The transparent optical coating of claim 1 wherein said hydrogel is made by the process comprising polymerizing in water, (a) optionally, a first oligomer of the formula wherein R1 is a hydroxyl or C1-C4 alkoxy; R2 is a C2-C4 alkoxy; R3 is ???O???or ???CO???; R4, R5 and R6 are independently hydrogen, or C1-C4 alkyl; and n is 1-25; with (b) a second oligomer of the formula wherein R8 is H or CH3 an