Patent ID: 8147728

Claim:
A method for making a colored silicone hydrogel contact lens, comprising the steps of: (a) applying a color coat to at least a portion of at least one of the molding surfaces of a lens mold with an ink, wherein the ink comprises at least one colorant, an adhesion promoter, at least one first functionalizing vinylic monomer containing at least one functional group selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl group —OH, amino group —NHR, carboxylic group —COOH, epoxy group, amide group —CONHR, and combinations thereof, a silicone-containing binder polymer with crosslinkable groups selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl groups, amino groups —NHR in which R is hydrogen or C 1 to C 8 alkyl, carboxylic groups, epoxy groups, amide groups —CONHR, and combinations thereof, and optionally a diluent, wherein the silicone-containing binder polymer is obtained by copolymerizing a polymerizable mixture including (i) at least one hydrophilic vinylic monomer; (ii) at least one second functionalizing vinylic monomer containing at least one functional group selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl group —OH, amino group —NHR, carboxylic group —COOH, epoxy group, amide group —CONHR, and combinations thereof; (iii) at least one siloxane-containing vinylic monomer or macromer; (iv) a solvent capable of dissolving the resultant silicone-containing binder polymer; and (v) optionally one or more components selected from the group consisting of a polymerization initiator, and a chain transfer agent, wherein the lens mold includes a first mold half having a first molding surface defining the anterior surface of a contact lens and a second mold half having a second molding surface defining the posterior surface of the contact lens, wherein the first and second mold halves are configured to receive each other such that a contact lens forming cavity is formed between the first and second molding surfaces, wherein the colored coat contains a first surface exposed to the interior of the lens-forming cavity and a second surface in contact with the molding surface; (b) partially or completely curing the ink printed on the mold to convert the colored coat to a colored film; (c) dispensing a silicone hydrogel lens-forming material into the lens-forming cavity of the mold; and (d) curing the lens-forming material within the lens-forming cavity to form the contact lens, whereby the colored film detaches from the molding surface and becomes integral with the body of the contact lens.