An contact lens or intraocular lens (IOL) with very high water content polymers that have increased hydrolytic stability to withstand high temperatures such as autoclave temperatures, 123 C or even higher temperatures while in an aqueous environment comprising at least one polymer comprising one or more monomeric subunits comprising a polymerized acrylamide or methacrylamide group, at least one side group comprising an aliphatic carbon moiety substituted by at least one hydroxyl moiety, wherein the one or more monomeric subunits comprising a polymerized acrylamide or methacrylamide group, at least one side group comprising an aliphatic carbon moiety substituted by at least one hydroxyl moiety, comprise at least 50 wt. % of the polymer.