Photochromic Lens

Abstract

A cast photochromic lens including a photochromic film and a cast resin, curable by heat or radiation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of making a photochromic lens comprising:
 providing a photochromic layer having a front side and a rear side;   providing a cast lens mold;   placing said photochromic layer into said cast lens mold;   injecting a resin into said cast lens mold against said front side of said photochromic layer;   injecting a resin into said cast lens mold against said rear side of said photochromic layer; and,   curing said resin.   
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein providing a photochromic layer comprises preparing a photochromic laminate film. 
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 2  wherein preparing a photochromic laminate film comprises laminating at least one protective layer against a cast photochromic layer. 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein curing said resin comprises UV curing of said resin. 
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein curing said resin comprises thermal curing of said resin. 
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 1  further comprising forming said photochromic layer prior to placing said photochromic layer into said cast lens mold. 
     
     
         7 . A method of making a cast photochromic lens comprising:
 providing a lens mold;   providing a photochromic film;   inserting said photochromic film into said mold such that a space is present at least between a front surface of said mold and said photochromic film;   introducing a curable resin into said mold and thereby filling said space with said curable resin; and,   curing said resin.   
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 7  wherein providing a photochromic film comprises providing a thermoplastic polyurethane photochromic film. 
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 8  wherein said providing a thermoplastic polyurethane photochromic film includes providing a polyurethane photochromic film having a resin layer on either side of said polyurethane photochromic film. 
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 7  wherein curing said resin comprises one of UV curing and thermal curing. 
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 7  wherein the providing of said photochromic film includes forming said photochromic film to substantially confirm to a base curve of said mold. 
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 7  wherein the providing of said photochromic film includes preparing a cast photochromic film. 
     
     
         13 . A cast lens comprising: a photochromic film; cast resin encapsulating said photochromic film; said resin having been cured by heat or radiation