Morphology trapping and materials suitable for use therewith

A polymeric material prepared by:

• mixing together a dead polymer, a reactive plasticizer, and an initiator to form a polymerizable composition, wherein the polymerizable composition exhibits low shrinkage upon polymerization;
• processing said polymerizable composition to give a desired morphology of the polymeric constituents of said polymerizable composition;
• shaping said polymerizable composition into a desired geometry;
• and
• exposing said polymerizable composition to a source of polymerizing energy, to give a polymeric material wherein said desired morphology is locked in place.

An ophthalmic lens formed from a polymerizable composition comprising:

• an optically clear dead polymer selected from the group consisting of polycarbonates, polystyrenes, poly(meth)acrylates, polysulfones, polyphenylene oxide, polyethylene terephthalate, polyolefins, thermoplastic elastomers, and variations, copolymers, and mixtures thereof,
• a reactive plasticizer, and
• an initator,
• wherein the polymerizable composition remains optically clear and exhibits low shrinkage upon polymerization and wherein the ophthalmic lens has a desired morphology that is locked in place.

An ophthalmic lens formed from a polymerizable composition comprising:

• an optically clear dead polymer selected from the group consisting of mechanical blends, solvent-cast blends, graft-type blends, and block copolymers,
• a reactive plasticizer, and
• an initator,
• wherein the polymerizable composition remains optically clear and exhibits low shrinkage upon polymerization and wherein the ophthalmic lens has a desired morphology that is locked in place.

A method of preparing an opthalmic lens, the method comprising the steps of:

• mixing together an optically clear dead polymer, a reactive plasticizer, and an initiator, for a period of time that includes a waiting period during which no agitation occurs, to form a polymerizable composition that exhibits low shrinkage upon polymerization;
• processing said polymerizable composition to give a desired morphology of the polymeric constituents of said polymerizable composition;
• placing said polymerizable composition into a mold while maintaining said desired morphology;
• compressing the mold, with optional heating, so that the polymerizable composition takes on the shape of the internal cavity of the mold;
• and
• exposing said polymerizable composition to a source of polymerizing energy, to give an optically clear ophthalmic lens having a desired morphology that is locked in place.

A method of preparing an opthalmic lens, the method comprising the steps of:

• mixing together an optically clear dead polymer, a reactive plasticizer, and an initiator, to form a polymerizable composition that exhibits low shrinkage upon polymerization;
• processing said polymerizable composition to give a desired morphology of the polymeric constituents of said polymerizable composition;
• placing said polymerizable composition into a mold while maintaining said desired morphology;
• compressing the mold, with optional heating, so that the polymerizable composition takes on the shape of the internal cavity of the mold;
• and
• exposing said polymerizable composition to a source of polymerizing energy, to give an optically clear opthalmic lens having a morphology that is locked in place and that comprises two or more iso-refractive phases.

A method of preparing an ophthalmic lens, the method comprising the steps of:

• mixing together an optically clear dead polymer, a reactive plasticizer, and an initiator, to form a polymerizable composition that exhibits low shrinkage upon polymerization;
• processing said polymerizable composition to give a desired morphology of the polymeric constituents of said polymerizable composition;
• placing said polymerizable composition into a mold while maintaining said desired morphology;
• compressing the mold, with optional heating, so that the polymerizable composition takes on the shape of the internal cavity of the mold;
• and
• exposing said polymerizable composition to UV light to give an optically clear ophthalmic lens having a morphology that is locked in place by rapid curing.