A process for the production of pyrogen-free collagen gels, suitable for contact lenses.

Pyrogen-free (PF) atelocollagen (I) gel for use in soft contact lenses is mfd. under aseptic conditions by (a) removing the corium layer from animal skin under aseptic conditions; (b) washing it with sterile PF salt soln. to remove soluble substances; (c) grinding and dissolving the collagen with acidic proteolytic enzyme in a sterile and PF condition; (d) filtering the soln. through a membrane filter; (e) neutralising the clear filtrate with strong base to ppte. (I); (f) washing the ppte. with organic solvent to remove lipid; (g) drying the ppte.; and (h) dissolving it in aq. soln. to 1-10 wt.% concn.