Anti-blue light contact lens composition, Anti-blue light contact lens and manufacturing method thereof

Abstract

A blue light blocking contact lens composition includes at least one hydrogel monomer, a blue light blocking dye, a crosslinking agent, and an initiator, wherein the blue light blocking dye includes at least one of sodium ethylene sulfonate yellow dye and sodium ethylene sulfonate blue dye. The content of the blue light blocking dye in the blue light blocking contact lens composition is between 0.01 wt% and 1 wt%. The sodium ethylene sulfonate yellow dye has the structure of formula (1), and the sodium ethylene sulfonate blue dye has the structure of formula (2), the structures of formula (1) and formula (2) are shown below: , . The present invention also provides a blue light blocking contact lens and a method for manufacturing the same. The blue light blocking contact lens of the present invention has a blue light blocking function and a blue light blocking rate of between 50% and 95% for light with wavelengths from 380 nm to 460 nm.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a contact lens composition, a contact lens, and a method for manufacturing the same, particularly to a contact lens composition, a contact lens, and a method for manufacturing the same that has blue light protection function. Prior Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of technology, electronic products have become almost indispensable necessities in modern life. The screens of tablets, televisions, and smartphones all emit blue light, and when using these devices, the eyes inevitably have to look directly at this blue light. Blue light is the closest wavelength to ultraviolet light in the visible spectrum, and it is one of the more energetic parts of visible light. The wavelength of blue light is between 380 nm and 530 nm. Because of its shorter wavelength, blue light focuses prematurely in front of the retina, easily causing scattering. Therefore, the eyes need to focus more hard and find it difficult to relax. Over time, this can lead to reduced image contrast and clarity, and increased eye fatigue.

[0003] In recent years, numerous studies have shown that blue light increases the sensitivity of visual cells to light and the photo-oxidation reaction, which can lead to the death of visual cells. This can affect vision in mild cases and damage the retina in severe cases, especially the macula, which is highly sensitive to light.

[0004] Blue light is not absorbed by the cornea and lens when it enters the eye, allowing it to penetrate directly to the macula. If the macula absorbs too much blue light, initial symptoms include stinging and photophobia. Over time, the macula can become inflamed and swollen, and a lenticule may form in the center of the macula. If this lenticule ruptures and causes bleeding, it will result in central vision loss, making it impossible to see clearly. While macular degeneration was previously more common in the elderly, modern lifestyles and increased blue light exposure are leading to a younger age of onset, making blue light protection an important issue.

[0005] In response to the various problems caused by blue light, besides minimizing exposure, a more proactive solution is currently wearing blue light blocking glasses. Existing commercially available blue light blocking glasses are worn outside the eyes, primarily made by coating glass or plastic lenses with an anti-blue light coating and then assembling the lenses onto a frame. However, in actual use, because there is a distance between the glasses and the eyes, blue light may not be completely blocked by the lenses and thus cannot enter the wearer's eyes. Therefore, wearing glasses still carries the risk of blue light directly entering the wearer's eyes. In other words, existing commercially available blue light blocking glasses cannot completely block blue light.

[0006] Therefore, adding blue light filtering to contact lenses that adhere to the surface of the eye would be more effective in blocking blue light and protecting the wearer's eyes. For example, the "Colored Contact Lens with Blue Light Filtering and UV Protection Functions" disclosed in Republic of China Patent No. M487455 consists of upper, middle, and lower lenses, with a blue light filtering coating in the upper lens reducing blue light entering the eye. However, manufacturing such contact lenses is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and costly, and there are concerns that these lenses may harm the eyes.

[0007] Furthermore, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 63-50581 discloses a method for manufacturing colored soft contact lenses using water-insoluble dyes. However, in this method, the water-insoluble dyes are not chemically bonded to the polymers constituting the soft contact lenses, but are simply dispersed therein. Therefore, there is a risk of the water-insoluble dyes leaching out when the resulting colored, high-water-content soft contact lenses are boiled for sterilization. Summary of the Invention

[0008] This invention provides a blue light blocking contact lens composition that can reduce blue light entering the eyes, prevent visual fatigue and color vision in wearers, and help improve aesthetics.

[0009] The present invention also provides a method for preparing a blue light blocking contact lens composition, which is suitable for manufacturing blue light blocking contact lenses that combine blue light blocking function and aesthetics.

[0010] The present invention also provides a blue light blocking contact lens that combines blue light blocking function with aesthetics and can improve the wearer's user experience.

[0011] Other objects and advantages of the present invention can be further understood from the technical features disclosed herein.

[0012] To achieve one or more of the above objectives or other objectives, an embodiment of the present invention provides a blue light blocking contact lens composition, comprising at least one hydrogel monomer, a blue light blocking dye, a crosslinking agent and an initiator, wherein the blue light blocking dye comprises at least one of sodium ethylene sulfonate yellow dye and sodium ethylene sulfonate blue dye, and the content of the blue light blocking dye in the blue light blocking contact lens composition is between 0.01 wt% and 1 wt%.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned sodium ethylene sulfonate yellow dye has the following structure (1): (1)

[0014] In one embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned sodium ethylene sulfonate blue dye has the following structure (2): (2).

[0015] In one embodiment of the present invention, each of the above-mentioned hydrogel monomers comprises a hydrophilic molecule with an unsaturated hydrocarbon group, and at least one hydrogel monomer comprises at least one of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, N-vinylpyrrolidone, hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylate, dihydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylate and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, and the content of at least one hydrogel monomer is between 40 wt% and 99.5 wt% of the content of the blue light blocking contact lens composition.

[0016] In one embodiment of the present invention, the crosslinking agent includes at least one of ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, tetraethylene glycol dimethacrylate, diethylene glycol dimethacrylate, polyethylene glycol dimethacrylate, trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate, pentaerythritol tetramethacrylate, bisphenol A dimethacrylate, and vinyl methacrylate, and the content of the crosslinking agent in the blue light blocking contact lens composition is between 0.01 wt% and 2.5 wt%.

[0017] In one embodiment of the present invention, the initiator is a photoinitiator, which includes at least one of bis(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)phenylphosphine oxide, benzoin ether, phenyl dimethyl ketal, α,α-diethoxyacetophenone, diphenyl(2,4,6-tricarboxyyl)phosphine oxide, and 2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-phenyl-1-propanone, and the content of the initiator is between 0.01 wt% and 2 wt% of the content of the blue light blocking contact lens composition.

[0018] In one embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned blue light blocking contact lens composition further comprises an ultraviolet light absorber, the ultraviolet light absorber including at least one of 2-[3-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]ethyl 2-methacrylate and 2,2',4,4'-tetrahydroxybenzophenone, and the content of the ultraviolet light absorber is between 0.01 wt% and 2 wt% of the content of the blue light blocking contact lens composition.

[0019] The present invention also provides a method for manufacturing blue light blocking contact lenses, comprising curing the above-mentioned blue light blocking contact lens composition to obtain a dry lens. The dry lens is then subjected to a hydration process to obtain a wet lens. The wet lens is then subjected to a sterilization process to obtain the blue light blocking contact lenses.

[0020] In one embodiment of the present invention, the step of curing the blue light blocking contact lens composition includes: placing the blue light blocking contact lens composition in a mold and irradiating the blue light blocking contact lens composition in the mold with visible light to cause the blue light blocking contact lens composition to undergo a polymerization reaction and form a dry lens.

[0021] In one embodiment of the present invention, the step of hydrating the dry lens film includes placing the dry lens film in a liquid with a temperature between 40°C and 100°C.

[0022] In one embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned sterilization process of wet lens film includes placing the wet lens film in a buffer solution and heating it to a temperature between 100°C and 130°C for sterilization.

[0023] The present invention also provides a blue light blocking contact lens, which is made using the aforementioned blue light blocking contact lens composition, and the blue light blocking contact lens has a blue light blocking rate of 50% to 95% for light with wavelengths from 380 nm to 460 nm.

[0024] The blue light blocking contact lens composition and blue light blocking contact lenses of the present invention include at least one of sodium ethylene sulfonate yellow dye and sodium ethylene sulfonate blue dye, thus absorbing visible light with wavelengths in the blue light range, which helps to reduce the amount of blue light transmitted to the eyes, thereby avoiding eye fatigue, vision loss or damage to visual cells.

[0025] To make the above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, specific embodiments are described below in detail. [Simplified Explanation with Diagram]

[0026] Figure 1 is a flowchart of a method for manufacturing blue light blocking contact lenses according to an embodiment of the present invention. Implementation

[0027] This invention provides a blue light blocking contact lens composition, comprising at least one hydrogel monomer, a blue light blocking dye, a crosslinking agent, and an initiator. The blue light blocking dye includes at least one of sodium ethylene sulfonate yellow dye and sodium ethylene sulfonate blue dye. The content of the blue light blocking dye in the blue light blocking contact lens composition is between 0.01 wt% and 1 wt%. The sodium ethylene sulfonate yellow dye has the structure of formula (1), and the sodium ethylene sulfonate blue dye has the structure of formula (2), as shown below: Equation (1), Equation (2).

[0028] In one embodiment of the present invention, the contact lens is mainly composed of hydrogel monomers. Hydrogel monomers can impart mechanical strength to the contact lens and can affect its water content. Contact lenses formed from different hydrogel monomers can have different properties, such as moisturizing properties. In one embodiment of the present invention, the hydrogel monomer can be any monomer capable of photopolymerization and used in contact lenses. In other words, it is a monomer that can undergo polymerization after exposure to light. Preferably, the hydrogel monomer in one embodiment of the present invention comprises a hydrophilic molecule with an unsaturated hydrocarbon group. The hydrogel monomer includes, for example, at least one of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid (MAA), N-vinyl pyrrolidone, hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylate, dihydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylate, and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), but the present invention is not limited thereto. In one embodiment, the blue light blocking contact lens composition comprises two or more hydrogel monomers, such as 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and methacrylic acid (MAA). In one embodiment of the invention, the content of the hydrogel monomer is, for example, between 40 wt% and 99.5 wt% of the blue light blocking contact lens composition, for example, 80 wt%, 85 wt%, 90 wt%, or 95 wt%, but the invention does not impose a specific limitation thereto. In other embodiments, the hydrogel monomer can be selected from monomers that can undergo thermal polymerization and are used to form contact lenses, i.e., monomers that can undergo polymerization upon heating.

[0029] In one embodiment of the present invention, the contact lens made from the above-mentioned components has, for example, a water content of 38% to 80%, preferably 40% to 60%, and the contact lens has, for example, a blue light blocking rate of 50% to 95% for light with a wavelength of 380 nm to 460 nm.

[0030] In one embodiment of the present invention, when a crosslinking agent and an initiator (e.g., a photoinitiator) are present simultaneously, the blue light blocking contact lens composition can be polymerized (e.g., photopolymerization) to form the lens body. The lens monomers immediately after polymerization are relatively dry, hence the term "dry lens." After undergoing a hydration process, the dry lens becomes wet, hence the term "wet lens." The wet lens, after sterilization, is the contact lens.

[0031] In one embodiment of the present invention, the crosslinking agent can be any crosslinking agent used in the manufacture of contact lenses, and can be selected according to the hydrogel monomer used. The crosslinking agent in one embodiment of the present invention includes, for example, at least one of ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA), tetraethylene glycol dimethacrylate, diethylene glycol dimethacrylate, polyethylene glycol dimethacrylate, trimethylolpropanetrimethacrylate (TMPTMA), pentaerythritol tetramethacrylate, bisphenol A dimethacrylate, and vinyl methacrylate. In one embodiment of the present invention, the content of the crosslinking agent, for example, is between 0.01 wt% and 2.5 wt% of the content of the blue light blocking contact lens composition.

[0032] In one embodiment of the present invention, the initiator is, for example, a photoinitiator. The photoinitiator can be any photoinitiator used in the preparation of contact lenses and can be selected based on the hydrogel monomer used. The initiator in one embodiment of the present invention includes, for example, at least one of bis(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)phenylphosphine oxide, benzoin ethyl ether, benzyl dimethyl ketal, α,α-diethoxyacetophenone, diphenyl(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)phosphine oxide, and 2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-phenyl-1-propanone. In one embodiment of the present invention, the content of the initiator is, for example, between 0.01 wt% and 2 wt% of the blue light blocking contact lens composition.

[0033] In one embodiment of the present invention, the sodium ethylene sulfonate yellow dye has the structure of formula (1), and the sodium ethylene sulfonate blue dye has the structure of formula (2). In one embodiment of the present invention, the anti-blue light dye includes at least one of the sodium ethylene sulfonate yellow dye having the structure of formula (1) and the sodium ethylene sulfonate blue dye having the structure of formula (2). In one embodiment of the present invention, the sodium ethylene sulfonate yellow dye having the structure of formula (1) and the sodium ethylene sulfonate blue dye having the structure of formula (2) are, for example, both ethylene sulfonate sodium dyes. Because sodium ethylene sulfonate has good ionic properties, it is easier to develop color. In addition, ethylene sulfonate sodium dyes belong to ethylene sulfonate reactive dyes, which have the advantage of good water solubility.

[0034] In one embodiment of the present invention, the sodium ethylene sulfonate yellow dye having the structure of formula (1) and the sodium ethylene sulfonate blue dye having the structure of formula (2) have obvious absorption peaks in the visible light wavelength range of 390 nm to 420 nm, which can effectively block blue light.

[0035] In one embodiment of the present invention, when sodium vinyl sulfonate yellow dye is used alone, the resulting contact lens exhibits a yellow hue, for example; when both sodium vinyl sulfonate yellow dye and sodium vinyl sulfonate blue dye are used, the resulting contact lens exhibits a green, blue-green, or blue hue, for example. In one embodiment of the present invention, by adjusting the amounts of sodium vinyl sulfonate yellow dye and sodium vinyl sulfonate blue dye, the contact lens can achieve an ideal color tone, which helps improve the aesthetic appearance when worn. It is worth noting that using sodium vinyl sulfonate blue dye will not affect the effect of sodium vinyl sulfonate yellow dye in absorbing blue light wavelengths. Furthermore, using sodium vinyl sulfonate blue dye allows the contact lens to exhibit a green, blue-green, or blue hue, which can prevent visual fatigue and color distortion in the wearer, and improve the aesthetic appearance. On the other hand, when blue light blocking contact lenses exhibit a pale yellow, green, blue-green, or blue hue, it can closely resemble the color of the whites of the human eye, helping to prevent the appearance of the blue light blocking contact lenses from being too abrupt when worn.

[0036] In one embodiment of the present invention, the blue light blocking contact lens composition may further comprise an ultraviolet (UV) blocker. The aforementioned UV blocker can be any UV blocker used in the manufacture of contact lenses, and can be selected based on the hydrogel monomers used. For example, the UV blocker in one embodiment of the present invention includes at least one of 2-[3-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]ethyl 2-methacrylate and 2,2',4,4'-tetrahydroxybenzophenone. In one embodiment of the present invention, the content of the UV blocker, for example, is between 0.01 wt% and 2 wt% of the content of the blue light blocking contact lens composition.

[0037] This invention also provides a method for manufacturing blue light blocking contact lenses. Please refer to Figure 1. An embodiment of the method for manufacturing blue light blocking contact lenses includes steps S200 to S400, specifically described as follows: The above-mentioned blue light blocking contact lens composition is cured to obtain a dry lens, which is step S200; the dry lens is subjected to a hydration process to obtain a wet lens, which is step S300; the wet lens is subjected to a sterilization process to obtain the blue light blocking contact lenses, which is step S400.

[0038] Specifically, in step S100, a blue light blocking contact lens composition is first prepared, and then injected into a mold, that is, the blue light blocking contact lens composition is placed in the mold (this is step S150). In one embodiment of the present invention, the mold is made of plastic, for example, polyacrylic acid (PAA) or polypropylene (PP), but the present invention does not specifically limit this. In one embodiment of the present invention, the mold is composed of a male mold and a female mold, for example, but the present invention does not specifically limit this. In one embodiment of the present invention, the inner surface of the mold (e.g., a polypropylene mold) is, for example, printed with a colored pattern, but the present invention does not specifically limit this.

[0039] Next, in one embodiment of the present invention, the method for curing the blue light blocking contact lens composition to obtain a dry lens in step S200 includes irradiating or heating the blue light blocking contact lens composition in the mold. Since the blue light blocking contact lens composition includes an initiator, the initiator can promote the polymerization reaction. When the initiator is a photoinitiator, the blue light blocking contact lens composition after irradiation will undergo a polymerization reaction and cure to form a dry lens. The aforementioned light can be visible light or ultraviolet light; the present invention does not specifically limit this. The aforementioned polymerization reaction caused by irradiation can also be called a photopolymerization reaction. In another embodiment of the present invention, when the initiator is a thermal initiator, the blue light blocking contact lens composition can be heated to cause the blue light blocking contact lens composition to undergo a polymerization reaction and cure to form a dry lens. The aforementioned polymerization reaction caused by heating can also be called a thermal polymerization reaction.

[0040] In one embodiment of the present invention, after the dry lens film is formed, the dry lens film can be left in the mold and directly subjected to the hydration process, but the present invention does not impose specific limitations on this. In another embodiment, the dry lens film can be demolded first, that is, the dry lens film can be separated from the mold before the dry lens film is subjected to the hydration process. In step S300, the step of subjecting the dry lens film to the hydration process includes, for example, placing the dry lens film in a liquid at a temperature, for example, between 40°C and 100°C. In one embodiment of the present invention, the hydration process, for example, involves extracting unreacted hydrogel monomers and other residues in the dry lens film with a heated liquid and causing the dry lens film to swell to obtain a wet lens film. In one embodiment of the present invention, the liquid can be water, an aqueous solution, or an organic solution, and the present invention does not impose specific limitations on this. In one embodiment of the present invention, the temperature of the heated liquid is, for example, between 40°C and 100°C, such as 50°C, 55°C, 60°C, 65°C, or 70°C, and the present invention also does not impose specific limitations on this.

[0041] In one embodiment of the present invention, the step of sterilizing the wet lens (step S400) includes, for example, placing the wet lens in a buffer solution and heating it to a temperature between 100°C and 130°C for sterilization. Specifically, in one embodiment, for example, the wet lens is first placed in a packaging container containing a buffer solution, the packaging container is sealed, for example, with aluminum foil, and then heated for sterilization to obtain blue light blocking contact lenses, but the present invention does not impose specific limitations on this. The buffer solution is, for example, an aqueous solution. The packaging container is, for example, made of polypropylene, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The sterilization process is, for example, heating at 120°C for 20 to 40 minutes, for example, 30 minutes, and the present invention does not impose specific limitations on this. In another embodiment, the sterilization process can be high temperature and high pressure. The blue light blocking contact lenses manufactured using the above-described blue light blocking contact lens composition have blue light blocking function and have a blue light blocking rate of 50% to 95% for light with wavelengths of 380 nm to 460 nm.

[0042] Formulating a blue light blocking contact lens composition (step S100)

[0043] Table 1 presents the formulations of 15 blue light blocking contact lens compositions, as shown in Composition-1 to Composition-15. In this embodiment, the differences between the different blue light blocking contact lens compositions are, for example, the content of sodium ethylene sulfonate yellow dye and the content of sodium ethylene sulfonate blue dye. The crosslinking agent used in this embodiment is, for example, trimethylolpropanetrimethacrylate (TMPTMA), but this invention is not specifically limited thereto. The initiator used in this embodiment is, for example, a photoinitiator, such as diphenyl(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)phosphine oxide, but this invention is not specifically limited thereto. The hydrogel monomer used in this embodiment is, for example, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), but this invention is not specifically limited thereto. The ultraviolet light absorber used in this embodiment is, for example, 2,2',4,4'-tetrahydroxybenzophenone, but this invention is not specifically limited thereto. Table 1 Formulations of 15 Blue Light Blocking Contact Lens Compositions Blue light blocking contact lens composition Crosslinking agent (wt%) Initiator (wt%) Water-based binder monomers (wt%) UV absorber (wt%) Sodium ethylene sulfonate yellow dye with formula (1) (wt%) Sodium ethylene sulfonate blue dye with formula (2) (wt%) Composition-1 1% 1% 96.95% 1% 0.050% 0.000% Composition-2 1% 1% 96.89% 1% 0.110% 0.000% Composition-3 1% 1% 96.76% 1% 0.240% 0.000% Composition-4 1% 1% 96.7% 1% 0.300% 0.000% Composition-5 1% 1% 96.65% 1% 0.350% 0.000% Composition-6 1% 1% 96.95% 1% 0.000% 0.050% Composition-7 1% 1% 96.89% 1% 0.000% 0.110% Composition-8 1% 1% 96.76% 1% 0.000% 0.240% Composition-9 1% 1% 96.7% 1% 0.000% 0.300% Composition-10 1% 1% 96.65% 1% 0.000% 0.350% Composition-11 1% 1% 96.94% 1% 0.025% 0.025% Composition-12 1% 1% 96.88% 1% 0.055% 0.055% Composition-13 1% 1% 96.76% 1% 0.120% 0.120% Composition-14 1% 1% 96.7% 1% 0.150% 0.150% Composition-15 1% 1% 96.64% 1% 0.175% 0.175%

[0044] Manufacturing blue light blocking contact lenses (steps S150, S200, S300, and S400)

[0045] In one embodiment of the present invention, for example, the blue light blocking contact lens composition is injected into a mold made of polyacrylic acid (step S150), but the present invention is not limited to this. Next, the blue light blocking contact lens composition is subjected to a curing reaction (or polymerization reaction), for example, photocuring (or photopolymerization), to form a dry lens. In one embodiment of the present invention, the light used can be visible light or ultraviolet light to irradiate the blue light blocking contact lens to form a dry lens. However, the present invention is not specifically limited to this. After obtaining the dry lens, the dry lens undergoes a hydration process and a sterilization process to form a contact lens.

[0046] In one embodiment of the present invention, the contact lenses described above are placed in a packaging container, a buffer solution is injected into the packaging container, and then the packaging container is sealed and sterilized. The packaging container is, for example, made of polypropylene (PP), hereinafter referred to as a PP cup. In one embodiment of the present invention, the buffer solution may be phosphate buffered saline (PBS), for example containing at least one of Na₂HPO₄, KH₂PO₄, NaCl, and KCl, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the buffer solution may also be a borate-based buffer solution.

[0047] Blue light blocking contact lenses were manufactured using the manufacturing method described above, based on 15 blue light blocking contact lens compositions (composition-1 to composition-15) formulated according to Table 1.

[0048] The process parameters used in manufacturing blue light blocking contact lenses are shown in Table 2. Table 2 Process Parameters Blue light blocking contact lenses Blue light blocking contact lens composition Curing time Hydration temperature Buffer solution in PP cup sterilization conditions Sample-1 Composition-1 30 minutes 60℃ PBS 121℃ 30 minutes Sample-2 Composition-2 30 minutes 60℃ PBS 121℃ 30 minutes Sample-3 Composition-3 30 minutes 60℃ PBS 121℃ 30 minutes Sample-4 Composition-4 30 minutes 60℃ PBS 121℃ 30 minutes Sample-5 Composition-5 30 minutes 60℃ PBS 121℃ 30 minutes Sample-6 Composition-6 30 minutes 60℃ PBS 121℃ 30 minutes Sample-7 Composition-7 30 minutes 60℃ PBS 121℃ 30 minutes Sample-8 Composition-8 30 minutes 60℃ PBS 121℃ 30 minutes Sample-9 Composition-9 30 minutes 60℃ PBS 121℃ 30 minutes Sample-10 Composition-10 30 minutes 60℃ PBS 121℃ 30 minutes Sample-11 Composition-11 30 minutes 60℃ PBS 121℃ 30 minutes Sample-12 Composition-12 30 minutes 60℃ PBS 121℃ 30 minutes Sample-13 Composition-13 30 minutes 60℃ PBS 121℃ 30 minutes Sample-14 Composition-14 30 minutes 60℃ PBS 121℃ 30 minutes Sample-15 Composition-15 30 minutes 60℃ PBS 121℃ 30 minutes

[0049] In this embodiment of the invention, for example, compositions 1 to 15 are made into contact lenses under the same process conditions, but the present invention does not impose specific limitations on this, and the curing time, hydration temperature, type of buffer solution and sterilization conditions can be adjusted as needed.

[0050] Blue light transmittance was tested on samples 1 through 15. The results are shown in Table 3.

[0051] In one embodiment of the present invention, the blue light transmittance test method is to measure the blue light blocking rate of blue light blocking contact lenses (sample-1 to sample-15) in the wavelength ranges of 390~420 nm, 380~460 nm and 380~500 nm using an ultraviolet spectrometer or a visible light spectrometer (JASCO V630). Table 3 Blue light blocking rate of each sample Blue light blocking contact lenses Average blue light blocking rate (390~420nm) Average blue light blocking rate (380~460nm) Average blue light blocking rate (380~500nm) Sample-1 14% 7% 6% Sample-2 26% 19% 15% Sample-3 37% 30% 26% Sample-4 49% 42% 35% Sample-5 60% 53% 47% Sample-6 4% 5% 6% Sample-7 5% 7% 9% Sample-8 7% 9% 11% Sample-9 9% 10% 12% Sample-10 9% 12% 14% Sample-11 13% 9% 10% Sample-12 25% twenty two% twenty two% Sample-13 35% 35% 33% Sample-14 47% 45% 42% Sample-15 58% 54% 50%

[0052] As shown in Tables 2 and 3, the higher the content of blue light blocking dyes (sodium ethylene sulfonate yellow dye and / or sodium ethylene sulfonate blue dye) in the blue light blocking contact lens composition, the higher the blue light blocking rate of the blue light blocking contact lenses.

[0053] In summary, the blue light blocking contact lens composition and blue light blocking contact lenses provided by this invention have the effect of blocking blue light, helping to avoid visual fatigue and color vision distortion in wearers, and also helping to improve aesthetics. The manufacturing method of the blue light blocking contact lenses provided by this invention can use the above-described blue light blocking contact lens composition to produce blue light blocking contact lenses.

[0054] Although the present invention has been disclosed above by way of embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains may make some modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall be determined by the appended claims.

[0055] S100, S150, S200, S300, S400: Steps

Claims

1. A blue light blocking contact lens composition comprising at least one hydrogel monomer, a blue light blocking dye, a crosslinking agent, and an initiator, wherein the blue light blocking dye comprises sodium ethylene sulfonate yellow dye and sodium ethylene sulfonate blue dye, and the content of the blue light blocking dye in the blue light blocking contact lens composition is between 0.01 wt% and 1 wt%, the sodium ethylene sulfonate yellow dye has the structure of formula (1), and the sodium ethylene sulfonate blue dye has the structure of formula (2), the structures of formula (1) and formula (2) are as follows: Formula (1), Formula (2); wherein each of the at least one hydrogel monomer comprises a hydrophilic molecule with an unsaturated hydrocarbon group, and the at least one hydrogel monomer comprises at least one of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, N-vinylpyrrolidone, hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylate, dihydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylate, and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, and the content of the at least one hydrogel monomer in the blue light blocking contact lens composition is between 40 wt% and 99.5 wt%; The crosslinking agent includes at least one of ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, tetraethylene glycol dimethacrylate, diethylene glycol dimethacrylate, polyethylene glycol dimethacrylate, trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate, pentaerythritol tetramethacrylate, bisphenol A dimethacrylate, and vinyl methacrylate, and the content of the crosslinking agent is between 0.01 wt% and 2.5 wt% of the content of the blue light blocking contact lens composition.

2. The blue light blocking contact lens composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the initiator is a photoinitiator comprising at least one of bis(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)phenylphosphine oxide, benzoin ether, phenyl dimethyl ketal, α,α-diethoxyacetophenone, diphenyl(2,4,6-tricarboxyyl)phosphine oxide, and 2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-phenyl-1-propanone, and the initiator is present in an amount from 0.01 wt% to 2 wt% of the blue light blocking contact lens composition.

3. The blue light blocking contact lens composition as claimed in claim 1 further comprises an ultraviolet light absorber, the ultraviolet light absorber comprising at least one of 2-[3-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]ethyl 2-methacrylate and 2,2',4,4'-tetrahydroxybenzophenone, and the ultraviolet light absorber is present in an amount of 0.01 wt% to 2 wt% of the blue light blocking contact lens composition.

4. A method for manufacturing blue light blocking contact lenses, comprising: The blue light blocking contact lens composition as described in any one of claims 1 to 3 is cured to obtain a dry lens; the dry lens is subjected to a hydration process to obtain a wet lens; and the wet lens is subjected to a sterilization process to obtain the blue light blocking contact lens.

5. A method for manufacturing blue light blocking contact lenses as described in claim 4, wherein the step of curing the blue light blocking contact lens composition as described in any one of claims 1 to 3 includes: The blue light blocking contact lens composition is placed in a mold and irradiated with visible light to cause the blue light blocking contact lens composition to undergo a polymerization reaction and form the dry lens.

6. The method for manufacturing blue light blocking contact lenses as claimed in claim 4, wherein the step of performing the hydration process on the dry lens includes placing the dry lens in a liquid at a temperature between 40°C and 100°C.

7. The method for manufacturing blue light blocking contact lenses as claimed in claim 4, wherein the step of sterilizing the wet lens includes placing the wet lens in a buffer solution and heating it to a temperature between 100°C and 130°C for sterilization.

8. A blue light blocking contact lens, made using a blue light blocking contact lens composition as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the blue light blocking contact lens has a blue light blocking rate of 50% to 95% for light with wavelengths from 380 nm to 460 nm.

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