The invention relates to macromolecular hydrophilic photocrosslinkers having polymeric backbones of substituted ethylene groups carrying photoactive groups. The photocrosslinkers are capable of producing, when being exposed to light of determined wavelengths above 305 nm, radicals which are retained on the macromolecular photocrosslinkers and reacting so as to accomplish a crosslinked network structure. The invention further relates to the preparation of photocrosslinkers, their use in different aqueous systems and their utility in production of medical devices including ophthalmic lenses.
