An eye-mountable device is provided that includes a plurality of rigid polymer layers separated by liquid crystal layers. Certain eye-mountable devices includes a first rigid polymer layer, a second rigid polymer layer, and a liquid crystal layer between the first and second rigid polymer layers. The liquid crystal layer has a refractive index that is electrically controllable between an ordinary refractive index and an extraordinary refractive index, and the first rigid polymer layer and second rigid polymer layer include materials having a refractive index similar to the ordinary refractive index of the liquid crystal layer. The first rigid polymer layer and second rigid polymer layer may also include a combination of monomer-derived units that provide cast-moldable materials with high oxygen permeability. Methods for fabricating the eye-mountable device and for changing the focal length of the eye-mountable device are also provided.

Provided are polymer compositions made by a process comprising: (a) providing a first reactive composition containing: (i) a polymerization initiator that is capable, upon a first activation, of forming two or more free radical groups, at least one of which is further activatable by subsequent activation; (ii) one or more ethylenically unsaturated compounds; and (iii) a crosslinker; (b) subjecting the first reactive composition to a first activation step such that the first reactive composition polymerizes therein to form a crosslinked substrate network containing a covalently bound activatable free radical initiator; (c) contacting the crosslinked substrate network with a grafting composition containing one or more ethylenically unsaturated compounds, wherein the contacting is conducted under conditions such that the grafting composition penetrates into the crosslinked substrate network; and (d) activating the covalently bound activatable free radical initiator at one or more selective regions of the crosslinked substrate network such that the grafting composition polymerizes with the crosslinked substrate network at the selective regions.

An eye-mountable device is provided that includes a plurality of rigid polymer layers separated by liquid crystal layers. Certain eye-mountable devices includes a first rigid polymer layer, a second rigid polymer layer, and a liquid crystal layer between the first and second rigid polymer layers. The liquid crystal layer has a refractive index that is electrically controllable between an ordinary refractive index and an extraordinary refractive index, and the first rigid polymer layer and second rigid polymer layer include materials having a refractive index similar to the ordinary refractive index of the liquid crystal layer. The first rigid polymer layer and second rigid polymer layer may also include a combination of monomer-derived units that provide cast-moldable materials with high oxygen permeability. Methods for fabricating the eye-mountable device and for changing the focal length of the eye-mountable device are also provided.

A surface-modified contact lens, having a surface contact angle hysteresis of less than 15°, includes a lens body and a first surface modification layer disposed on a surface of the lens body. The first surface modification layer comprises a first reactive hydrophilic polymer. The surface of the lens body has a first functional group or a second functional group, and the first reactive hydrophilic polymer has a third functional group or a fourth functional group. A first covalent cross-link bond is formed between the surface of the lens body and the first surface modification layer. The first covalent cross-link bond is formed by reacting the first functional group or the second functional group of the surface of the lens body with the third functional group or the fourth functional group of the first reactive hydrophilic polymer.

Provided are ophthalmic devices comprised of a reaction product of a composition comprising: (i) a crosslinked substrate network containing covalently bound activatable free radical initiators; and (ii) a grafting composition containing one or more ethylenically unsaturated compounds. Also provided are processes for making ophthalmic devices.

Provided are polymer compositions made by a process comprising: (a) providing a first reactive composition containing: (i) a polymerization initiator that is capable, upon a first activation, of forming two or more free radical groups, at least one of which is further activatable by subsequent activation; (ii) one or more ethylenically unsaturated compounds; and (iii) a crosslinker; (b) subjecting the first reactive composition to a first activation step such that the first reactive composition polymerizes therein to form a crosslinked substrate network containing a covalently bound activatable free radical initiator; (c) contacting the crosslinked substrate network with a grafting composition containing one or more ethylenically unsaturated compounds, wherein the contacting is conducted under conditions such that the grafting composition penetrates into the crosslinked substrate network; and (d) activating the covalently bound activatable free radical initiator at one or more selective regions of the crosslinked substrate network such that the grafting composition polymerizes with the crosslinked substrate network at the selective regions.

Provided are polymer compositions made by a process comprising: (a) providing a first reactive composition containing: (i) a polymerization initiator that is capable, upon a first activation, of forming two or more free radical groups, at least one of which is further activatable by subsequent activation; (ii) one or more ethylenically unsaturated compounds; and (iii) a crosslinker; (b) subjecting the first reactive composition to a first activation step such that the first reactive composition polymerizes therein to form a crosslinked substrate network containing a covalently bound activatable free radical initiator; (c) contacting the crosslinked substrate network with a grafting composition containing one or more ethylenically unsaturated compounds, wherein the contacting is conducted under conditions such that the grafting composition penetrates into the crosslinked substrate network; and (d) activating the covalently bound activatable free radical initiator at one or more selective regions of the crosslinked substrate network such that the grafting composition polymerizes with the crosslinked substrate network at the selective regions.

Provided are ophthalmic devices comprised of a reaction product of a composition comprising: (i) a crosslinked substrate network containing covalently bound activatable free radical initiators; and (ii) a grafting composition containing one or more ethylenically unsaturated compounds. Also provided are processes for making ophthalmic devices.

One embodiment of a rigid gas permeable ocular lens may be formed by a process including forming a portion of a mold including a first side having a profile shaped to form an anterior surface of the rigid gas permeable ocular lens, applying a liquid lens material to the first side of the portion of the mold, and at least partially curing the liquid lens material to form the rigid gas permeable ocular lens. Methods of forming molds for rigid gas permeable ocular lenses, including molds for casting rigid gas permeable ocular lenses having a desired surface smoothness and desired dimensional tolerances are also provided.

A contact lens comprising one or more microchannels for transport of liquid through the lens is provided. The contact lens can be made by contacting a curable composition with a microfiber that is insoluble in the curable composition; curing the curable composition to provide a polymeric lens body with the microfiber embedded therein; and contacting the polymeric lens body with a solvent to dissolve the microfiber.