optical devices wherein the devices mitigate damage to retinal epithelial cells while balancing changes to luminous transmission, discomfort glare, color distortion, and disruption of circadian rhythms.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to degradable polymers which contain a hydrophobic and hydrophilic segment which is sensitive to pH. In some aspects, the polymers form a micelle which is sensitive to pH and have backbones which are capable of undergoing degradation in vivo. In some aspects, the disclosure also provides methods of using these degradable polymers for the delivery of a drug.

Abstract: Described herein is a method for producing a contact lens comprising a central zone that has a diameter of about 13 mm or less, is concentric with the central axis of the contact lens, and possesses at least one photo functionality. The method comprises: applying a first polymerizable fluid composition containing at least one photochemically functional compound on a central portion of the molding surface of a female mold half to form a circular layer; partially curing, in situ, the circular layer in the female mold half; dispensing a second polymerizable fluid composition over the partially-cured circular layer on the molding surface of the female mold half; and a step of curing the second polymerizable fluid composition and the partially-cured circular layer immersed therein in the mold cavity formed between the the molding surfaces of the female mold half and a male mold half.

Abstract: The invention provides a class of hydrophilized polydiorganosiloxane vinylic crosslinkers. Each of the hydrophilized polydiorganosiloxane vinylic crosslinkers of the invention comprise (1) a polydiorganosiloxane segment comprising dimethylsiloxane units and hydrophilized siloxane units each having one methyl substituent and one organic substituent having a phosphorylcholine moiety; (2) ethylenically-unsaturated groups. The invention also provides a silicone hydrogel contact lens, which comprises a crosslinked polymeric material comprising repeating units of at least one of such a class of hydrophilized polydiorganosiloxane vinylic crosslinkers. The invention further provides a method of producing a hydrophilized contact lens from a polymerizable composition comprising at least one of such a class of hydrophilized polydiorganosiloxane vinylic crosslinkers.

Abstract: Described herein is a cost-effective and time-efficient method for producing photochromic contact lenses, in particular, preferably photochromic silicone hydrogel contact lenses, from a polymerizable composition comprising an unique selection and combination of main polymerizable components, a photochromic compound and a visible-light photoinitiator, based on the Lightstream Technology™. This invention also provides photochromic contact lenses or more preferably photochromic silicone hydrogel contact lenses made according to a method of the invention. A photochromic contact lens of the invention is capable of undergoing a reversible color change upon exposure to UV-irradiation or high-energy-violet light (HEVL) (with wavelengths from 380 nm to 440 nm).

Abstract: The invention is generally related to a soft contact lens which comprises a hydrogel lens body and a coating thereon and to a method for producing the same. The hydrogel lens body is composed of a crosslinked polymeric material comprising repeating units of at least one arylborono-containing vinylic monomer having a boronic acid group, and the coating comprises a layer of a phosphorylcholine-containing polymer which comprises (a) repeating units of vinyl alcohol, and (b) repeating units of 6-membered acetal ring substituted with a phosphorylcholine-containing group. The coating is covalently-attached to the hydrogel lens body through cyclic boronic ester linkages each formed between one of the boronic acid groups of the crosslinked polymeric material and one of the 1,2-diol and 1,3-diol moieties of the phosphorylcholine-containing polymer.

Abstract: The invention is generally related to a soft contact lens which comprises a hydrogel lens body and a coating thereon and to a method for producing the same. The hydrogel lens body is composed of a crosslinked polymeric material comprising repeating units of at least one arylborono-containing vinylic monomer having a boronic acid group, and the coating comprises a layer of a phosphorylcholine-containing polymer which comprises (a) repeating units of vinyl alcohol, and (b) repeating units of 6-membered acetal ring substituted with a phosphorylcholine-containing group. The coating is covalently-attached to the hydrogel lens body through cyclic boronic ester linkages each formed between one of the boronic acid groups of the crosslinked polymeric material and one of the 1,2-diol and 1,3-diol moieties of the phosphorylcholine-containing polymer.