Patent ID: 8920873

Claim:
A method for making a colored silicone hydrogel contact lens, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a contact lens constructed of a silicone hydrogel; (b) applying a color coat to at least a portion of a surface of the lens with an ink, wherein the ink comprises at least one colorant, 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 C1 to C8 alkyl, carboxylic group, epoxy groups, amide croups —CONHR, and combinations thereof, at least one first functionalizinq 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 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 (wherein R is hydrogen or C 1 to C 8 alkyl), carboxylic group —COOH, epoxy group, amide group —CONHR, and combinations thereof; (iii) at least one silicone-containing vinylic monomer or macromer; and (iv) optionally one or more components selected from the group consisting of a polymerization initiator, a chain transfer agent, and a solvent; and (c) curing the ink in the presence of an adhesion promoter , thereby causing the color coat to adhere to the lens.