A method of forming an ophthalmic contact lens using an additive manufacturing apparatus is presented herein. The method providing a first solution comprising HEMA, PEGDA, and a photoinitiator, forming a support structure on a planar print bed of the additive manufacturing apparatus by depositing a first plurality of layers of the first solution and curing the first plurality of layers, and forming an ophthalmic contact lens on the support structure by depositing a second plurality of layers of the first solution and curing the second plurality of layers. The second plurality of layers are arranged such that a disc of the ophthalmic contact lens is oriented generally perpendicular to the planar print bed of the additive manufacturing apparatus.