Ophthalmic lenses for reducing myopia deepening and methods of making same

Abstract

The invention relates to an ophthalmic lens for reducing myopia deepening and a method of manufacturing the ophthalmic lens. A method includes providing an ophthalmic lens having a prescribed power, the ophthalmic lens having a surface having a base curvature corresponding to the prescribed power, and exposing the material at the surface to laser radiation sufficient to locally reshape the material to form a plurality of lenticules on the surface. The small lenses each have a corresponding power that is different from a prescribed power of the ophthalmic lens.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of an application which entered the Chinese national phase on September 24, 2021, with PCT application number PCT / US2020 / 020702, international application date March 2, 2020, Chinese application number 202080024143.X, and invention name “Ophthalmic lens for reducing myopia progression and method for manufacturing the same”.

[0002] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0003] This application claims priority to Provisional Application No. 62 / 812,639, filed on March 1, 2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Background Art

[0004] The eye is an optical sensor in which light from an external source is focused by a lens onto the surface of the retina, a wavelength-dependent array of photoreceptors. The eye lens can be adjusted by changing shape so that external light is optimally or nearly optimally focused to produce an inverted image on the retinal surface at a focal length that corresponds to the external image observed by the eye. The eye lens optimally or nearly optimally focuses light emitted by or reflected from external objects within a certain range of distances from the eye, and less optimally or fails to focus on objects outside that range.

[0005] In individuals with normal vision, the axial length of the eye, or the distance from the anterior corner of the cornea to the fovea of ​​the retina, corresponds to the focal length of near-optimal focus for distant objects. The eye of an individual with normal vision focuses on distant objects without neural input to the muscles that exert force to change the shape of the eye's lens, a process called "accommodation." As a result of accommodation, normal individuals focus on closer nearby objects.

[0006] However, many people suffer from eye length-related disorders, such as myopia ("nearsightness"). In myopic individuals, the axial length of the eye is longer than required to focus on distant objects without accommodation. As a result, myopic individuals can clearly see nearby objects at a certain distance, but distant objects at that distance are blurry.

[0007] Typically, infants are born farsighted, with an eye length that is shorter than required for optimal or near-optimal focus on distant objects without accommodation. During normal development of the eye, known as "emmetropization," the axial length of the eye increases relative to the other dimensions of the eye to a length that provides near-optimal focus of distant objects without accommodation. Ideally, biological processes maintain a near-optimal relative eye length for eye size (e.g., axial length) as the eye grows to its final adult size. However, in myopic individuals, the relative eye axial length for the entire eye size continues to increase during development, exceeding the length that provides near-optimal focus on distant objects, causing myopia to become increasingly pronounced.

[0008] It is believed that myopia is influenced by environmental factors as well as genetic factors. Therefore, myopia can be alleviated by a therapeutic device that addresses environmental factors. For example, a therapeutic device for treating eye length-related diseases including myopia is described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2011 / 0313058A1. Summary of the invention

[0009] A technique for forming optical elements on the surface of a conventional ophthalmic lens (e.g., a raw finished or semi-finished lens) is described. The technique involves exposing the ophthalmic lens to laser radiation at discrete locations to shape the material at the surface, thereby producing optical elements, such as light scattering centers or small lenses. The technique may include depositing one or more materials on the lens surface. The optical elements may be formed in whole or in part from the one or more deposited materials. The optical elements may be sized, shaped, and distributed in a pattern such that the ophthalmic lens is suitable for treating eye length related conditions.

[0010] Various aspects of the invention are summarized below.

[0011] Generally, in one aspect, the invention features a method comprising providing an ophthalmic lens having a prescribed optical power, the ophthalmic lens having a surface, the surface having a base curvature corresponding to the prescribed optical power, and exposing a material at the surface to laser radiation sufficient to locally reshape the material to form a plurality of small lenses on the surface, the small lenses each having a corresponding optical power different from the prescribed optical power of the ophthalmic lens (e.g., the optical power of the small lenses may be higher or lower than the prescribed optical power).

[0012] Implementations of the method may include one or more of the following features. For example, exposing the material at the surface includes causing relative movement between beams of laser radiation at the surface so that different areas of the surface are locally exposed to the laser radiation. Each small lens can be formed by moving the beam along a spiral path at each small lens location on the surface. Each small lens can be formed by moving the beam along one or more circular or elliptical paths at each small lens location on the surface. The material at each small lens location can be exposed to the laser radiation more than once. The power of the beam of laser radiation can be changed during exposure of the material at each lens location. For example, each small lens can be formed by moving the beam along two or more intervening circular paths on the surface.

[0013] Exposing the material may include focusing a beam of laser radiation to a spot on the surface of the ophthalmic lens. At the surface, the spot of the laser beam has a depth of field of at least 15 mm (e.g., 16 mm or more, 18 mm or more, 20 mm or more, such as 25 mm), wherein the power density of the laser beam varies by 25% or less (e.g., 20% or less, 15% or less, 12% or less, 10% or less, 8% or less, 5% or less, such as 3%).

[0014] The material may be exposed to laser radiation sufficient to locally melt the material on the surface.

[0015] The material may be exposed to laser radiation sufficient to cause bubbles to form in the material on the surface at the location of each mirrorlet.

[0016] One or more lenslets may have a spherical shape. Alternatively or additionally, one or more lenslets have an aspherical shape. Alternatively or additionally, one or more lenslets have a toroidal surface shape. Alternatively or additionally, one or more lenslets have an atoric surface shape.

[0017] The method may include forming scattering centers on a surface of an ophthalmic lens.The scattering centers may be formed by exposing a material at the surface to laser radiation sufficient to locally reshape the material to form scattering centers on the surface.

[0018] The method may further include forming a layer of material on the surface of the ophthalmic lens prior to exposing the material to the laser radiation.

[0019] The material on the surface may be different from the bulk material of the ophthalmic lens. In some embodiments, the material on the surface has a higher refractive index than the bulk material (e.g., 0.01 or more, 0.05 or more, 0.1 or more, 0.15 or more, 0.2 or more, such as 0.25). Alternatively, the material on the surface may have a lower refractive index than the bulk material (e.g., 0.01 or more, 0.05 or more, 0.1 or more, 0.15 or more, 0.2 or more, such as 0.25).

[0020] This material may be the bulk material of the lens.

[0021] In general, in another aspect, the invention features a device that includes an ophthalmic lens having a prescribed optical power, the ophthalmic lens having a surface having a base curvature corresponding to the prescribed optical power; one or more optical elements formed in or supported by the surface, each optical element providing an optical effect different from the prescribed optical power; and one or more material layers coated on the surface, each optical element being located at a discontinuity in the one or more material layers.

[0022] Embodiments of the device may include one or more of the following features, and may be formed using methods from other aspects. For example, in some embodiments, at least some of the optical elements are lenslets (e.g., for myopic defocus). In some cases, at least some of the optical elements are scattering centers. In certain embodiments, the optical elements include both myopic defocus lenslets and scattering centers. The myopic defocus lenslets and scattering centers may occupy mutually exclusive areas of the surface. Alternatively or additionally, at least some of the myopic defocus lenslets and scattering centers occupy common areas of the surface.

[0023] One or more of the material layers may include a hard coating layer. One or more of the material layers may include an anti-reflective layer.

[0024] In some aspects, the invention features eyeglasses that include the device. For example, two devices can be used for lenses in eyeglasses. The two devices can have the same arrangement of optical elements, or different arrangements of optical elements. Or the two devices can have the same base curvature, or the base curvature can be different.

[0025] In another aspect, the invention features another method, including coating a layer of a first material on a surface of an ophthalmic lens, exposing the layer of the first material to laser radiation sufficient to remove the first material from discrete locations of the layer and form pits in the surface of the ophthalmic lens at those locations, after exposing the layer of the first material, depositing a second material on the layer of the first material, wherein the second material fills the pits in the surface of the ophthalmic lens, and after depositing the second material, removing the layer of the first material from the surface of the ophthalmic lens to provide a pattern of separated areas of the second material on the surface of the ophthalmic lens.

[0026] Implementations of the method may include one or more of the following features and / or features of other aspects.

[0027] In general, in another aspect, the invention features another method comprising exposing discrete locations on a surface of an ophthalmic lens to laser radiation sufficient to form pits in the surface of the ophthalmic lens at those locations, and depositing a first material in the pits in the surface of the ophthalmic lens to provide light scattering centers or lenslets in the lens.

[0028] Implementations of the method may include one or more of the following features and / or features of other aspects. For example, providing the light scattering centers or lenslets also includes removing residual first material on the lens surface outside of the pits.

[0029] The first material may be deposited after exposing the discrete locations.

[0030] Exposure and deposition may be synchronized such that deposition begins before exposure is complete. Exposure and deposition may sequentially form material in each pit and then deposit material before forming subsequent pits. The synchronized exposure and deposition may be performed by simultaneously moving a laser and a print nozzle that are fixed relative to each other relative to the lens surface.

[0031] Depositing may involve depositing discrete volumes of the first material in the recesses.

[0032] Among other advantages, the disclosed techniques can be used to efficiently manufacture ophthalmic lenses for reducing myopia progression having a variety of patterns on a variety of different lens surfaces. The amount of scatter and / or myopic defocus can be easily personalized by varying the properties of each optical element formed on the lens surface as well as their density and distribution. For example, exposure parameters of the lens surface or material on the lens surface to laser radiation can be programmed to sequentially and rapidly form various optical elements, such as small lenses or scattering centers, on the lens surface. In addition, the manufacturing techniques can be economically employed, at least as compared to techniques involving molding optical elements on the lens surface, because a single laser exposure system can be used to form a variety of different optical elements in a variety of different configurations. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example laser system for forming optical elements on a surface of an ophthalmic lens.

[0034] Figure 2 is a flow chart illustrating steps in an example method of forming an optical element on a surface of an ophthalmic lens using a laser system.

[0035] Figures 3A-3D It is shown in Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a cross-section of a structure formed during an example method is shown.

[0036] Figure 4 is a flow chart illustrating steps in another example method of forming an optical element on a surface of an ophthalmic lens using a laser system.

[0037] Figures 5A-5C It is shown in Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a cross-section of a structure formed during an example method is shown.

[0038] Figures 6A-6C is a schematic diagram showing a cross-section of a structure formed during another example method of forming an optical element on a surface of an ophthalmic lens using a laser system.

[0039] Fig. 7A and 7B Shown is the laser beam spot path used to form a small lens on the surface of an ophthalmic lens.

[0040] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing a cross section of an example of an ophthalmic lens including an optical element formed on a surface.

[0041] Fig. 9A An example of an eyeglass comprising an ophthalmic lens having an optical element arranged to reduce myopia progression is shown.

[0042] Fig. 9B Example patterns of optical elements for ophthalmic lenses for reducing myopia progression are shown.

[0043] Figures 10A-10C Another example pattern of optical elements for an ophthalmic lens for reducing myopia progression is shown.

[0044] Figures 11A-11F An example of a scatter center pattern for an ophthalmic lens for reducing myopia progression is shown.

[0045] Figures 12A-12B Yet another example of a pattern of optical elements for an ophthalmic lens for reducing myopia progression is shown.

[0046] Fig.13Yet another example of an ophthalmic lens for reducing myopia progression is shown.

[0047] Fig.14 Another example of an ophthalmic lens for reducing myopia progression is shown.

[0048] Fig.15 Yet another example of an ophthalmic lens for reducing myopia progression is shown.

[0049] In the drawings, like reference numerals denote similar elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] refer to Figure 1 , a laser system 100 for forming an optical element 105 on a surface 102 of a conventional ophthalmic lens 101 includes a laser 110 and a beam directing assembly 120, both in communication with a controller 130 (e.g., a computer controller). The laser 110 directs a laser beam toward a beam directing assembly, which directs and focuses a beam 111 toward the lens 101, which is positioned relative to the assembly 120 by a stage (not shown). For example, the beam directing assembly 120 may include an actuated mirror and one or more mirrors to vary the direction and focus of the laser radiation. The controller 130 coordinates the operation of the laser 110 and the beam directing assembly 120 to expose the surface 102 to pulses of laser radiation at discrete locations on the lens to form optical elements in a predetermined pattern on the lens surface.

[0051] In some implementations, the gantry also includes an actuator. The gantry actuator can be a multi-axis actuator, for example, moving the lens in two lateral dimensions orthogonal to the direction of beam propagation. Alternatively or additionally, the actuator can move the gantry along the direction of the beam. Moving the gantry along the direction of the beam can be used to keep the exposed portion of the lens surface at the focal position of the beam, regardless of the curvature of the lens surface, thereby maintaining a substantially constant scattering center size on the lens surface. The gantry actuator can also be controlled by a controller 130, which coordinates the movement of the gantry with other elements of the system. In some embodiments, a gantry actuator is used instead of a mirror actuator.

[0052] The beam directing assembly 120 may include an optical element for focusing the laser beam 111 onto the lens surface 102. In some embodiments, the optical element may focus the beam so that it has a sufficiently large depth of focus so that the spot size of the beam 111 at the surface 102 does not vary significantly across the lens surface, regardless of the curvature of the surface 102. For example, in some embodiments, the spot of the laser beam 111 has a depth of field of at least 15 mm (e.g., 20 mm or more, 25 mm or more, up to 30 mm), wherein the power density of the laser beam varies by 25% or less (e.g., 20% or less, 15% or less, 10% or less, such as about 5%).

[0053] In general, the laser 110 can be any suitable type of laser capable of generating light having sufficient energy to change the state of the material at the surface of the lens. Gas lasers, chemical lasers, dye lasers, solid-state lasers, and semiconductor lasers can be used. In some embodiments, an infrared laser, such as a CO2 laser (having an emission wavelength of 9.4 μm or 10.6 μm) can be used. Commercially available laser systems can be used, such as, for example, CO2 laser systems manufactured by Universal Laser Systems, Inc. (Scottsdale, Arizona) (e.g., a 60W VLS4.60 system). In some embodiments, a femtosecond laser can be used. For example, a commercial femtosecond laser system, such as a femtosecond laser system manufactured by Trumpf (Santa Clara, California) (e.g., a TruMicro 2030 laser device as a TruLaser Station 5005), can be used to form a scattering center pattern of a desired shape and size. The burst mode of such a laser device can achieve much higher burst energies than the maximum energy of a single pulse, resulting in a higher ablation rate. This exemplary laser system can provide a pulse duration of less than 400 femtoseconds with a maximum pulse energy of 50 μJ.

[0054] The pulse duration, pulse energy, and beam path are typically selected to provide an optical element of a desired size and shape. For example, in some embodiments, the laser 110 forms a predetermined pattern of optical elements on the lens 101 by melting material on the surface of the lens 101 (e.g., laser etching). For example, the laser 920 heats and melts a portion of the material on the surface of the lens 101.

[0055] The lens 101 may be formed of a variety of suitable materials including, by way of example, acrylic, MR TM Series materials (such as MR-8 TM 、MR-7 TM 、MR-10 TM and MR-174TM ), polycarbonate (PC) or other plastics, polyamide (PA or optical nylon), or

[0056] In some examples, optical elements were formed on Trivex lenses using a TrumpfTrumark 5000 marking laser station equipped with a nanosecond UV laser with a pulse repetition rate of 20 kHz. The laser station was operated at a scan speed of 100 to 1,000 mm / s and an output power of 50-100%.

[0057] Reference Figure 2 and Figures 3A-3D , a pattern of optical elements may be formed on a surface of an ophthalmic lens using a process including the steps set forth in flow chart 200 .

[0058] First, refer to Figure 2 ,in particular Figure 3A , a sacrificial material layer 320 is deposited on the surface 310 of the lens 300 (step 210). The sacrificial material may be an organic material, such as an organic polymer. The sacrificial material may be a resist material. In some embodiments, the sacrificial material may be a hydrophobic and / or oleophobic material.

[0059] The sacrificial material can be deposited on the lens surface in various ways. For example, the sacrificial material can be coated on the lens surface (e.g., spin coating, dip coating, spray coating, blade coating). The sacrificial material can be printed on the lens surface (e.g., gravure printing, inkjet).

[0060] The thickness of the sacrificial material layer can vary. Generally, the sacrificial material layer should be thick enough to prevent deposition material (see below) from being deposited on unexposed portions of the lens surface, but thin enough so that it can be easily removed by exposure to laser radiation. In some cases, the layer is relatively thin, such as 50 microns or less, 40 microns or less, 30 microns or less, 20 microns or less, 10 microns or less, 5 microns or less, 2 microns or less.

[0061] refer to Figure 2 ,in particular Figure 3B After deposition, the sacrificial material layer 320 is exposed to a laser beam 301 having a wavelength and energy and for a duration sufficient to remove the sacrificial material and form a pit 330 in the surface 310 of the lens 300 in which the sacrificial material is removed. The type of laser used can vary and is selected to provide a beam sufficient to remove the sacrificial material and the underlying lens material.

[0062] The laser beam is pulsed and scanned across the lens surface to create a pattern of holes in the sacrificial material layer and pits in the lens surface. Exemplary patterns of pits are described below.

[0063] In general, the size and shape of the dimples may vary depending on the desired optical properties of the ophthalmic lens. Figure 3B As shown, a dimple is simply a depression in the surface of a lens. In some embodiments, a dimple is a crater with a raised edge. The depth and lateral dimension of the dimple may also vary. In some cases, the lateral dimension and depth are approximately the same. Alternatively, a dimple may have a depth greater than the lateral dimension, or vice versa. In some embodiments, a dimple has a lateral dimension of about 2 mm or less (e.g., 1 mm or less, 0.5 mm or less, 0.3 mm or less, 0.2 mm or less, 0.1 mm or less, 0.05 mm or less, 0.02 mm or less, 0.01 mm or less). In some embodiments, a dimple has a depth of 1 mm or less (e.g., 0.5 mm or less, 0.3 mm or less, 0.2 mm or less, 0.1 mm or less, 0.05 mm or less, 0.02 mm or less, 0.01 mm or less).

[0064] refer to Figure 2 And specifically Figure 3C In step 230, another material 340 ("deposited material") is formed on the now patterned sacrificial material layer 320. This fills the exposed recesses with the deposited material. Figure 3C As shown, a deposited material layer may also be formed on the remaining sacrificial material layer, but adhesion of the sacrificial material is not necessary. In some embodiments, for example, where the sacrificial material is hydrophobic or oleophobic, the sacrificial material may resist any adhesion of the deposited material.

[0065] The deposited material is selected so that the filled pits provide a desired optical effect in the ophthalmic lens. For example, the filled pits can provide light scattering to reduce image contrast for a lens user. As another example, the filled pits can provide a lens effect, providing a myopic defocus of an image formed by light focused by an optical element formed with the filled pits. In some embodiments, the deposited material absorbs certain wavelengths of light, thereby providing reduced light transmission for certain frequency bands or across the entire visible spectrum. In some embodiments, the deposited material is transparent, transmitting all visible wavelengths substantially equally. In this case, the refractive index of the deposited material can be different from the refractive index of the lens material. In general, the deposited material can be uniform or non-uniform (e.g., the deposited material can include a dispersion of scattering centers that are smaller than the size of the pits).

[0066] The deposited material can be deposited in the pits using any of a variety of deposition methods. In some cases, the deposited material can be applied (e.g., applied from a solution or in a fluid phase). Physical (e.g., sputtering or physical vapor deposition methods) or chemical deposition methods (e.g., chemical vapor deposition, atomic layer deposition) are also possible.

[0067] Post-deposition steps are also possible. For example, in some embodiments, the deposited material may be cured or solidified by exposure to a curing agent (eg, radiation, heat, or chemical).

[0068] Generally, ultimately, the deposited material should adhere sufficiently to the recesses that the recesses remain filled with material during ultimate use of the lens.

[0069] Finally, refer to Figures 3 and Figure 3D In step 240, the deposited material 340 remaining on the sacrificial material layer 320 is removed from the lens surface 310. In some embodiments, this step involves removing the remaining sacrificial material layer from the lens surface. This can be done by exposing the layer to a solvent that dissolves the sacrificial material. The sacrificial material can also be removed by exposing the layer to an agent that causes a chemical reaction in the sacrificial material that causes the layer to detach from the lens surface. In some embodiments, the sacrificial layer can be removed by heat treatment. For example, heating or cooling the material can cause it to detach from the lens surface.

[0070] The sacrificial material removal process should not significantly affect the deposited material filling the pits in the lens surface. However, any deposited material remaining on the sacrificial material layer is removed.

[0071] Alternatively, in some embodiments, the sacrificial material layer is not removed, but rather serves to prevent the deposited material from adhering to / facilitating removal to regions of the lens outside of the recess. For example, the chemistry of the sacrificial material and the deposited material may be selected so that the deposited material does not adhere to the sacrificial material and can be easily removed after the deposition step. For example, after deposition, the deposited material may be wiped or rinsed off the sacrificial material layer, but remain in the recess.

[0072] Additional steps are possible. For example, after removing excess deposited material, the lens surface can be polished to reduce any remaining unevenness. Alternatively or additionally, other layers (e.g., anti-reflective coatings and / or hard coatings) can be formed on the lens surface.

[0073] While the foregoing embodiments each include the use of a sacrificial material layer, more generally, the principles discussed above may be implemented without a sacrificial material layer at all. For example, in some embodiments, a pit is formed directly in the lens surface (i.e., without first forming a sacrificial material layer on the lens surface). Subsequently, the pit is filled with a deposition material in a manner that does not result in residual deposition material on the lens surface outside of the pit. For example, the deposition material may be applied by coating the lens surface with a liquid precursor, which wipes the liquid precursor off the surface, leaving only the deposition material in the pit. The remaining deposition material may then be cured (e.g., by exposure to a curing agent, such as UV radiation) or otherwise solidified to adhere it within the pit.

[0074] Although the foregoing embodiments involve sequential coating and laser exposure steps, other implementations are possible. For example, in some embodiments, the deposition of the first material is synchronized with the creation of pits on the lens surface. The first material is deposited only in the pit area, for example by inkjet printing, and then cured, for example, by UV radiation. The scanning head may include one or more lasers, print nozzles, and UV lamps (for example, delivered via optical fibers). They can be placed in a parallel array perpendicular to the scanning direction, as long as they provide a known distance between the laser and the print nozzle, and other arrangements are also possible. This enables the first material to be accurately deposited by the print nozzle into the pit just formed by the laser in front of the nozzle in the same scanning sweep. The timing of the activation of the print nozzle is coordinated with the scanning speed and can be triggered, for example, by a laser pulse.

[0075] In certain embodiments, laser parameters (e.g., pulse energy, pulse duration, frequency) can be selected to provide surface roughness in the pits to promote adhesion of the first material in the pits. Ultrafast lasers, such as femtolasers, can leave a residual surface roughness of, for example, 20 microns or less in the ablated pits while leaving the surrounding areas smooth. The first material and lens surface material can be selected so that the first material does not adhere adequately to the unexposed lens material, but has adequate adhesion in the ablated pits (e.g., due to the surface roughness in the pits caused by the laser). Optionally, a curing step can further improve adhesion in the ablated pits and / or promote delamination of the first material from the unexposed lens surface.

[0076] Inkjet printing of discrete scattering features on smooth ophthalmic lens materials can result in insufficient adhesion to withstand mechanical wear, such as when scratched with a sufficiently hard material. It is believed that, as an example, femtolaser ablation of a similar surface area compared to the intended feature provides a recess in the lens material that accommodates the first material, which significantly reduces exposure to mechanical wear. In addition, the surface roughness left by the femtolaser ablation can promote adhesion of the first material.

[0077] The first material is typically selected to exhibit a different refractive index (e.g., fluoropolymers with a refractive index as low as 1.3) compared to the lens material (1.5-1.74) to produce light scattering (e.g., diffraction scattering) due to the refractive index mismatch at the interface between the lens and the first material. In addition, uneven surfaces of the ablation pits and the first lens material to air and inclusions of bubbles may be used to increase light scattering at these features. For example, if the first material does not completely wet the rough surface within the ablation pits or during the continuous curing process, entrapped bubbles may be generated, which leads to, for example, outgassing of the blowing agent. Using, for example, a non-index-matched optically clear hard coating as the first material may make it unnecessary to remove this material separately from the smooth lens surface.

[0078] To allow for the deposition of non-index-matched materials in one process step, the UV inkjet printing operation can be enhanced with an additional preceding laser ablation step. For example, a printer scan head can be integrated with a UV inkjet system to ensure precise deposition of ink in the ablation pits, followed by immediate curing of a continuous UV exposure (also integrated in the print head). The use of a laser array (e.g., fiber lasers or delivered via fiber optics) and parallel continuous printing nozzles can reduce processing time because a larger area of ​​the lens surface is processed in one scan. By using, for example, a galvanometer laser scan head, the number of lasers can be smaller than the number of printing nozzles. In this case, the geometric relationship between the ablation pits, the scanning speed, and the nozzles should be known and coordinated. The laser pulse used to ablate the material can be used to trigger the opening of the printing nozzle by introducing a delay that takes into account the scanning distance of the printer scan head, the distance between the nozzle and the ablation pit, and the ink fluid dynamics.

[0079] Although the above-described embodiments involving the simultaneous deposition of droplets of material in areas of a lens exposed to laser radiation are in the context of producing ophthalmic lenses for reducing myopia progression, more generally, these techniques may also be used in other applications (e.g., on substrates other than ophthalmic lenses).

[0080] refer to Figure 4 and Figures 5A-5C In certain implementations, a laser system can be used to reshape material deposited on the surface of an ophthalmic lens into a small lens. Figure 4 A flowchart 400 showing steps in an example method is shown in FIG. Figures 5A-5C The steps in this example are shown. Figure 4 and Figure 5AIn a first step 410, an ophthalmic lens 500 is selected. The ophthalmic lens 500 may have a prescribed optical power for a particular subject. Typically, the ophthalmic lens has a surface 510 or a pair of surfaces having a specific base curvature corresponding to the prescribed optical power. The ophthalmic lens 500 may be a stock ophthalmic lens.

[0081] In step 420, a layer of material 520 is deposited onto the surface 510 of the ophthalmic lens 500. In general, the material can be any material suitable for forming a small lens, including suitable organic polymers or inorganic glass materials. For example, the material can be deposited using any suitable method, such as those discussed above. In some embodiments, the material can be deposited as a transfer film. For example, the material can be in the form of a film with an adhesive layer that adheres the material layer to the surface 510.

[0082] In some embodiments, an intermediate layer may be formed on surface 510 prior to depositing layer 520. For example, one or more layers may be deposited to promote adhesion of layer 520 to surface 510. Alternatively or additionally, one or more layers may be deposited to facilitate release of layer 520.

[0083] Specific reference Figure 4 and Figure 5B In a subsequent step 430, the material at the surface is exposed to laser radiation 501 sufficient to locally reshape the material to form a small lens 522 on the surface 510. The small lens 522 has an optical power different from the base power of the lens 500, so that the small lens provides a myopic defocus of the incident light to the user of the final lens.

[0084] Typically, the laser exposure is controlled to locally change the shape of the material of layer 520 to form the lens 522. For example, in some embodiments, the material forming layer 522 can be locally melted by the laser beam and agglomerated to form a spherical or approximately spherical small lens. The specific shape of the small lens can be determined by the surface energy of the molten material and the lens surface 510, as well as the parameters of the laser exposure. The parameters of the laser exposure may include laser wavelength, laser focal length, spot size, scanning speed, scanning path, and pulse duration. In some cases, portions of layer 522 may be exposed to laser radiation more than once in order to form a small lens. Alternatively or additionally, the focal length of the laser radiation beam may be varied during exposure of the material at each lens location.

[0085] The spot size of the laser at layer 520 can be smaller than the lateral size of the small mirror. For example, the spot diameter can be in the range of 10 μm to 500 μm, and the small mirror can have a lateral size in the range of, for example, from 500 μm to 3 mm. To form the small mirror, the laser spot can be scanned over the lateral area of ​​the small mirror 522.

[0086] In some embodiments, the material of layer 520 is exposed to laser radiation sufficient to cause bubbles to form in the material on the surface at the location of each mirrorlet.

[0087] In general, the shape of the lenslet can vary depending on the desired optical function of the lenslet. In some embodiments, a spherical lenslet can be formed. Alternatively or additionally, a lenslet can be formed with an aspherical surface shape. In other examples, a lenslet can be formed with a toroidal shape or a toroidal shape.

[0088] The laser beam is scanned from lenslet location to lenslet location according to a lenslet pattern, thereby generating a plurality of lenslets on the surface of lens 500. Example lenslet patterns are described below.

[0089] Specific reference Figure 5C Optionally, the remaining material of layer 520 can be removed from surface 510 of lens 500, leaving small lenses 522. For example, where a transfer adhesive is used to apply layer 520 of material to surface 510, the remaining material of the layer (i.e., material that is not reshaped into small lenses) can simply be peeled off lens surface 510. Alternative removal methods include the use of an etchant, such as a chemical or physical etchant.

[0090] In some embodiments, both lenslets and scattering centers can be formed on the same ophthalmic lens surface. In some cases, lenslets and scattering centers can be formed in the same laser exposure process simply by varying the properties of the exposure (e.g., exposure time, area, and / or power).

[0091] In some embodiments, the optical element can be formed simply by exposing the surface of an ophthalmic lens directly to laser radiation rather than depositing a layer of material on the surface of the lens. Figures 6A-6C , laser radiation 601 is used to form small lenses 630 in the surface 610 of the ophthalmic lens 600. Figure 6B As shown, laser radiation 601 locally melts a portion 620 of lens 600, reshaping lens surface 610 at that portion to provide lenslet 630. For example, heating the lens material may cause the molten material to expand, reshaping the lens surface.

[0092] Where the size of the optical element is formed to be significantly larger than the spot size of the laser beam, the beam can be steered to trace a path over an area corresponding to the location of the optical element. Fig. 7A and 7B An example laser beam path is shown in FIG. Fig. 7A A spiral path 700 is shown, and Figure 7BA path consisting of a series of staggered circles 710 is shown. Staggered ellipses or other shapes are also possible. Typically, the number of passes around the axis of the lenslet (e.g., Figure 7B The number of circles 710 in the path of the lenslet depends, for example, on the laser beam spot size and the lenslet size. Optionally, the laser can repeat similar paths over the same spot, for example, decreasing the radius of the circle or spiral at each path to allow the outer regions forming the lenslet to cool while the center is still melted or re-melted.

[0093] The laser beam path can be used to control the melting and solidification dynamics to maximize the protrusion or depression vertical height / depth of the formed lenslet.

[0094] In some embodiments, optical features are formed on a conventional ophthalmic lens that includes one or more coating layers on the surface of the bulk material of the lens. For example, the ophthalmic lens may include a hard coating and / or an anti-reflective coating. Exposure to a laser beam may locally remove or reconstruct these coatings, for example, by melting, thereby producing a structure in which the optical features formed on the lens surface are in the locations where the coatings are removed or reconstructed.

[0095] The laser beam path can be selected to control the smoothness of the optical element surface, for example, to produce a rough surface to create scattering centers, or a smooth surface to create small lenses. Rough surfaces can be produced by adjusting the focal density during the path, interfering with the formation of smooth droplets and creating areas of different viscosities / temperatures within the area under laser impact. Additionally, the material is foamed by trapping gases from outgassing or evaporation, which forms bubbles in the material below the viscous cured surface layer.

[0096] Figure 8 An example of an ophthalmic lens having one or more layers of material coating on a surface of the lens, the ophthalmic lens including a plurality of small lenses at locations where the coating is removed, is shown in FIG. Here, the ophthalmic lens 800 includes a conventional lens 810 having a prescribed optical power and a surface 811 having a surface with a base curvature corresponding to the prescribed optical power. A plurality of small lenses 820 are formed in or supported by the surface. The small lenses 820 may be formed using the techniques described above. Figure 8 As shown in the inset of FIG. 8 , surface 811 supports one or more coatings 830 (e.g., hard coatings and / or anti-reflective coatings). Small mirrors 820 are located in corresponding discontinuities in coating 830. Discontinuities can be created by a forming process in which a coating is applied to a raw lens prior to laser exposure, and a subsequent laser exposure locally removes the coating prior to or while the lens surface is reshaped to form small mirrors.

[0097] Although lens 800 features a lenticule, scattering centers may be similarly provided in an ophthalmic lens having one or more pre-applied coatings.

[0098] The resulting ophthalmic lenses can be used in eyeglasses for reducing myopia or other eye-lengthening disorders. For example, the above techniques can be used to form optical elements on a circular lens blank that is subsequently shaped using conventional methods to fit into a pair of eyeglass frames. Fig. 9A , discloses myopia reducing eyeglasses 900 that allow both eyes to be treated simultaneously without substantially compromising clear vision. In addition, the eyeglasses are sufficiently sturdy and unobtrusive to enable the wearer to carry out the same daily activities without eyeglass failure and without becoming self-conscious about their appearance, which is particularly desirable since eyeglasses are often used to prevent eye elongation in children.

[0099] The myopia reducing glasses 900 consist of a pair of frames 901 and ophthalmic lenses 910a and 910b mounted in the frames. Typically, the ophthalmic lenses can be plano lenses, single vision lenses (e.g., with positive or negative optical power), or multifocal lenses (e.g., bifocal or progressive lenses). The ophthalmic lenses 910a and 910b each have a clear aperture 920a and 920b surrounded by contrast reducing regions 930a and 930b, respectively. The clear apertures 920a and 920b are positioned to coincide with the wearer's on-axis viewing position, while the contrast reducing regions 930a and 930b correspond to the wearer's peripheral vision. Also refer to Fig. 9B , in this example, the reduced contrast regions 930a and 930b consist of an array of scattering centers 940 that reduce the contrast of objects in the wearer's peripheral vision by scattering light that passes through those regions toward the wearer's eyes. Generally, the scattering centers 940 can be provided by forming protrusions and / or depressions on one or both surfaces of each lens in regions 930a and 930b, and / or by forming scattering inclusions in the lens material itself in these regions. More generally, in other examples, the reduced contrast regions can include small lenses instead of or in addition to the scattering centers.

[0100] The size and shape of the clear aperture may vary. Typically, the clear aperture provides a cone of vision for the wearer for which their visual acuity is best corrected (e.g., to 20 / 15 or 20 / 20). In some embodiments, the maximum dimension of the aperture (in the xy plane) is in the range of about 0.2 mm (e.g., about 0.3 mm or more, about 0.4 mm or more, about 0.5 mm or more, about 0.6 mm or more, about 0.7 mm or more, about 0.8 mm or more, about 0.9 mm or more) to about 1.5 cm (e.g., about 1.4 cm or less, about 1.3 cm or less, about 1.2 cm or less, about 1.1 cm or less, about 1 cm or less). Where the aperture is circular, for example, as Fig. 9A As shown, this dimension corresponds to the diameter of a circle (ie, Ax=Ay), but non-circular (eg, elliptical, polygonal, Ax≠Ay) apertures may also be used.

[0101] The clear aperture can subtend a solid angle of about 30 degrees or less (e.g., about 25 degrees or less, about 20 degrees or less, about 15 degrees or less, about 12 degrees or less, about 10 degrees or less, about 9 degrees or less, about 8 degrees or less, about 7 degrees or less, about 6 degrees or less, about 5 degrees or less, about 4 degrees or less, about 3 degrees or less) within the observer's field of view. The solid angles subtended in the horizontal and vertical viewing planes can be the same or different.

[0102] Typically, the scattering center pattern in the contrast-reducing regions 930a and 930b can be selected based on a variety of design parameters to provide a desired degree of light scattering on the user's retina. Typically, these design parameters include, for example, the scattering center density, its size and shape, and its refractive index, and these parameters will be discussed in more detail below. Ideally, the scattering center pattern is selected to provide high visual acuity on the fovea and reduced image contrast on other parts of the retina, and the discomfort to the wearer is low enough to allow extended, continuous wear. For example, for children, it may be desirable to wear glasses comfortably most of the day (if not all). Alternatively or additionally, the scattering center pattern can be designed for specific tasks, especially tasks that are considered to strongly promote eye length growth, such as video games, reading or other wide-angle, high-contrast image exposure. For example, in such a case (e.g., a user experiences high contrast in his peripheral vision and / or does not require the wearer to use peripheral vision to move and orient himself), the scattering intensity and scattering angle of the periphery may increase, while considerations of awareness and self-esteem may decrease. This can result in higher efficiency of peripheral contrast reduction in such high contrast environments.

[0103] It is believed that reducing image contrast on the fovea of ​​a user's eye is less effective in controlling eye growth than reducing image contrast on other parts of the user's retina. Therefore, the scattering center pattern can be customized to reduce (e.g., minimize) light scattered into the user's fovea, while relatively more light on other parts of the retina is scattered light. The amount of scattered light on the fovea can be affected by the size of the clear apertures 920a and 920b, respectively, but also by the properties of the scattering centers, especially the properties of the scattering centers closest to the clear apertures. For example, in some embodiments, the scattering centers closest to the clear aperture can be designed to scatter less efficiently than scattering centers farther away. Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, the scattering centers closest to the clear aperture can be designed to have a smaller angle of forward scattering than scattering centers farther away from the aperture.

[0104] In certain embodiments, the scattering center can be designed to transmit reduced narrow angle scattering and increased wide angle scattering to create a uniform light distribution / low contrast signal on the retina while maintaining acuity through the geometry of the scattering center. For example, the scattering center can be designed to generate significant wide angle forward scattering (e.g., such as greater than 10%, 20% or more, 30% or more, 40% or more, 50% or more, deflected more than 2.5 degrees). Narrow angle forward scattering (i.e., within 2.5 degrees) can be kept relatively low (e.g., 50% or less, 40% or less, 30% or less, 20% or less).

[0105] In general, various different indicators can be used to evaluate the performance of the scattering center pattern to optimize the scattering center pattern for use in glasses that reduce myopia. For example, the scattering center pattern can be empirically optimized based on, for example, physical measurements of lenses with different scattering center patterns. For example, light scattering can be characterized based on haze measurements, such as international test standards for haze (e.g., ASTM D1003 and BS EN ISO13468). A conventional haze meter can be used, such as a BYK-Gardner haze meter (such as a Haze-GardPlus instrument), which measures the total amount of light transmitted through the lens, the amount of undisturbed transmitted light (e.g., within 0.5 degrees), the amount of light deflected more than 2.5 degrees, and clarity (amount within 2.5 degrees). In order to empirically optimize the scattering pattern, other equipment can also be used to characterize light scattering. For example, an equipment (e.g., Hornell's equipment) that measures light diffusion by measuring light in an annular ring of about 2.5 degrees can be used.

[0106] Alternatively or additionally, the scatter center pattern may be optimized by computer modeling software (eg, Zemax or Code V).

[0107] In some embodiments, the scattering center pattern can be designed based on optimization of a point spread function, which is a representation of the image of the scattering centers on the retina. For example, the size, shape, and spacing of the scattering centers can be varied to evenly diffuse the illumination of the retina so that the retina outside the fovea is evenly covered with scattered light to reduce (e.g., minimize) the contrast of that retinal area.

[0108] In some embodiments, optimization of light scattering covering the peripheral retina enhances the intensity of scattered light relative to undistracted light in certain areas of the retina to more strongly suppress high contrast images. High contrast images, such as reading black and white text, tend to originate more from the lower half of the optic orbit. Therefore, stronger coverage of the superior retinal orbit with scattered light can be beneficial to reduce the signal of axial length growth while reducing visual effects on the superior optic orbit, such as glare or halos.

[0109] Alternatively or additionally, the scattering center pattern can be designed based on the optimization of the modulus transfer function, which refers to the spatial frequency response of the human visual system. For example, the size, shape and spacing of the scattering centers can be varied to smooth the attenuation of a range of spatial frequencies. The design parameters of the scattering center pattern can be varied to increase or decrease certain spatial frequencies as needed. Typically, the spatial frequencies of visual interest are 18 cycles per degree on the fine side and 1.5 cycles per degree on the coarse side. The scattering center pattern can be designed to provide an enhanced signal on certain subsets of the spatial frequencies within this range.

[0110] The foregoing indices can be used to evaluate the scattering center pattern based on the size and / or shape of the scattering centers, both of which can vary as desired. For example, the scattering centers can be substantially circular (e.g., spherical), elongated (e.g., elliptical), or irregularly shaped. Typically, the size of the protrusions (e.g., Fig. 9B The diameter shown) should be large enough to scatter visible light, but small enough not to be discernible by the wearer during normal use. For example, the size of the scattering center (measured in the xy plane) can be about 0.001 mm or larger (e.g., about 0.005 mm or larger, about 0.01 mm or larger, about 0.015 mm or larger, about 0.02 mm or larger, about 0.025 mm or larger, about 0.03 mm or larger, about 0.035 mm or larger, about 0.04 mm or larger, about 0.045 mm or larger, about 0.05 mm or larger, about 0.055 mm or larger). m or more, about 0.06mm or more, about 0.07mm or more, about 0.08mm or more, about 0.09mm or more, about 0.1mm) to about 1mm or less (for example, about 0.9mm or less, about 0.8mm or less, about 0.7mm or less, about 0.6mm or less, about 0.5mm or less, about 0.4mm or less, about 0.3mm or less, about 0.2mm or less, about 0.1mm).

[0111] Note that for smaller scattering centers, such as those with a size comparable to the wavelength of light (e.g., 0.001 mm to about 0.05 mm), light scattering can be considered as Rayleigh scattering or Mie scattering. For larger optical elements, such as about 0.1 mm or larger, light scattering may be due to geometric scattering.

[0112] In general, the size of the scattering center can be the same across each lens or can vary. For example, the size can increase or decrease depending on the location of the scattering center - for example, as measured from the clear aperture - and / or depending on the distance from the edge of the lens. In some embodiments, the scattering center size varies monotonically (e.g., monotonically increases or monotonically decreases) with increasing distance from the center of the lens. In some cases, the monotonic increase / decrease in size includes linearly varying the diameter of the scattering center as a function of distance from the center of the lens.

[0113] Fig. 9B The scattering centers shown in are arranged on a square grid, spaced equally in each direction. This is determined by the D y and D in the x direction x . Generally speaking, these scatter centers are spaced so that they collectively provide sufficient contrast reduction at the observer's periphery to reduce myopia progression. In general, smaller scatter center spacing will result in greater contrast reduction (assuming adjacent scatter centers do not overlap or merge). In general, D x and D y In the range of about 0.05 mm (e.g., about 0.1 mm or more, about 0.15 mm or more, about 0.2 mm or more, about 0.25 mm or more, about 0.3 mm or more, about 0.35 mm or more, about 0.4 mm or more, about 0.45 mm or more, about 0.5 mm or more, about 0.55 mm or more, about 0.6 mm or more, about 0.65 mm or more, about 0.7 mm or more, about 0.75 mm or more) to about 2 mm (e.g., about 1.9 mm or less, about 1.8 mm or less, about 1.7 mm or less, about 1.6 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 mm or less, about 0.8 mm or less). As examples, the scatter center spacing may be 0.55 mm, 0.365 mm, or 0.240 mm.

[0114] The shape of the scattering center can be selected to provide an appropriate light scattering profile. For example, the scattering center can be substantially spherical or aspherical. In some embodiments, the scattering center can be elongated in one direction (e.g., horizontally or vertically), such as in the case of an elliptical center. In some embodiments, the shape of the center is irregular.

[0115] Although in Fig. 9BThe scattering centers shown in are arranged with equal spacing in the x-direction and the y-direction, and more generally, the spacing in each direction can be different. In addition, the scattering centers can be arranged in a non-square grid. For example, a hexagonal grid (e.g., hexagonal close packing) can be used. Irregular arrays are also possible, for example, random or semi-random scattering center placement can be used. In the case of a random pattern, the size given will be the average gap between the scattering centers in the x and y directions.

[0116] In general, the distribution of scattering centers in the scattering region of the lens can be varied to provide an appropriate level of light scattering. In some embodiments, the scattering centers are arranged in a regular array, for example, on a square grid, spaced apart by a uniform amount in each direction. In general, the scattering centers are spaced apart so that collectively they provide sufficient contrast reduction at the viewer's periphery to reduce myopia progression. In general, smaller spacing between scattering centers will result in greater contrast reduction (assuming adjacent scattering centers do not overlap or merge). Typically, the scattering centers can be spaced from their nearest neighbors by an amount ranging from about 0.05 mm (e.g., about 0.1 mm or more, about 0.15 mm or more, about 0.2 mm or more, about 0.25 mm or more, about 0.3 mm or more, about 0.35 mm or more, about 0.4 mm or more, about 0.45 mm or more, about 0.5 mm or more, about 0.55 mm or more, about 0.6 mm or more, about 0.65 mm or more, about 0.7 mm or more, about 0.75 mm or more) to about 2 mm (e.g., about 1.9 mm or less, about 1.8 mm or less, about 1.7 mm or less, about 1.6 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 mm or less, about 0.8 mm or less). As examples, the spacing may be 0.55 mm, 0.365 mm, or 0.240 mm. It is believed that light from the scene incident on the lens in the regions of reduced contrast 930a / b between the scattering centers contributes to a recognizable image of the scene on the user's retina, whereas light from the scene incident on the scattering centers does not. In addition, at least some of the light incident on the scattering centers is transmitted to the retina, thereby having the effect of reducing image contrast without substantially reducing light intensity at the retina. Therefore, it is believed that the amount of contrast reduction in the user's peripheral field of view is related to (e.g., approximately proportional to) the proportion of the surface area of ​​the contrast reduced region covered by the scattering centers.

[0117] Typically, the coverage of the scattering center to the lens can be varied as desired. Here, coverage refers to the proportion of the total area of ​​the lens as projected onto the xy plane corresponding to the scattering center. Typically, a lower scattering center coverage will produce lower scattering than a higher scattering center coverage (assuming that the individual scattering centers are discrete, i.e., they do not merge to form larger scattering centers). The scattering center coverage can vary from 5% or more to about 75%. For example, the scattering center coverage can be 10% or more, 15% or more, 20% or more, 25% or more, 30% or more, 35% or more, 40% or more, 45% or more, such as 50% or 55%). The scattering center coverage can be selected based on the user's comfort and / or based on the desired strength of the axial eye length growth signal, for example, to provide a sufficiently comfortable level of peripheral vision so that the wearer will voluntarily wear the glasses for a long time (e.g., all day).

[0118] Despite Fig. 9B The scattering centers are depicted as having a circular footprint, but, more generally, the scattering centers can have other shapes. For example, such as in the case of an elliptical scattering center, the scattering center can be elongated in one direction (e.g., in the x-direction or the y-direction). In some embodiments, the shape of the scattering center is random.

[0119] It is believed that light from the scene incident on the lens in the reduced contrast regions 930a and 930b between the scattering centers contributes to forming an image of the scene on the user's retina, while light from the scene incident on the scattering centers does not. In addition, light incident on the scattering centers is still transmitted to the retina, thereby having the effect of reducing image contrast without substantially reducing the light intensity at the retina. Therefore, it is believed that the amount of contrast reduction in the user's peripheral field of view is related to (e.g., approximately proportional to) the proportion of the surface area of ​​the reduced contrast region covered by the scattering centers. Typically, the scattering centers occupy at least 10% (e.g., 20% or more, 30% or more, 40% or more, 50% or more, such as 90% or less, 80% or less, 70% or less, 60% or less) of the area of ​​the reduced contrast regions 930a and 930b (as measured in the xy plane).

[0120] Typically, the scatter center pattern reduces the contrast of the object image in the wearer's peripheral vision without significantly reducing the visual acuity of the observer in this area. Here, peripheral vision refers to the field of view outside the clear aperture field of view. Relative to the image contrast observed using the clear aperture as determined, the image contrast in these areas can be reduced by 40% or more (e.g., 45% or more, 50% or more, 60% or more, 70% or more, 80% or more). The contrast reduction can be set according to the needs of each individual case. It is believed that the typical contrast reduction will be in the range of about 50% to 55%. A contrast reduction of less than 50% can be used for very mild cases, while subjects with a higher tendency may require a contrast reduction of more than 55%. Peripheral visual acuity can be corrected to 20 / 30 or better (e.g., 20 / 25 or better, 20 / 20 or better) through subjective optometry, while still achieving a meaningful contrast reduction. In embodiments, the contrast reduction may result in a loss of two or fewer Snellen lines (eg, 1.5 lines or fewer, one line or fewer), where one lost line corresponds to a decrease in visual acuity, such as from 20 / 20 to 20 / 25.

[0121] Here, contrast refers to the difference in brightness between two objects in the same field of view. Therefore, a decrease in contrast refers to a change in this difference.

[0122] Contrast and contrast reduction can be measured in a variety of ways. In some embodiments, contrast can be measured based on the brightness difference between different parts of a standard pattern, such as a checkerboard of black and white squares, obtained through the clear aperture of the lens and the scattered center pattern under controlled conditions.

[0123] Alternatively or additionally, contrast reduction can be determined based on the optical transfer function (OTF) of the lens (see, e.g., http: / / www.montana.edu / jshaw / documents / 18%20EELE582_S15_OTFMTF.pdf). For the OTF, the contrast of the transmission for a stimulus is specified, where light and dark areas are sinusoidally modulated at different "spatial frequencies." These stimuli look like alternating light and dark bars, where the spacing between the bars varies over a certain range. For all optical systems, the transmission is lowest for the sinusoidally varying stimulus with the highest spatial frequency. The relationship for transmission that describes contrast for all spatial frequencies is the OTF. The OTF can be obtained by taking a Fourier transform of the point spread function. The point spread function can be obtained by imaging a point source of light through the lens onto a detector array and determining how the light from the point is distributed across the detector.

[0124] In the case of conflicting measurements, the OTF technique is preferred. In some embodiments, contrast can be estimated based on the ratio of the area of ​​the lens covered by the scattering centers to the area of ​​the clear aperture. In this approximation, it is assumed that all light hitting the scattering centers is dispersed evenly across the entire retinal area, which reduces the amount of light available in the brighter areas of the image, thereby adding light to the darker areas. Therefore, the contrast reduction can be calculated based on transmission measurements made through the clear aperture of the lens and the scattering center pattern.

[0125] In general, the refractive index mismatch between the lens material and the scattering center material affects the amount of light scattered at each scattering center, for example, as calculated using a point spread function. In general, the greater the refractive index mismatch between the materials, the more the incident light will be scattered. Therefore, the refractive index mismatch can be used as a design parameter to optimize the scattering properties of the scattering centers.

[0126] In some embodiments, the scattering center material is selected to have a refractive index (e.g., as measured at one or more wavelengths in the visible range) that is within 0.1 (e.g., within 0.09 or less, 0.08 or less, 0.07 or less, 0.06 or less, 0.05 or less, 0.04 or less, 0.03 or less, 0.02 or less, 0.01 or less, 0.005 or less, 0.002 or less, 0.001 or less) of the refractive index of the lens material.

[0127] In certain embodiments, larger refractive index mismatches (e.g., greater than 0.1) are possible. For example, the scattering center material can be selected to have a refractive index that differs from the refractive index of the lens material by 0.15 or more (e.g., 0.2 or more, 0.25 or more, 0.3 or more, 0.35 or more, such as up to about 0.4).

[0128] In general, the refractive index of each scattering center can be the same or different. For example, where each scattering center is formed of the same material, each scattering center can have the same refractive index. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the refractive index can vary between scattering centers or between different groups of scattering centers. For example, in certain embodiments, the refractive index mismatch between the scattering centers and the lens block material can increase with increasing radial distance from the lens axis so as to increase the amount of light scattered from each scattering center with increasing radial distance from the lens axis.

[0129] In some examples, the scattering centers can be formed by a material, such as a dye, that absorbs at least some of the light incident thereon. The material can be selected to absorb broadband visible light, or to absorb only certain wavelengths of light (e.g., to absorb short wavelength components or long wavelength components). It is believed that light-absorbing materials can help reduce glare and / or provide another design parameter for shaping the point spread function of the scattering center. In some embodiments, exposure to radiation can change the lens material from transparent to absorptive at certain wavelengths. For example, exposure to radiation can burn the lens material so as to form light absorption centers in or on the surface of the lens material.

[0130] The reduced contrast region 930a / b can have a circular shape on the lens blank, although other shapes are possible (e.g., elliptical, polygonal, or other shapes). The size of the light scattering region is generally selected so that the contrast reduction of the user's peripheral vision can be experienced over a substantial portion of the user's field of view even when not viewing directly through the on-axis aperture. The light scattering region 930 can have a diameter (or maximum dimension of a non-circular region) of 30 mm or greater (e.g., 40 mm or greater, 50 mm or greater, 60 mm or greater, 70 mm or greater, 80 mm or greater, such as 100 mm or less, 90 mm or less, 80 mm or less, 70 mm or less, 60 mm or less). In some embodiments, the light scattering region extends to the edge of the lens.

[0131] As previously described, in general, the size, spacing, and arrangement of the scattering center pattern can vary. In some embodiments, the scattering center pattern is characterized by, for example, a gradient in the size and / or spacing of the scattering centers. The scattering center pattern can be characterized by a gradient in the scattering efficiency of the scattering centers (e.g., due to a gradient in the refractive index mismatch and / or shape of each scattering center). A gradient scattering center pattern can reduce the conspicuity of the pattern. For example, a gradual transition from a transparent portion of a lens to a scattering portion may be less conspicuous than a sharp transition.

[0132] In some embodiments, the lens may feature different regions, where the scatter center pattern varies from region to region. Fig. 10A and Fig. 10B , the lens 1000 includes a clear aperture 1010, a transition zone 1020 and a scattering zone 1030. The clear aperture 1010 has a radius R 1010 The transition zone 1020 is an annular zone surrounding the clear aperture, and the annular zone has an inner diameter R 1010 and outer diameter R 1020 The rest of the lens area forms a scattering zone 1030 .

[0133] The transition zone 1020 features a scattering center pattern that scatters less incident light than the scattering center pattern in the scattering zone 1030, thereby providing a transition in the scattering properties of the lens from the clear aperture to the scattering zone. This transition can be advantageous because it reduces scattering into the fovea compared to the scattering that would be provided if the scattering zone extended to the clear aperture. Another advantage is that the transition zone can reduce the visibility of the scattering center pattern to the user, thereby providing a more comfortable wearing experience. This is particularly important for children, as the likelihood that a child will wear eyeglasses featuring such lenses on a regular basis for an extended period of time depends on the child's comfort level.

[0134] In general, the scattering center pattern in transition region 1020 can vary. In some embodiments, the transition region is characterized by a uniform scattering center pattern, wherein the scattering centers have the same shape and size and are uniformly spaced. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the scattering center pattern in the transition region can be characterized by varying scattering center density, spacing, and / or size. For example, the scattering center pattern can be selected to provide the weakest scattering closest to the clear aperture and to provide the weakest scattering at a distance from R. 1010 to R 1020 The scattering increases monotonically as the radial distance increases. For example, in some embodiments, the scattering center density increases from R 1010 to R 1020 By way of example, as the radial distance from the lens axis increases from R 1010 Increase to R 1020 , the scattering center diameter may increase linearly from a first value (e.g., 0.05 mm) to a second value (e.g., 0.17 mm). Alternatively or in addition, the scattering center spacing may be increased from R 1010 to R 1020 Monotonically (eg, linearly) decreasing.

[0135] Usually, R 1010 In the range of about 1mm to about 3mm (e.g., 1.0mm to 1.1mm, 1.1mm to 1.2mm, 1.2mm to 1.3mm, 1.3mm to 1.4mm, 1.4mm to 1.5mm, 1.5mm to 1.6mm, 1.6mm to 1.7mm, 1.7mm to 1.8mm, 1.8mm to 1.9mm, 1.9mm to 2.0mm, 2.0mm to 2.1mm, 2.1mm to 2.2mm, 2.2mm to 2.3mm, 2.3mm to 2.4mm, 2.4mm to 2.5mm, 2.5mm to 2.6mm, 2.6mm to 2.7mm, 2.7mm to 2.8mm, 2.8mm to 2.9mm, 2.9mm to 3.0mm).

[0136] R 1020It can be in the range of about 2mm to about 6mm (for example, 2.0mm to 2.2mm, 2.2mm to 2.4mm, 2.4mm to 2.6mm, 2.6mm to 2.8mm, 2.8mm to 3.0mm, 3.0mm to 3.2mm, 3.2mm to 3.4mm, 3.4mm to 3.6mm, 3.6mm to 3.8mm, 3.8mm to 4.0mm, 4.0mm to 4.2mm, 4.2mm to 4.4mm, 4.4mm to 4.6mm, 4.6mm to 4.8mm, 4.8mm to 5.0mm, 5.0mm to 5.2mm, 5.2mm to 5.4mm, 5.4mm to 5.6mm, 5.6mm to 5.8mm, 5.8mm to 6.0mm).

[0137] In some embodiments, the scattering center or lenslet pattern includes randomly displaced scattering centers or lenslets relative to a regular array. Introducing random displacements can reduce optical effects associated with regularly spaced scattering centers or lenslets, such as starburst glare. See, for example, https: / / www.slrlounge.com / diffraction-aperture-and-starburst-effects / , which illustrates the starburst effect associated with photography. Therefore, including random displacements in the scattering center or lenslet pattern can provide a more comfortable experience for the user, compared to a similar scattering center or lenslet pattern in which the scattering centers or lenslets are evenly spaced. Alternatively or additionally, randomization of the scattering center or lenslet pattern can reduce optical effects (e.g., diffraction or interference effects) manifested in the reflected light, thereby reducing the perceptibility of the scattering center or lenslet pattern to an observer.

[0138] exist Fig. 10C The random displacement is shown in FIG. 1 , which shows scattering centers or mirrorlets 1001a-1001e positioned relative to the array lattice, where adjacent lattice nodes are spaced D from each other in the x direction. x , spaced D apart from each other in the y direction y As shown in the figure, D x =D y , however, more generally, the vertical and horizontal lattice spacings can be different.

[0139] For each scattering center or small lens, δx = A x ·D x RN[0,1] and δy=A y ·D y RN[0,1], where A x and A yare the jitter amplitudes between 0 and 1 in the x and y directions respectively, which can be the same or different. RN[0,1] is a random number between 0 and 1.

[0140] The scattering centers or mirrorlets may also vary in size randomly, which may reduce optical effects, such as glare, associated with arrays of uniformly sized scattering centers or mirrorlets. Fig. 10C As shown, the radial size of each scattering center (or small lens) can be different from the nominal scattering center (or small lens) radius r0. As shown in the figure, the scattering center (or small lens) 1001d has the nominal scattering center (or small lens) radius r0, while the scattering centers (or small lenses) 1001b and 1001e have radii r greater than r0. b and r e And r b ≠r e The scattering center or small lens radius can be calculated according to the formula r i =r0+Δr, where Δr=A r ·r0·RN[0,1], where i represents the i-th point, A r is the jitter amplitude of the scatter center or small mirror radius, which is set to a value between 0 and 1.

[0141] More generally, while the examples above involve scattering center radius of nominally circular scattering centers, dithering may be applied to other scattering center size parameters, depending on the application. For example, dithering may be applied to scattering center volume or other dimensions of scattering centers (e.g., x-dimension, y-dimension). Similarly, for small lenses, dithering may be applied to refractive index, surface curvature, thickness, and geometry, such as ellipticity or non-ellipticity, in addition to radius or pitch.

[0142] In some embodiments, the scattering center or mirrorlet pattern may include both random jitter in the scattering center or mirrorlet positions and random jitter in the scattering center or mirrorlet sizes.

[0143] exist Figures 11A-11F An example scatter center pattern featuring a transition region is shown in . Fig.11A , 11C The patterns in 11E and 11E are characterized by scattering centers evenly spaced in the scattering region. Fig. 11B , 11D The patterns of 11F and 11F are characterized by scattering centers that are randomly displaced from uniform spacing. The units of the horizontal and vertical axes are both mm. Figures 11A-11F Each of includes an inset showing a magnified view of the corresponding scattering center pattern. The following table provides parameters that characterize the scattering center pattern.

[0144]

[0145] In some embodiments, the scattering center or lenslet pattern is characterized by, for example, a gradient in scattering center size and / or spacing. The scattering center pattern can be characterized by a gradient in the scattering efficiency of the scattering centers (e.g., due to a gradient in the refractive index mismatch and / or shape of each scattering center). The lenslet pattern can have, for example, a gradient in optical power or diameter. A gradient scattering center or lenslet pattern can reduce the conspicuity of the pattern. For example, a gradual transition from a clear portion of a lens to a scattering portion may be less conspicuous than a sharp transition.

[0146] Reference Fig. 12A and 12B , showing an exemplary gradient scattering center pattern.

[0147] Specifically, Fig. 12A A gradient scattering center pattern 1200 is shown having different spacings between adjacent scattering centers. A clear aperture 1210 transitions to a low density region 1220. In region 1220, the distances between adjacent scattering centers are relatively large, thus presenting a low density of scattering centers in region 1220. Low density region 1220 then transitions to a high density region 1230, wherein the spacings between adjacent scattering centers are small, thus presenting a high density of scattering centers. High density region 1230 then transitions to a low density region 1240, wherein the spacings between adjacent scattering centers increase again. As a result, due to the gradient transition from clear aperture 1210 to the outer edge of the lens, the gradient scattering center pattern may be less noticeable than a transition to a higher density, uniform scattering center pattern. The same principles apply to small lenses.

[0148] The density of scattering centers or small lenses can be controlled not only by the spacing between adjacent scattering centers, but also by the size of the scattering centers or small lenses. Fig. 12B For example, the scattering center pattern 1250 may be characterized in that the scattering centers near the clear aperture 1260 are smaller in size than the scattering centers near the edge 1280 of the scattering center pattern.

[0149] In another example, the lens may have a gradient scattering center or lenslet pattern with varying scattering center or lenslet sizes and varying scattering center to scattering center or lenslet to lenslet distances.

[0150] The shape and / or composition of the scattering centers or lenslets may also vary radially to produce a gradient pattern. For block scattering centers, for example, a gradient pattern may be provided by forming scattering centers with a lower refractive index mismatch with lens block material closer to the edge of the dot pattern than with a scattering center at the center of the scattering center pattern.

[0151] Reference Fig.13 , the ophthalmic lens 1300 includes a first clear aperture 1310 and an annular scattering or defocusing zone 1330 surrounding the clear aperture. In this case, the lens 1300 has uniform optical properties, for example, is a single-vision lens, such as a spherical lens or a compound or toric lens (i.e., having a spherical component and a cylindrical component), or a plano lens (i.e., a lens with no optical power). Fig.13 The vertical and horizontal axes are also shown for ease of reference.While the lens 1300 is depicted as a circular blank, and is therefore rotationally symmetric for a spherical lens, it should be understood that the horizontal and vertical directions refer to how the lens will be oriented when mounted in an eyeglass frame.

[0152] A first clear aperture 1310 is located substantially near the center of the lens 1300. A scattering or defocusing region 1330 is also centered relative to the center of the lens. The scattering region 1330 is also surrounded by a clear region 1340. A second clear aperture 1320 is also disposed in the light scattering or defocusing region 1330, separated from the clear aperture 1310 along an axis 1332 offset at an angle α from the normal axis of the lens.

[0153] The horizontal and vertical axes refer to how the lens 1300 will ultimately be oriented in a pair of eyeglass frames. In an unmounted ophthalmic lens 1300 prior to being formed for mounting in a frame, the lens is flat or spherical, these lenses are typically radially symmetrical, and the angle α is arbitrary until the lens is formed for mounting. However, in lenses that do not have rotational symmetry, such as toric lenses, the angle α may alternatively be defined relative to the orientation of the second through hole 1320 as compared to the axis of the cylindrical component. Of course, in the case where the cylindrical axis is parallel to the vertical axis, α will be the same regardless of how it is defined.

[0154] exist Fig.13 In the illustrated embodiment, the clear aperture 1310 is a distance vision aperture, which can be used for distance vision activities such as reading road signs. The second clear aperture 1320 is a near vision aperture, which can be used for near vision activities such as reading a book.

[0155] In general, α may vary. The offset angle α may vary between 0 and 180 degrees when compared to the axis of cylindrical power.

[0156] When α refers to the offset angle from the vertical meridian once installed, α can be selected to accommodate the path of the user's eyes when focusing on near objects. When a person adapts to focus on near objects, this also produces convergence, or the eyes move inward in the horizontal direction, known as vergence. Therefore, in order to make near vision objects visible to the accommodated eye through the second aperture, the angle can be selected to match the user's vergence for near vision objects. In some embodiments, α is 45° or less, for example, about 30° or less, about 25° or less, about 20° or less, about 15° or less, about 10° or less, about 8° or less, for example, 1° or more, 2° or more, 3° or more, 4° or more, 5° or more, or 0°. For example, the clear aperture 1320 for near vision can be offset from a vertical axis passing through the center of the clear aperture 1310 toward the user's nose to accommodate the vergence of the wearer's eyes when focusing on near objects. The offset may be 1 mm or more (e.g., 2 mm or more, 3 mm or more, 4 mm or more, 5 mm or more, 6 mm or more, 7 mm or more, such as 10 mm or less, 9 mm or less, 8 mm or less), where the distance is measured from the horizontal center point of the clear aperture 1320 to the horizontal center point of the clear aperture 1310 (which may correspond to the center of the lens in some embodiments). Both the clear aperture 1310 and the clear aperture 1320 are circular in shape, with the aperture 1320 having a slightly larger diameter than the aperture 1310. In general, the size of the apertures may vary and be configured so that they provide the user with sufficient on-axis vision (through the aperture 1310) and sufficient near vision (through the aperture 1320), while not being so large as to significantly impede the effects of contrast reduction or defocusing in peripheral vision due to scatter or a small lens area, respectively. Typically, the diameter of the two clear apertures is 2 mm or greater (eg, 3 mm or greater, 4 mm or greater, 5 mm or greater, such as 10 mm or less).

[0157] Non-circular apertures are also possible (see specific embodiments below). For example, the horizontal width of the aperture can be different from the vertical height of the aperture. Fig.13 , the horizontal widths of apertures 1310 and 1320 are denoted as w 110 and w 120 In general, the horizontal widths of the apertures may be the same or different. In some embodiments, for example Fig.13 As shown, w 1320 Can be greater than w 1310 For example, w 1320 Can be compared to w 1310In some embodiments, the selection w is 10% or more (e.g., 20% or more, 30% or more, 40% or more, 50% or more, 75% or more, 100% or more, such as 200% or less, 150% or less, 120% or less). 1320 , so that for near vision, the user's visual axis stays within the clear aperture 1320 when the user is engaged in a specific task during which their eyes horizontally scan the field of view (e.g., when reading). This can be advantageous in allowing the user to scan the field of view through the clear aperture without having to move their head.

[0158] The distance between the through holes may also vary, and is typically arranged so that the through holes correspond to comfortable on-axis vision and comfortable near vision for the user. The distance between the closest edges of the clear aperture may be 1 mm or more (e.g., 2 mm or more, 5 mm or more, such as 10 mm or less).

[0159] The distance between the center of through hole 1310 and the center of through hole 1320 is Fig.13 In the expression δ NF - can be varied so that through hole 1320 corresponds to the direction of the user's gaze when focusing on a near object. In some embodiments, δ NF It can be 0.5mm to 20mm (for example, 0.6mm or more, 0.7mm or more, 0.8mm or more, 0.9mm or more, 10mm or more, 11mm or more, 12mm or more, 13mm or more, 14mm or more, for example, 19mm or less, 18mm or less, 17mm or less, 16mm or less, 15mm or less).

[0160] The gap between aperture 1310 and aperture 1320 depends on the size of each aperture and the distance between their centers. In some embodiments, the gap can be 0.5 mm or more (e.g., 1 mm or more, 2 mm or more, 3 mm or more). The gap can be less than 10 mm (e.g., 9 mm or less, 8 mm or less, 7 mm or less, 6 mm or less, 5 mm or less).

[0161] The light scattering regions 1330 include scattering centers that scatter at least some of the light incident on the lens in these regions. This may reduce the contrast of the user's peripheral vision, which is believed to reduce the progression of the user's myopia. Typically, the scattering centers may include features on the surface of the lens (e.g., protrusions or depressions) or inclusions in the bulk lens material. For example, patterns for scattering centers suitable for light scattering regions are described in PCT Application WO 2018 / 026697, entitled “OPHTHALMIC LENSES FOR TREATING MYOPIA,” filed on July 31, 2017, in Provisional Application No. 62 / 671,992, entitled “OPHTHALMIC LENSES WITH LIGHT SCATTERING FOR TREATING MYOPIA,” filed on May 15, 2018, and in U.S. Patent Publication No. US2019-023-5279-A1, entitled “OPHALMIC LENSES WITH LIGHT SCATTERING FOR TREATING MYOPIA,” published on August 1, 2019. The contents of each of these applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0162] In some embodiments, the periphery of the light scattering or defocused area can be blended with the clear area by gradually decreasing the amount, density, or focality of light scattering.

[0163] In some embodiments, clear light areas may exhibit a lower amount of light scattering or defocusing compared to light scattering or defocusing areas.

[0164] In some embodiments, an ophthalmic lens may include a single elongated aperture extending from a distance vision zone to a near vision zone of the lens.

[0165] In the foregoing embodiments, the ophthalmic lens is a single vision lens, a toric lens, an aspheric lens, or an optically neutral lens or a plano (i.e., aphotic) lens. More generally, other embodiments are possible. For example, a multifocal lens such as a bifocal (e.g., a prismatic bifocal), a trifocal, a multifocal, a free form, or a progressive lens may be used.

[0166] When a multifocal lens is used, the near vision lens zone provides two functions. When the viewer is viewing through the distance viewing aperture, the near viewing zone provides peripheral defocus. Peripheral defocus is known to reduce myopia progression, for example, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,025,460. When the viewer is viewing through the near vision aperture, the near vision lens zone typically contains positive lens power (i.e., has more refractive focus than the distance vision portion of the lens) to help the user focus for near vision tasks.

[0167] The remaining lens areas have different optical powers selected for distance vision tasks.

[0168] In addition, although the aforementioned embodiments are characterized in that the scattering region has a characteristic of scattering rather than focusing the incident light (i.e., a scattering center), other implementations are also possible. For example, the lens may include one or more small lenses having a different optical power than the base lens in the area identified as a "scattering region" in the above embodiments. For example, examples of such small lenses are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 10,268,050, entitled "Spectacle Lens", published on April 23, 2019, and in PCT Publication WO 2019 / 166653, entitled "Lens Element", published on September 6, 2019. Reference Fig.14 , example lens 1400 includes a clear outer region 1440, a light scattering region 1430, a first clear aperture 1410 for far vision, and a second clear aperture 1420 for near vision. The second clear aperture 1420 is aligned along an axis 1432 offset from the vertical axis of the lens by an angle α.

[0169] In general, the optical properties of the lenslets may vary depending on the degree of defocus that is deemed appropriate for the user. For example, the lenslets may be spherical or aspherical. The lenslets may have positive or negative power. In some embodiments, the lenslets have a power of zero (e.g., where the base power of the lens is strongly negative). The lenslets each have the same power, or different lenslets may have different powers. In some embodiments, the lenslets may have an additional power of +0.25D or greater (e.g., +0.5D or greater, +0.75D or greater, +1.0D or greater, +1.25D or greater, +1.5D or greater, +1.75D or greater, +2.0D or greater, +3.0D or greater, +4.0D or greater; e.g., up to +5.0D) compared to the base power of the lens. In some embodiments, the small lens can have an additional power of -0.25D or less (e.g., -0.5D or less, -0.75D or less, -1.0D or less, -1.25D or less, -1.5D or less) compared to the base optical power of the lens.

[0170] The size of the small lens can also be varied appropriately. The small lens can have a diameter of 0.5 mm or more (e.g., 0.8 mm or more, 1 mm or more, 1.5 mm or more, 2 mm or more, 3 mm or more; for example, up to 5 mm).

[0171] The scattering region 1430 includes scattering centers as described above. In addition, the scattering region 1435 includes small lenses 1435 arranged in a ring around the through hole 1410. The small lenses introduce defocus to some portions of the wavefront that would otherwise be focused on the user's retina. The scattering centers are included at the locations of the small lenses 1435. For example, the scattering centers can be formed on the surface of each small lens 1435, on the opposite lens surface but overlapping the same lateral position as the small lenses 1435, and / or included in the main body material of the lens 1400 that overlaps the small lenses 1435 laterally. In some embodiments, the scattering centers are included between the small lenses 1435, but do not overlap laterally with the small lenses. In some embodiments, the scattering region of the lens includes only the small lenses and does not include additional scattering centers.

[0172] In some implementations, the above techniques can be used to generate other patterns of lenslets and scattering centers on the surface of an ophthalmic lens. For example, certain areas of the ophthalmic lens surface can include exclusively lenslets, while other areas include exclusively scattering centers. Fig.15 An example of such a lens is shown where an ophthalmic lens 1500 includes a clear central aperture 1510 surrounded by an array of lenslets 1535 in the upper half 1520 of the lens and a scattering center in the lower half 1530 .

[0173] Other arrangements and distributions of mirrorlets and scattering centers are possible and can be formed using a single laser system.

[0174] Other embodiments are covered by the following claims.

Claims

1. A method comprising: applying a first material layer on a surface of an ophthalmic lens, exposing the first material layer to laser radiation sufficient to remove the first material from discrete locations of the layer and form pits in the surface of the ophthalmic lens at those locations; depositing a second material on the first material layer after exposing the first material layer, wherein the second material fills the pits in the surface of the ophthalmic lens; as well as After depositing the second material, the first material layer is removed from the surface of the ophthalmic lens to provide a pattern of spaced-apart areas of the second material on the surface of the ophthalmic lens. 2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising removing the second material from the surface of the ophthalmic lens.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein: The first material layer and the second material are removed together. The method of claim 1 , further comprising curing the second material after depositing the second material on the layer.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein: The second material is cured before removing the first material layer.

6. A method comprising: exposing discrete locations on a surface of an ophthalmic lens to laser radiation sufficient to form pits in said surface of said ophthalmic lens at those locations; as well as A first material is deposited in the recesses in the surface of the ophthalmic lens to provide light scattering centers or lenslets in the lens.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein: Providing the light scattering centers or optics further includes removing residual first material on the optic surface outside of the recesses.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein: The first material is deposited after exposing the discrete locations.

9. The method according to claim 6, wherein: Exposure and deposition are synchronized so that deposition begins before exposure is complete.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein: Exposure and deposition sequentially form material in each pit and then deposit material before forming subsequent pits.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein: The synchronized exposure and deposition are performed by simultaneously moving the laser and print nozzle, which are fixed relative to each other, relative to the lens surface.

12. The method according to claim 6, wherein: The depositing involves depositing discrete volumes of the first material in the recesses.

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