Hydrophilic contact lenses made using a crosslinking agent of the formulaA--X--(O--(C(O).sub.i --R--(C(O)).sub.i --O--X).sub.n -Awherein R contains one or more cyclic or bicyclic moiety, X is linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl, optionally substituted, and A is acrylate, methacrylate, vinylbenzoyloxy or vinylphenoxy, exhibit superior hydrophilicity, oxygen transmissivity, and physical properties.