Plastic lens system, compositions, and methods

• US 6,964,479 B2
• Filed: 08/15/2002
• Issued: 11/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Vision Dynamics LLC (New England Low Vision & Blindness)
• Original Assignee: Q1200 Incorporated
• Inventors: Lattis, Matthew C., Buazza, Omar M., Luetke, Stephen C., Powers, Galen R., Joel, Larry H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sugarman, Scott J.
• Application Number:
  US10/219,897
• Publication Number:
  US 20030169400A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,188 Days
• Field of Search: 351/159, 351/177
• US Class Current: 351/177
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2035/0827 using UV radiation
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2035/0833 using actinic light
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 35/0805 using electromagnetic radiation
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 35/0888 using transparant moulds
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 37/005 Compensating volume or shape change during moulding, in general
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 11/00442 Curing the lens material
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 2323/00 Functional layers of liquid crystal optical display excluding electroactive liquid crystal layer characterised by chemical composition
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 1/041 Lenses
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 1/043 Contact lenses
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 425/808 Lens mold

Abstract

An apparatus for preparing a plastic eyeglass lens includes a coating unit and a lens curing unit. The apparatus is preferably configured to allow the operation of both the coating unit and the lens curing unit. The apparatus may also include a post-cure unit and a controller. The controller is configured to control the operation of the coating unit, the lens curing unit and the post-cure unit. A lens forming composition may include an aromatic containing polyether polyethylenic functional monomer, a photoinitiator, and a coinitiator. The lens forming composition may be cured by the application of activating light or activating light and heat.

Claims

1. An eyeglass lens made by the method comprising:

placing a liquid lens forming composition in a mold cavity of a mold assembly, wherein the mold assembly comprises a front mold member and a back mold member, the lens forming composition comprising;

R²—

[CH₂—

(CH₂)_m—

O]_j-A₁-[O—

(CH₂)_p—

CH₂]_k—

R²

where m and p are each independently 1 or 2;

where j and k are each independently between 1 and 20;

R² is vinyl, allyl, methacrylyl, acrylyl, methacrylate, or acrylate; and

where A¹ has the general structure;

where each R₁ is independently an alkyl containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, phenyl, or a halogen;

each (a) is independently between 0 and 4;

each Q is independently oxy, sulfonyl, alkanediyl having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms, or alkylidene having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and

n is between 0 to 3;

 

a co-initiator composition, the co-initiator composition comprising an amine; and

 

a photoinitiator composition; and

directing activating light toward at least one of the mold members to initiate curing of the lens forming composition; and

directing activating light and heat toward at least one of the mold members subsequent to initiating curing of the lens to form the eyeglass lens.

2. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein curing of the lens forming composition is initiated by directing activating light toward at least one of the mold members for less than 30 seconds.

3. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein curing of the lens forming composition is initiated by directing activating light toward at least one of the mold members for less than 100 seconds.

4. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein curing of the lens forming composition is initiated by directing activating light toward both of the mold members.

5. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein curing of the lens forming composition is initiated by directing activating light toward the bottom mold member.

6. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein treating the lens forming composition with activating light and heat comprises directing activating light toward at least one of the mold members and applying heat to both mold members for a time of up to about 15 minutes.

7. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, further comprising applying heat to the lens in the absence of activating light, subsequent to directing activating light and heat toward at least one of the mold members.

8. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, further comprising heating the lens forming composition prior to placing the lens forming composition in a mold cavity.

9. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, further comprising removing the eyeglass lens from the mold cavity and applying an abrasion resistant coating to a front surface of the eyeglass lens.

10. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, further comprising removing the eyeglass lens from the mold cavity and tinting the eyeglass lens.

11. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein the eyeglass lens is an aspheric single vision lens.

12. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein the eyeglass lens is a flat-top bifocal lens.

13. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein the eyeglass lens is a progressive multifocal lens.

14. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein directing activating light toward at least one of the mold members to initiate curing is performed in a curing chamber, and wherein directing activating light and heat toward at least one of the mold members subsequent to initiating curing is performed in a post-cure chamber, and further comprising transferring the mold assembly to the post-cure chamber after the curing is initiated in the curing chamber.

15. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein directing activating light toward at least one of the mold members is preformed without cooling of the mold assembly.

16. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein the eyeglass lens is a flat-top bifocal lens and wherein directing activating light toward at least one of the mold members to initiate curing comprises directing activating light toward the front mold member prior to directing activating light toward the back mold member.

17. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein directing activating light toward at least one of the mold members to initiate curing comprises directing activating light toward both mold members for a time of less than about 2 minutes, and wherein directing activating light and heat toward at least one of the mold members comprises directing activating light toward the back mold member while heating the mold assembly to a temperature of between about 200°

F. to about 225°

F. for a time of up to about 15 minutes.

18. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein the activating light is ultraviolet light.

19. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein the aromatic containing polyethylenic polyether functional monomer comprises an ethoxylated bisphenol A containing at least one group selected from acrylyl or methacrylyl.

20. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein R is acrylyl or methacrylyl.

21. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein the monomer composition further comprises a polyethylenic functional monomer.

22. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein the aromatic containing polyethylenic polyether functional monomer comprises an ethoxylated bisphenol A di(meth)acrylate, and wherein the monomer composition further comprises a polyethylenic functional monomer.

23. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein the monomer composition further comprises a polyethylenic functional monomer, and wherein the polyethylenic functional monomer comprises tris(2-hydroxyethyl)isocyanurate triacrylate, ethoxylated 10 bisphenol A dimethacrylate, ethoxylated 4 bisphenol A dimethacrylate, dipentaerythritol pentaacrylate, 1,6-hexanediol dimethacrylate, isobornyl acrylate, bisphenol A bis allyl carbonate, pentaerythritol triacrylate, or mixtures thereof.

24. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein the co-initiator comprises an acrylyl amine.

25. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein the co-initiator comprises an acrylyl amine, and wherein the acrylyl amine is selected from the group consisting of monoacrylated amines, diacrylated amines, or mixtures thereof.

26. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein an amount of the co-initiator composition in the lens forming composition ranges from about 500 ppm to about 7% by weight.

27. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein the photoinitiator composition comprises bis(2,6-dimethoxybenzoyl)-(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)phosphine oxide, or a mixture of bis(2,6-dimethoxybenzoyl)-(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)phosphine oxide and 1-hydroxycyclohexylphenyl ketone.

28. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein the photoinitiator composition comprises an acylphosphine oxide.

29. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein the lens forming composition further comprises a photochromic compound.

30. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein the lens forming composition further comprises a photochromic compound, and wherein the photochromic compound comprises one or more spiropyrans.

31. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein the lens forming composition further comprises a photochromic compound, and wherein the photochromic compound comprises one or more spirooxazines.

32. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein the lens forming composition further comprises a photochromic compound, and wherein the photochromic compound comprises one or more spiropyrans and one or more spirooxazines.

33. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein the lens forming composition further comprises a photochromic compound, and wherein the photochromic compound comprises one or more spironaphthoxazines, one or more spiropyridobenzoxazines, one or more spirobenzoxazines, one or more naphthopyrans, one or more benzopyrans, one or more spironaphthopyrans, one or more indolinospironaphthoxazines, one or more indolinospironaphthopyrans, one or more diarylnaphthopyrans, or mixtures thereof.

34. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein the lens forming composition further comprises a photochromic compound, and wherein an amount of photochromic compound in the lens forming composition ranges from about 50 ppm to about 1000 ppm.

35. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein the lens forming composition further comprises an ultraviolet absorbing compound for inhibiting at least a portion of ultraviolet light from being transmitted through the eyeglass lens during use.

36. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein the lens forming composition further comprises an ultraviolet absorbing compound for inhibiting at least a portion of ultraviolet light from being transmitted through the eyeglass lens during use, wherein the ultraviolet absorbing compound comprises 2-(2H benzotriazole-2-yl)-4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenol, 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone, 2-[4-((2-hydroxy-3-dodecyloxypropyl)-oxy)-2-hydroxyphenyl]-4,6-bis(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine, 2-[4-((2-hydroxy-3-tridecyloxypropyl)-oxy)-2-hydroxyphenyl]-4,6-bis(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine, poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), α

-(3-(3-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-5-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-oxopropyl)-ω

-hydroxypoly(oxo-1,2-ethanediyl), α

-(3-(3-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl-5-1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-oxopropyl)-ω

-(3-(3-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-5-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-oxopropoxy)poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), 2-(2-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl)benzotriazole, ethyl-2-cyano-3,3-diphenylacrylate, phenyl salicylate or mixtures thereof.

37. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein the lens forming composition exhibits a yellow color after the curing is initiated, and wherein activating light and heat are directed toward the lens until the lens forming composition is substantially free of the yellow color.

38. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein the eyeglass lens is an aspheric single vision lens, a flat-top bifocal lens, or a progressive multifocal lens.

39. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein the eyeglass lens is a non-photochromic lens, and wherein directing activating light toward at least one of the mold members to initiate curing comprises directing activating light toward both mold members for a time of less than about 2 minutes, and wherein directing activating light and heat toward at least one of the mold members comprises directing activating light toward the back mold member while heating the mold assembly to a temperature of between about 200°

F. to about 225°

F. for a time of up to about 15 minutes.

40. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein the eyeglass lens is a photochromic lens, and wherein directing activating light toward at least one of the mold members to initiate curing comprises directing activating light toward the front mold member for a time of less than about 25 seconds, and wherein directing activating light and heat toward at least one of the mold members comprises directing activating light toward the back mold member while heating the mold assembly to a temperature of between about 200°

F. to about 225°

F., for a time of up to about 15 minutes.

41. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein the eyeglass lens is a photochromic lens, and wherein directing activating light toward at least one of the mold members to initiate curing comprises directing first activating light toward the back mold member for a time of less than about 25 seconds and further comprising directing second activating light toward the front mold member for a time period of less than about 10 seconds after the directing of the first activating light is started, and wherein directing activating light and heat toward at least one of the mold members comprises directing activating light toward the back mold member while heating the mold assembly to a temperature of between about 200°

F. to about 225°

F., for a time of up to about 15 minutes.

42. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein the lens forming composition further comprises a co-initiator composition, wherein the co-initiator composition comprises an ethanol amine.

43. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein the lens forming composition further comprises a co-initiator composition, wherein the co-initiator composition comprises an aromatic amine.

44. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein the photoinitiator composition comprises a bisacylphosphine oxide.

45. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein the photoinitiator composition comprises 1-hydroxycyclohexylphenyl ketone.

46. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, comprises 2-isopropylthioxanthone.

47. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, comprises a mixture of bis(2,6-dimethoxybenzoyl)-(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)phosphine oxide and 2-isopropylthioxanthone.

48. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein an amount of the photoinitiator composition in the lens forming composition ranges from about 50 ppm to about 0.5% by weight.

49. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein an amount of the co-initiator in the lens forming composition ranges from about 0.3% to about 2% by weight.

50. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein the light absorbing compound is a photochromic compound, and wherein an amount of photochromic compound in the lens forming composition ranges from about 30 ppm to about 2000 ppm.

51. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein the light absorbing compound is a photochromic compound, and wherein an amount of photochromic compound in the lens forming composition ranges from about 150 ppm to about 1000 ppm.

52. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein the light absorbing compound is a photochromic compound, and wherein an amount of photoinitiator in the lens forming composition ranges from about 30 ppm to about 2000 ppm.

53. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein the lens forming composition further comprises an activating light absorbing compound.

54. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein the lens forming composition further comprises a dye to form a background color within the lens.

55. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein the lens forming composition further comprises a UV stabilizer for inhibiting degradation of the cured lens forming composition caused by exposure to ultraviolet light.

56. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein the lens forming composition further comprises an ultraviolet absorbing compound for inhibiting at least a portion of ultraviolet light from being transmitted through the eyeglass lens during use, wherein the ultraviolet absorbing compound comprises 2-(2H benzotriazole-2-yl)-4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenol.

57. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein the lens forming composition further comprises an ultraviolet absorbing compound for inhibiting at least a portion of ultraviolet light from being transmitted through the eyeglass lens during use, wherein the ultraviolet absorbing compound comprises 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone.

58. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein the lens forming composition further comprises an ultraviolet absorbing compound for inhibiting at least a portion of ultraviolet light from being transmitted through the eyeglass lens during use, wherein the ultraviolet absorbing compound comprises 2-[4-((2-hydroxy-3-dodecyloxypropyl)-oxy)-2-hydroxyphenyl]-4,6-bis(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine.

59. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein the lens forming composition further comprises an ultraviolet absorbing compound for inhibiting at least a portion of ultraviolet light from being transmitted through the eyeglass lens during use, wherein the ultraviolet absorbing compound comprises 2-[4-((2-hydroxy-3-tridecyloxypropyl)-oxy)-2-hydroxyphenyl]-4,6-bis(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine.

60. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein the lens forming composition further comprises an ultraviolet absorbing compound for inhibiting at least a portion of ultraviolet light from being transmitted through the eyeglass lens during use, wherein the ultraviolet absorbing compound comprises poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl).

61. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein the lens forming composition further comprises an ultraviolet absorbing compound for inhibiting at least a portion of ultraviolet light from being transmitted through the eyeglass lens during use, wherein the ultraviolet absorbing compound comprises α

-(3-(3-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-5-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-oxopropyl)-ω

-hydroxypoly(oxo-1,2-ethanediyl).

62. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein the lens forming composition further comprises an ultraviolet absorbing compound for inhibiting at least a portion of ultraviolet light from being transmitted through the eyeglass lens during use, wherein the ultraviolet absorbing compound comprises α

-(3-(3-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-5-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-oxopropyl)-ω

-(3-(3-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-5-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-oxopropoxy)poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl).

63. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein the lens forming composition further comprises an ultraviolet absorbing compound for inhibiting at least a portion of ultraviolet light from being transmitted through the eyeglass lens during use, wherein the ultraviolet absorbing compound comprises 2-(2-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl)benzotriazole.

64. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein the lens forming composition further comprises an ultraviolet absorbing compound for inhibiting at least a portion of ultraviolet light from being transmitted through the eyeglass lens during use, wherein the ultraviolet absorbing compound comprises ethyl-2-cyano-3,3-diphenylacrylate.

65. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein the lens forming composition further comprises an ultraviolet absorbing compound for inhibiting at least a portion of ultraviolet light from being transmitted through the eyeglass lens during use, wherein the ultraviolet absorbing compound comprises phenyl salicylate.

66. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein the lens forming composition further comprises a photochromic compound, and wherein the photochromic compound comprises one or more spironaphthoxazines.

67. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein the lens forming composition further comprises a photochromic compound, and wherein the photochromic compound comprises one or more spiropyridobenzoxazines.

68. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein the lens forming composition further comprises a photochromic compound, and wherein the photochromic compound comprises ne or more spirobenzoxazines.

69. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein the lens forming composition further comprises a photochromic compound, and wherein the photochromic compound comprises one or more naphthopyrans.

70. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein the lens forming composition further comprises a photochromic compound, and wherein the photochromic compound comprises one or more benzopyrans.

71. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein the lens forming composition further comprises a photochromic compound, and wherein the photochromic compound comprises one or more spironaphthopyrans.

72. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein the lens forming composition further comprises a photochromic compound, and wherein the photochromic compound comprises one or more indolinospironaphthoxazines.

73. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein the lens forming composition further comprises a photochromic compound, and wherein the photochromic compound comprises one or more indolinospironaphthopyrans.

74. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein the lens forming composition further comprises a photochromic compound, and wherein the photochromic compound comprises one or more diarylnaphthopyrans.

75. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein the monomer composition further comprises a polyethylenic functional monomer, and wherein the polyethylenic functional monomer comprises tris(2-hydroxyethyl)isocyanurate triacrylate.

76. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein the monomer composition further comprises a polyethylenic functional monomer, and wherein the polyethylenic functional monomer comprises ethoxylated 10 bisphenol A dimethacrylate.

77. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein the monomer composition further comprises a polyethylenic functional monomer, and wherein the polyethylenic functional monomer comprises dipentaerythritol pentaacrylate.

78. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein the monomer composition further comprises a polyethylenic functional monomer, and wherein the polyethylenic functional monomer comprises 1,6-hexanediol dimethacrylate.

79. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein the monomer composition further comprises a polyethylenic functional monomer, and wherein the polyethylenic functional monomer comprises isobomyl acrylate.

80. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein the monomer composition further comprises a polyethylenic functional monomer, and wherein the polyethylenic functional monomer comprises bisphenol A bis allyl carbonate.

81. The eyeglass lens of claim 1, wherein the monomer composition further comprises a polyethylenic functional monomer, and wherein the polyethylenic functional monomer comprises pentaerythritol triacrylate.

82. A flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens, the flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens comprising a near vision correction zone and a far vision correction zone, made by the method comprising:

placing a liquid lens forming composition in a mold cavity of a mold assembly, wherein the mold assembly comprises a front mold member and a back mold member, the front mold member comprising a near vision correction zone;

the lens forming composition comprising;

a monomer composition comprising an aromatic containing polyether polyethylenic functional monomer;

having a general structure;

R²—

[CH₂—

(CH₂)_m—

O]_j-A₁-[O—

(CH₂)_p—

CH₂]_k—

R²

where m and p are each independently 1 or 2;

where j and k are each independently between 1 and 20;

R² is vinyl, allyl, methacrylyl, acrylyl, methacrylate, or acrylate; and

where A¹ has the general structure;

where each R₁ is independently an alkyl containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, phenyl, or a halogen;

each (a) is independently between 0 and 4;

each Q is independently oxy, sulfonyl, alkanediyl having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms, or alkylidene having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and

n is between 0 to 3;

 

a co-initiator composition, the co-initiator composition comprising an amine; and

 

a photoinitiator composition; and

directing activating light toward at least one of the mold members to initiate curing of the lens forming composition, wherein the curing is initiated such that the lens forming composition in the near vision correction zone of the front mold is substantially gelled before the lens forming composition in the far vision correction zone proximate the front mold member is substantially gelled; and

directing activating light and heat toward at least one of the mold members subsequent to initiating curing of the lens to form the eyeglass lens.

83. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein directing activating light toward at least one of the mold members to initiate curing comprises directing activating light toward the front mold member prior to directing activating light toward the back mold member.

84. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein directing activating light toward at least one of the mold members to initiate curing comprises directing activating light toward the back mold member prior to directing activating light toward the front mold member, and further comprising directing activating light toward the front mold member before the lens forming composition in the far vision correction zone proximate the front mold member is substantially gelled.

85. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein curing of the lens forming composition is initiated by directing activating light toward at least one of the mold members for less than 30 seconds.

86. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein curing of the lens forming composition is initiated by directing activating light toward at least one of the mold members for less than 100 seconds.

87. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein curing of the lens forming composition is initiated by directing activating light toward bath of the mold members.

88. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein curing of the lens forming composition is initiated by directing activating light toward the bottom mold member.

89. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein treating the lens forming composition with activating light and heat comprises directing activating light toward at least one of the mold members and applying heat to both mold members for a time of up to about 15 minutes.

90. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, further comprising applying heat to the lens in the absence of activating light, subsequent to directing activating light and heat toward at least one of the mold members.

91. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, further comprising heating the lens forming composition prior to placing the lens forming composition in a mold cavity.

92. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, further comprising removing the eyeglass lens from the mold cavity and applying an abrasion resistant coating to a front surface of the eyeglass lens.

93. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, further comprising removing the eyeglass lens from the mold cavity and tinting the eyeglass lens.

94. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein directing activating light toward at least one of the mold members to initiate curing is performed in a curing chamber, and wherein directing activating light and heat toward at least one of the mold members subsequent to initiating curing is performed in a post-cure chamber, and further comprising transferring the mold assembly to the post-cure chamber after the curing is initiated in the curing chamber.

95. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein directing activating light toward at least one of the mold members is preformed without cooling of the mold assembly.

96. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein the activating light is ultraviolet light.

97. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein the aromatic containing polyethylenic polyether functional monomer comprises an ethoxylated bisphenol A containing at least one group selected from acrylyl or methacrylyl.

98. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein R² is acrylyl or methacrylyl.

99. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein the aromatic containing polyethylenic polyether functional monomer comprises an ethoxylated bisphenol A di(meth)acrylate.

100. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein the aromatic containing polyethylenic polyether functional monomer comprises an ethoxylated 4 bisphenol A dimethacrylate.

101. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein the monomer composition further comprises a polyethylenic functional monomer.

102. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein the aromatic containing polyethylenic polyether functional monomer comprises an ethoxylated bisphenol A di(meth)acrylate, and wherein the monomer composition further comprises a polyethylenic functional monomer.

103. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein the monomer composition further comprises a polyethylenic functional monomer, and wherein the polyethylenic functional monomer comprises tris(2-hydroxyethyl)isocyanurate triacrylate, ethoxylated 10 bisphenol A dimethacrylate, ethoxylated 4 bisphenol A dimethacrylate, dipentaerythritol pentaacrylate, 1,6-hexanediol dimethacrylate, isobornyl acrylate, bisphenol A bis allyl carbonate, pentaerythritol triacrylate, or mixtures thereof.

104. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein the co-initiator comprises an acrylyl amine.

105. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein the co-initiator comprises an acrylyl amine, wherein the acrylyl amine is selected from the group consisting of monoacrylated amines, diacrylated amines, or mixtures thereof.

106. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein the co-initiator comprises an aromatic amine.

107. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein an amount of the co-initiator composition in the lens forming composition ranges from about 500 ppm to about 7% by weight.

108. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein the photoinitiator composition comprises bis(2,6-dimethoxybenzoyl)-(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)phosphine oxide, or a mixture of bis(2,6-dimethoxybenzoyl)-(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)phosphine oxide and 1-hydroxycyclohexylphenyl ketone.

109. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein the photoinitiator composition comprises an acylphosphine oxide.

110. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein the lens forming composition further comprises a photochromic compound.

111. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein the lens forming composition further comprises a photochromic compound, and wherein the photochromic compound comprises one or more spiropyrans.

112. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein the lens forming composition further comprises a photochromic compound, and wherein the photochromic compound comprises one or more spirooxazines.

113. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein the lens forming composition further comprises a photochromic compound, and wherein the photochromic compound comprises one or more spiropyrans and one or more spirooxazines.

114. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein the lens forming composition further comprises a photochromic compound, and wherein the photochromic compound comprises one or more spironaphthoxazines, one or more spiropyridobenzoxazines, one or more spirobenzoxazines, one or more naphthopyrans, one or more benzopyrans, one or more spironaphthopyrans, one or more indolinospironaphthoxazines, one or more indolinospironaphthopyrans, one or more diarylnaphthopyrans, or mixtures thereof.

115. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein the lens forming composition further comprises a photochromic compound, and wherein an amount of photochromic compound in the lens forming composition ranges from about 50 ppm to about 1000 ppm.

116. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein the lens forming composition further comprises an ultraviolet absorbing compound for inhibiting at least a portion of ultraviolet light from being transmitted through the eyeglass lens during use.

117. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein the lens forming composition further comprises an ultraviolet absorbing compound for inhibiting at least a portion of ultraviolet light from being transmitted through the eyeglass lens during use, wherein the ultraviolet absorbing compound comprises 2-(2H benzotriazole-2-yl)-4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenol, 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone, 2-[4-((2-hydroxy-3-dodecyloxypropyl)-oxy)-2-hydroxyphenyl]-4,6-bis(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine, 2-[4-((2-hydroxy-3-tridecyloxypropyl)-oxy)-2-hydroxyphenyl]-4,6-bis(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-1,3,5triazine, poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), α

-(3-(3-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-5-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-oxopropyl)-ω

-hydroxypoly(oxo-1,2-ethanediyl), α

-(3-(3-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-5-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-oxopropyl)-ω

-(3-(3-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-5-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-oxopropoxy)poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), 2-(2-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl)benzotriazole, ethyl-2-cyano-3,3-diphenylacrylate, phenyl salicylate or mixtures thereof.

118. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein the lens forming composition exhibits a yellow color after the curing is initiated, and wherein activating light and heat are directed toward the lens until the lens forming composition is substantially free of the yellow color.

119. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein the lens forming composition further comprises a photochromic compound, and wherein the photochromic compound comprises one or more organometallic compounds.

120. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein the lens forming composition further comprises a co-initiator composition, wherein the co-initiator composition comprises an ethanol amine.

121. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein the photoinitiator composition comprises a bisacylphosphine oxide.

122. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein the photoinitiator composition comprises 1-hydroxycyclohexylphenyl ketone.

123. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, comprises 2-isopropylthioxanthone.

124. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, comprises bis(2,6-dimethoxybenzoyl)-(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)phosphine oxide and 2-isopropyithioxanthone.

125. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein an amount of the photoinitiator composition in the lens forming composition ranges from about 50 ppm to about 0.5% by weight.

126. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein an amount of the co-initiator in the lens forming composition ranges from about 0.3% to about 2% by weight.

127. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein the light absorbing compound is a photochromic compound, and wherein an amount of photochromic compound in the lens forming composition ranges from about 30 ppm to about 2000 ppm.

128. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein the light absorbing compound is a photochromic compound, and wherein an amount of photochromic compound in the lens forming composition ranges from about 150 ppm to about 1000 ppm.

129. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein the light absorbing compound is a photochromic compound, and wherein an amount of photoinitiator in the lens forming composition ranges from about 30 ppm to about 2000 ppm.

130. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein the lens forming composition further comprises an activating light absorbing compound.

131. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein the lens forming composition further comprises a dye to form a background color within the lens.

132. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein the lens forming composition further comprises a UV stabilizer for inhibiting degradation of the cured lens forming composition caused by exposure to ultraviolet light.

133. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein the lens forming composition further comprises an ultraviolet absorbing compound for inhibiting at least a portion of ultraviolet light from being transmitted through the eyeglass lens during use, wherein the ultraviolet absorbing compound comprises 2-(2H benzotriazole-2-yl)-4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenol.

134. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein the lens forming composition further comprises an ultraviolet absorbing compound for inhibiting at least a portion of ultraviolet light from being transmitted through the eyeglass lens during use, wherein the ultraviolet absorbing compound comprises 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone.

135. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein the lens forming composition further comprises an ultraviolet absorbing compound for inhibiting at least a portion of ultraviolet light from being transmitted through the eyeglass lens during use, wherein the ultraviolet absorbing compound comprises 2-[4-((2-hydroxy-3-dodecyloxypropyl)-oxy)-2-hydroxyphenyl]-4,6-bis(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine.

136. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein the lens forming composition further comprises an ultraviolet absorbing compound for inhibiting at least a portion of ultraviolet light from being transmitted through the eyeglass lens during use, wherein the ultraviolet absorbing compound comprises 2-[4-((2-hydroxy-3-tridecyloxypropyl)-oxy)-2-hydroxyphenyl]-4,6-bis(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine.

137. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein the lens forming composition further comprises an ultraviolet absorbing compound for inhibiting at least a portion of ultraviolet light from being transmitted through the eyeglass lens during use, wherein the ultraviolet absorbing compound comprises α

-(3-(3-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-5-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-oxopropyl)-ω

-(3-(3-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-5-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-oxopropoxy)poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl).

138. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein the lens forming composition further comprises an ultraviolet absorbing compound for inhibiting at least a portion of ultraviolet light from being transmitted through the eyeglass lens during use, wherein the ultraviolet absorbing compound comprises poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl).

139. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein the lens forming composition further comprises an ultraviolet absorbing compound for inhibiting at least a portion of ultraviolet light from being transmitted through the eyeglass lens during use, wherein the ultraviolet absorbing compound comprises α

-(3-(3-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-5-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-oxopropyl)-ω

-hydroxypoly(oxo-1,2-ethanediyl).

140. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein the lens forming composition further comprises an ultraviolet absorbing compound for inhibiting at least a portion of ultraviolet light from being transmitted through the eyeglass lens during use, wherein the ultraviolet absorbing compound comprises 2-(2-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl)benzotriazole.

141. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein the lens forming composition further comprises an ultraviolet absorbing compound for inhibiting at least a portion of ultraviolet light from being transmitted through the eyeglass lens during use, wherein the ultraviolet absorbing compound comprises ethyl-2-cyano-3,3-diphenylacrylate.

142. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein the lens forming composition further comprises an ultraviolet absorbing compound for inhibiting at least a portion of ultraviolet light from being transmitted through the eyeglass lens during use, wherein the ultraviolet absorbing compound comprises phenyl salicylate.

143. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein the lens forming composition further comprises a photochromic compound, and wherein the photochromic compound comprises one or more spironaphthoxazines.

144. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein the lens forming composition further comprises a photochromic compound, and wherein the photochromic compound comprises one or more spiropyridobenzoxazines.

145. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein the lens forming composition further comprises a photochromic compound, and wherein the photochromic compound comprises one or more spirobenzoxazines.

146. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein the lens forming composition further comprises a photochromic compound, and wherein the photochromic compound comprises one or more naphthopyrans.

147. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein the lens forming composition further comprises a photochromic compound, and wherein the photochromic compound comprises one or more benzopyrans.

148. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein the lens forming composition further comprises a photochromic compound, and wherein the photochromic compound comprises one or more spironaphthopyrans.

149. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein the lens forming composition further comprises a photochromic compound, and wherein the photochromic compound comprises one or more indolinospironaphthoxazines.

150. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein the lens forming composition further comprises a photochromic compound, and wherein the photochromic compound comprises one or more indolinospironaphthopyrans.

151. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein the lens forming composition further comprises a photochromic compound, and wherein the photochromic compound comprises one or more diarylnaphthopyrans.

152. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein the monomer composition further comprises a polyethylenic functional monomer, and wherein the polyethylenic functional monomer comprises tris(2-hydroxyethyl)isocyanurate triacrylate.

153. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein the monomer composition further comprises a polyethylenic functional monomer, and wherein the polyethylenic functional monomer comprises ethoxylated 10 bisphenol A dimethacrylate.

154. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein the monomer composition further comprises a polyethylenic functional monomer, and wherein the polyethylenic functional monomer comprises dipentaerythritol pentaacrylate.

155. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein the monomer composition further comprises a polyethylenic functional monomer, and wherein the polyethylenic functional monomer comprises 1,6-hexanediol dimethacrylate.

156. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein the monomer composition further comprises a polyethylenic functional monomer, and wherein the polyethylenic functional monomer comprises isobornyl acrylate.

157. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein the monomer composition further comprises a polyethylenic functional monomer, and wherein the polyethylenic functional monomer comprises bisphenol A bis allyl carbonate.

158. The flat-top bifocal eyeglass lens of claim 82, wherein the monomer composition further comprises a polyethylenic functional monomer, and wherein the polyethylenic functional monomer comprises pentaerythritol triacrylate.