Fenestrated hydrogels for contact lens use and method for making same

A method for producing fenestration hydrogels adapted for use as ophthalmic corrective contact lenses comprising the steps of:

• a. confining unpolymerized hydrogel monomers within a container;
• b. adjustably tensioning a plurality of spaced, substantially parallel elongate, substantially uniform members disposed within said container;
• c. polymerizing said confined hydrogel monomers to a solid, non-swollen infusible mass;
• d. disposing said polymerized hydrogel with uniform members in a swelling agent for said hydrogel;
• and
• e. withdrawing said uniform members intact from said hydrogel thereby yielding a hydrogel casting characterized as possessing a plurality of fenestrations corresponding to the regions defined by said removed elongate members, and whereby said uniform members are capable of reproducible reuse.