Patent ID: 9067372
Filing Date: 2015-06-30
Classification: B29D

Abstract:
1. A method for producing ophthalmic lenses, comprising the steps of: (1) obtaining a mold for cast-molding contact lenses from a lens formulation, wherein the mold comprises a first mold half having a first molding surface and a second mold half having a second molding surface, wherein when the first and second mold halves are configured to receive each other such that a lens forming cavity is formed between the first molding surface and the second molding surface; (2) increasing the hydrophobicity of at least one of the first and second molding surfaces by air plasma treatment which is carried out by generating an atmospheric plasma flow from a working gas and introducing the atmospheric plasma flow to at least one of the first and second molding surfaces of the mold to form a plasma coating on the molding surface under treatment, wherein the coated molding surface has an average water contact angle greater than an untreated molding surface and has an average water contact angle of about 65 degrees or greater; (3) introducing a lens formulation into the lens-forming cavity formed between the first and second molding surfaces at least one of which has the plasma coating thereon; (4) curing the lens formulation in the cavity to form an ophthalmic lens; and (5) opening the mold and removing the molded ophthalmic lens, wherein the method is characterized by having a reduction in mold separation force (ΔF %) of at least about 40%, wherein ΔF % is determined according to the formula of  in which F