Abstract: A hydrophilic soft gas permeable contact lens having substantially improved clinical performance by the provision of a sufficient higher proportion of hydroxy acrylic units to silicon units in the lens surface layer, as compared to that existing in the lens core, by the surface treatment of the lens, such as by reacting of the lens surface with polyols and base or acid or by radiation treatment of the base lens to graft, deposit or coat thereon hydroxy acrylic units.

Abstract: A clinically-acceptable hydrophilic silicone-based soft gas permeable contact lens produced by subjecting the lens material to extraction with a hydrophilic, polar group-containing, organic solvent followed by replacement of the organic solvent with a physiological saline solution.

Abstract: A new composition of matter specially adapted for the production of contact lenses, artificial eyes or other prosthetic devices. The composition has the characteristics of increased hydrophilicity, softness after hydration and oxygen permeability. The composition is a solid copolymer of comonomers consisting essentially of about 15 to about 65% by weight of one or more of the hydrophilic amide group containing monomers and about 10 to about 75% by weight of one or more of the polysiloxanylalkyl methacrylates or acrylates. Optionally, about 0.1 to about 65% by weight of at least one property modifier, a vinyl group containing monomer such as methyl methacrylate, can be employed into the copolymers. The inventive material is optionally transparent, translucent or opaque depending on the type, composition and relative content of the comonomers used. In general, the transparent composition is suitable for use in making contact lenses.

Abstract: A new composition of matter specially adapted for the production of contact lenses, artificial eyes or other prosthetic devices. The composition has the characteristics of increased hydrophilicity, softness after hydration and oxygen permeability. The composition is a solid copolymer of comonomers consisting essentially of about 15 to 65 parts by weight of one or more of the amide group containing monomers and about 10 to 85 parts by weight of one or more of the polysiloxanylalkyl ester of acrylate or methacrylate. Optionally, 0 to 75 parts by weight of at least one of the property modifier vinyl monomers such as methyl methacrylate, ethylacrylate, etc., can be employed into the copolymers. The inventive material is optionally transparent, translucent or opaque depending on the type, composition and relative content of the comonomers. In general, the transparent composition is suitable for use in making contact lenses.