CN110462493B

CN110462493B - Colored contact lenses and methods of making colored contact lenses

Info

Publication number: CN110462493B
Application number: CN201780089200.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: E·A·戴
Original assignee: Alcon Inc
Current assignee: Alcon Inc
Priority date: 2017-04-13
Filing date: 2017-04-13
Publication date: 2021-11-05
Anticipated expiration: 2037-04-13
Also published as: JP6898466B2; JP2020516927A; CA3055265A1; EP3610321A1; CN110462493A; KR102475178B1; MY194168A; KR20190138783A; WO2018189572A1; SG11201907691RA; CA3055265C

Abstract

The present invention relates to a colored contact lens designed to make the eye of a wearer appear larger and more well defined and shiny while maintaining the natural by seamlessly merging with the eye. A colored contact lens, includes the first printing of first colour and the second printing of second colour, wherein, first printing is ring shape gradient dot matrix, wherein, the second printing is ring shape speckle pattern, wherein, ring shape speckle pattern includes the regular or irregular shape cluster that the ring distributes, wherein, regular or irregular shape comprises a large amount of dots, wherein, ring shape speckle pattern has the interior border and the exterior border of matte, wherein, the second printing is located the inboard of first printing, wherein, first colour with the second colour is different or the same, wherein, first printing with the second printing is concentric with contact lens's center.

Description

Colored contact lenses and methods of making colored contact lenses

The colored contact lenses to which the present invention relates enable the wearer's eye to appear larger and more defined and shiny while remaining natural by seamlessly blending with the eye. The invention also relates to methods for designing and manufacturing the colored contact lenses of the invention.

Background

For cosmetic purposes, there is a strong demand for tinted lenses having one or more colorants dispersed in or printed on the lens. These colored contact lenses enhance the natural beauty of the eye, or provide a unique pattern on the iris of the wearer, or provide a non-cosmetic pattern.

In general, there are two types of colored contact lenses. The first is the use of a substantially clear enhanced color contact lens that allows the color of the natural iris to be shown through but which in combination with the natural color creates a new appearance. Such clear tinted lenses are commonly used to turn a light eye (e.g., green) to a slightly different hue (e.g., aqua). Such colored lenses may not be able to turn the underlying dark brown iris blue. The second category is opaque colored lenses of this type having a continuous opaque pattern that completely covers the iris or having an intermittent opaque pattern that does not completely cover the iris. Opaque colored contact lenses can effectively and substantially change the color of a wearer's eye.

Some contact lens consumers are showing interest in enhancing their eyes without drastically changing their eyes' natural color. They want their eyes to appear larger and more well-defined and shiny, while remaining natural by seamlessly merging with the eyes. However, these consumers do not want anyone to know that they are wearing a contact lens, and any design should be natural.

Thus, there remains a need for colored contact lenses that can make the eye appear larger and more eye-catching with enhanced contrast, while maintaining the natural structure and color of the wearer's underlying iris.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention provides a colored contact lens, which comprises a first printing of a first color and a second printing of a second color, wherein the first printing is a circular ring-shaped gradient dot matrix, wherein the second printing is a circular ring-shaped speckle pattern, wherein the circular ring-shaped speckle pattern comprises clusters, wherein the circular ring-shaped speckle pattern comprises regularly or irregularly shaped clusters which are distributed annularly, wherein the regular or irregular shapes comprise a large number of dots, wherein the circular ring-shaped speckle pattern has an inner and outer boundary which is not smooth, wherein the second printing is positioned on the inner side of the first printing, wherein the first color and the second color are different or the same, and wherein the first printing and the second printing are concentric with the center of the contact lens.

In another aspect, the invention encompasses a method for manufacturing a colored contact lens, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a pre-shaped contact lens; and is

Applying a first printed opaque colored dot pattern of a first color onto a surface of at least one of the anterior and posterior surfaces of the contact lens, wherein the first print is a circular gradient lattice,

applying a second printed opaque colored dot pattern of a second color onto the surface of the contact lens, wherein the second print is a circular ring speckle pattern, wherein the circular ring speckle pattern comprises a cluster of regularly or irregularly shaped circles distributed in a circle, wherein these regularly or irregularly shaped circles consist of a large number of dots, wherein the circular ring speckle pattern has an inner and outer boundary that is not smooth, wherein the second print is located inside the first print, wherein the first color and the second color are different or the same, wherein the first print and the second print are concentric with the center of the contact lens.

In yet another aspect, the present invention encompasses a method for manufacturing a colored contact lens, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a mold comprising a first mold half having a first molding surface defining an anterior surface of a contact lens and a second mold half having a second molding surface defining a posterior surface of the contact lens, wherein the first mold half and the second mold half are configured to receive each other such that a contact lens forming cavity is formed between the first molding surface and the second molding surface;

(b) applying a second printed opaque colored dot pattern of a second color onto at least one of the molding surfaces of the lens mold by using pad printing or inkjet printing techniques, wherein the second print is a circular ring speckle pattern, wherein the circular ring speckle pattern comprises a ring-shaped distribution of regular or irregular shaped clusters, wherein the regular or irregular shapes are comprised of a multitude of dots, wherein the circular ring speckle pattern has an inner and outer boundary that is not smooth, and

(c) applying a first print opaque colored dot pattern of a first color onto the surface of the mold by using pad printing or inkjet printing techniques, wherein the first print is a circular ring shaped gradient dot matrix, wherein the second print is located inside the first print, wherein the first color and the second color are different or the same, wherein the first print and the second print are concentric with the center of the contact lens.

These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the following drawings. As should be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, many changes and modifications can be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the disclosure.

Drawings

FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art contact lens;

FIG. 2 illustrates a first printed pattern according to the present invention which is a circular gradient dot matrix pattern;

fig. 3 shows a second printed pattern which is a circular speckle pattern.

Figure 4 shows a third print which is a first tulip annular pattern.

Fig. 5 shows a fourth printed pattern which is a second gold floral ring pattern.

Fig. 6 shows an example of a contact lens according to the invention containing two printed patterns (fig. 2 and 3).

Fig. 7 shows an example of a contact lens according to the invention with three printed patterns (fig. 2, 3 and 4).

Fig. 8 shows a third example of a contact lens according to the invention containing four printed patterns (fig. 2, fig. 3, fig. 4 and fig. 5).

Detailed Description

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment, can be used on another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. It is therefore intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. Other objects, features and aspects of the present invention are disclosed in or are apparent from the following detailed description. It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present discussion is a description of exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended as limiting the broader aspects of the present invention.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. In general, the nomenclature used herein and the laboratory procedures are well known and commonly employed in the art. Conventional methods are used for these procedures, such as those provided in the art and various general references. When terms are provided in the singular, the inventors also contemplate the plural of the terms.

"contact lens" refers to an object that can be placed on or in the eye of a wearer. Contact lenses can, but need not, correct, improve or alter a user's vision. The contact lens may be of any suitable material known in the art or later developed, and may be a soft lens, a hard lens, or a hybrid lens. The contact lens may be tinted prior to printing any color pattern. The contact lens may be in a dry state or a wet state. "Dry state" refers to a soft lens in a state prior to hydration or a hard lens state in storage or use conditions. "Wet state" refers to a soft lens in a hydrated state.

As used herein, the "anterior surface" of a contact lens refers to the surface of the lens that faces away from the eye during wear. The front surface, which is typically substantially convex in shape, may also be referred to as the front curve of the lens.

As used herein, the "posterior or posterior surface" of a contact lens refers to the surface of the lens that faces toward the eye during wear. The generally substantially concave rear surface may also be referred to as the base curve of the lens.

"colored contact lens" refers to a contact lens (hard or soft) having a colored image printed thereon. The color image may be a cosmetic pattern (e.g., iris-like pattern), Wild Eye^TMPatterns, custom (MTO) patterns, and the like. The color image may be a monochromatic image or a polychromatic image. The chromatic image is preferably a digital image, but it may also be an analog image.

The term "eye color" refers to the color of the iris of an eye.

The term "ordinary observer" is intended to refer to a person with normal 20/20 vision standing about 5 feet away from the person wearing the lenses of the invention.

The term "clear" as used herein is intended to describe a transparent or translucent color or a portion of a lens that is not colored or painted with a transparent or translucent color.

By "colored coating" is meant a coating on an object thereof and in which a colored image is printed.

"colorant" means one or more dyes (dye) or one or more pigments (pigment) or mixtures of the above for printing a pattern of colored elements on a contact lens.

"dye" refers to a substance that is soluble in a solvent or water and is used to impart color. Dyes typically have low opacity and are almost transparent or translucent. The dye may cover both the optical area of the contact lens and the non-optical area of the contact lens.

"pigment" means a powdered substance suspended in a liquid in which it is insoluble. Pigments are used to impart color. Pigments are generally more opaque than dyes.

The term "conventional or non-pearlescent pigment" as used herein is intended to describe any absorbing pigment that imparts color based on the principle of diffuse scattering and whose color is independent of its geometry. While any suitable non-pearlescent pigment can be employed, it is presently preferred that the non-pearlescent pigment be heat resistant, non-toxic, and insoluble in aqueous solutions. Examples of preferred non-pearlescent pigments include any colorant permitted in medical devices and approved by the FDA such as D & C blue No. 6, D & C green No. 6, D & C violet No. 2, carbazole violet, certain copper complexes, certain chromium oxides, various iron oxides, phthalocyanine green, phthalocyanine blue, titanium dioxide, and the like. For a list of colorants that can be used in the present invention, see the U.S. colorant's Marmiom DM Handbook (Marmiom DM Handbook of u.s.colorants). More preferred examples of non-pearlescent pigments include (c.i. is a color index number) but are not limited to, for blue, phthalocyanine blue (pigment blue 15:3, c.i.74160), cobalt blue (pigment blue 36, c.i.77343), Toner cyan (tonner blue) BG (Clariant), Permajet blue B2G (Clariant); for green, phthalocyanine green (pigment green 7, c.i.74260) and chromium oxide; for yellow, red, brown and black, various iron oxides; PR122, PY154, for violet, carbazole violet; for black, Monolith black C-K (Ciba Specialty Chemicals)).

"pearlescent" means pearl luster; the actual appearance looks like a pearl; or a color with a shiny, slightly reflective appearance.

"pearlescent pigment" refers to a class of interference (effect) pigments, which are transparent flakes (e.g., transparent mica platelets) of low refractive index material coated with an optically thin coating of high refractive index material (e.g., metal oxide, such as, for example, titanium oxide or iron oxide), and which impart color primarily based on the thin film interference light principle. The optically thin metal oxide coating may comprise a single or multiple thin layers of metal oxide. Optically thin coatings applied to these sheets contribute to interference effects that allow the appearance to vary depending on the lighting and viewing conditions. The color is determined by the coating thickness, the refractive index and the illumination angle. The optically thin coating is also responsible for creating rich, deep, glossy effects due to partial reflection of the metal oxide and partial transmission through the mica sheet. Such pigments can provide pearl luster and iridescent effects.

Pearlescent pigments with oxide-coated mica platelets are commercially available from Englehard, inc, of Iselin, n.j., under the "Mearlin pigment" product line (such as "Hi-Lite interference color", "Dynacolor pearlescent pigment", "magna pearl", "Flamenco", "celli color"). Other manufacturers of pearlescent colorants are: kemira, Savanna, Georgia, USA, these pigments have the trade name "Flona Lustre Colors"; and EM industries, hoffmorn (Hawthorne), new york, usa, these Pigments have the trade name "Affair Lustre Pigments".

The term "pearlescent color" as used herein is intended to describe an element of a color pattern (i.e., containing at least one pearlescent pigment) that is coated with a pearlescent colorant color.

In the case of pearlescent pigments, it is important to minimize flake breakage and maintain adequate dispersion levels during processing. Pearlescent pigments require mild handling during mixing and they should not be ground or subjected to prolonged mixing, milling or high shear because such operations can damage the pigment. The impact of particle size distribution, shape and orientation on the final appearance is very large. Milling, high shear mixing, or long processing of pearlescent pigments should be avoided as such operations can result in delamination of the metal oxide coating, flake breakage, flake agglomeration, and flake compression. The delamination, compaction, fragmentation and agglomeration of the metal oxide will diminish the pearlescent effect.

The term "sparkle effect" as used herein is intended to describe such an effect that provides the eye with a reflective appearance with a sparkling luster by using a combination of small elements in the design and an ink that may be brighter in color than the rest of the pattern and/or have a pearlescent texture. Metallic or pearlescent pigments can impart sparkle, or brightness by the nature of their flake type or structure. Furthermore, sparkling, or shiny appearance may also be achieved by increasing the lightness and/or chroma of the ink color compared to other parts of the pattern or compared to the natural iris. In CIELAB terminology, this will equate to higher values of L and/or C of the elements intended to give a sparkling, sparkling or luminance appearance compared to L (lightness) or C (chroma) and/or the natural iris of the rest of the printed pattern.

As used herein, "non-uniform or jagged or irregular boundary or peripheral edge" refers to a boundary or peripheral edge on which the outermost locations have a radial (i.e., from the center of the lens) distance that differs from each other by at least about 20%. As used herein, "substantially uniform boundary or peripheral edge" refers to a boundary or peripheral edge on which the outermost positions have a substantially constant radial (i.e., from the center of the lens) distance (i.e., differ from each other by less than 20%).

The term "print coverage or percentage of dot coverage" refers to the portion of the total area that falls within the area covered by the color dots as measured by Adobe Photoshop graphic image editing software to determine the number of pixels on the area. The percentage of print coverage was calculated as follows:

% printing coverage ═ number of pixels in dot coverage area)/(number of pixels in total area) x 100

Total area is printed area + unprinted area.

"hydrogel" refers to a crosslinked polymer having an equilibrium water content of between about 10% and 90%.

"lens-forming material" refers to a polymerizable composition that can be cured (i.e., polymerized and/or crosslinked) thermally or photochemically (i.e., by actinic radiation) to obtain a crosslinked polymer. Examples of actinic radiation are UV radiation, ionizing radiation (e.g. gamma or X-ray radiation), microwave radiation, and the like. Thermal or photochemical curing methods are well known to those skilled in the art. Lens-forming materials are well known to those skilled in the art, such as: HEMA-based hydrogels and silicone hydrogels.

"HEMA-based hydrogels and silicone hydrogels" refers to hydrogels obtained by copolymerization of polymerizable ingredients including hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA).

"Silicone hydrogel" refers to a hydrogel obtained by copolymerization of polymerizable components including at least one silicone-containing monomer or at least one silicone-containing macromer.

As used herein, "hydrophilic" describes a material or portion thereof that will associate more readily.

"on-mold printing process for producing colored contact lenses" refers to a process for molding colored contact lenses described in U.S. patent No. 5,034,166 to rowings et al, incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention relates to a colored contact lens designed to enhance the natural color of the wearer's eyes and make them more striking, while providing a very natural appearance from ordinary viewing.

For example, some black-eye contact lens consumers have shown an interest in enhancing their eyes without drastically changing their eyes' natural color. They want their eyes to appear darker, more eye-catching, and appear larger, and more shiny, while remaining natural by seamlessly merging with the eyes. However, these consumers do not want anyone to know that they are wearing contact lenses, and any design should be natural. Consumers of light (i.e., blue or green) and medium (i.e., hazel, brownish) contact lenses also show similar interest in strenuously and naturally enhancing their eyes.

It was found that such cosmetic effects (i.e. enhancing the eye color of the wearer and making them more conspicuous while providing a very natural appearance) can be achieved by adding a colored design to the contact lenses to enhance the contrast of the wearer's eyes, particularly their limbus. Such a design can be applied by printing onto a contact lens by conventional means. The present invention has demonstrated certain designs and colors that provide such color on the eye while blending with the natural color of the wearer's eye. The invention described herein is a series of rings placed on top of each other to provide the desired effect. This first printed layer is a diffuse pattern with a gradient lattice that allows the underlying limbal and iris structures to be seen. The first decal design of the present invention helps provide both the attributes of a natural appearance pattern and high contrast of the wearer's natural eye, especially when the first decal is superimposed with the second decal. The first print blocks some of the light reflected off the underlying iris and allows for good fusion with the natural eye. The second printing is a circular speckle pattern which comprises a plurality of irregularly-shaped speckle shape clusters distributed annularly, the speckle shapes are composed of a large number of small points, and the circular speckle pattern has rough inner and outer boundaries.

The second print is located inside the first print and a circular border distinguishes the first and second prints, wherein the circular border is flat or jagged, wherein the first color and the second color are different or the same, wherein the first print and the circular border are concentric with the center of the contact lens. The width of the speckle annular pattern is about 30% -90% of the width of the annular gradient lattice. The second print of circular speckle patterns may enhance the first print of circular speckle patterns. The annular speckle pattern is superimposed with an annular gradient lattice pattern, wherein the inner diameter of the speckle pattern is smaller than the inner diameter of the gradient dot rings and the centers of the rings are concentric with each other. The enhanced circular annular gradient lattice pattern provides an even more attractive design and the eye is perceived to be even larger and more striking compared to the non-enhanced circular annular gradient lattice pattern.

The two layers combine to provide the desired colored design that covers more and emphasizes the wearer's natural limbal ring and eye color than the single layer by itself. On the eye, the pattern provides an attractive design and the eye is perceived to be larger and more striking. Such cosmetic effects (i.e., enhancing the eye color of the wearer and making them more eye-catching while providing a very natural appearance) have also been found to be particularly effective with contact lens wearers having black eyes as well as many other eye colors. This larger appearance is created by increasing the size of the design pattern so that it creates a larger pattern on the final lens to achieve the desired on-eye appearance with a larger iris. This first printed pattern of the present patent application is intended to cover the outer portion of the natural iris (outside the natural pupil area), the natural limbus, and the natural scleral segment just outside the natural iris. Thus, according to the present patent application, a larger appearance is created by increasing the first printed circular ring shaped gradient dot matrix pattern and enhanced by the second printed circular ring shaped speckle pattern. It has further been found that the contact lens described above further comprises a third print of a third color that imparts natural black eye brightness and depth. The same or additional colors, shades, and shades add further depth, thereby providing a contact lens capable of making subtle changes and enhancing the color of the iris of a dark-eyed person wearing the lens while imparting a very natural appearance. According to the present application, the third print is a first tulip flower annular pattern, the third print having an outer diameter that is exactly the same as or less than the outer diameter of the second print; the third print has a smaller inner diameter than the inner diameter of the second print, wherein the tulip flower has a shape comprising two elements: the first element is a worm-like shape having a thicker center and having a first end and a second end that are thinner; the second element is a mirror image of the first element, the first end of the first element and the first end of the second element converging to touch each other, and the second end of the first element and the second end of the second element diverging, wherein the tulip flower repeats annularly around to form a ring with the convergence point directed inwards, wherein the first color, the second color and the third color are different or the same, wherein the first print, the second print and the third print are concentric with the center of the contact lens.

It has been further found that the above contact lens further comprises a fourth print of a third color, the fourth print being a second tulip flower annular pattern, wherein the second tulip ring is formed by repeating the tulip flower annularly around to form a ring with the divergence point directed inwards (towards the pupil). The fourth print has a circumferential ring of flowers of goldends to form a ring with the divergence point directed inwards (towards the pupil), while the third print has a circumferential ring of flowers of goldends to form a ring with the convergence point directed inwards (towards the pupil). Since the third and fourth printed patterns are offset, room is given to emphasize the same or additional colors to give a more natural look to the contact lens pattern and to add further depth.

According to the present patent application, the eye may be given a glint, sparkle or brightness by using a combination of small elements in the design and an ink that may be brighter in color than the rest of the pattern or have a pearlescent texture. Metallic or pearlescent pigments can impart sparkle, or brightness by the nature of their flake type or structure; however, glitter, sparkle, or bright appearance may also be achieved by increasing the lightness and/or chroma of the ink compared to other portions of the pattern or compared to the natural iris. In CIELAB terminology, this will equate to higher values of L and/or C of the elements intended to give a sparkling, sparkling or luminance appearance compared to L (lightness) or C (chroma) and/or the natural iris of the rest of the printed pattern.

In CIELAB color space, the value of L refers to the lightness of a color compared to gray scales ranging from black to white. C refers to the chromaticity of the color, or the degree of deviation of the color from the gray scale. This is similar to, but not exactly the same as, color saturation. The hue angle h ° refers to the hue of a color that can be considered as the name of the basic color: red, orange, yellow, green, blue and violet.

In order to impart a sparkle, sparkle or brightness to the contact lens, the intended element should be between 10 and 90L units higher than the other colors used in the cosmetic lens, or the intended element should have C between 10 and 90C units higher than the other colors used in the cosmetic lens. Ideally, both L and C should be between 10 and 90 units higher than the other colors used in cosmetic lenses.

For example, a printed pattern with a black outer ring and some brown speckle pattern elements intended to blend into the eye may also include some speckles, such as a small flame shape that may be orange or yellow in color, and may or may not include pearlescent pigments, such as mica. Orange and yellow colors have higher values of L and C than brown in their nature, because brown is considered to be a low chroma orange and not considered to be a hue itself. In this example, the orange and yellow will be at least 10L units and/or C units higher than the black and brown used in the lens.

The shade of the elements intended to impart sparkle may or may not be similar to the ink in the remainder of the printed pattern. For example, blue elements with higher L and C units may be used on this cosmetic lens, which would otherwise be brown and black.

In one aspect, the invention provides a colored contact lens comprising a first print of a first color and a second print of a second color, wherein the first print is a circular gradient lattice, wherein the second print is a circular speckle pattern, wherein the circular speckle pattern comprises clusters, wherein the circular speckle pattern comprises a circular distribution of regular or irregular clusters, wherein the regular or irregular shapes are formed by a multitude of dots, wherein the circular speckle pattern has an inner and outer boundary that is not smooth, wherein the second print is located on the inside of the first print, wherein the first color and the second color are different or the same, wherein the first print and the second print are concentric with the center of the contact lens.

As is well known in the art, color is generally described primarily by the following interrelated terms: hue, chroma, intensity, saturation, luminance, brightness, value, and opacity.

The term "different colors" is intended to describe that the two colors differ in at least one of hue, chroma, intensity, saturation, luminance, brightness, value, and opacity. As used herein, the term "second color is different from the first color" (or some similar language) is intended to mean that the two colors are of completely different colors, such as blue and hazel; or the two colors are the same hue but have different lightness, values, such as light blue and dark blue.

The term "circular ring shaped gradient lattice" is intended to mean that the local colored dot coverage in the radial direction (from the center to the edge) of the circular ring is gradually increased by increasing the print density. For example, a greater number of printed colored dots in the area near the outer peripheral edge of the ring causes the outer peripheral edge appearance of the ring to be deeper than the inner peripheral edge of the ring. Alternatively, while the spacing of the centers of each dot is fixed, the larger sized colored dots within the area near the outer peripheral edge of the ring give rise to an outer peripheral edge appearance of the ring that is deeper than the inner peripheral edge of the ring. Alternatively, the print density (i.e., the circular voids) may be reduced by removing the printed area, such as by removing the print from the high print density regions. The inner peripheral edge of the ring refers to the edge closest to the center of the colored lens. The outer peripheral edge of the ring refers to the edge furthest from the center of the colored lens. Alternatively, the gradient spot array may be comprised of a uniform spot density.

The printed colored dot regions or void regions may have any shape, regular or irregular, such as circular, oval, triangular, square, hexagonal, elongated, etc. All colored dot regions or empty regions may have similar or different shapes. Preferably, all printed dot areas or empty areas have a substantially similar shape. More preferably, all printed dot areas or empty areas have a circular shape.

The dot size preferably ranges from 0.01mm to about 0.5 mm. The spacing between dots is preferably from 0.01mm to about 0.3 mm. Also, the print area removed is a circle (i.e., circular blank) from 0.01mm to about 0.3mm, with a pitch from 0.01mm to about 0.3 mm.

Fig. 1 shows a prior art contact lens as an example. The contact lens has a clear pupil section 20 in the center of the lens, and an annular iris section 21 surrounding the pupil section. For hydrophilic lenses, a transparent peripheral segment 22 surrounds the iris segment 21. A colored, opaque intermittent pattern is located over the entire iris section 21, as shown in fig. 1. The pattern leaves a majority of the iris section within the clear space of the pattern. The light transmitting regions of the iris section 21 appear white in fig. 1.

Fig. 2 schematically shows, as an example, a "first printed pattern" consisting of a circular gradient lattice. The dots, preferably opaque dots, may have any shape, regular or irregular, such as circular, oval, triangular, square, hexagonal, elongated, etc. All points may have similar or different shapes. Preferably, all the dots have a substantially similar shape. More preferably, all the dots have a circular shape. The first printed pattern is concentric with the center of the lens and has a substantially uniform outer peripheral edge and a substantially uniform inner peripheral edge. The outer peripheral edge of the first print has a diameter of from about 12.5mm to about 15mm and the width of the first print is from about 0.8mm to about 3.5mm, and preferably from about 2.0mm to about 3.0 mm. The first print may be of any colour, for example black, blue, grey, brown, light blue, cyan, violet, dark violet, blue violet, aqua, yellow or green. The preferred colour of the first print is black or brown.

Fig. 3 shows a "second printed pattern" which is a circular speckle pattern. According to the present application, a circular ring speckle pattern comprises a plurality of clusters of regularly or irregularly shaped circles, such as circles, ovals, triangles, squares, hexagons, oblong shapes, etc., wherein the regularly or irregularly shaped circles are made up of a large number of dots. According to the invention, a large number of dots refers to from 4 to 2500, preferably from 10 to 1500, more preferably from 15 to 500 and even more preferably from 20 to 300 dots. The width of the speckle annular pattern is about 30% -90% of the width of the annular gradient lattice.

Figure 4 shows a "third print" according to the invention which is a tulip-shaped pattern. The third print is a first tulip flower annular pattern, having a shape comprising two elements: the first element is a worm-like shape having a thicker center and thinner at a first end and a second end; the second element is a mirror image of the first element, the first end of the first element and the first end of the second element converging to meet each other, and the second end of the first element and the second end of the second element diverging, wherein the tulip flower repeats a ring around the circumference, the convergence points pointing inward in a U-cup shape.

The third element is a reduced version of the size of the first element and is located within the U-shaped cup and contacts at least one side.

According to the present invention, the tulip flower shape may contain all three elements, or alternatively only the first two elements. This shape repeats annularly around to form a ring with the convergence point pointing inward.

Figure 5 shows a "fourth printed pattern" according to the invention which is a second tulip-shaped pattern. The second tulip-shaped pattern is also made up of tulip shapes that have been repeated around a circle. The second tulip pattern is the same as the first tulip pattern shown in figure 3, except that: 1) repeating annularly around the tulip-flower shape to form a ring with the convergence point pointing inwards towards the center of the contact lens pattern; 2) the tulip flower shape is smaller or larger.

Fig. 6 shows an example of a contact lens containing two printed patterns to form a reinforced outer ring pattern that is a combination of the circular ring shaped gradient lattice of fig. 2 and the circular ring shaped speckle pattern of fig. 3. The inner diameter of the circular speckle pattern is smaller than the inner diameter of the gradient point circle and the centers of the circles are concentric with each other. This circular speckle pattern produces a better fusion with the natural iris.

Fig. 7 shows an example of a contact lens according to the invention with three printed patterns (fig. 2, 3 and 4). The design of fig. 7 is such that the topmost pattern is three printed patterns of a dark well-defined outer ring specifically intended to increase the appearance of the iris diameter. The circular speckle pattern (fig. 3) is superimposed with the gradient dot pattern (fig. 2). The circular ring speckle pattern comprises a ring-shaped distribution of clusters of regular or irregular shapes, wherein these regular or irregular shapes are made up of a large number of dots. The circular speckle pattern has a matte inner and outer boundary. According to the invention, the width of the speckle annular pattern is about 30-90%, preferably about 35-80% and more preferably 40-70% of the width of the annular gradient lattice. When the layers are evaluated separately, the inner diameter of the speckle pattern is smaller than the inner diameter of the gradient point rings and the centers of the rings are concentric with each other. This speckle pattern creates a better fusion with the natural iris. Fig. 6 shows a combination of patterns forming an enhanced outer ring pattern.

Fig. 8 shows a third example of a contact lens according to the invention containing four printed patterns (fig. 2, fig. 3, fig. 4 and fig. 5). The design of fig. 8 is such that the topmost pattern is four printed patterns of a dark well-defined outer ring specifically intended to increase the appearance of the iris diameter. The fourth layer is a second tulip flower annular pattern of similar tulip flower shapes that repeat around the ring in a different manner than the first tulip flower annular pattern.

The second tulip flower annular pattern also has a shape that includes two elements: the first element is a worm-like shape having a thicker center and thinner at a first end and a second end; the second element is a mirror image of the first element, the first end of the first element and the first end of the second element converging to meet each other, and the second end of the first element and the second end of the second element diverging, wherein the tulip flower repeats annularly around to form a ring, the diverging points pointing inward (toward the pupil) to create a U-cup shape.

Such a shape may contain all three elements, or alternatively only the first two elements. For the first tulip print pattern layer shown in fig. 4, this shape repeats annularly around to form a ring with the convergence point pointing inwards (towards the pupil). For the second tulip print pattern shown in fig. 5, the other pattern layers use this shape, also repeating annularly around to form a ring, but with the divergence point pointing inwards (towards the pupil).

The combination of the four patterns creates a coarse dark outer ring and a coarse long wave randomly overlapping flower-sided structure that blends with both the other layers and the natural iris, such that there is an area of non-coverage and the two layers overlap to create a design that blends well with the natural iris and can provide depth, glint or shine to the appearance of the lens.

The combination of four patterns is shown in fig. 8. The first tulip print in this design is approximately 85% to 95% of the diameter of the reinforced outer annular print. Further, the second tulip print is approximately 80% to 95% of the diameter of the reinforced outer loop print.

On the eye, the pattern according to the invention provides an attractive design, feels the eye bigger and more striking.

Colored contact lenses can be made by applying ink directly to a preformed contact lens. A preferred method for applying an ink to a contact lens according to the present invention is by printing (e.g. pad printing and/or inkjet printing) using an ink, preferably a water-based ink.

The ink typically includes at least one colorant, a binder polymer, and a solvent. The ink may optionally include cross-linking agents, humectants, surfactants, monomers, polymerization initiators, biocides, antioxidants, anti-kogation agents, and other additives known in the art.

The colorant comprises at least one dye or preferably one pigment. Conventional and/or pearlescent pigments may be used in the present invention.

The solvent may be water (water-based ink) or any suitable organic solvent (organic solvent-based ink). Any known suitable solvent may be used as long as it can dissolve the binder in the ink of the present invention and contribute to the stability of the colorant. Examples of preferred solvents include water, or water mixed with one or more co-solvents. Alternatively, organic solvents such as ethanol, ethylene glycol, ketones, esters, methyl ethyl ketone, cyclopentanone, and cyclohexanone may be used.

"adhesive polymer" refers to a crosslinkable polymer that includes crosslinkable groups and can be crosslinked by a crosslinking agent or when initiated by chemical or physical means (e.g., moisture, heat, UV radiation, etc.) to capture or bond a colorant onto or into a contact lens (such as articles known in the art).

The term crosslinkable group is used broadly herein and is intended to encompass, for example, functional groups and photocrosslinkable groups or thermally crosslinkable groups well known to those skilled in the art. It is well known in the art that a pair of matching crosslinkable groups can form a covalent bond or linkage under the following known reaction conditions: such as redox conditions, dehydration condensation conditions, addition conditions, substitution (displacement) conditions, radical polymerization conditions, 2+2 cycloaddition conditions, diels-alder reaction conditions, ROMP (ring opening metathesis polymerization) conditions, vulcanization conditions, cationic crosslinking conditions, and epoxy resin hardening conditions. For example, an amino group is covalently bondable to an aldehyde (a schiff base formed by the aldehyde group and the amino group can be further reduced); the hydroxyl and amino groups are covalently bonded to the carboxyl group; carboxy and sulfo groups are covalently bondable to hydroxy groups; the mercapto group is covalently bondable to the amino group; or a carbon-carbon double bond may be covalently bonded to another carbon-carbon double bond. Exemplary covalent bonds or linkages formed between pairs of crosslinkable groups include, but are not limited to, alkanes (single carbon-carbon bonds), alkenes (double carbon-carbon bonds), esters, ethers, acetals, ketals, vinyl ethers, carbamates, ureas, amines, amides, enamines, imines, oximes, amidines, imidoesters, carbonates, orthoesters, phosphonates, phosphinates, sulfonates, sulfinates, sulfides, sulfates, disulfides, sulfenamides, sulfonamides, thioesters, aryls, silanes, siloxanes, heterocycles, thiocarbonates, thiocarbamates, and phosphoramides.

Exemplary crosslinkable groups include, but are not limited to, hydroxyl, amine, amide, sulfhydryl, -COOR (R and R' are hydrogen or C)₁To C₈Alkyl), halide (chloride, bromide, iodide), acid chloride, isothiocyanate, isocyanate, monochlorotriazine, dichlorotriazine, mono-or bis-halogenated pyridine, mono-or bis-halogenated diazine, phosphoramidite, maleimide, aziridine, sulfonyl halide, hydroxysuccinimide ester, hydroxythiosuccinimide ester, imido ester, hydrazine, azidonitrophenyl group, azide, 3- (2-pyridyl) propionamide, glyoxal, aldehyde, epoxy resin, ethylenically unsaturated radical.

The binder polymer in the ink may be any polymer that is compatible with the lens material. The binder polymer may be prepared by incorporating vinyl alcohol, vinyl butyral, vinyl acetate, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, hydroxy group C₁To C₆Alkyl acrylates and methacrylates, amino C₁To C₈Alkyl acrylates and methacrylates, glycerol acrylates and methacrylates, vinyl pyrrolidone, vinyl chloride, hydroxyethyl methacrylate, dimethyl acrylamide, and the like. Mixtures of these monomers can be made to form a variety of different copolymers. Other copolymers may include a variety of different cellulosic resins, polyesters, polyurethanes, polyureas, or polyamides having at least one crosslinkable group. Preferably, the monomers used in preparing the adhesive polymer are the same as those used in making the lens.

The inks used to print the colored lenses of the invention can be prepared according to any known suitable method. For example, a solution of the binding polymer and a solvent is first prepared and this solution is mixed with a paste containing a colorant to form an ink.

Pad printing is well known in the art (see, e.g., U.S. patent No. 3,536,386 to Spivack (Spivack); U.S. patent nos. 4,582,402 and 4,704,017 to napp (Knapp); U.S. patent No. 5,034,166 to rosins (Rawlings), et al, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety). The following is a typical example of such printing. The image is etched into the metal to form a cliche. The cliche is placed in a printer. Once in the printer, the cliche is inked by either an open ink bath scraping system or by sliding a closed ink cup over the image. The silicone pad then picks up the inked image from the cliche and transfers the image to the contact lens. The silicone pad is made of a material comprising silicone whose elasticity can be varied. The properties of the silicone material permit the ink to temporarily stick to the pad and to fully release the ink from the pad when it contacts a contact lens or mold. Suitable pad printing structures include, but are not limited to, a stamp type printing structure (stamp type vario 90/130), a rubber stamp, a thimble, a doctor blade, direct printing, or transfer printing, as they are known in the art.

Any known suitable silicone pad may be used in the present invention. Commercially available silicone pads. However, different pads may give different print qualities. One skilled in the art would know how to select a pad for a given ink.

The cliche may be made of ceramic or metal (e.g., steel). When the cliche is made of steel, it would be desirable to neutralize the pH of the water-based ink (e.g., to adjust the pH to 6.8-7.8) by adding a buffer (e.g., like phosphate). The image may be etched into the cliche according to any method known to those skilled in the art, such as by chemical etching or laser ablation, among others. It is also desirable to clean the cliche after use using standard cleaning techniques known to those skilled in the art, such as, for example, immersion in a solvent, sonication, or mechanical abrasion.

It will be appreciated that either the front (convex) surface or the back (concave) surface of the lens may be printed, but it is presently preferred to print the front surface.

Printing lenses using an inkjet printing process is described in published U.S. patent applications 2001/0050753, 2001/0085934, 2003/0119943, and 2003/0184710, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

According to a preferred embodiment, the colored contact lens may further comprise a transparent coating covering at least the colored region of the lens. The clear coat layer can be formed on the colored regions by applying a layer of clear polymerizable solution without any colorant to the lens surface using color printing and then polymerizing the layer of clear polymerizable solution. The clear coat can minimize leaching of the colorant and can enhance wearer comfort.

Alternatively, the colored contact lenses of the invention may be manufactured according to an on-mold printing process similar to that described in U.S. patent No. 5,034,166 to Rawlings et al (incorporated herein by reference). The ink may first be applied to the molding surface of one or more mold sections by using pad (or transfer) or inkjet printing to form a colored coating (a colored image). A colored coating may be applied on the molding surface defining the posterior (concave) surface of the contact lens or on the molding surface defining the anterior (convex) surface of the contact lens or on both mold sections. Preferably, a colored coating (colored image) is applied on the molding surface defining the anterior surface of the contact lens.

Alternatively, the transferable coating may be applied to the molding surface of the mold by pad printing prior to application of the ink. Transfer coatings are intended to describe coatings that can be separated from the molding surface of a mold and integrated with a contact lens body molded in the mold. The transferable coating can be applied to the molding surface of the mold by any suitable technique, such as, for example, spraying, printing, brushing, or dipping. The transferable coating can be prepared from a solution that includes a polymerizable component and is free of any colorant. For example, a transferable coating having a substantially uniform thickness (less than 200 microns) can be prepared by spraying the molding surface with a solution or prepolymer or solution having the ink components to be used or the lens-forming material to be used. This transferable coating can optionally be dried or cured to form a transferable transparent film (without any pigment but optionally with a dye including a reactive dye). One or more colored patterns may then be printed on this transferable coating or film. By applying a transferable coating prior to printing, a colored lens can be produced in which the printed colored pattern is embedded directly beneath the film derived from the transferable coating. Such lenses are more comfortable to wear and are much less affected by the leaching of colorants from the tinted lens.

After printing the inks of the present invention on the molding surface of a mold, the printed inks can be cured by UV or other actinic radiation to form colored films according to the present invention. It is desirable that the printed ink be cured actinically to an extent that the loss of pattern definition of the colored coating produced by the subsequent filling of the lens-forming material is minimized.

Lens molds for the manufacture of contact lenses are well known to those skilled in the art and are used, for example, in cast molding or rotational casting. For example, a mold (for cast molding) typically comprises at least two mold sections or halves, i.e. a first and a second mold half. The first mold half defines a first molding (or optical) surface and the second mold half defines a second molding (or optical) surface. The first and second mold halves are configured to receive each other such that a lens-forming cavity is formed between the first molding surface and the second molding surface. The molding surface of the mold half is the cavity-forming surface of the mold and is in direct contact with the lens-forming material.

Methods of manufacturing mold regions for cast molding contact lenses are generally well known to those skilled in the art. The method of the present invention is not limited to any particular method of forming a mold. In fact, any die forming method may be used in the present invention. The first and second mold halves may be formed by various techniques, such as injection molding or lathing. Examples of suitable methods for forming the mold halves are disclosed in U.S. Pat. nos. 4,444,711 to Schad; 4,460,534 to Boehm et al; 5,843,346 to Morrill; and 5,894,002 to Boneberger et al, which are also incorporated herein by reference.

Almost all materials known in the art for making molds can be used to make molds for making contact lenses. For example, polymeric materials such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, PMMA, and the like may be used,

COC grade 8007-S10 (a transparent amorphous copolymer of ethylene and norbornene from Taconina GmbH of Frankfurt, Germany and Summit, N.J.) and others. Other materials that allow UV transmission, such as quartz glass and sapphire, may be used.

Any lens-forming material may be used in the present invention and is not presently considered to be a critical part of this aspect of the invention. Suitable lens-forming materials in the manufacture of contact lenses are described by a number of issued U.S. patents and are familiar to those skilled in the art. Preferred lens-forming materials are capable of forming hydrogels. The lens-forming material may comprise one or more prepolymers, optionally one or more vinylic monomers and/or macromers and optionally further comprise a plurality of different components such as photoinitiators, visibility tinting agents, fillers, and the like. It is to be understood that any silicone-containing prepolymer or any non-silicone-containing prepolymer may be used in the present invention.

One preferred group of lens-forming materials are water-soluble and/or meltable prepolymers as described above. It would be advantageous for the lens-forming material to consist essentially of one or more prepolymers (e.g., purified by ultrafiltration), preferably in substantially pure form. Thus, after crosslinking/polymerization by actinic radiation, the contact lens may virtually no longer require subsequent purification, such as complex extraction of unpolymerized constituents. In addition, the crosslinking/polymerization may be absent solvent or not carried out in aqueous solution, making a subsequent solvent exchange or hydration step unnecessary.

Those skilled in the art will be well aware of how to actinically or thermally cure a lens-forming material in a lens-forming cavity.

In a preferred embodiment, when the lens-forming material is a solution, a solvent-free liquid, or, optionally, a melt of one or more prepolymers in the presence of other components, a reusable mold is used and the lens-forming material is cured actinically under a spatial limitation of actinic radiation to form a colored contact lens. Examples of preferred reusable molds are those disclosed in U.S. patent application No. 08/274,942 filed on 14/7/1994, 10/732,566 filed on 10/12/2003, 10/721,913 filed on 25/11/2003, and U.S. patent No. 6,627,124, which are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

In this case, the lens-forming material is placed in a mold consisting of two mold halves which do not touch each other but between which a narrow gap of annular design is arranged. The gap is coupled to the mold cavity such that excess lens material can flow away into the gap. Instead of polypropylene molds, which can be used only once, reusable quartz, glass, or sapphire molds can be used, since after the production of the lenses, these molds can be cleaned and quickly dried using water or a suitable solvent to effectively remove the uncrosslinked prepolymer and other residues. Reusable molds may also be available from Ticona GmbH, samite, N.J., and Frankfurt, Germany

COC grade 8007-S10 (a clear amorphous copolymer of ethylene and bornylene). Since the mold halves do not contact each other in the region of the lens to be produced, i.e. the cavity or the actual mold surface, damage caused by contact is eliminated. This ensures a long service life of the mold, which in particular also ensures a high reproducibility of the contact lenses to be produced.

The two opposing surfaces (anterior and posterior) of a contact lens are defined by the two molding surfaces, while the edges are limited by the space of actinic radiation rather than by the mold walls. Typically, only the lens-forming material within the area bounded by the two molding surfaces and the protrusion of the well-defined peripheral boundary of the spatial restriction is crosslinked, while any lens-forming material outside and immediately around the peripheral boundary of the spatial restriction is not crosslinked, and thus the edges of the contact lens should be a smooth and precise replica of the size and geometry of the spatial restriction of actinic radiation. Such methods of manufacturing contact lenses are described in U.S. patent application No. 08/274,942 filed on 14/7/1994, 10/732,566 filed on 10/12/2003, 10/721,913 filed on 25/11/2003, and U.S. patent No. 6,627,124, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Spatial confinement of actinic radiation (or spatial confinement of energy impingement) may be achieved by masking a mold that is at least partially impermeable to the specific form of energy used (as shown in U.S. patent application No. 08/274,942 and U.S. patent No. 6,627,124, filed 7, 14, 1994, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference) or by a mold that is highly permeable at least on one side to the energy form causing crosslinking and has a mold portion that is impermeable to or poorly permeable to that energy (as shown in U.S. patent application No. 10/732,566, filed 12, 10, 2003, 10/721,913, filed 11, 25, 2003, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference). The energy used for crosslinking is radiant energy, in particular UV radiation, gamma radiation, electron radiation or thermal radiation, preferably in the form of a substantially parallel beam, so that on the one hand good confinement is achieved and on the other hand efficient use of the energy is achieved.

It will be appreciated that the inks of the present invention should have good transferability of the coloured coating from the mould to the contact lens and good adhesion to the moulded lens. The resulting colored contact lens is substantially smooth and continuous on the surface containing the colored film.

Good transferability and adhesion can be caused to a large extent by interpenetrating network formation during curing of the lens-forming material in the mold. Without limiting the invention to any particular mechanism or theory, it is believed that the ink binders of the present invention can form an interpenetrating network (IPN) with the lens material of a hydrogel lens. The inks of the present invention adhere to the lens by IPN formation without the presence of reactive functional groups in the lens polymer. The lens-forming material is crosslinked in the presence of a crosslinked binder polymer in the colored film to form the IPN. It will be appreciated that some of the (residual) ethylenically unsaturated groups in the binder polymer may not be consumed during curing of the coloured coating. These residual ethylenically unsaturated groups may undergo a crosslinking reaction during curing of the lens-forming material in the mold to bond the adhesive polymer to the lens material.

It is also understood that the adhesion between the lens and the ink may be enhanced by a direct connection (bond formation) between the adhesive polymer and the lens polymer. For example, a nucleophilic group-containing binder polymer may be reacted with a lens polymer containing electrophilic groups (such as epoxy, anhydride, alkyl halide, and isocyanate). Alternatively, the ink may be bonded to the lens by having electrophilic groups in the ink binder polymer and nucleophilic groups in the lens polymer. It is also possible to incorporate both nucleophilic and electrophilic functions into the binder polymer to make a curable ink.

(a) providing a pre-shaped contact lens; and is

(b) Applying a first printed opaque colored dot pattern of a first color onto a surface of at least one of the anterior and posterior surfaces of the contact lens, wherein the first print is a circular gradient lattice,

(c) applying a second printed opaque colored dot pattern of a second color onto the surface of the contact lens, wherein the second print is a circular ring speckle pattern, wherein the circular ring speckle pattern comprises a ring-shaped distribution of clusters of regular or irregular shapes, wherein the speckle shape is comprised of a large number of small dots, wherein the circular ring speckle pattern has an inner and outer boundary that is not smooth, wherein the second print is located inside the first print, wherein the first color and the second color are different or the same, wherein the first print and the second print are concentric with the center of the contact lens.

(b) applying a second printed opaque colored dot pattern of a second color onto at least one of the molding surfaces of the lens mold by using pad printing or inkjet printing techniques, wherein the second print is a circular ring speckle pattern, wherein the circular ring speckle pattern comprises a plurality of annularly distributed clusters of irregular shapes, wherein the speckle shapes are comprised of a large number of small dots, wherein the circular ring speckle pattern has an inner and outer boundary that is not smooth, and

The invention may be practiced using any known suitable lens made of a lens-forming material. Preferably, the invention is practiced with hydrogel lenses or silicone-containing hydrogel lenses. Examples of preferred lenses include, but are not limited to, lenses described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,668,240 to Loshaek, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, lenses prepared from water-soluble, Crosslinkable poly (vinyl alcohol) prepolymers described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,583,163 and 6,303,687, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, U.S. Pat. No. 6,479,587, and a cross-linkable polyurea prepolymer entitled "filed 11.25.2003, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, and co-pending U.S. patent application No. 60/525,100Lenses made from water-soluble cross-linkable polyurea prepolymers, and the like. It should be understood that any commercially available lens (e.g., like FOCUS) may be used

Etc.) to practice the invention.

Although various embodiments of the present invention have been described using specific terms, devices, and methods, such description is for illustrative purposes only. The words used are words of description rather than limitation. It is to be understood that changes and variations may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention, which is set forth in the following claims. Further, it should be understood that aspects of these various embodiments may be interchanged both in whole or in part. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained therein.

Claims

1. A colored contact lens comprising a first print of a first color and a second print of a second color, wherein the first print is a circular ring gradient lattice, wherein the second print is a circular ring speckle pattern, wherein the circular ring speckle pattern comprises a regular or irregular cluster of circular distributed circles, wherein the regular or irregular cluster is comprised of a large number of dots, wherein the circular ring speckle pattern has a matte inner and outer boundary, wherein the second print is located inside the first print, wherein the first color is different from or the same as the second color, wherein the first print is concentric with the second print and with the center of the contact lens, and

further comprising a third print of a third color, wherein the third print is a first tulip ring pattern having a shape comprising two elements: the first element is a worm-like shape having a thicker center and thinner at a first end and a second end; a second element is a mirror image of the first element, the first end of the first element and the first end of the second element converging to touch each other and the second end of the first element and the second end of the second element diverging, wherein the tulip flower repeats annularly around to form a ring with a convergence point pointing inwards, wherein the first color, the second color and the third color are different or the same, wherein the first print, the second print and the third print are concentric with the center of the contact lens.

2. The colored contact lens in accordance with claim 1 wherein the first print has a color selected from the group consisting of black, gray, brown, and blue.

3. The colored contact lens in accordance with claim 1 wherein the second print has a color selected from the group consisting of black, gray, brown, and blue.

4. The colored contact lens in accordance with claim 1 wherein the outer peripheral edge of the first print has a diameter of from 12.5mm to 15mm and the width of the first print is from 0.8mm to 3.5 mm.

5. The colored contact lens in accordance with claim 4 wherein the first print has a width of from 2.0mm to 3.0 mm.

6. The colored contact lens in accordance with claim 1, wherein the width of the circular annular speckle pattern is 30% -90% of the width of the circular annular gradient lattice.

7. The colored contact lens in accordance with claim 1, wherein the circular annular speckle pattern comprises a pearlescent color element, wherein the pearlescent color element comprises at least one pearlescent pigment in an amount sufficient to provide a desired amount of pearlescent to the internal starlight pattern of the contact lens to impart a shiny appearance to the wearer's eye.

8. The colored contact lens in accordance with claim 1 wherein the third print has a color selected from the group consisting of blue, gray, black, brown, blue, cyan, violet, blue-violet, aqua, orange, yellow, aqua, and green.

9. The colored contact lens in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a fourth print of a fourth color, wherein the fourth print is a second tulip ring pattern having a shape comprising two elements: the first element is a worm-like shape having a thicker center and thinner at a first end and a second end; the second element being a mirror image of the first element, a first end of the first element and a first end of the second element converging to meet each other, and a second end of the first element and a second end of the second element diverging, wherein the tulip flower is repeated annularly around to form a ring with convergence points pointing outwards, wherein, the first and second tulip annular patterns have the same outer diameter and the second tulip annular pattern has the same inner diameter as the inner diameter of the first tulip annular pattern or a smaller inner diameter than it, wherein the first color, the second color, the third color, and the fourth color are different or the same, wherein the first print, the second print, the third print and the fourth print are concentric with the center of the contact lens.

10. The colored contact lens in accordance with claim 9 wherein said fourth print has a color selected from the group consisting of blue, gray, black, brown, blue, cyan, violet, blue-violet, aqua, orange, yellow, aqua, and green.

11. The colored contact lens in accordance with claim 9 wherein said second tulip ring pattern has an inner diameter that is less than an inner diameter of said first tulip ring pattern.