MXPA02009582A - Fluorescent contact lenses. - Google Patents

Abstract

A contact lens comprises at least one fluorescent colorant dispersed therein or a contact lens comprises at least one conventional colorant and at least one fluorescent colorant. Methods of making and inspecting the contact lens are also provided.

Description

FLUORESCENT CONTACT LENSES The present invention relates to contact lenses of color. In particular, the present invention relates to contact lenses having a fluorescent dye.

BACKGROUND Color has been added to contact lenses to obtain a cosmetic effect on the eyes of people who wear contact lenses. For example, colored contact lenses appear to change the color of the eyes of people who wear contact lenses. Colored contact lenses can make the eye appear to be a different natural color, or to be of a color that does not It occurs naturally in human eyes. At present, color contact lenses are dyed with dyes either by reacting a dye with the contact lens polymer, or by trapping the dye within the polymer matrix of the contact lens. Contact lenses made with these techniques have several drawbacks. First, the dye is often added in one step after the lenses have been manufactured. This increases the cost of the product. Second, the dye can only absorb light, and the cosmetic effect is limited. For example, using known techniques, colored lenses with a dye may make blue eyes look green, but they can not make dark eyes look lighter in color. In addition, using the known techniques, people can not obtain dramatic changes in eye color. Recently, to address these limitations, some manufacturers have printed opaque pigments in contact lenses, in a pattern or intermittent design. The colored and uncolored parts of the pattern or design combine to obtain the appearance of a change in eye color, in people who have a wide range of natural eye colors. This technology, as practiced today, has limitations. For example, the pigments used in the process work only by absorbing and reflecting light. What is needed is a contact lens that solves these limitations and others.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The contact lenses of the present invention solve at least some of the limitations of the above contact lenses. In one aspect of the invention, a contact lens comprises at least one conventional dye and at least one fluorescent dye, so that the fluorescent dye fluoresces when exposed to visible light or UV radiation, thereby providing cosmetics In another aspect of the invention, a method for forming a fluorescent contact lens comprises preparing an ink comprising a fluorescent dye and a conventional dye, and transferring the ink to the contact lens. In another aspect of the invention, a method for forming a fluorescent contact lens comprises mixing a fluorescent dye with a monomer; polymerizing the monomer and forming a contact lens from the polymerized monomer. In another aspect of the invention, a method for inspecting a contact lens comprises providing a contact lens comprising at least one fluorescent dye dispersed in the lens; irradiate the lens to induce fluorescence; detect an area of the lens that is fluorescent, and analyze the area for defects. The present invention provides the above aspects and other aspects, and the advantages of the invention will become apparent, additionally, from the following detailed description of the currently preferred embodiments. The detailed description is merely illustrative of the invention and does not limit the scope of the invention. the invention, which is defined by the claims that come at the end, and their equivalents.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES In general, contact lenses having at least one fluorescent dye dispersed in the lens are provided. In addition, a contact lens having at least one conventional dye and at least one fluorescent dye is provided. Methods for forming lenses are also provided. A method for inspecting lenses is also provided.

DEFINITIONS "Dye" means a dye or a pigment or a mixture of them. "Dye" means a substance that is soluble in a solvent and used to impart color. The dyes are typically translucent and absorb, but do not diffuse light. The dyes can cover both the optical regions of the contact lenses and the non-optical regions of the contact lenses. "Fluorescence" means the luminescence caused by the absorption of visible light or ultraviolet radiation at a wavelength, followed by near-immediate emission, usually at a longer wavelength. Fluorescent emission ceases almost immediately when light or radiation is ceased incident ultraviolet. "Monomer" means low molecular weight compounds that can be polymerized. Typically, low molecular weight means average molecular weights less than 700 dalton. The term "monomer" also refers to compounds or polymers of medium and high molecular weight, sometimes called macromonomers (ie, typically having number average molecular weights of more than 700), which contain functional groups capable of being further polymerized . "Iridescent" means that it has a pearly luster, that looks like a pearl in its physical appearance, or that it has an almost neutral, slightly bluish medium gray color. "Pigment" means a powder substance that is suspended in a liquid in which it is relatively insoluble. The pigments are used to impart color. Because the pigments are in suspension form they tend to have an opacity quality. That is, they reflect light and obstruct the passage of light. For that reason it is preferred that the pigments are located in non-optical regions of a contact lens. "Polymer" means a material formed by polymerizing one or more monomers.

CONVENTIONAL COLORS All conventional dyes and pigments, which are safe for use in contact lenses, can be used to practice the present invention. Conventional dyes include, but are not limited to, those described in U.S. Patent No. 4,865,439, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by way of this reference. U.S. Patent No. 4,865,439 identifies reactive dyes which are reacted with hydroxyethyl methacrylate, so that the sulfate group of the dye is replaced by an ether ligation for the poly (hydroxyethyl methacrylate). • Reactive black 5 [tetrasodium salt of 4-amino-5-hydroxy-3,6-bis ((4 - ((2- (sulfoxy) ethyl) sulfonyl) phenyl) azo) -2,7- naphthalenedisulfonic acid] (Reg. No. CAS 17095-24-8). • Reactive blue 21 [derivatives of (29H.31 H-phthalocyaninate (2 -) - N29, N30, N31, N32) -sulfo (copper ((4 - ((2-sulfoxy) ethyl) sulfonyl) phenyl) amino) sulfonyl ] (No. of Reg.

CAS 73049-92-0). • Reactive orange 78 [7- (acetylamino) -4-hydroxy-3 - ((4 - ((2- (sulfoxy) ethyl) sulfonyl) phenyl) azo) -2-naphthalenesulfonic acid] (CAS Reg. No. 68189-39-9). • Reactive yellow 15 [4- (4,5-dihydro-4 - ((2-methoxy-5-methyl-4 - ((2- (sulfoxy) ethyl) sulfonyl) phenyl) azo) -3-methyl- acid 5-oxo-1 H-pyrazol-1-yl-benzenesulfonic acid] (CAS Reg.No 60958-41-0); and • Blue reagent No. 19 [Disodium salt of 1-amino-9,10- acid] dihydro-9,10-dioxo-4 - ((3 - ((2- (sulfoxy) ethyl) sulfonyl) phenyl) amino) -2- anthrazenesulfonic acid (Reg. No. CAS 2580-78-1). conventional dyes which are contemplated for use with this invention include, but are not limited to, those mentioned in the lists of U.S. Patent Nos. 4,468,229, 4,553,975 and 5,534,038, which are incorporated herein in their entirety by means of this reference. are listed in the list of 21 CFR, part 73, subpart D, and 21 CFR, part 74, subpart D. These subparts are incorporated herein in their entirety, by means of this reference, iridescent pigments may also be included in the contact lenses, like a pigment or conventional.The preferred conventional pigments include, for blue, phthalocyanine blue (blue pigment 15, C.I. 74160), and cobalt blue (blue pigment 36, C.I. 77343). C. I. is the number of the color index, which is well understood in the art. For green, preferred pigments include phthalocyanine green (green pigment 7, C. I. 74260) and chromium sesquioxide. For yellow, red, brown or black, various iron oxides are preferred. For violet, carbazole violet is preferred. See U.S. Patent No. 5,272,010, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by means of this reference. Of course, mixtures of such dyes are used to obtain the desired shade. To increase the opacity of a color coating, titanium dioxide or other opacifying agents can be used. It is possible to mix the opacifying agents which are considered pigments within the present specification and claims, with the other pigments, in the color coating. See U.S. Patent No. 4,963,159, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by means of this reference.

Conventional dyes and pigments are available commercially from companies such as Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company. Conventional dyes and pigments may comprise about 5 percent to 95 percent by weight of an ink that is printed on contact lenses. It is preferred that the dyes and pigments constitute approximately 10 percent to 80 percent, more preferably, approximately 20 percent to 70 percent of the ink that is printed on the contact lenses.

FLUORESCENT COLORANTS The dyes and pigments that fluoresce when excited in a contact lens, increase the cosmetic effect that the contact lens has on the eyes of the user. The preferred fluorescent pigments are those that fluoresce when exposed to ultraviolet radiation or visible light. Preferred fluorescent pigments include, but are not limited to, pigments that can be obtained commercially from Day-Glo Color Corporation under the trade names AURORA PINK, NEON RED, ROCKET RED, FIRE ORANGE, BLAZE ORANGE, ARC YELLOW, SATURN YELLOW, SIGNAL GREEN, HORIZON BLUE, MAGENTA CORONA, STRONG CORONA MAGENTA and STRONG SATURN YELLOW. Particularly preferred fluorescent pigments are BLAZE ORANGE and EL SIGNAL GREEN. Fluorescent dyes (in addition to fluorescent pigments) can be used to prepare contact lenses of the present invention. U.S. Patent No. 4,695,399, which is incorporated herein in its entirety, by way of this reference, discloses fluorescent dyes. Certain organic dyes have the property of fluorescing under ultraviolet radiation. The fluorescence of these organic dyes is associated with the individual dye molecules. In order for the individual molecules to fluoresce efficiently, they must be dissolved in fairly low concentrations in a solvent for the dyes. Due to the nature of the dyes used, it is preferable to have a medium or organic carrier to put them in solution. The type of material that meets these requirements, for a carrier for the dyes, is a transparent organic resin for contact lenses. Fluorescent dyes are also stable in indoor light, or under external light conditions. Fluorescent pigments can make up about 5 percent to 95 percent by weight of an ink that is printed on contact lenses. Preferably, the fluorescent pigments constitute about 10 percent to 80 percent, more preferably, about 50 percent to 65 percent by weight of an ink that is printed on contact lenses.

PATTERNS OR DESIGNS IN THE CONTACT LENSES It is possible to print colored imparting agents on contact lenses in many different patterns or designs, in order to obtain desired cosmetic effects. The fluorescent pigment can be mixed together with conventional pigment and / or conventional dyes, and can be applied as a single color imparting agent. In this case, the fluorescent pigment tends to brighten conventional dye or conventional pigment. This single color imparting agent can be applied uniformly throughout the lens or in various patterns or designs, described below, as well as those described in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,936,705, 5,414,477 and 5,272,010, which are incorporated herein by reference. here in its entirety by means of this reference. Alternatively fluorescent dyes and conventional dyes can be applied separately. If they are applied separately, a first conventional color imparting agent can be printed side by side with a second color imparting agent. Alternatively, the first and second color imparting agents can be printed, one on top of the other. You can add third layers, fourth layers, etc. In a preferred embodiment, the first color imparting agent is a fluorescent dye, a mixture of fluorescent dyes or a mixture of at least one fluorescent dye with at least one conventional dye. In a preferred embodiment, the second color imparting agent is a conventional dye, a mixture of conventional dyes, or a mixture of at least one fluorescent dye with at least one conventional dye. The lived effect of a fluorescent dye can be made to appear more natural by substantially overlapping the fluorescent dye (or mixture of dyes containing at least one fluorescent dye), with conventional dyes. This can be done by printing the dyes or pigments on the lenses, in layers. The first color imparting agent can be overlapped by a second color imparting agent, or the second color imparting agent can be overlapped by the first. You could optionally add third layers, fourth layers, etc. If the color imparting agents are printed side by side, the first color imparting agent is printed on a first region of the lens; and the second color imparting agent is printed in a second region of the lens. The regions may be mutually exclusive, or they may overlap, at least in part. For example, a lens could be printed where a conventional color can be seen next to a fluorescent orange or a fluorescent green, in a conventional pattern or design. This adds highlights to conventional printing. Preferably the regions substantially overlap. That is, at least 50 percent of one region is overlapping the other region. The patterns or designs that form the color imparting agents on contact lenses preferably consist of zones, and the zones may be formed by pigmented, formed regions within the zones. The formed region may additionally consist of points. Examples of zones include: a single zone of iris colors, annular, with irregular internal and external borders; multiple concentric annular zones, annular zones with star-shaped outbursts in the interior and exterior, and a single zone of iris, but of irregular structure, along multiple radial lines. Examples of areas formed, pigmented within the zones include circular areas, ovular regions, irregular elongated regions, in worm-like shapes, radial segments and combinations of these forms. Other patterns or designs have investment masks or other markings to allow the lenses to filter, in order to measure the lens rotation in the eye. These lenses could take advantage of fluorescent pigments. These investment brands are sometimes difficult to visualize when they are in colored lenses. The use of a fluorescent pigment could allow a lens filter to more easily find these marks.

MANUFACTURE OF FLUORESCENT LENSES There are several ways to manufacture contact lenses of the present invention. The following sections describe some of the preferred methods for ink and printing on inked lenses.

INK There are many ways to inject contact lenses; and in the following only some of the most preferred forms are described. The preferred methods described below are intended to be exemplary, not limiting. One way of inking is to form a fluorescent monomer, optionally add other monomers, optionally add conventional dyes, and then polymerize the fluorescent monomer. Another way is to mix fluorescent dyes in one or more monomers, optionally add conventional dyes, and then polymerize the monomer. Polymerization can occur in a mold, such as a molding cup, so that lens formation and polymerization occur simultaneously. Alternatively polymerization may first occur and the resulting polymer may be formed to a contact lens, using any method known in the art, including the use of a lathe. These methods are well known in the art. Any of the well-known techniques can be used, for example, those described in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,158,089 and 4,182,802, which are incorporated herein in their entirety by way of this reference. Optionally fluorescent or conventional dyes can be printed on the inked lenses, using inks as described later in this patent specification. Preferred monomers include, but are not limited to, those mentioned in U.S. Patent No. 4,963,159, which was incorporated herein by way of a prior reference. Particularly preferred monomers include alkyl esters of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, substituted or unsubstituted, of acrylic or methacrylic acid, such as methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, hydroxyethyl methacrylate and methyl acrylate, and the like. Below are non-limiting examples of inking.

EXAMPLE 1 INKED FORMING FLUORESCENT MONOMERS AND THEN POLYMERIZING A fluorescent molecule is reacted with an appropriate functional group (eg, fluorescein isothiocyanate and other fluorescein isocyanate derivatives), with a monomer having an appropriate functional group (such as 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate ("HEMA")) . The isothiocyanate group of fluorescein reacts with the hydroxyl group of HEMA when heated to a temperature of about 40 ° C to 60 ° C for a time of more than 12 hours, preferably more than 24 hours. The HEMA-fluorescein molecule is polymerized in the following manner: TABLE 1 The ingredients are mixed together and placed in a 1.90 cm glass tube, closed at one end. The tube is capped and placed in a water bath, which is heated to at least 30 ° C, preferably to at least 35 ° C, for at least 24 hours, preferably at least 72 hours. The polymer is removed from the glass tube and a contact lens is formed thereof, by methods well known in the industry, such as by the use of a lathe.

EXAMPLE 2 DISPERSION OF FLUORESCENT DYES IN THE MONOMER. AND THEN POLYMERIZATION In this non-limiting example, a tank contains HEMA. EDMA, Blaze orange and azobisisobutyronitrile are added at room temperature, and the ingredients are mixed together, until the contents of the cell are substantially uniform. Optionally a fluorescent pigment is comminuted to granules of substantially spherical shape, with an approximate diameter of 2 microns. TABLE 2 The mixture is added to a mold; The monomers are polymerized and the orange Blaze is dispersed through the polymer. The polymer is formed to contact lenses using any method well known in the art.

PRINTING: FORMING AN INK AND PRINTING THE INK ON A LENS One way to form the contact lenses of the present invention involves forming an ink and printing the ink on the contact lenses. The pigment or fluorescent dye, as well as the conventional pigment or dye, can be formed into inks and printed on the surface of the contact lens. Alternatively, the ink can be printed on a separable surface of a mold, such as a pouring cup, and the lenses can be emptied around the separable surface. Then, when the contact lens is removed from the mold, the separable surface adheres to the contact lens. This method is described in U.S. Patent 5,034,166, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by means of this reference. Table 3 shows several ink pastes contemplated for use with the present invention.

TABLE 3: INK PASTES The pastes of Table 3 containing fluorescent pigments are orange Blaze and green signal, from Day-Glo Color Corporation. Ink pastes, such as those in Table 3, can be converted to ink by adding ingredients such as adhesion promoters, solvents or monomers. After converting these fluorescent pastes to ink, the ink can be printed directly on the contact lenses or on a separable surface, in a mold used to form contact lenses. Additionally, fluorescent inks could be printed as a simple part of the total impression made on the lenses. For example, you could print a pattern in the form of a burst of stars with orange Blaze or green signal, an outer pattern with blue and the outermost pattern of black. In addition, fluorescent pastes can be used in burst patterns of stars from the inside or outside. In the embodiments in which the ink is printed directly on the contact lenses, an activation solution is preferably included in the ink formulation. A typical activation solution comprises from about 60 percent to 95 percent by weight of one or more lower alkyl methacrylates substituted (with hydroxy, alkoxy, halogens, lower alkyl, etc.) or unsubstituted; about 5 percent to 25 percent of a color adhesion promoter, and about 0.01 percent to 3 percent free radical initiator. Table 3 shows a typical activation solution. Preferred weight percentages are about 70 percent to 90 percent methacrylates; about 10 percent to 20 percent of a color adhesion promoter, and about 0.1 percent to 1 percent of free radical initiator.

TABLE 4. EXAMPLE OF ACTIVATION SOLUTION In table 4 the methacrylates are HEMA and 2-ethoxyethyl methacrylate; the color adhesion promoter is hexamethylene diisocyanate and the free radical initiator is azo-bis-isobutyronitrile. Other methacrylates, color adhesion promoters and well-known free radical initiators, which are known in the art, can be used for the practice of this invention. In general, the ink may contain other materials besides those that appear in the previous list, to help printing. Examples include solvents and binder polymers and adhesion promoters. Preferred solvents include: tetrahydrofuran, alcohol, ketone and other polar solvents, advantageously cyclohexanone or cyclopentanone. Preferred binder polymers are described in U.S. Patent No. 4,668,240, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by means of this reference. Preferred inks contain about 10 percent to 90 percent by weight of pigment, preferably about 20 percent to 85 percent. Preferred inks contain about 10 percent to 90 percent by weight of solvent, preferably about 20 percent to 80 percent. Preferred inks contain about 20 percent to 80 weight percent binder solution, preferably about 30 percent to 70 percent. Preferred inks contain about 1 percent to 30 percent by weight adhesion promoter, preferably about 10 percent to 20 percent.

EXAMPLE 3 PRINTING With reference to table 3, Blaze orange and green signal pastes were formulated with a solution of a polymer binder polymer solution (approximately 90 percent 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and 10 percent ethoxyethyl methacrylate at approximately 50 percent). weight percent / weight of cyclopentanone), and an activation solution containing hexamethylene diisocyanate, and printed on the surface of a contact lens. Inks that included conventional dyes were also printed on the lens. The printed lenses were heated at about 85 ° C for 45 minutes to allow reaction of the diisocyanate with the hydroxyl groups of the binder polymer, to trap the dye on the surface of the contact lens. Then the lenses were observed under a lamp capable of irradiating them with UVA radiation. The fluorescent dye in the lenses fluoresced under these conditions and added a new dimension to the cosmetic appeal. Other ways of making lenses in accordance with the present invention include: combining the dispersion method during polymerization, with the method of printing an ink on a lens. For example, a first color imparting agent could be mixed with a monomer and a contact lens formed with the first color imparting agent dispersed in the lens. Then a second color imparting agent could be printed on the lens surface containing the first color imparting agent.

INSPECTION OF CONTACT LENSES THAT HAVE FLUORESCENT PIGMENT The contact lenses of the present invention can be easily inspected for defects. See U.S. Patent No. 5,633,504, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by means of this reference. In short, a method to inspect a contact lens is provided. The method comprises providing a contact lens comprising at least one conventional dye and at least one fluorescent dye, so that the fluorescent dye will flower upon exposure to light or radiation, in one area of the lens. The method further comprises irradiating the lens to induce fluorescence in the lens. The method further comprises detecting an image of the fluorescent area. Finally, the method includes analyzing the image for defects.

SCOPE It will be appreciated that the lenses and methods of the present invention are capable of being incorporated in the form of a variety of modalities, only some of which have been illustrated and described above. The invention can be incorporated in other forms, without departing from its spirit or its essential characteristics. For example, it is within the scope of the present invention to print inks containing mixtures of color imparting agents in several layers, on contact lenses, whether or not contact lenses already have a coloring agent dispersed therein. The described embodiments should be considered, in all respects, only as illustrative and not in a restrictive sense, and therefore, the scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims that follow, and not by the foregoing description. All the changes that fall within the meaning and scale of equivalences of the claims are understood to be within their scope.

Claims (29)

1. - A contact lens, characterized in that it comprises: a) at least one conventional dye; and b) at least one fluorescent dye, so that the fluorescent dye fluoresces when exposed to visible light or ultraviolet radiation, thereby providing cosmetic effects.

2. The contact lens according to claim 1, further characterized in that the fluorescent dye is selected from the group consisting of fluorescent orange, fluorescent green, fluorescent pink, fluorescent red, fluorescent yellow, fluorescent blue, fluorescent magenta and mixtures thereof .

3. The contact lens according to claim 1, further characterized in that the conventional dye imparts a color to the lens, selected from the group consisting of black, green, smoke, blue, turquoise and mixtures thereof.

4. The contact lens according to claim 1, further characterized in that the fluorescent dye is mixed with the conventional dye to form a mixture, and the mixture is printed on the contact lens as a single color imparting agent.

5. The contact lens according to claim 4, further characterized in that the mixture comprises: a) the fluorescent dye that is selected from the group consisting of fluorescent orange, fluorescent green, fluorescent pink, fluorescent red, fluorescent yellow, magenta fluorescent and mixtures of them; and b) the conventional dye, which imparts to the lens a color that is selected from the group consisting of black, green, smoke, blue, turquoise and mixtures thereof.

6. The contact lens according to claim 1, further characterized in that the fluorescent dye is mixed together with the conventional dye, and the mixture is dispersed in the contact lens as a single color imparting agent.

7. The contact lens according to claim 6, further characterized in that the mixture comprises: a) the fluorescent dye, which is selected from the group consisting of fluorescent orange, fluorescent green, fluorescent pink, fluorescent red, fluorescent yellow, fluorescent blue, fluorescent magenta and mixtures thereof; and b) the conventional dye that imparts a color to the lens, which is selected from the group consisting of black, green, smoke, blue, turquoise and mixtures thereof.

8. The contact lens according to claim 1, further characterized in that: a) a first color imparting agent is printed on a first region of the lens and a second color imparting agent is printed on a second region of the lens; b) wherein the first color imparting agent is selected from the group consisting of a fluorescent color imparting agent, a mixture of fluorescent color imparters, and a mixture of at least one fluorescent color dispenser with at least one color imparter conventional; and c) wherein the second color imparting agent is selected from the group consisting of a conventional color imparter, a mixture of conventional color imparters and a mixture of at least one fluorescent color dispenser and at least one conventional color dispenser .

9. The contact lens according to claim 8, further characterized in that all fluorescent color imparters are selected from the group consisting of fluorescent orange, fluorescent green, fluorescent pink, fluorescent red, fluorescent yellow, fluorescent blue, fluorescent magenta , and mixtures of them; and all the conventional color imparters are selected from the group consisting of black, green, smoke, blue, turquoise and mixtures thereof.

10. The contact lens according to claim 8, further characterized in that the first region and the second region are mutually exclusive.

11. - The contact lens according to claim 8, further characterized in that the first region and the second region overlap at least partially.

12. The contact lens according to claim 11, further characterized in that the first region and the second region substantially overlap.

13. The contact lens according to claim 11, further characterized in that, in the overlapping region, the first region is on the second region

14. The contact lens according to claim 11, further characterized in that, in the overlapping region, the second region is over the first region.

15. A method for forming a fluorescent contact lens, characterized in that it comprises: a) preparing an ink comprising: i) a fluorescent dye; and ii) a conventional dye; and b) transferring the ink to the contact lens.

16. A fluorescent contact lens, prepared by the method of claim 15.

17. The method according to claim 16, further characterized in that the ink comprises: a) approximately 10 percent to 90 percent dye fluorescent and conventional dye; b) approximately 10 percent to 90 percent solvent; and c) about 20 percent to 80 percent binder solution.

18. The method according to claim 15, further characterized in that the ink further comprises about 1 percent to 30 percent adhesion promoter.

19. The method according to claim 15, further characterized in that the transfer step comprises printing the ink directly on the contact lens.

20. The method according to claim 15, further characterized in that the transfer step comprises: a) printing the ink on a separable surface, in a mold to form contact lenses; and b) forming the contact lens so that the contact lens has an outer surface against the separable surface, in the mold, so that the separable surface in the mold becomes part of the outer surface of the contact lens when it is removed of the mold the contact lens.

21. A method for forming a fluorescent contact lens, characterized in that it comprises: a) mixing at least one fluorescent dye with a monomer; b) polymerizing the monomer; and c) forming a contact lens from the polymerized monomer.

22. The method according to claim 21, further characterized in that it further comprises mixing at least one conventional dye with a monomer.

23. The method according to claim 21, further characterized in that it further comprises mixing at least one conventional color imparter with a monomer.

24. A contact lens, characterized in that it is prepared by the process of claim 21. 25.- The method according to claim 21, further characterized in that step b) and step c) are carried out simultaneously, polymerizing the solution in molding cups. 26. The method according to claim 21, further characterized in that step c) is carried out after step b). 27. The method according to claim 21, further characterized in that step c) is performed by means of a lathe. 28. A method for forming a fluorescent contact lens, characterized in that it comprises: a) reacting at least one fluorescent color imparter with a monomer to form a fluorescent monomer; b) polymerizing the monomer; and c) forming a contact lens from the polymerized monomer. 29. A method for inspecting a contact lens, characterized in that said method because it comprises: a) providing a contact lens comprising at least one fluorescent color imparter, dispersed in the lens; b) irradiate the lens to induce fluorescence; c) detecting a fluorescent area in the lens; and d) analyze the area, looking for defects.