Abstract: A method is disclosed for disinfecting contact lenses with peroxide whereby the usual peroxide neutralization step is eliminated. This is accomplished by carrying out the disinfecting process at a hydrogen peroxide concentration of about 0.01 to less than 0.5% (w/v). In the preferred embodiment the peroxide is introduced into the system utilizing an effervescent tablet of an alkali metal perborate, percarbonate or persulfate, or urea peroxide.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for molding the front and rear surfaces of a contact lens in one step is disclosed. Two mold halves matable to form a contact-lens-shaped cavity and a cavity for excess lens forming material surrounding the cavity are provided. The improvement comprises providing the cavity for excess lens forming material with at least two openings and producing differential gas pressure across the openings to remove excess lens forming material.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for making colored hydrophilic contact lenses. A contact lens constructed of hydrophilic polymer that is substantially devoid of the functional groups --COOH, --OH, --NH--R, wherein R is hydrogen or C.sub.1 to C.sub.8 alkyl, --NCO and epoxy is provided. At least a portion of the surface of the lens is coated with a color coat comprising at least one pigment, binding polymer having functional groups selected from at least one of --COOH, --OH, and --NH--R, wherein R is hydrogen or C.sub.1 to C.sub.8 alkyl, and an additional compound having at least two groups per molecule of --NCO. The coated lens is subjected to conditions which cause the color coat to adhere to the lens.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for making colored hydrophilic contact lenses. A contact lens constructed of hydrophilic polymer that is substantially devoid of the functional groups --COOH, --OH, --NH--R, wherein R is hydrogen or C.sub.1 to C.sub.8 alkyl, --NCO and epoxy is provided. At least a portion of the surface of the lens is coated with a color coat comprising at least one pigment, binding polymer having functional groups selected from at least one of --COOH, --OH, and --NH--R, wherein R is hydrogen or C.sub.1 to C.sub.8 alkyl, and an additional compound having at least two groups per molecule of --NCO. The coated lens is subjected to conditions which cause the color coat to adhere to the lens.

Abstract: Colored contact lenses are produced by providing a contact lens constructed of polymer and coating at least a portion of the lens with coloring substance and binding polymer. The lens and binding polymers are bonded to each other by the reaction of functional groups selected from at least one of --COOH, --OH, and --NH--R, wherein R is hydrogen or alkyl, with functional groups selected from at least one of --NCO and epoxy.

Abstract: Hydrophilic bifocal corneal contact lenses of the alternating-vision type having a critical set of dimensions for the various elements which results in a surprising increase in the success rate of persons wearing these improved lenses.

Abstract: Hydrophilic contact lenses produced by polymerizing(a) hydroxyalkyl monoesters of acrylic or methacrylic acid,(b) monomers having the formula ##STR1## where R, is hydrogen or methyl, R.sub.2 is alkylene, R.sub.3 is alkoxy and n is 1 or 2, and(c) acrylic acid or methacrylic acid.Methods of producing the lenses are disclosed.

Abstract: An ultraviolet absorbing lens for use by aphakics formed by copolymerizing a monomer suitable for making lenses and a copolymerizable ultraviolet absorber for absorbing radiation having wavelength of 340 to 450 mmu.

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: 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: Cross-linked hydrophilic interpolymers and contact lenses made therefrom comprising hydrophilic units of which the only or major proportion are derived from an N-vinyl heterocyclic monomer, hydrophobic units derived from the group consisting of styrene and ring-substituted styrenes, and cross-linking units derived from monomers containing two or more polymerizable double bonds per monomer unit.

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: 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: Cross-linked hydrophilic interpolymers and contact lenses made therefrom comprising hydrophilic units of which the only or major proportion are derived from .Iadd.vinyl pyridine or .Iaddend.an N-vinyl heterocyclic monomer, hydrophobic units derived from the group consisting of styrene and ring-substituted styrenes, and cross-linking units derived from monmers containing two or more polymerizable double bonds per monomer unit.

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.