A method of measuring the thickness of an ophthalmic lens includes forming an ophthalmic lens over a convexly curved surface of a forming optic, the ophthalmic lens including a light absorptive component, and with the ophthalmic lens remaining over the convexly curved surface of the forming optic, measuring the thickness of the ophthalmic lens using information about the light absorptive component of the ophthalmic lens and an intensity reference value associated with the forming optic. The method includes passing light having a wavelength through the ophthalmic lens and the forming optic, whereupon the light absorptive component of the ophthalmic lens absorbs some of the light passing through the ophthalmic lens. The light passing through the ophthalmic lens and the forming optic, which is not absorbed by the light absorptive component of the ophthalmic lens, is used to generate an image having pixel intensity data.