Computer-aided design of hydrophilic contact lenses

This paper discusses the problems of visualizing new contact lens designs. We have developed computer-aided design (CAD) software that greatly improves lens visualization: this is illustrated for a spherical hydrophilic lens. Designers have the options of displaying magnified cross-sections of any part of the lens, making detailed measurements of these cross-sections, and displaying colour-coded three-dimensional views of the lens surfaces. Future developments are discussed.