Ophthalmic lens materials containing chromophores that absorb both UV and short wavelength visible light

1. A chromophore of the formula

wherein

A=H or CH 3 ;

X═O or NH;

n=2-6;

m=0-6;

R 1 ═H, OH, C 1 -C 4 alkyl, or C 1 -C 4 alkoxy; and

R 2 ═H or OH.

2. The chromophore of claim 1 wherein

A=CH 3 ;

X═O;

n=2;

m=0;

R 1 ═H; and

R 2 ═H.

3. An ophthalmic device material comprising the chromophore of claim 1 and a device-forming monomer selected from the group consisting of acrylic monomers and silicone-containing monomers.

4. The ophthalmic device material of claim 3 wherein the ophthalmic device material comprises from 0.1 to 5% (w/w) of the chromophore.

5. The ophthalmic device material of claim 4 wherein the ophthalmic device material comprises from 0.5 to 3% (w/w) of the chromophore.

6. The ophthalmic device material of claim 3 wherein the ophthalmic device material comprises a device-forming monomer of formula [II]:

where in formula [II]:

A is H, CH 3 , CH 2 CH 3 , or CH 2 OH;

B is (CH 2 ) m or [O(CH 2 ) 2 ] z ;

C is (CH 2 ) w ;

m is 0-6;

z is 1-10;

Y is nothing, O, S, or NR′, provided that if Y is O, S, or NR′, then B is (CH 2 ) m ;

R′ is H, CH 3 , C n′ H 2n′+1 (n′=1-10), iso-OC 3 H 7 , C 6 H 5 , or CH 2 C 6 H 5 ;

w is 0-6, provided that m+w≦8; and

D is H, C 1 -C 4 alkyl, C 1 -C 4 alkoxy, C 6 H 5 , CH 2 C 6 H 5 or halogen.

7. The ophthalmic device material of claim 6 wherein in formula [II]:

A is H or CH 3 ;

B is (CH 2 ) m ;

m is 1-5;

Y is nothing or O;

w is 0-1; and

D is H.

8. The ophthalmic device material of claim 7 wherein the ophthalmic device material comprises a monomer selected from the group consisting of: benzyl methacrylate; 2-phenylethyl methacrylate; 4-phenylbutyl methacrylate; 5-phenylpentyl methacrylate; 2-benzyloxyethyl methacrylate; and 3-benzyloxypropyl methacrylate; and their corresponding acrylates.

9. The ophthalmic device material of claim 3 wherein the ophthalmic device material comprises a cross-linking agent.

10. An intraocular lens comprising the chromophore of claim 1 .

11. An ophthalmic device comprising the ophthalmic device material of claim 3 .

12. The ophthalmic device of claim 11 wherein the ophthalmic device is selected from the group consisting of an intraocular lens; a contact lens; a keratoprosthesis; and a corneal inlay or ring.