Ophthalmic lenses with optical diffusion region, ophthalmic device comprising the lens, and methods of forming and using the lens

Abstract

An ophthalmic lens for reducing myopia progression, for example, in children, is disclosed. The ophthalmic lens includes: a first surface; a second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the curvature of the first surface and the curvature of the second surface together define the refractive index of the ophthalmic lens; and a treatment area occupying at least a portion of the ophthalmic lens corresponding to the user's peripheral field of vision, the treatment area including one or more consecutive optical diffusion areas surrounding one or more clear areas. The clear areas are regions in which the ophthalmic lens refracts incident light according to the refractive index of the ophthalmic lens, and the optical diffusion areas are regions in which the ophthalmic lens scatters incident light.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to ocular lenses used to treat myopia and to reduce the deepening of myopia. [Previous Technology]

[0002] The eye is an optical sensor on a surface in which light from an external source is focused from the lens to the retina (an array of wavelength-dependent light sensors). Each of the various shapes of the lens of the eye may be adopted in relation to the focal length of the external light under which the external light is optimally or nearly optimally focused to produce on the surface of the retina corresponding to an inverted image of the external image viewed from the eye. Of the various shapes in which the eye lens may be adopted, the eye lens optimally or nearly optimally focuses light emitted from or reflected from such external objects located within a specific distance range from the eye, and less optimally focuses or fails to focus on objects located outside that distance range.

[0003] In individuals with normal vision, the axial length of the eye or the distance from the lens to the surface of the retina corresponds to the focal length used to approach the optimal focusing of distant objects. The eye of an individual with normal vision focuses on distant objects without nerve input to the muscle, which exerts force to change the shape of the eye lens (a procedure known as “conditioning”). As a result of conditioning, normal individuals focus closer to nearby objects.

[0004] However, many people suffer from eye length-related diseases, such as myopia (“nearsightedness”). In myopic individuals, the axial length of the eye is longer than that required to focus distant objects without conditioning. Thus, myopic individuals can clearly view nearby objects, but more distant objects are blurred. Although myopic individuals are usually able to perform conditioning, the average distance of such as focusable objects is shorter than the average distance of focusable objects in individuals with normal vision.

[0005] Usually, infants are born hyperopic with iso-eye length shorter than that required for optimal or near-optimal focusing on distant objects in the absence of regulation. During the normal development of the eye (known as “orthoplasty”), the axial length of the eye increases relative to other dimensions of the eye until the length of near optimal focusing of distant objects is provided without conditioning. Ideally, biological procedures maintain near optimal relative eye length versus eye size during eye growth to final adult size. However, in myopic individuals, the relative axial length of the eye to overall eye size continues to increase during development, exceeding the length that provides near optimal focusing of distant objects, thereby leading to increasingly pronounced myopia.

[0006] It is believed that myopia is influenced by both behavioral and genetic factors. Therefore, myopia can be alleviated by treatment devices that address behavioral factors. For example, a treatment device for treating eye length-related disorders (including myopia) is described in U.S. Publication No. 2011 / 0313058A1. [Summary of the Invention]

[0007] This discloses ophthalmic lenses that reduce signals in the retina responsible for eye length growth, including spectacle lenses and contact lenses. The lens includes a treatment area and may include one or more clear vision areas. For example, a central clear vision area may be aligned with the center of the lens to correspond to the wearer's farsighted direction. The treatment area includes one or more light-scattering areas that provide sufficient contrast reduction in the image at the retina in the peripheral vision area to slow myopia progression. Discrete clear vision areas alternate with light-scattering areas occupying the areas between the clear vision areas of the lens.

[0008] Among other advantages, the disclosed embodiments are also characterized by eyeglasses that include the feature of reducing the signal of eye length increase on the lens of both eyes in the retina without reducing on-axis vision in either eye to a degree that would interfere with the user. For example, a treatment area that provides moderately blurred peripheral vision while allowing normal on-axis viewing through a clear visual zone can be used by the wearer all day, every day.

[0009] Although the embodiments described below are characterized by spectacle lenses, implementations using contact lenses are also feasible.

[0010] Other features and advantages will become clear from the following disclosure, drawings and the scope of the invention application.

Implementation Method

[0017] Priority Claim This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 436,026, filed December 29, 2022, pursuant to 35 USC §119(e), the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

[0018] Figures 1A and 1B show a pre-ground spectacle lens 100, which has a central clear visual area 150, a treatment area 160 surrounding the central clear visual area 150, and a peripheral clear visual area 170 surrounding the treatment area 160. The central and peripheral clear visual areas 150 and 170 are optically clear regions with refractive indices associated with the spectacle lens (e.g., plano-convex, positive or negative spheres, and / or non-zero cylinders). Referring also to Figure 1C, the treatment area 160 includes an optical diffusion area 130 that scatters incident light, thereby reducing the image contrast of the scene viewed by the subject through the treatment area 160.

[0019] The optical diffusion region 130 of the treatment area 160 surrounds several discrete clear regions 140. The clear regions 140 have no scattering center and provide a refractive index for imaging in the same manner as the central clear visual region 150. In contrast, the optical diffusion region 130 contains a scattering center and / or a roughened surface such that light incident on the region is scattered in all directions in a manner that the scattered light no longer contributes to image formation at the retina. The scattered light incident on the retina will instead reduce the contrast of the image formed thereon.

[0020] The treatment zone 160 is positioned to correspond to the peripheral portion of the subject's field of vision, and the central clear vision zone 150 corresponds to the subject's central visual field. The terms "central" and "peripheral" refer to portions of the human eye's field of vision. For example, the central viewing zone corresponds to a portion of a person's field of vision when one or both eyes are looking straight ahead. With the pre-ground spectacle lens 100 having a refractive index corresponding to the subject's Rx, the central viewing zone provides 20 / 20 vision. The peripheral viewing zone is the area outside the central viewing zone, and light scattering from the treatment zone 160 generally reduces the contrast of the image in the peripheral viewing zone. The peripheral viewing zone can be further divided into the near peripheral viewing zone, the middle peripheral viewing zone, and the far peripheral zone. The "near peripheral" viewing zone is exactly outside the central viewing zone. The "middle peripheral" zone is farther from the central viewing zone and surrounds the near peripheral zone, and the "far peripheral" zone surrounds the middle peripheral zone. Although these viewing areas do not have strict solid angle cutoffs, for each area, some exemplary ranges of the angle relative to direct viewing are: central viewing area 0 to 10°, near peripheral viewing area 10 to 20°, middle peripheral viewing area 20 to 45° and far peripheral viewing area 45 to 70°.

[0021] The central clear visual zone 150 can face a solid angle of approximately 30 degrees or less (e.g., approximately 25 degrees or less, approximately 20 degrees or less, approximately 15 degrees or less, approximately 12 degrees or less, approximately 10 degrees or less, approximately 9 degrees or less, approximately 8 degrees or less, approximately 7 degrees or less, approximately 6 degrees or less, approximately 5 degrees or less, approximately 4 degrees or less, approximately 3 degrees or less) in the viewer's field of vision. The treatment zone 160 can face a solid angle of approximately 70 degrees or less in the viewer's field of vision. Generally speaking, the solid angles facing in the horizontal and vertical viewing planes may be the same or different.

[0022] In the pre-ground spectacle lens 100, the central clear vision zone 150 is circular, and the treatment zone 160 and the peripheral clear vision zone 170 are characterized by annular regions with two radial dimensions. As shown in Figure 1B, the central clear vision zone 150 has a radius R 150. The treatment zone 160 surrounds the central clear vision zone 150, which has an inner diameter R 150 and an outer diameter R 160. The remaining portion of the pre-ground spectacle lens 100 outside the radius R 160 constitutes the peripheral clear vision zone 170. R 150 can be in the range of about 1 mm to about 3 mm (e.g., 1.0 mm to 1.1 mm, 1.1 mm to 1.2 mm, 1.2 mm to 1.3 mm, 1.3 mm to 1.4 mm, 1.4 mm to 1.5 mm, 1.5 mm to 1.6 mm, 1.6 mm to 1.7 mm, 1.7 mm to 1.8 mm, 1.8 mm to 1.9 mm, 1.9 mm to 2.0 mm, 2.0 mm to 2.1 mm, 2.1 mm to 2.2 mm, 2.2 mm to 2.3 mm, 2.3 mm to 2.4 mm, 2.4 mm to 2.5 mm, 2.5 mm to 2.6 mm, 2.6 mm to 2.7 mm, 2.7 mm to 2.8 mm, 2.8 mm to 2.9 mm, 2.9 mm to 3.0 mm).

[0023] R 160 can be in the range of about 3 mm to about 20 mm (e.g., 5 mm to 15 mm, 5 mm to 10 mm, 3 mm to 4 mm, 4 mm to 5 mm, 5 mm to 6 mm, 6 mm to 7 mm, 7 mm to 8 mm, 8 mm to 9 mm, 9 mm to 10 mm, 10 mm to 11 mm, 11 mm to 12 mm, 12 mm to 13 mm, 13 mm to 14 mm, 14 mm to 15 mm, 15 mm to 16 mm, 16 mm to 17 mm, 17 mm to 18 mm, 18 mm to 19 mm, 19 mm to 20 mm).

[0024] The clear areas 140 of the treatment area 160 are arranged in a regular array. Each area 140 has a circular shape and the same size, that is, the same diameter. The clear areas 140 are arranged on a two-dimensional rectangular grid, with a distance Dx between them along the X direction and a distance Dy between them along the Y direction.

[0025] Generally speaking, Dx and Dy are in the range of about 0.125 mm (e.g., about 0.125 mm or greater, about 0.15 mm or greater, about 0.2 mm or greater, about 0.25 mm or greater, about 0.3 mm or greater, about 0.35 mm or greater, about 0.4 mm or greater, about 0.45 mm or greater, about 0.5 mm or greater, about 0.55 mm or greater, about 0.6 mm or greater, about 0.65 mm or greater, about 0.7 mm or greater, about 0.75 mm or greater) to about 2.5 mm (e.g., about 2.3 mm or less, about 2.1 mm or less, about 1.9 mm or less, about 1.7 mm or less, about 1.5 mm or less, about 1.4 mm or less, about 1.3 mm or less, about 1.2 mm or less, about 1.1 mm or less, about 1 mm or less, about 0.9 ... The spacing can be within the range of mm or less (approximately 0.8 mm or less). As an example, the spacing between clear areas can be 0.55 mm, 0.365 mm, or 0.240 mm.

[0026] The optical diffusion region 130 of the treatment area 160 occupies a continuous area surrounding the central clear vision area 150. Referring to FIG1C, a path 180 bypassing the clear vision area 140 through the optical diffusion region 130 can be drawn. A continuous path (e.g., a circle with radius R 150) can be drawn that completes a full loop around the edge of the central clear vision area 150 through the optical diffusion region 130 in the treatment area 160. In other words, a path with the same start and end point bypassing the clear vision area 140 through the optical diffusion region 130 can be included in the portion of each angle within 360° of the circle with radius R 150.

[0027] The clear area 140 may have a size (e.g., diameter) of 0.05 mm or greater (e.g., 0.1 mm or greater, 0.15 mm or greater, 0.2 mm or greater, 0.3 mm or greater, 0.5 mm or greater, 0.8 mm or greater, 1 mm or greater, such as 3 mm or less, 2.5 mm or less, 2 mm or less, 1.5 mm or less, 1.25 mm or less, 1 mm or less, 0.9 mm or less, 0.8 mm or less, 0.7 mm or less, 0.6 mm or less).

[0028] Generally speaking, the clear area 140 and the optical diffusion area 130 are of a fixed size, shape and spacing to provide sufficient contrast reduction around the viewer for myopia reduction.

[0029] Although the foregoing example depicts a single optical diffusion region 130 in the treatment area 160, other embodiments are possible. For example, in some cases, there are more than one optical diffusion region separated from the clear region by other optical diffusion regions. In some embodiments, one optical diffusion region continuously surrounds the central clear visual region 150, while one or more other optical diffusion regions do not continuously surround the central clear visual region 150.

[0030] The density of the clear region 140 can be varied radially, for example, as the distance from the center of the lens increases. For example, due to the increase in density of the clear region 140, the areal density of the clear region can be highest near radius R 150 (e.g., corresponding to the weakest light scattering) and lowest near radius R 160. The change in density can be monotonic, corresponding to a gradient or both.

[0031] In some instances, the size of the clear region 140 varies. In some embodiments, the size of the clear region 140 varies according to the radial distance from the center of the lens. For example, due to the increase in the size of the clear region 140, the scattered refractive power may be maximum near radius R 150 and minimum near radius R 160.

[0032] Furthermore, although the pattern of the clear area 140 is composed of a regular array of clear areas of the same size and shape, other embodiments are possible. In some embodiments, the pattern of the clear area 140 within the treatment area 160 is arranged according to another geometric pattern (e.g., a circle or a hexagon), or the placement may be irregular (e.g., randomly shifted from a regular array).

[0033] Generally speaking, the size and shape of the clear area 140 can vary across the treatment area 160. For example, the clear area 140 of the pre-ground spectacle lens 100 can have a geometric shape such as a circle, an ellipse, a regular polygon, or a combination thereof. The clear area 140 can include irregular shapes such as irregular polygons, kidney shapes, teardrop shapes, spiral shapes, Z-shapes, and similar shapes.

[0034] Referring to FIG2A, for example, in some cases, the treatment area 210 includes discrete circular clear areas 220 and elliptical clear areas 222 distributed through the optical diffusion area 230. Another example of a clear area 240 with an irregular shape is illustrated in FIG2B.

[0035] Other configurations are possible. For example, referring to FIG2C, the lens includes a treatment area 260, which is composed of a series of annular diffusion areas 261, 263, 265, 267, 269 and 271 separated by annular clear areas 262, 264, 266, 268 and 270. The treatment area 260 surrounds a clear vision area 250. The scattering properties of each diffusion area can be the same as those of the other diffusion areas, wherein the scattering properties can vary between different diffusion areas. In some instances, the scattering intensity of consecutive diffusion areas increases with increasing radius R.

[0036] Generally speaking, the radial dimensions of each diffusion region can range from 0.5 mm to 20 mm (e.g., 1 mm or greater, 2 mm or greater, 3 mm or greater, 5 mm or greater and / or 10 mm or less, 8 mm or less, 5 mm or less). The radial dimensions of each diffusion region can be the same or different.

[0037] Generally speaking, the radial dimensions of each clearing zone can range from 0.5 mm to 10 mm (e.g., 1 mm or greater, 2 mm or greater, 3 mm or greater, 5 mm or greater and / or 8 mm or less, 6 mm or less, 5 mm or less). The radial dimensions of each clearing zone can be the same or different.

[0038] In some cases, the size of each diffusion region is the same as the size of the adjacent clear region. In other cases, the sizes of the adjacent clear and diffusion regions are different.

[0039] Although the example shown in Figure 2C contains seven annular diffusion areas, more generally, more or fewer diffusion areas are possible. For example, in some cases, the treatment area may contain two, three, four, five, six, eight, nine, ten or more diffusion areas.

[0040] The scattering refractive index of the treatment area can be characterized in various ways. For example, in this invention, the scattering refractive index can be characterized based on the proportion of the area of ​​the treatment area corresponding to the optical diffusion region 130 (or conversely, the clear region 140). For example, the areal density can be defined as the sum of the surface areas of the optical diffusion regions 130 divided by the area of ​​the treatment area 160, thereby producing a fraction or percentage. Generally speaking, the areal density of the optical diffusion region 130 will vary depending on the size and spacing of the clear regions 140 and can be in the range of 10% to 90% (e.g., 15% or more, 20% or more, 25% or more, 30% or more, 35% or more, 40% or more, 45% or more, 50% or more, such as 80% or less, 75% or less, 70% or less, 65% or less, 60% or less, 55% or less). The surface density can be selected based on the user's comfort level, for example, to provide a level of peripheral vision that provides sufficient comfort so that the wearer will voluntarily wear the glasses for extended periods (e.g., all day).

[0041] In some cases, light scattering can be characterized based on haze measurements (such as international testing standards for haze (e.g., ASTM D1003 and BS EN ISO 13468)). Conventional haze meters, such as BYK-Gardner haze meters (e.g., the Haze-Gard Plus instrument), can be used, which measure how much light is completely transmitted through the lens without interference (e.g., within 0.5 degrees), how much light is deflected greater than 2.5 degrees, and clarity (within 2.5 degrees), which can be considered a measurement for narrow-angle scattering. Other devices can also be used to characterize light scattering for the purpose of empirically optimizing the scattering pattern. For example, a device that measures light diffusion by measuring light in a ring of approximately 2.5 degrees (e.g., the Hornell device described in standard EN 167) can be used.

[0042] Depending on the implementation, the haze value of the treatment area can range from 5% to 80%. For example, the treatment area may have a haze value of 10% or greater (e.g., 15% or greater, 20% or greater, 25% or greater, 30% or greater, 35% or greater, such as 70% or less, 60% or less, 50% or less, 40% or less, 30% or less). The optical diffusion area may locally have a haze value of 20% or greater (e.g., 25% or greater, 30% or greater, 35% or greater, 40% or greater, 45% or greater, 50% or greater, such as 90% or less, 80% or less, 70% or less, 60% or less, 50% or less).

[0043] Generally speaking, eyeglasses using pre-ground spectacle lenses 100 can be distributed through known sales channels (e.g., through ophthalmology professionals) and can be ground to fit the eyeglass frame selected by the subject. Depending on the subject's needs, the amount of scattering in each lens of a pair of eyeglasses may be the same or different. Figure 3 shows a pair of eyeglasses 300, which has lenses 310a and 310b similar to those used for treating myopia. Here, two pre-ground lenses (e.g., pre-ground spectacle lenses 100) with treatment zones are ground to fit in frame 301, wherein the central clear vision zone 150 is aligned with the subject's pupil and installed inside the frame.

[0044] Lenses 310a and 310b have a refractive index determined by the curvature of each surface of the lens as determined by an ophthalmologist for the subject. The lens may be a plano-convex lens with zero refractive index, a single vision lens with both convex and concave curvatures on each surface, or a multivision lens (e.g., bifocal lens, progressive lens, aspherical lens, and the like) with various types of curvatures on each surface of the lens.

[0045] The central and peripheral clear vision zones 150 and 170 refract incident light individually according to the refractive index of the lens; for example, optical effects such as scattering do not substantially alter the path of the incident light. Light incident on the treatment zone 160 is scattered by regions possessing different scattering properties (e.g., mixed refractive index or roughened surface). Therefore, light incident on the treatment zone 160 will not follow a path predicted solely by the curvature of the lens surface.

[0046] Various surface effects can cause the optical diffusion region 130 to scatter incident light. For example, the optical diffusion region 130 may correspond to roughened (e.g., sandblasted) regions on both sides of the pre-ground lens 100. As another example, the optical diffusion region 130 may comprise a surface diffuser, a holographic diffuser, a volume diffuser, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the treatment area 160 has scattering characteristics on the surface, body, or sides of the lens.

[0047] Figure 4 shows a flowchart of an exemplary method 400 for forming a treatment area on the surface of a blank, pre-ground lens using an etchant or abrasive. The procedure begins with lens selection, which is typically performed by an ophthalmic care professional in consultation with the subject for whom the lens will be manufactured. The optical workshop performing the surface treatment obtains a pre-ground blank lens based on the selected lens (step 410). The lens may be a stock blank lens or a custom-made blank lens.

[0048] A mask (or several masks) is formed on the surface of the lens to shield portions of the lens surface other than the optical diffusion areas (step 420). One or more masks may be placed such that discontinuous areas of the lens surface are covered while continuous areas of the lens surface remain exposed. The pattern of one or more masks placed on the surface of the blank lens may correspond to a pattern of arrayed clear areas as previously described in this invention, such as a regular array, different sizes and shapes of clear areas, and the like. For example, one or more masks having patterns corresponding to clear area 140, central clear visual area 150, and peripheral clear visual area 170 may be placed on one or more surfaces of the blank lens.

[0049] Next, an abrasive or etchant is applied to the surface of the lens using a suitable system (step 430). In performing step 430, the abrasive or etchant roughens the surface of the lens corresponding to the optical diffusion area while shielding other areas, thus leaving the clear area unaffected. The surface is sufficiently roughened to provide light scattering from the desired level from the treatment area. In some embodiments, the etching system provides physical (e.g., dry) etching on the surface of the blank lens. Wet etching (e.g., using an acid, such as hydrofluoric acid or other chemical reagent) can also be used. Examples of abrasive materials include sand or other granular materials for, for example, sandblasting the surface using the lens.

[0050] After etching is completed, a mask is removed from the surface of the blank lens (step 440) to expose the refractive portion of the lens (e.g., the central clear visual area 150, the clear area 140). After the mask is removed, the continuous area covered by the mask will be the same as before etching, while the remaining part of the lens surface will be roughened to form the treatment area.

[0051] Due to this roughening from etching / grinding, the surface will have irregularities that deviate from the previous optically refractive surface. The irregular surface will scatter incident light in these areas.

[0052] Depending on the circumstances, an additional coating may be applied to the lens surface after the mask is removed. For example, a filter (e.g., a blue-cut and / or UV filter) and / or a hard coating may be applied. The coating may be used to modify the amount of scattering provided by the optical diffusion area of ​​the lens.

[0053] Although the aforementioned method involves surface roughening of the existing lens surface, other techniques can be used to form an optical diffusion region on the lens. For example, Figure 5 shows a flowchart of another method 500 for forming a treatment area on the surface of a blank lens by adding scattering features.

[0054] Obtain the blank lens as previously described (step 510).

[0055] A photocurable material layer is coated on the surface of the lens (step 520). For example, the photocurable material may be a photopolymer. Any suitable coating method may be used, including spin coating, dip coating, spray coating, blade coating, gravure printing, and inkjet printing.

[0056] A patterned radiation irradiation layer is used in an exposure system, for example, by means of a mask or by rasterizing the beam (step 530). In some embodiments, the light is laser light. In some cases, patterned light can be formed by interference patterns by overlapping two or more coherent beams on the lens surface. Then, excess and / or uncured material is removed from the lens surface (step 540).

[0057] In some embodiments, the irradiation layer can cause a change in the refractive index of the photosensitive layer. For example, the layer can be a photopolymer layer. Before illumination, the photopolymer layer has regions with random refractive indices. The assembly system can have a patterned irradiation layer corresponding to the clear regions. When a region of the photopolymer layer is irradiated, its refractive index can change to a standard value, thereby producing a pattern of regions with the same refractive index, for example, a pattern of regions surrounded by regions with random refractive indices. The regions with random refractive indices that surround the non-refractive regions form optical diffusion regions.

[0058] Two methods 400 and 500 can be implemented to form a treatment area on one or both surfaces of the blank lens.

[0059] Alternative methods may be used to form the treatment area. In some embodiments, the treatment area may be formed by laminating a diffusion film corresponding to the treatment area onto one or more surfaces of the lens. The diffusion film may have a pattern of holes such that when it is laminated onto the surface of the lens, there are one or more clear areas, such as areas not covered by the diffusion film.

[0060] The lenses described herein can be used to reduce myopia progression in human subjects by providing subjects with eyeglasses having lenses containing the therapeutic zones described herein and having subjects wear the devices for a sufficient amount of time (e.g., 5 hours or more per day, 8 hours or more per day, 10 hours or more per day, 12 hours or more per day, 15 hours or more per day, during the day, while awake, when they are outdoors, when they are indoors, when they are reading, when they are interacting with electronic displays). Appropriate use of the lenses can reduce myopia progression in human subjects by 0.1 D or more (e.g., 0.2 or more, 0.3 or more, 0.4 or more) compared to a control group (e.g., over a period of 1 year or more, 2 years or more, 3 years or more). Human subjects are 18 years of age or younger (e.g., 12 years or younger, 10 years or younger, 9 years or younger, 8 years or younger, 7 years or younger).

[0061] In addition to the examples described above, embodiments of the present invention are also included below in any order and / or in any combination.

[0062] Generally speaking, in one embodiment, the present invention is characterized by an ophthalmic lens comprising: a first surface; a second surface opposite to the first surface, wherein the curvature of the first surface and the curvature of the second surface together define the refractive index of the ophthalmic lens; and a treatment area occupying at least a portion of the ophthalmic lens corresponding to the user's peripheral field of vision, the treatment area comprising surrounding one or more clear areas or a plurality of consecutive optical diffusion areas, wherein the clear areas are areas in which the ophthalmic lens refracts incident light according to the refractive index of the ophthalmic lens and the optical diffusion areas are areas in which the ophthalmic lens scatters incident light.

[0063] In some embodiments, the ophthalmic lens further includes a light-transmitting aperture surrounded by the treatment area.

[0064] In some embodiments, the aperture corresponds to the user’s central field of vision.

[0065] In some embodiments, the optical diffusion regions include surface diffusers.

[0066] In some embodiments, the optical diffusion regions include areas in which portions of the first or second surfaces are roughened.

[0067] In some embodiments, the optical diffusion regions include holographic diffusers.

[0068] In some embodiments, the optical diffusion regions include a volume diffuser.

[0069] In some implementations, the treatment area is a ring-shaped area.

[0070] In some embodiments, the one or more continuous optical diffusion regions comprise regions that are continuous along at least one path surrounding the annular region.

[0071] In some embodiments, light scattering in the treatment area reduces the image contrast of the image viewed through the treatment area by 20% or more (e.g., 30% or more, 40% or more, 50% or more) compared to the image contrast of the image viewed through the treatment area via the lens.

[0072] In some embodiments, the clear areas have a size (e.g., diameter) of 0.1 mm or greater (e.g., 0.2 mm or greater, 0.3 mm or greater, 0.5 mm or greater, 0.8 mm or greater, 1 mm or greater, such as 3 mm or less, 2 mm or less).

[0073] In some embodiments, each clear area has the same shape.

[0074] In some embodiments, at least some of these clear areas have different shapes.

[0075] In some embodiments, at least some of these clear areas are circular, elliptical or polygonal.

[0076] In some embodiments, at least some of these clear areas are irregularly shaped (e.g., irregular polygons, kidney shapes, teardrop shapes).

[0077] In some embodiments, the ophthalmic lens is a spectacle lens or a contact lens.

[0078] In some embodiments, the one or more continuous optical diffusion regions are annular regions.

[0079] In some embodiments, the adjacent diffusion area is separated by an annular clearing area.

[0080] In some embodiments, the scattering intensity of each of these diffusion regions is the same.

[0081] In some embodiments, the scattering intensities of two or more of these diffusion regions are different.

[0082] In some embodiments, the scattering intensity of the diffusion regions increases with increasing radial distance from the center of the lens.

[0083] In a further embodiment, the present invention is characterized by an apparatus comprising: an eyeglass frame; a first eye lens mounted in the eyeglass frame; and a second eye lens mounted in the eyeglass frame, wherein at least one of the first and second eye lenses is an eye lens according to any of the preceding examples.

[0084] Generally speaking, in another embodiment, the present invention is characterized by a method for reducing myopia progression in a human subject, the method comprising: providing the human subject with a device having an ophthalmic lens; and having the human subject wear the device for a sufficient duration to reduce myopia progression by 0.1 D or more compared to a control group.

[0085] In some implementations, the human subject is 18 years of age or younger.

[0086] In some implementations, the human subject is 12 years old or younger.

[0087] In some implementations, the human subject is 10 years old or younger.

[0088] In some implementations, the human subject is 9 years old or younger.

[0089] In some implementations, the human subject is 8 years old or younger.

[0090] In some implementations, the human subject is 7 years old or younger.

[0091] Generally speaking, in a further embodiment, the present invention is characterized by a method comprising: providing a blank lens including a lens surface; placing a mask on the surface of the blank lens, the mask covering a portion of the lens surface and exposing a portion of the lens surface; applying an abrasive material or etchant sufficient to roughen the exposed portion of the lens surface to the surface of the blank lens; and removing the mask.

[0092] In some embodiments, the abrasive material includes physical abrasive particles.

[0093] In some embodiments, the etchant includes a chemical etchant or a physical etchant.

[0094] Generally speaking, in another embodiment, the present invention is characterized by a method comprising: depositing a layer comprising a photosensitive material on the surface of a blank lens; and exposing the layer with patterned radiation to change the physical properties of the photosensitive material according to the patterned radiation; wherein, after exposure, the layer forms a therapeutic area on the surface of the ophthalmic lens.

[0095] Several embodiments are described. Other embodiments are within the scope of the following invention claims. [Simplified Explanation of the Diagram]

[0011] Figures 1A, 1B and 1C show an example pre-ground eyeglass lens with a central clear visual zone and a treatment zone surrounded by a peripheral clear visual zone.

[0012] Figures 2A, 2B and 2C show additional examples of clear areas in the treatment zone of eyeglass lenses.

[0013] Figure 3 shows a pair of glasses with lenses for treating myopia.

[0014] Figure 4 shows a flowchart of an exemplary method for forming a treatment area on the surface of a blank lens.

[0015] Figure 5 shows a flowchart of another exemplary method for forming a treatment area on the surface of a blank lens.

[0016] In the diagram, the same element symbol represents the same element.

Claims

1. An ophthalmic lens, comprising: First surface; A second surface, opposite to the first surface, wherein the curvature of the first surface and the curvature of the second surface together define the refractive index of the ophthalmic lens; and a treatment area, occupying at least a portion of the first surface corresponding to the user's peripheral field of vision, the treatment area comprising one or more consecutive regions surrounding one or more irregularly shaped clear regions, wherein such clear regions are areas in which the ophthalmic lens refracts incident light according to the refractive index of the ophthalmic lens, and such consecutive regions have surface irregularities deviating from the curvature of the first surface, wherein the ophthalmic lens reduces myopia progression in human subjects.

2. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1 further includes a light aperture surrounding the treatment area.

3. The eye lens of claim 2, wherein the aperture corresponds to the user's central field of vision.

4. An ophthalmic lens as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the one or more consecutive regions include a surface diffuser.

5. The ophthalmic lens of claim 4, wherein the one or more consecutive regions include a roughened region of the portion of the first surface.

6. An ophthalmic lens as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the one or more consecutive regions include a holographic diffuser.

7. An ophthalmic lens as requested in any of items 1 to 3, wherein the treatment area is a ring-shaped area.

8. The ophthalmic lens of claim 7, wherein the one or more continuous regions include regions that are continuous along at least one path surrounding the annular region.

9. An ophthalmic lens according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein light scattering in the treatment area reduces the image contrast of the image viewed through the treatment area compared to the image contrast of the image viewed through the treatment area via the lens.

10. An ophthalmic lens as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the clear areas have a size of 0.1 mm or greater.

11. An ophthalmic lens as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein each clear area has the same shape.

12. An ophthalmic lens as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least some of the clear areas have different shapes.

13. An ophthalmic lens as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the treatment area includes a second clear area having a circular, elliptical, or polygonal shape.

14. An ophthalmic lens as claimed in any of items 1 to 3, wherein the ophthalmic lens is a spectacle lens or a contact lens.

15. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, wherein the one or more continuous regions are annular regions.

16. The ophthalmic lens of claim 15, wherein adjacent continuous areas are separated by annular clear areas.

17. An ophthalmic lens as claimed in claim 15, wherein the scattering intensity of each of the one or more consecutive regions is the same.

18. An ophthalmic lens as claimed in claim 15, wherein the scattering intensities of two or more of the one or more consecutive regions are different.

19. The ophthalmic lens of claim 18, wherein the scattering intensity of the one or more consecutive regions increases with increasing radial distance from the center of the lens.

Images