Abstract: A method for making a silicone hydrogel contact lens is provided. In one embodiment, a prepolymer mixture is polymerized in a lens mold in an atmosphere having less than about 10000 ppm oxygen to form a silicone hydrogel contact lens suitable for extended wear as characterized by producing less than 10% corneal swelling after a period of continuous wear of 7 days including normal sleep periods. In one embodiment, the prepolymer mixture comprises at least one oxyperm material containing hydrophilic groups, wherein the at least one oxyperm material is a siloxane-containing macromer or monomer, at least one ionperm material, and a cross-linking agent. In certain embodiments, the polymerization of the prepolymer mixture may be carried out in an atmosphere having less than about 1000 ppm oxygen.

Abstract: A method for making a silicone hydrogel contact lens is provided. In one embodiment, a prepolymer mixture is polymerized in a lens mold in an atmosphere having less than about 10000 ppm oxygen to form a silicone hydrogel contact lens suitable for extended wear as characterized by producing less than 10% corneal swelling after a period of continuous wear of 7 days including normal sleep periods. In one embodiment, the prepolymer mixture comprises at least one oxyperm material containing hydrophilic groups, wherein the at least one oxyperm material is a siloxane-containing macromer or monomer, at least one ionperm material, and a cross-linking agent. In certain embodiments, the polymerization of the prepolymer mixture may be carried out in an atmosphere having less than about 1000 ppm oxygen.

Abstract: A method for making a silicone hydrogel contact lens is provided. In one embodiment, a prepolymer mixture is polymerized in a lens mold in an atmosphere having less than about 10000 ppm oxygen to form a silicone hydrogel contact lens suitable for extended wear as characterized by producing less than 10% corneal swelling after a period of continuous wear of 7 days including normal sleep periods. In one embodiment, the prepolymer mixture comprises at least one oxyperm material containing hydrophilic groups, wherein the at least one oxyperm material is a siloxane-containing macromer or monomer, at least one ionoperm material, and a cross-linking agent. In certain embodiments, the polymerization of the prepolymer mixture may be carried out in an atmosphere having less than about 1000 ppm oxygen.

Abstract: An ophthalmic lens suited for extended-wear periods of at least one day on the eye without a clinically significant amount of corneal swelling and without substantial wearer discomfort. In one embodiment, an ophthalmic lens is a copolymerization product of at least one oxyperm, at least one ionoperm, and a crosslinker. In one embodiment, a lens has a tensile modulus of less than about 3.0 MPa, yet in another embodiment, the tensile modulus is between about 0.5 to about 1.5 MPa.

Abstract: An ophthalmic lens suited for extended-wear periods of at least one day on the eye without a clinically significant amount of corneal swelling and without substantial wearer discomfort. In one embodiment, an opthalmic lens is a copolymerization product of at least one oxyperm, at least one ionoperm, and a crosslinker. In one embodiment, a lens has a tensile modulus of less than about 3.0 MPa, yet in another embodiment, the tensile modulus is between about 0.5 to about 1.5 MPa.

Abstract: An ophthalmic lens suited for extended-wear periods of at least one day on the eye without a clinically significant amount of corneal swelling and without substantial wearer discomfort. The lens has a balance of oxygen permeability and ion or water permeability, with the ion or water permeability being sufficient to provide good on-eye movement, such that a good tear exchange occurs between the lens and the eye. A preferred lens is a copolymerization product of a oxyperm macromer and an ionoperm monomer. The invention encompasses extended wear contact lenses, which include a core having oxygen transmission and ion transmission pathways extending from the inner surface to the outer surface.

Abstract: An ophthalmic lens suited for extended-wear periods of at least one day on the eye without a clinically significant amount of corneal swelling and without substantial wearer discomfort. The lens has a balance of oxygen permeability and ion or water permeability, with the ion or water permeability being sufficient to provide good on-eye movement, such that a good tear exchange occurs between the lens and the eye. A preferred lens is a copolymerization product of a oxyperm macromer and an ionoperm monomer. The invention encompasses extended wear contact lenses, which include a core having oxygen transmission and ion transmission pathways extending from the inner surface to the outer surface.

Abstract: An ophthalmic lens suited for extended-wear periods of at least one day on the eye without a clinically significant amount of corneal swelling and without substantial wearer discomfort. In one embodiment, an opthalmic lens is a copolymerization product of at least one oxyperm, at least one ionoperm, and a crosslinker. In one embodiment, a lens has a tensile modulus of less than about 3.0 MPa, yet in another embodiment, the tensile modulus is between about 0.5 to about 1.5 MPa.

Abstract: A method for making a silicone hydrogel contact lens is provided. In one embodiment, a prepolymer mixture is polymerized in a lens mold in an atmosphere having less than about ppm oxygen to form a silicone hydrogel contact lens suitable for extended wear as characterized by producing less than 10% corneal swelling after a period of continuous wear of 7 days including normal sleep periods. In one embodiment, the prepolymer mixture comprises at least one oxyperm material containing hydrophilic groups, wherein the at least one oxyperm material is a siloxane-containing macromer or monomer, at least one ionperm material, and a cross-linking agent. In certain embodiments, the polymerization of the prepolymer mixture may be carried out in an atmosphere having less than about 1000 ppm oxygen.

Abstract: An ophthalmic lens suited for extended-wear periods of at least one day on the eye without a clinically significant amount of corneal swelling and without substantial wearer discomfort. The lens has a balance of oxygen permeability and ion or water permeability, with the ion or water permeability being sufficient to provide good on-eye movement, such that a good tear exchange occurs between the lens and the eye. A preferred lens is a copolymerization product of a oxyperm macromer and an ionoperm monomer. The invention encompasses extended wear contact lenses, which include a core having oxygen transmission and ion transmission pathways extending from the inner surface to the outer surface.

Abstract: An ophthalmic lens suited for extended-wear periods of at least one day on the eye without a clinically significant amount of corneal swelling and without substantial wearer discomfort. The lens has a balance of oxygen permeability and ion or water permeability, with the ion or water permeability being sufficient to provide good on-eye movement, such that a good tear exchange occurs between the lens and the eye. A preferred lens is a copolymerization product of a oxyperm macromer and an ionoperm monomer. The invention encompasses extended wear contact lenses, which include a core having oxygen transmission and ion transmission pathways extending from the inner surface to the outer surface.

Abstract: A method of modifying the surface characteristics of a polymeric hydrogel, and a polymer article formed therefrom, without causing substantial swelling or distortion or the hydrogel. A preferred method includes photoinitating of the surface of the article with a benzophenone and grafting a macromer having a number-average molecular weight greater than 1000 in the presence of UV irradiation. The preferred article is a siloxane-containing hydrogel, especially a soft contact lens.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel crosslinkable amphiphilic block copolymers of formula wherein the variables are as defined in the claims, a process for their preparation and their use for the manufacture of mouldings. The block copolymers of the invention are especially useful for the manufacture of ophthalmic mouldings such as in particular contact lenses.

Abstract: A method of modifying the surface characteristics of a polymeric hydrogel, and a polymer article formed therefrom, without causing substantial swelling or distortion or the hydrogel. A preferred method includes photoinitating of the surface of the article with a benzophenone and grafting a macromer having a number-average molecular weight greater than 1000 in the presence of UV irradiation. The preferred article is a siloxane-containing hydrogel, especially a soft contact lens.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the manufacture of a molding, which comprises the following steps:a) providing at least one prepolymer comprising one or more crosslinkable groups, wherein the prepolymer is an amphiphilic segmented copolymer comprising at least one hydrophobic segment A and one hydrophilic segment B;b) preparing a mesophase of the prepolymer which is at least partly bicontinuous;c) introducing the mesophase obtained into an ophthalmic mold;d) triggering of the crosslinking; ande) opening the mold such that the molding can be removed. The process of the invention is particularly suited for the manufacture of membranes and ophthalmic moldings such as contact lenses.

Abstract: An ophthalmic lens suited for extended-wear periods of at least one day on the eye without a clinically significant amount of corneal swelling and without substantial wearer discomfort. The lens has a balance of oxygen permeability and ion or water permeability, with the ion or water permeability being sufficient to provide good on-eye movement, such that a good tear exchange occurs between the lens and the eye. A preferred lens is a copolymerization product of a oxyperm macromer and an ionoperm monomer. The invention encompasses extended wear contact lenses, which include a core having oxygen transmission and ion transmission pathways extending from the inner surface to the outer surface.

Abstract: An ophthalmic lens suited for extended-wear for periods of at least one day on the eye without a clinically significant amount of corneal swelling and without substantial wearer discomfort. The lens has a balance of oxygen permeability and ion or water permeability, with the ion or water permeability being sufficient to provide good on-eye movement, such that a good tear exchange occurs between the lens and the eye. A preferred lens is a copolymerization product of a oxyperm macromer and an ionoperm monomer. The invention encompasses extended wear contact lenses, which include a core having oxygen transmission and ion transmission pathways extending from the inner surface to the outer surface.

Abstract: An ophthalmic lens suited for extended-wear for periods of at least one day on the eye without a clinically significant amount of corneal swelling and without substantial wearer discomfort. The lens has a balance of oxygen permeability and ion or water permeability, with the ion or water permeability being sufficient to provide good on-eye movement, such that a good tear exchange occurs between the lens and the eye. A preferred lens is a copolymerization product of a oxyperm macromer and an ionoperm monomer. The invention encompasses extended wear contact lenses, which include a core having oxygen transmission and ion transmission pathways extending from the inner surface to the outer surface.

Abstract: An ophthalmic lens screening method suited for extended-wear for periods of at least one day on the eye without a clinically significant amount of corneal swelling and without substantial wearer discomfort. The lens has a balance of oxygen permeability and ion or water permeability, with the ion or water permeability being sufficient to provide good on-eye movement, such that a good tear exchange occurs between the lens and the eye. A preferred lens is a copolymerization product of a oxyperm macromer and an ionoperm monomer. The invention encompasses extended wear contact lenses, which include a core having oxygen transmission and ion transmission pathways extending from the inner surface to the outer surface.

Abstract: An ophthalmic lens suited for extended-wear for periods of at least one day on the eye without a clinically significant amount of corneal swelling and without substantial wearer discomfort. The lens has a balance of oxygen permeability and ion or water permeability, with the ion or water permeability being sufficient to provide good on-eye movement, such that a good tear exchange occurs between the lens and the eye. A preferred lens is a copolymerization product of a oxyperm macromer and an ionoperm monomer. The invention encompasses extended wear contact lenses, which include a core having oxygen transmission and ion transmission pathways extending from the inner surface to the outer surface.