A composition comprising a
polymer backbone and at least one side group, wherein the side group comprises a
benzene ring-based
chromophore comprising a
ketone at the 1- position, a substituted or unsubstituted amino group at the 2-position, and an
oxygen atom at the 3-position of the
benzene ring having the following formula: wherein R1 is H, an
alkyl group, or comprises an
amino acid moiety or derivative thereof; R2 and R3 are individually H,
alkyl, or any
moiety with a vinyl functionality; R4 is an
alkyl group, any
moiety with a vinyl functionality, a counterpart alkylssne group, or a
sugar moiety; and X is an optional
electron-donating group linked to the
benzene ring at the 4, 5, or 6 position. The
chromophore is a
kynurenine-based compound. Methods of making and using the composition are also provided. The composition can be used in an ophthalmic lens or device for protecting the
retina by blocking UV rays and filtering violet rays.