Method for molding contact lenses using ultraviolet energy

A method for producing a finished contact lens comprising:

• providing a mold of male and female parts substantially transparent to electromagnetic energy within the range of wavelengths of about 1 micron to 10.sup.-6 micron, said mold having a heat capacity significantly greater than the amount of the composition being molded whereby heat generated during molding may be dissipated without raising the temperature of said mold above about 40.degree. C., each said male and female part having a unitary mold surface rigid at temperatures below about 40.degree. C., said parts being adapted to interfit with the peripheries of said mold surfaces in contact so as to form an airtight closed mold cavity, said unitary male mold surface and said unitary female mold surface alone forming in its entirety the final undeformed shape of the lens to be molded, introducing a polymerizable lens forming monomer into said mold cavity and interfitting said mold parts so as to close said mold cavity, irradiating said monomer containing mold substantially uniformly with electromagnetic energy at a wavelength within the range of about 1 micron to 10.sup.-6 micron and at a power density such as to keep the temperature of said mold below about 40.degree. C. so as to polymerize said monomer without detachment of the lens material from said mold surfaces and without deformation of said mold surfaces, and removing the lens from said mold.