Contact lens solution for myopia management

Abstract

To provide contact lenses to be put on eyes experiencing axial-length related disorders, such as myopia.SOLUTION: A contact lens for managing myopia comprises: an optical zone defined to have a center substantially at its optical axis to provide substantially toric or astigmatic cues for the eye; and a non-optical peripheral carrier zone about the optical zone configured to have a thickness profile that is substantially rotationally symmetric to further provide temporally and spatially varying stop signals to decelerate, ameliorate, control, inhibit or reduce the rate of myopia progression over time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] cross reference This application claims priority to Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2019 / 903580, entitled "Contact Lenses for Myopia", filed on September 25, 2019, and another Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2020 / 900412, entitled "Contact Lenses", filed on February 14, 2020, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to contact lenses for wear in eyes exhibiting axial length-related disorders such as myopia. The present invention relates to contact lenses for managing myopia, comprising an optical zone defined substantially about its optical axis to provide a substantially toric or astigmatic directional cue to the eye, and a non-optical peripheral carrier zone about the optical zone configured with a substantially rotationally symmetric thickness profile to further provide a temporally and spatially varying directional cue or light-stopping signal to slow, ameliorate, control, inhibit or reduce the rate of myopic progression over time. [Background technology]

[0003] At birth, the human eye is hyperopic, with the ocular length being too short for the eye's total refractive power. As an individual develops from childhood into adulthood, the eye continues to grow and the eye's refractive state stabilizes. Eye growth is understood to be controlled by feedback mechanisms to match the eye's optics to the axial length and maintain homeostasis, and is primarily regulated by visual experience. This process is called emmetropization.

[0004] The signals that guide the emmetropization process begin with the modulation of light energy received at the retina. The properties of the retinal image are monitored by biological processes that modulate signals to start or stop, accelerate or decelerate eye growth. This process adjusts the optics and axial length to achieve or maintain emmetropia. Deviations from this emmetropization process result in refractive disorders such as myopia. It is hypothesized that increased retinal activity inhibits eye growth and vice versa.

[0005] The incidence of myopia is increasing at an alarming rate in many parts of the world, especially in East Asia. In myopic individuals, the axial length of the eye does not match the overall ocular power, causing distant objects to be focused in front of the retina.

[0006] A simple pair of negative monofocal lenses may correct myopia. Although such devices may optically correct the refractive error associated with axial length, they do not address the underlying cause of excessive eye growth in myopic progression.

[0007] Excessive axial length in high myopia is associated with serious vision-compromising conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, myopic maculopathy, and retinal detachment. Thus, there remains a need for specific optical devices for such individuals that not only correct the underlying refractive error, but also prevent excessive ocular elongation or myopic progression, so that the therapeutic effect remains substantially consistent over time.

[0008] definition The terms used herein are those commonly used by those of ordinary skill in the art unless otherwise defined below.

[0009] The term "myopic eye" refers to an eye that has an astigmatism of less than 1 DC that is either already myopic, is at a pre-myopic stage, is at risk of developing myopia, or has been diagnosed as having a refractive condition progressing towards myopia.

[0010] The term "progressing myopic eye" refers to an eye with established myopia that is diagnosed as progressing as determined by either a change in refractive error of at least -0.25 D / year or a change in axial length of at least 0.1 mm / year.

[0011] The term "eye at risk of becoming myopic" refers to an eye that may currently be emmetropic or low-hyperopic, but that has been identified as being at increased risk of becoming myopic based on genetic factors (e.g., parents who are myopic) and / or age (e.g., low hyperopia at an early age) and / or environmental factors (e.g., time spent outdoors) and / or behavioral factors (e.g., time spent doing close work).

[0012] The term "optical stop signal" or "stop signal" refers to a light signal or directional cue that can promote slowing, reversing, arresting, retarding, inhibiting or controlling eye growth and / or the refractive condition of the eye.

[0013] The term "spatially varying optical stop signal" refers to an optical signal or directional cue provided at the retina that varies spatially across the retina of the eye.

[0014] The term "time-varying optical stop signal" refers to an optical signal or directional cue provided at the retina that changes over time.

[0015] The term "spatially and temporally varying optical stop signal" refers to an optical signal or directional cue provided at the retina that varies both in time and in space across the retina of the eye.

[0016] The term "contact lens" refers to a finished contact lens, usually packaged in a vial, blister pack, or the like, intended to be placed on a wearer's cornea to affect the optical performance of the eye.

[0017] The term "optical zone" or "optical zone" refers to the area on a contact lens that has a prescribed optical effect. The optical zone may be further differentiated to have areas of different refractive power distributions around the optical center or axis. The optical zone may be further differentiated by front and back optical zones, which refer to the anterior and posterior surface areas of the contact lens, respectively, that contribute to the prescribed optical effect. The optical zone of a contact lens may be circular or elliptical or another irregular shape. The optical zone of a contact lens with only spherical refractive power is generally circular. However, the introduction of toricity may result in an elliptical optical zone in some embodiments.

[0018] The term "optical center" or "optical center" means the geometric center of the optical zone of a contact lens. The terms geometrical and geometric are essentially the same.

[0019] The term "optical axis" means a line passing through the optical center and substantially perpendicular to a plane containing the edge of the contact lens.

[0020] The term "blend zone" is a zone that connects or lies between the optic zone and the peripheral carrier zone of a contact lens. The term "blending zone" is synonymous with "blend zone" in some embodiments and can be on the front or back surface of a contact lens or on both surfaces. A blend zone can be a polished, smoothed interface between two different adjacent surface curvatures. The thickness of the blending zone can also be referred to as the interface thickness.

[0021] The term "through focus" refers to an area that is substantially in front of or behind the retina, in other words, approximately in front of and / or approximately behind the retina.

[0022] The term "carrier zone" is a non-optical zone that connects or lies between the blend zone and the edge of the contact lens. The terms "peripheral zone" or "peripheral carrier zone" are synonymous with a "carrier zone" that is free of prescribed optical effects in some embodiments.

[0023] The term or phrase "spherical optical zone" may mean that the optical zone has a uniform optical power distribution without a substantial amount of primary spherical aberration.

[0024] The term or phrase "aspheric optical zone" may mean that the optical zone does not have a uniform optical power distribution. The aspheric optical zone may be further classified in some embodiments into lower order aberrations such as astigmatism or toricity. The term or phrase "astigmatic optical zone" or "toric optical zone" may mean that the optical zone has a sphero-cylindrical optical power distribution.

[0025] The term "ballast" refers to a rotationally asymmetric distribution of the thickness profile within the carrier zone that influences the rotational orientation of the contact lens when placed on the eye.

[0026] The term "prism ballast" refers to a vertical prism used to create a wedge design that helps stabilize the rotation and orientation of a toric contact lens on the eye.

[0027] The term "slab-off" refers to the intentional thinning of a contact lens toward the upper and lower peripheral edges of the contact lens in one or more discrete areas to achieve desired contact lens rotational stabilization.

[0028] The term "truncation" refers to a lower edge of a contact lens that is designed with a nearly straight line to provide control over rotational stabilization of the contact lens.

[0029] The terms "negative," "planar," or "positive" carrier refer to contact lenses having edge thicknesses greater than, equal to, and less than the junction thickness, respectively, as measured approximately 0.1 mm away from the lens diameter.

[0030] The term "eye model" may refer to a schematic eye model, a ray tracing eye model, or a physical eye model.

[0031] As used herein, the term "Diopter", "Dioptre" or "D" is a unit of refractive power defined as the reciprocal of the focal length of a lens or optical system in meters along the optical axis. Typically, the letter "D" denotes spherical refractive power and the letter "DC" denotes cylindrical refractive power.

[0032] The term "Sturm's cone" or "Sturm's spacing" refers to a resultant substantially on-axis through-focus image formed on or around the retina due to astigmatism, toricity or asymmetric optical power profile configured substantially about the optical center or optical axis, represented by an elliptical blur pattern including tangential and sagittal planes that include the circle of least confusion.

[0033] The term "optical power profile" refers to the one-dimensional optical power distribution across an optical zone as a function of radial distance at a given azimuth angle relative to the optical center, or as a function of azimuth angle measured at a given radial distance.

[0034] The term "power map" refers to a two-dimensional distribution of refractive power across an optical zone in Cartesian or polar coordinates. The term "radial" refers to a direction radiating outward from the optical center to the edge of the optical zone, defined along an azimuth angle. The term "azimuth" refers to a direction along a defined circumference at a radial distance around a defined optical axis or optical center.

[0035] The term "posterior vertex power" means the inverse of the posterior vertex focal length over the entire optical zone or a specified region, expressed in diopters (D). The term "optical zone meridian" means any meridian at any azimuth angle about the optical center.

[0036] The term "SPH" or "spherical" power means substantially uniform power among all meridians in the optic zone. The term "CYL" or "cylinder" power means the difference in posterior vertex power between the two principal meridians in the optic zone.

[0037] The term "asymmetric optical zone" refers to the variation of localized refractive power along an azimuth direction about an optical center while maintaining mirror symmetry along an arbitrarily selected meridian.

[0038] The term "meridional correction" or "ocular meridian correction" refers to partial correction to the eye in at least one meridian on the retina of the eye. The term "meridional astigmatism" or "ocular meridian astigmatism" refers to introduced or induced astigmatism in at least one meridian of the eye.

[0039] The term "specific fit" means that the non-optical peripheral carrier zone is configured with a thickness profile that is substantially rotationally symmetric about the optical center to facilitate substantially free rotation of the contact lens over time.Specific fit as referred to in this invention means that the non-optical peripheral carrier zone is configured with a thickness profile that is substantially free of ballast, or prisms, or truncations.

[0040] The term "subfoveal region" refers to the region immediately adjacent to the fovea of ​​the retina of the eye. The term "parafoveal region" refers to the region immediately adjacent to the foveal region of the retina of the eye.

[0041] The term "submacular region" means the region within the macular region of the retina of the eye. The term "juxtamaecular region" means the region immediately adjacent to the macular region of the retina of the eye. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0042] Certain disclosed embodiments include contact lenses for altering the wavefront characteristics of incident light entering a human eye. Certain disclosed embodiments are directed to contact lens configurations for correcting, managing, and treating refractive error.

[0043] One proposed embodiment of the present invention aims to both correct myopic refractive error and simultaneously provide an optical stop signal to impede further growth or progression of myopia. The proposed optical device provides a substantially continuously varying astigmatic blur (i.e., an optical stop signal) that is applied to the central and peripheral retinal regions.

[0044] The present disclosure includes astigmatic or toric contact lenses that are purposely designed without a stabilizing carrier zone to present a temporally and spatially varying astigmatic blur stop signal on the central and peripheral retina.

[0045] Another proposed embodiment is an asymmetric contact lens that is used to correct myopic refractive error and also provides a light stop signal to inhibit further eye growth or slow down the rate of eye growth. Another feature of the proposed embodiment may include blending between the rotationally asymmetric optical zone and the symmetric carrier zone of the proposed contact lens. This blending zone may be circular or elliptical.

[0046] Certain embodiments configured with a toric correction substantially centered on the optical center or optical axis may overcome limitations of the prior art by providing a time- and space-varying stop signal, allowing for minimal saturation of the therapeutic effect on myopia progression. In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a contact lens for at least one of slowing, stopping, or preventing myopia progression.

[0047] Another embodiment of the present disclosure is a contact lens including a front surface, a back surface, an optical center, an optic zone about the optical center, and a toric or astigmatic power profile defined substantially about the optical center, the toric or astigmatic profile configured to provide, at least in part, adequate foveal correction and, at least in part, a light stopping signal for reducing a rate of myopia progression, the contact lens further configured with a rotationally symmetric peripheral carrier zone to provide a temporally and spatially variable light stopping signal, such that therapeutic efficacy for reducing ocular growth progression remains substantially consistent over time.

[0048] According to one embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a contact lens for a myopic eye, the contact lens comprising a front surface, a back surface, an optical axis, an optic zone about the optical axis, and an asymmetric optical power profile about the optical axis, the asymmetric profile configured to provide at least in part a suitable meridian correction and at least in part a light stopping signal for reducing a rate of myopia progression, the contact lens further configured with a rotationally symmetric peripheral carrier zone to provide a temporally and spatially variable light stopping signal, such that therapeutic efficacy for reducing ocular growth progression remains substantially consistent over time.

[0049] The embodiments presented in this disclosure address the ongoing need for enhanced optical designs and contact lenses that can inhibit the progression of myopia while providing the wearer with reasonable and appropriate visual performance for the range of activities the wearer may perform as part of their daily routine. Various aspects of the disclosure of embodiments of the present invention address such needs of the wearer. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0050] [Figure 1] 1 shows a front view and a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a contact lens, the front view further showing an optical center, an optical zone, a blend zone, and a carrier zone, according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 shows a front view and a cross-sectional view of another contact lens embodiment. The sphero-cylindrical correction in the optic zone of this embodiment can result in an elliptical optic zone. The front view further shows that, according to certain embodiments, the radial cross-sections of the carrier zone of the embodiment have substantially similar thicknesses. [Diagram 3] 1 shows a front view of yet another contact lens embodiment disclosed herein, further illustrating the potential for substantially free rotation of the contact lens about its optical center due to the configuration of the carrier zone design. According to an embodiment, substantially free rotation of the contact lens is facilitated by its carrier zone designed with a substantially similar radial thickness profile. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of on-axis geometric spot analysis at the retinal plane when incident light with 0D vergence of visible wavelength (e.g., 589 nm) enters an uncorrected 3D myopic model eye. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an on-axis geometric spot analysis at the retinal plane when incident light of 0D vergence at visible wavelength (e.g., 589 nm) is incident on a 3D myopic model eye corrected with a prior art monofocal contact lens. [Figure 6] 1 shows a schematic diagram of an on-axis through-focus geometric spot analysis at the retinal plane when incident light of visible wavelength (589 nm) with 0D vergence is incident on a 3D myopic model eye corrected with one of the embodiments of the contact lens disclosed herein. [Figure 7] 1 shows a schematic diagram of an enlarged section of only one optical zone of a toric or spherocylindrical prescription contact lens embodiment disclosed herein, in which the power profile distribution within the optical zone is constructed using the radial and azimuth power distribution functions disclosed herein. [Figure 8] 1 illustrates a refractive power map distribution within an optical zone of an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] 1 illustrates the radial thickness distribution across a contact lens of an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10]8 and 9 show the temporally and spatially varying signal due to contact lens rotation plotted as an on-axis point spread function at the retinal plane when incident light of 0D vergence at visible wavelength (e.g., 589 nm) is incident on a -3D myopic model eye corrected with the contact lens embodiment described in Figures 8 and 9. [Figure 11] 8 and 9 show temporally and spatially varying signals due to contact lens rotation, depicted as a wide view-through focus geometric spot analysis when incident light of 0D vergence at visible wavelengths (e.g., 589 nm) is incident on a -3D myopic model eye corrected with the contact lens embodiment described in Figures 8 and 9. [Figure 12] 10 shows the retinal signal plotted due to contact lens rotation as the on-axis through-focus absolute value of the optical transfer function for the principal and perpendicular meridians of the time- and space-varying point spread function of FIG. 10 calculated when incident light of 0D vergence at visible wavelength (e.g., 589 nm) is incident on a -3D myopic model eye corrected with the contact lens embodiment described in FIGS. 8 and 9. [Figure 13] 13 illustrates a refractive power map distribution within an optical zone of another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 14] 1 shows the radial thickness distribution across a prior art contact lens. [Figure 15] 14 illustrates the radial thickness distribution across the contact lens of the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure shown in FIG. 13. [Figure 16] FIG. 14 shows the temporally and spatially varying signal due to contact lens rotation, plotted as an on-axis point spread function at the retinal plane when incident light of 0D vergence at visible wavelength (589 nm) is incident on a -3D myopic model eye corrected with the contact lens embodiment described in FIGS. 13 and 15. [Figure 17]FIG. 14 shows the temporally and spatially varying signal due to contact lens rotation, depicted as a wide view-through-focus geometric spot analysis when incident light of 0D vergence at visible wavelength (589 nm) is incident on a -3D myopic model eye corrected with the contact lens embodiment described in FIGS. 13 and 15. [Figure 18] 16 shows the retinal signal due to contact lens rotation plotted as the on-axis through-focus absolute value of the optical transfer function for the principal and perpendicular meridians of the time- and space-varying point spread function of FIG. 16 calculated when incident light of 0D vergence at visible wavelength (e.g., 589 nm) is incident on a -3D myopic model eye corrected with the contact lens embodiment described in FIGS. 13 and 15. [Figure 19] 13 illustrates a refractive power map distribution within an optical zone of another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 20] 1 illustrates the radial thickness distribution across a contact lens according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 21] FIG. 23 shows the temporally and spatially varying signal plotted due to contact lens rotation as an on-axis point spread function at the retinal plane when incident light of 0D vergence at visible wavelength (589 nm) is incident on a -3D myopic model eye corrected with the contact lens embodiment described in FIGS. 19 and 20. [Figure 22] FIG. 23 shows the temporally and spatially varying signals depicted due to contact lens rotation as a wide view-through focus geometric spot analysis when incident light of 0D vergence at visible wavelength (589 nm) is incident on a -3D myopic model eye corrected with the contact lens embodiment described in FIGS. 19 and 20. [Diagram 23]21 shows the retinal signal due to contact lens rotation plotted as the on-axis through-focus absolute value of the optical transfer function for the principal and perpendicular meridians of the time- and space-varying point spread function of FIG. 21 calculated when incident light of 0D vergence at visible wavelength (e.g., 589 nm) is incident on a -3D myopic model eye corrected with the contact lens embodiment described in FIGS. 19 and 20. [Figure 24] 13 illustrates a refractive power map distribution within an optical zone of another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 25] 1 illustrates the radial thickness distribution across a contact lens according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 26] FIG. 26 shows the temporally and spatially varying signal plotted due to contact lens rotation as an on-axis point spread function at the retinal plane when incident light of 0D vergence at visible wavelength (589 nm) is incident on a -3D myopic model eye corrected with the contact lens embodiment described in FIGS. 24 and 25. [Figure 27] FIG. 26 shows the temporally and spatially varying signals depicted due to contact lens rotation as a wide view-through focus geometric spot analysis when incident light of 0D vergence at visible wavelength (589 nm) is incident on a -3D myopic model eye corrected with the contact lens embodiment described in FIGS. 24 and 25. [Figure 28] 26 shows the retinal signal due to contact lens rotation plotted as the on-axis through-focus absolute value of the optical transfer function for the principal and perpendicular meridians of the time- and space-varying point spread function of FIG. 26 calculated when incident light of 0D vergence at visible wavelength (e.g., 589 nm) is incident on a -3D myopic model eye corrected with the contact lens embodiment described in FIGS. 24 and 25. [Figure 29] FIG. 14 shows the temporally and spatially varying signal due to contact lens decentration depicted as an on-axis point spread function at the retinal plane when incident light of 0D vergence at visible wavelength (589 nm) is incident on a -3D myopic model eye corrected with the contact lens embodiment described in FIGS. 13 and 15. [Diagram 30] FIG. 14 shows the temporally and spatially varying signal depicted due to contact lens decentration as a wide view-through focus geometric spot analysis when incident light of 0D vergence at visible wavelength (589 nm) is incident on a -3D myopic model eye corrected with the contact lens embodiment described in FIGS. 13 and 15. [Diagram 31] 29 shows the retinal signal due to contact lens decentering as the on-axis through-focus absolute value of the optical transfer function for the principal and perpendicular meridians of the time- and space-varying point spread function of FIG. 29 calculated when incident light of 0D vergence at visible wavelength (e.g., 589 nm) is incident on a -3D myopic model eye corrected with the contact lens embodiment described in FIGs. 13 and 15. [Figure 32a] 20 shows the measured thickness profile of a prototype contact lens (Lens #1), which is a variation of the contact lens embodiment described in FIG. [Figure 32b] 20 shows the measured thickness profile of a prototype contact lens (Lens #2) that is a variation of the contact lens embodiment described in FIG. 19. [Figure 33a] 20 shows the measured relative meridional power of the optic zone of a prototype contact lens (Lens #1), which is a variation of the contact lens embodiment described in FIG. 19. [Figure 33b] 20 shows the measured relative meridional power of the optic zone of a prototype contact lens (Lens #2), which is a variation of the contact lens embodiment described in FIG. 19. [Figure 34a] 1 shows the measured thickness profile of a commercially available toric contact lens (Control #1) in two principal meridians (vertical and horizontal). [Figure 34b] 1 shows the measured thickness profile of a commercially available toric contact lens (Control #2) in two principal meridians (vertical and horizontal). [Diagram 35] 1 shows a photograph of the device used to measure contact lens rotation over time. [Diagram 36] 1 shows a front view of an embodiment of a contact lens disclosed herein, further illustrating the method used to measure the azimuth position, amount of rotation or number of turns about the optical axis over time for two prototype contact lenses (Lens #1 and Lens #2), namely, two markings on the contact lenses. [Figure 37a] 1 shows the azimuth position measured for one prototype contact lens (Lens #1) over time, i.e., approximately 30 minutes of lens wear. [Figure 37b] 1 shows the azimuth position measured over time, i.e., approximately 30 minutes of lens wear, for one commercially available toric contact lens (Control #1). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0051] In this section, the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to one or more embodiments, some of which are illustrated and supported by the accompanying drawings. The examples and embodiments are provided for illustrative purposes and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure.

[0052] The following description is provided with respect to several embodiments that may share common characteristics and features of the present disclosure, and it should be understood that one or more features of one embodiment may be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment to form an additional embodiment.

[0053] The functional and structural information disclosed herein should not be read as limiting in any way, but should be interpreted merely as a representative basis to teach those skilled in the art how to employ the disclosed embodiments and variations of those embodiments in various ways.

[0054] The subheadings and associated headings used in the Detailed Description section are included for ease of reference to the reader only and should not be used in any way to limit the invention or subject matter found throughout the claims of this disclosure. The subheadings and associated headings should not be used to construe the scope of the claims or limitations of the claims.

[0055] The risk of developing myopia or progressive myopia may be based on one or more factors such as genetics, ethnicity, lifestyle, environment, excessive close work, etc. Certain embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to individuals at risk of developing myopia or progressive myopia.

[0056] To date, numerous contact lens optical designs have been proposed to control the rate of eye growth, i.e., myopia progression. Some contact lens design options with properties for slowing myopia progression include designs with a certain degree of relatively positive refractive power in relation to the prescription power of the lens, usually distributed rotationally symmetrically about the optical axis of the contact lens.

[0057] The problem with some conventional optical designs based on simultaneous imaging is that they impair the quality of vision at various other distances by introducing significant visual disturbances. This side effect is mainly due to significant levels of simultaneous defocus, the use of significant amounts of spherical aberration, or abrupt power changes within the optical zone.

[0058] Considering the impact of compliance with contact lens wear on the efficacy of such lenses, any significant reduction in visual performance may encourage poor compliance, resulting in reduced efficacy.

[0059] Simple linear models of emmetropization suggest that the magnitude of the stop signal accumulates over time. In other words, the accumulated stop signal depends on the total magnitude, not the time distribution of exposure. However, we have observed from reported clinical trials of various optical designs that a disproportionate proportion of the efficacy or slowing effect achieved on progression rate occurs in the first 6-12 months.

[0060] After an initial burst of treatment, efficacy is observed to wane over time. Thus, in light of clinical observations, a more faithful model of emmetropization consistent with clinical outcomes would suggest a delay in the strengthening of the stop signal, followed by saturation and perhaps a decline in the effectiveness of the stop signal over time.

[0061] There is a need in the art for contact lenses that minimize such saturation of therapeutic effect by providing a time- and spatially-varying stopping signal for slowing the rate of ocular growth, e.g., myopia progression, without requiring the wearer to burden switching between contact lenses of different optical designs during a given period of time.

[0062] Thus, there is a need for optical designs with mechanisms for achieving substantially greater and / or substantially consistent effectiveness over time in reducing and / or slowing myopia progression without significantly compromising visual performance. In one or more examples, substantially consistent effectiveness over time may be considered to last for at least 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, or 60 months.

[0063] The embodiments of the present disclosure relate to optical interventions that utilize the effect of intentionally configured astigmatic blur on the visual system to inhibit or slow myopic progression. In particular, some embodiments relate to toric contact lenses that are intentionally designed with no or substantial stabilization in the non-optical peripheral carrier zone and have optical properties to slow or stop progressive myopic refractive error.

[0064] The optical properties may include, at least in part, the introduction of astigmatic blur at the retinal level of the wearer's eye in combination with a rotationally symmetric peripheral carrier zone that acts as a time- and spatially varying stop signal for eyes that are myopic or may be progressing towards myopia.

[0065] The present disclosure is also directed to devices, methods and / or systems that modify incident light through contact lenses that utilize astigmatic cues to slow the rate of myopia progression.

[0066] In some embodiments, the contact lens device or method provides a stop signal to slow the wearer's eye growth or stop the condition of eye growth or refractive error based on the astigmatic blur signal. In some embodiments, the contact lens device configured with a rotationally symmetric peripheral carrier zone provides a time and space varying stop signal to enhance the effectiveness of managing progressive myopia.

[0067] In some embodiments, the contact lens device or method is not based solely on either positive spherical aberration or synfocal defocus, which suffer from the potential for reduced visual performance for the wearer.

[0068] The following exemplary embodiments are directed to a method of modifying incident light through a contact lens to present simultaneous astigmatic cues at the retinal plane of a corrected eye. This may be accomplished, at least in part, by using a toric optical zone of the contact lens to provide a myopic meridian correction.

[0069] The use of a toric optical zone of a contact lens can be configured with properties designed to reduce the rate of myopia progression by introducing astigmatism-directing cues at the retinal level. In some embodiments, the use of astigmatism-directing cues provided by a toric contact lens can be configured to be spatially and temporally variable.

[0070] Certain other embodiments of the present disclosure relate to optical interventions that utilize the effect of intentionally configured asymmetric zones in contact lenses to provide directional cues to the visual system to inhibit or slow down myopia progression. In particular, some embodiments relate to said contact lenses that are intentionally designed with no or substantial stabilization in the non-optical peripheral carrier zone and have optical properties to slow or stop progressive myopic refractive error.

[0071] 1 shows the overall structure of an exemplary contact lens embodiment (100) to which embodiments of the present invention may be applied, showing the lens in a front view (100a) and a cross-sectional view (100b) that are not to scale. The front view of the exemplary contact lens embodiment (100) further shows a substrate including an optical center (101), an optic zone (102), a blend zone (103), a symmetric non-optical peripheral carrier zone (104), and a lens diameter (105). In this representative example, the lens diameter is approximately 14 mm, the optic zone diameter is approximately 8 mm, the blend zone width is approximately 0.25 mm, and the carrier zone width is approximately 2.75 mm.

[0072] FIG. 2 shows a front view (200a) and a cross-sectional view (200b) of another exemplary contact lens embodiment, not to scale. The front view of this exemplary contact lens embodiment further shows a substrate including an optical center (201), an optical zone (202), a blend zone (203), and a non-optical peripheral carrier zone (204). In this representative example, the lens has a diameter of approximately 14 mm, the optical zone (202) is sphero-cylindrical or astigmatic or toric or asymmetric, the optical zone is elliptical, has a horizontal diameter of approximately 8 mm and a vertical diameter of approximately 7.5 mm, the blend zone is approximately 0.25 mm wide at the horizontal meridian and approximately 0.38 mm wide at the vertical meridian, and the symmetric peripheral carrier zone is approximately 2.75 mm wide. The radial cross sections (204a-204h) of the symmetric peripheral carrier zone (204) have the same or substantially similar thickness profiles.

[0073] In some embodiments, the difference in thickness profile along the different radial cross sections (204a-204h) can be configured to achieve a desired on-eye rotation about the optical center of the lens. A preferred on-eye rotation can be achieved by keeping the peripheral thickness profile rotationally symmetric across all semi-meridians.

[0074] For example, the radial thickness profiles (e.g., 204a-204h) can be configured such that the thickness profile of any other radial cross-section is substantially identical or within 4%, 6%, 8%, or 10% variation at any given distance from the center of the lens.

[0075] In one example, radial thickness profile 204a is within 5%, 8% or 10% variation of radial thickness profile 204e at any given distance from the center of the lens. In another example, radial thickness profile 204c is within 4%, 6% or 8% variation of radial thickness profile 204g at any given distance from the center of the lens.

[0076] In yet another example, the radial thickness profiles (e.g., 204a-204h) may be configured such that the thickness profile of any cross section is within 4%, 6%, 8%, or 10% variation from the average of all radial cross sections at any given distance from the center of the lens. Cross-sectional measurements of thickness along the azimuth direction of the contact lens at defined radial distances may be desired to verify that the manufactured radial thickness profiles of the non-optical peripheral carrier zones, e.g., 204a-204h, match their nominal profiles. In some other examples, the peak thickness measured at one radial cross section of the non-optical peripheral carrier zone may be compared to the peak thickness measured at another radial cross section.

[0077] In some embodiments, the difference in peak thickness between one or more radial cross sections can be no greater than 20 μm, 30 μm, 40 μm, 50 μm, or 60 μm. In some embodiments, the difference in peak thickness between one or more orthogonal radial cross sections can be no greater than 20 μm, 30 μm, 40 μm, 50 μm, or 60 μm.

[0078] In this representative example, the spherical power of the sphero-cylindrical or astigmatic or toric optical zone (202) of the contact lens embodiment (200) has a spherical power of -3D to correct -3D myopia and a cylindrical power of +1.25DC to induce or introduce meridian astigmatism at the retina of the eye. In some other examples of the present disclosure, the spherical power of the contact lens to correct and manage myopia can be between -0.5D and -12D, and the desired astigmatic or toric or cylindrical power to induce or introduce the desired meridian astigmatism at the retina of the myopic eye can range between +0.75DC and +2.5DC.

[0079] Figure 3 shows a front view of the exemplary contact lens (300) embodiment shown in Figure 2. This figure illustrates diagrammatically the effect of the lower (303) and upper (304) eyelids on the contact lens embodiment (300), and in particular the orientation of the optical zone (302) defined about the optical center (301).

[0080] Due to natural blinking facilitated by the combined movement of the lower (303) and upper (304) eyelids, the contact lens (300) may rotate on or around the optical center (301), causing the orientation and location of the astigmatic or toric or asymmetric stimulus provided by the optical zone (302) defined substantially about the optical center or optical axis to vary with blinking providing substantially free rotation and / or decentration, which can result in a temporally and spatially varying stimulus to reduce the wearer's rate of progression of myopia, while the effectiveness of managing myopia remains substantially consistent over time.

[0081] In some embodiments, the contact lens is designed to exhibit substantially free rotation, at least under the influence of natural blinking motion, as described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. For example, throughout a day of lens wear, preferably over a period of 6-12 hours, eyelid interaction will position the contact lens to be oriented on the eye in a number of different orientations or configurations. Directional cues for controlling the rate of eye growth may be configured to vary spatially and temporally due to astigmatic or toric or asymmetric optics configured substantially around the optical center of the contact lens.

[0082] In some embodiments, the surface parameters of the contact lens embodiments, such as the back surface radius and / or asphericity, are tailored to an individual eye so that a desired on-eye rotation of the contact lens can be achieved. For example, the contact lens can be configured to be at least 0.3 mm flatter than the radius of curvature of the flattest meridian of the cornea of ​​the eye to increase the occurrence of on-eye rotation during lens wear.

[0083] In other embodiments, the contact lens may be designed to have less than 20 degrees rotation within one hour of lens wear and less than 180 degrees rotation once per day, and it will be appreciated that the contact lens may still be capable of generating a stop signal that varies in time and space due to merely random orientation of the lens depending on the orientation of the contact lens at the time of insertion.

[0084] Figure 4 shows an uncorrected 3D myopic model eye (400). When incident light (401) of visible wavelength (e.g. 589 nm) with 0D vergence enters an uncorrected myopic eye, the resulting image on the retina has a symmetric blur (402) caused by defocus. This schematic diagram represents an on-axis geometric spot analysis at the retinal plane.

[0085] Figure 5 shows a schematic diagram of an on-axis geometric spot analysis at the retinal plane when the -3D myopic model eye (500) of Figure 4 is corrected with a prior art monofocal spherical contact lens (501). In this example, when incident light (502) of visible wavelength (e.g. 589 nm) with 0D vergence is incident on the corrected myopic eye, the resulting image on the retina has a symmetric sharp focus (503).

[0086] FIG. 6 shows a schematic diagram of an on-axis through-focus geometric spot analysis at the retinal plane when the -3D myopic model eye (600) of FIG. 4 is corrected with an exemplary embodiment contact lens (602) disclosed herein. In this example, when incident light (601) of visible wavelength (e.g., 589 nm) with 0D vergence is incident on the corrected myopic eye (600), the resulting through-focus image on the retina forms a Starm's cone or space (603) with a circle of least confusion (605) and an elliptical blur pattern in the tangential and sagittal planes (604 and 606). The images behind the retina (607 and 608) are both out of focus. In this example, the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is configured such that the tangential plane and the circle of least confusion are both in front of the retina while the sagittal plane is on the retina. The graph dimensions of the blur circle size are 200 μm.

[0087] The elliptical blur pattern in the tangential plane (604) in front of the retina is referred to as meridional astigmatism, and the elliptical blur pattern in the sagittal plane (606) is referred to as meridional correction.

[0088] In another example, the contact lens embodiment (602) may be prescribed such that the elliptical blur pattern in the tangential plane (604) is in front of the retina and the elliptical blur pattern in the sagittal plane (606) is not behind the retina. The depth of the Sturm's cone or spacing, i.e., the through-focus distance between the sagittal and tangential planes, may be configured to be between about +0.5DC and +3DC. The location of the elliptical blur pattern in the tangential plane (604) may be located between 0.6mm and 0.13mm in front of the retina. The location of the elliptical blur pattern in the sagittal plane (606) may be between about 0.13mm and 0mm in front of the retina.

[0089] In some instances, the meridian correction may be limited to the subfoveal, foveal, submacular, macular, or paramacular regions, while in other instances, the meridian correction may span a wider visual angle on the retina, for example encompassing at least 10 degrees, 20 degrees, or 30 degrees.

[0090] In some instances, the meridian astigmatism may be limited to the subfoveal, foveal, submacular, macular, or paramacular regions, while in other instances, the meridian astigmatism may span a wider angle of vision on the retina, for example encompassing at least 10 degrees, 20 degrees, or 30 degrees.

[0091] The lateral spread of the light stopping signal on the retina is determined by the magnitude of the astigmatic or toric or asymmetrical refractive power distribution or the surface area of ​​said astigmatic or toric or asymmetrical refractive power distribution.

[0092] Furthermore, due to the rotationally symmetric peripheral carrier zone, the orientation and position of the light-stop stimulus, i.e., the elliptical blur pattern, in front of the retina varies substantially over time with the natural blinking behavior. On-eye rotation and decentration of the contact lens present spatially and temporally varying signals.

[0093] The specific structural and functional details disclosed in these figures and examples should not be read as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching those skilled in the art to employ the disclosed embodiments in numerous other variations.

[0094] A schematic model eye (Table 1) was chosen for illustration in Figures 4-6. However, in other exemplary embodiments, a schematic ray tracing model eye such as Liou-Brennan, Escudero-Navarro, and others may be used in place of the above simple model eye. Parameters of the cornea, lens, retina, optic body, or combinations thereof may be varied to aid in further simulation of the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0095] Although the examples provided herein use a -3D myopic model eye to disclose the present invention, the disclosure may be extended to other degrees of myopia, such as -1D, -2D, -5D, or -6D. Furthermore, it is understood that one skilled in the art may derive extensions to eyes with various degrees of myopia, including astigmatism up to 1DC. Although the exemplary embodiment refers to a specific wavelength of 589nm, it is understood that one skilled in the art may derive extensions to other visible wavelengths between 420nm and 760nm.

[0096] Certain embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to contact lenses that may provide a time- and space-varying stop signal to an ongoing myopic eye, in other words a stop signal whose retinal position varies substantially over time, achieved with the aid of the natural on-eye rotation and decentration of the contact lens caused by the natural blinking action. This time- and space-varying stop signal may minimize potential saturation effects of efficacy observed in the prior art.

[0097] Certain embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to contact lenses that can provide a spatially and temporally varying stop signal to an ongoing myopic eye, regardless of which orientation the contact lens is worn or inserted by the wearer.

[0098] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the stop signal may be configured using an asymmetric astigmatic or toric power profile defined substantially about the optical center or optical axis. The astigmatic or toric power profile may be configured using a radial and / or azimuthal power distribution along the optical center.

[0099] 7 shows a schematic diagram (700) of a magnified section of only one optical zone (702) of a contact lens embodiment of an astigmatic, toric or sphero-cylindrical prescription (701) of a contact lens embodiment disclosed herein. The power profile distribution within the optical zone of this embodiment is constructed using radial (703) and azimuth (704) power distribution functions as disclosed herein.

[0100] In certain embodiments of the present disclosure, the astigmatic or toric or asymmetric power distribution can be calculated using the formula: Power Distribution for Toric Embodiments = Sphere + Cylinder / 2 * (radial) * It can be constructed using the (azimuth) power distribution function. In some embodiments, the radial distribution function is: radial power distribution=Cρ 2 where C is the expansion coefficient and rho(ρ) (703) is the normalized radial coordinate ρ0 / ρ max rho(ρ0) is the radial coordinate at a given point, while ρ max is the maximum radial coordinate or semi-diameter of the optical zone (705). In some embodiments, the azimuth power distribution function can be of the form Azimuth Power Distribution = cos mθ, where m can be any integer between 1 and 6 in some embodiments, and theta (θ) is the azimuth angle (704).

[0101] Certain embodiments of the present disclosure may need to address the fact that most corneas have some astigmatism or may have ocular astigmatism high enough to require correction, which may combine favorably or unfavorably with the cylindrical power of the contact lens, resulting in variability in the visual performance of the contemplated embodiments.

[0102] While such variations in performance may be beneficial for treatment or management outcomes as measured in terms of effectiveness of myopia progression, the variations in performance may be noticeable or even bothersome to the wearer. Some methods of reducing such variations in visual performance may be achieved by using toric lenses to correct ocular astigmatism.

[0103] In such cases, stabilized lenses may be necessary and multiple contact lenses of different cylinder powers and / or axes may be prescribed for the person's eye or multiple contact lens pairs may be applied to the person's eye, with specific instructions for rotating the lenses over time.

[0104] For example, different lens pairs may be worn on different days, weeks, or months. When two or more lenses are worn in each eye under specific instructions, variations in design can achieve similar spatial and temporal therapeutic effects for slowing myopia progression, such that the slowing of myopia progression is substantially consistent over time.

[0105] Although multiple contact lenses may not be a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure due to the inconvenience they cause to the wearer and the ophthalmologist, they are contemplated and incorporated herein to provide those skilled in the art with an alternative method of using the present invention.

[0106] In another embodiment of the present disclosure to address the problem of higher amounts of astigmatism, for example requiring correction of at least +1.25DC, +1.5DC, +1.75DC or +2DC, a spectacle lens may be prescribed to be worn to address the sphero-cylindrical error of the affected eye, and a specialized contact lens may be prescribed to be worn simultaneously with the spectacle lens, the contact lens configured to induce a desired level of astigmatism or toricity to act as a time- and spatially varying stop signal.

[0107] A schematic model eye was used to simulate the optical performance results of the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure (FIGS. 8-31). The prescription parameters of the schematic model eye used for the optical modeling and performance simulation are summarized in Table 1.

[0108] This prescription presents a -3D myopic eye defined for a monochromatic wavelength of 589 nm. The prescriptions set forth in Table 1 should not be construed as a required method for demonstrating the effectiveness of the contemplated exemplary embodiments. It is merely one of many methods that may be used by one of ordinary skill in the art for purposes of optical simulation. Prescriptions for four (4) exemplary contact lens embodiments are provided in Table 2.

[0109] [Table 1]

[0110] The parameters of the exemplary embodiment of the model contact lens only simulate the optical zone in terms of performance effects. To demonstrate the performance variation as a function of time, the translation and rotation that would occur physiologically in vivo is reproduced using a surface decenter / tilt function. For the simulation of optical performance results, the exemplary embodiment was rotated 0°, 45°, 90° and 135° or decentered ±0.75mm along the horizontal and vertical meridians.

[0111] 8 shows a two-dimensional power map (in D) of an exemplary embodiment (Example #1) over an 8 mm diameter optic zone. The lens is constructed with a -3D spherical power and a +1DC cylindrical power, and when the power profile is decomposed into two principal meridians, one principal meridian (vertical solid line, 801) has a power of approximately -3D, and the other principal meridian (horizontal dashed line, 802) has a power of approximately -2D.

[0112] The power variation across azimuth around the optical center, which is the intersection of the dashed and solid lines, follows a simple cosine distribution as described herein. The contact lens illustrated in Figure 8 is configured to provide at least partial foveal correction, or at least partial meridian correction, to a -3D myopic model eye, and further to provide a meridian stop signal induced or introduced at the retina of the model eye.

[0113] In this example, the principal meridian (801) provides at least partial meridian correction, and the principal meridian (802) provides a meridian stop signal at the retina of the model eye.

[0114] 9 shows cross-sectional thickness profiles of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. For contact lens example #1 (FIG. 8), two thickness profiles are shown at perpendicular meridians along the steep (901) and flat (902) sections of the optic zone.

[0115] The sphero-cylindrical power distribution of the contact lens embodiment depicted in Figure 8 results in an elliptical optic zone with a major axis (902, weak principal meridian) and a minor axis (901, strong principal meridian). In this exemplary embodiment, the zone between the minor axis (901, strong principal meridian) and the non-optical peripheral carrier zone (903) creates a gradual transition or blending zone (904).

[0116] In this exemplary embodiment, the exemplary embodiment (Example #1) was designed to have minimal power variation across the principal meridian (i.e., a flat power profile). However, in some other embodiments of the present disclosure, power variation across the principal meridian is contemplated. As can be seen in FIG. 9, the peripheral non-optical zone of the lens has a substantially rotationally symmetric carrier zone. This design promotes substantially free rotation on or around the optical center of the contact lens embodiment (Example #1) due to natural blinking facilitated by the combined action of the upper and lower eyelids, which in turn causes the astigmatic stimulus provided by the optical zone to vary with blinking, resulting in a temporally and spatially varying stimulus for reducing the rate of myopia progression, while the directional cue and effectiveness of reducing eye growth progression remains substantially consistent over time.

[0117] When incident light of visible wavelength (589 nm) with vergence 0D is incident on a myopic eye of Table 1 corrected with an exemplary embodiment (Example #1), the resulting on-axis, temporally and spatially varying point spread functions at the retinal plane are shown in FIG. 10 with the lens principal meridian at 0° (1001), 45° (1002), 90° (1003) and 135° (1104).

[0118] The rotationally symmetric peripheral carrier zone of the exemplary embodiment (Example #1) facilitates the astigmatic stimulus depicted as a sagittal point spread function on the retina varying due to contact lens rotation with natural blinking motion, providing a temporally and spatially varying signal to the eye.

[0119] FIG. 11 shows the temporally and spatially varying signal for a wide angle (i.e., ±10° field of view) where the principal meridian of a contact lens embodiment has been rotated 0°, 45°, 90° and 135° around the optical center to simulate rotation of the contact lens over time.

[0120] The through-focus geometric spot diagram of FIG. 11 is a representation of the time integral of the light stopping signal obtained by integrating the response obtained when an embodiment of a contact lens is placed on a −3D myopic model eye and further rotated in four different configurations (0°, 45°, 90° and 135°) mimicking on-eye rotation of the contact lens resulting in a spatially and temporally varying light stopping signal.

[0121] [Table 2]

[0122] A through-focus geometric spot analysis around the retinal plane is calculated at five (5) locations 1101-1105, where columns 1101 and 1102 represent retinal locations -0.3 mm and -0.1 mm in front of the retina, column 1103 represents a location 0 mm on the retina, and columns 1104 and 1105 represent retinal locations +0.3 mm and +0.1 mm behind the retina.

[0123] As can be seen, the montage of the through-focus image around the retina forms a Starm's cone or interval (1100) with an elliptical blur pattern encompassing the tangential (1101) and sagittal (1103) planes and the circle of least confusion (1102). Behind the retina, the elliptical blur patterns (1104, 1105) continue to grow in size. In a preferred configuration, the contact lens embodiment is prescribed such that one of the elliptical focuses (tangential) is in front of the retina and the other elliptical focus (sagittal) is on the retina.

[0124] The elliptical blur pattern in the tangential plane (1101) in front of the retina is referred to as meridional astigmatism, and the elliptical blur pattern in the sagittal plane (1103) is referred to as meridional correction. In another example of the present disclosure, contact lens embodiments can be prescribed such that both elliptical foci (tangential and sagittal) are in front of the retina, and in this example, the position of the sagittal plane is configured to provide at least a partial meridional correction to the eye. In yet another configuration, contact lens embodiments can be prescribed such that one of the elliptical foci (tangential) is in front of the retina and the circle of least confusion is on the retina. Furthermore, in each of these contemplated configurations, by virtue of the rotationally symmetric peripheral carrier zone configured in the contemplated embodiments, the astigmatic or toric light stimulus in front of or on the retina varies due to the rotation of the contact lens on the eye with the natural blinking motion, providing a temporally and spatially varying light signal.

[0125] FIG. 12 shows the retinal signal plotted as the on-axis through-focus absolute value of the optical transfer function for the principal and perpendicular meridians of the time- and spatially varying point spread function when incident light of visible wavelength (589 nm) with 0D vergence is incident on a −3D myopic model eye of Table 1 corrected with an embodiment of a contact lens described herein (Example 1).

[0126] In this exemplary embodiment, the peak of the optical transfer function in the principal meridian is located at or slightly anterior to the retinal plane, thereby providing an at least partially foveal or at least partially meridian correction to the −3D myopic eye.

[0127] The peak of the optical transfer function for the perpendicular meridian is approximately 0.38 mm anterior to the retina, providing the induced or induced meridian stop signal. In this example, the peaks of the principal and perpendicular meridians are synonymous with elliptical blur patterns in the sagittal and tangential planes, respectively.

[0128] In some other embodiments, the peak of the optical transfer function of the principal meridian may be on the retina and not more than 0.1 mm in front of the retina. In some other embodiments, the peak of the optical transfer function of the perpendicular meridian may be approximately 0.25 mm, 0.35 mm, 0.45 mm, or 0.6 mm in front of the retina. In some embodiments, the distance between the peaks of the principal and perpendicular meridians may be optimized to improve visual performance while achieving a desired level of induced meridian astigmatism that contributes to the light stopping signal.

[0129] 13 shows a two-dimensional power map (in D) of an exemplary embodiment (Example #2) over an 8 mm diameter optical zone. The lens is constructed with a -3D spherical power and a +1.5DC cylindrical power, and when the power profile is resolved into two principal meridians, one principal meridian (vertical solid line, 1301) has a power of approximately -3D, and the other principal meridian (horizontal dashed line, 1302) has a power of approximately -1.5D. The power variation over azimuth around the optical center, which is the intersection of the dashed and solid lines, follows a simple cosine distribution as described herein.

[0130] The lens has a -3D spherical power along one principal meridian used for at least partial foveal or at least partial meridian correction to the -3D myopic model eye described in Table 1, and a +1.5 DC astigmatism or toric or cylindrical power to provide a meridian stop signal induced at the retina of the model eye.

[0131] Figure 14 shows the thickness profile of a prior art lens with a toric optic zone. The prior art lens of Figure 14 has a prism ballast stabilization zone. Looking more closely at the radial thickness profile in the vertical and horizontal meridians of a prism ballast lens, it is typical of a prior art lens with a -3.00 / +1.50 x 90° prescription.

[0132] The horizontal section (1401) is symmetrical, while the vertical section has a thicker lower portion (1402) and a thinner upper portion (1403) to provide a stable orientation when worn on the eye. The steeper thickness curvature of the vertical section and the flatter thickness curvature in the horizontal meridian match the required corneal astigmatism, thereby providing good vision along any meridian.

[0133] In contrast, Figure 15 shows the thickness profile of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention (Example #2). Two thickness profiles are shown for the perpendicular meridians along the steep and flat sections of the optic zone of the contact lens embodiment (Example #2). The sphero-cylindrical power distribution of the contact lens embodiment depicted in Figure 13 results in an elliptical optic zone with a major axis (1502, the weak principal meridian) and a minor axis (1501, the strong principal meridian).

[0134] In this exemplary embodiment, the zone between the minor axis (1501, the steepest meridian) and the non-optical peripheral carrier zone (1503) creates a gradual transition or blending zone (1504). In this exemplary embodiment, the exemplary embodiment (Example #2) was designed to have minimal power variation (i.e., a flat power profile) across the principal meridian.

[0135] As can be seen in Figure 15, the peripheral non-optical zone of the lens has a substantially rotationally symmetric carrier zone. This design facilitates substantially free rotation on or around the optical center of the contact lens embodiment (Example #2) due to natural blinking facilitated by the combined action of the upper and lower eyelids, which in turn causes the astigmatic stimulus provided by the optical zone to vary with blinking, resulting in a temporally and spatially varying stimulus for reducing the rate of myopic progression in a myopic wearer, while the directional cue and efficiency of reducing the rate of eye growth remain substantially consistent over time.

[0136] When incident light of visible wavelength (589 nm) with 0D vergence is incident on a myopic eye of Table 1 corrected with an exemplary embodiment (Example #2), the resulting on-axis, temporally and spatially varying point spread functions at the retinal plane with the lens' principal meridian at 0° (1601), 45° (1602), 90° (1603) and 135° (1604) are shown in Figure 16. As can be seen, compared to the results obtained with Example 1 (Figure 10), there is an increase in the length of the on-axis point spread function captured at the retina for Example 2 (Figure 16), which is due to the increased cylindrical power of this contact lens embodiment (Example #2).

[0137] The rotationally symmetric peripheral carrier zone of the exemplary embodiment (Example #2) facilitates the astigmatic stimulus depicted as a sagittal point spread function on the retina varying due to contact lens rotation with natural blinking motion, providing a temporally and spatially varying signal to the eye.

[0138] Figure 17 shows the time- and spatially varying signal for a wide angle (i.e., ±10° field of view) where the principal meridian of a contact lens embodiment (Example #2) has been rotated 0°, 45°, 90° and 135° about the optical center to simulate contact lens rotation over time. The through-focus geometric spot diagram in Figure 17 is a representation of the time integral of the light stopping signal obtained by integrating the response obtained when a contact lens embodiment is placed on a -3D myopic model eye and further rotated in four different configurations (0°, 45°, 90° and 135°) mimicking on-eye rotation of said contact lens resulting in a spatially and temporally varying light stopping signal.

[0139] A through-focus geometric spot analysis around the retinal plane is calculated at five (5) locations 1701-1705, where columns 1701 and 1702 represent retinal locations -0.3 mm and -0.15 mm in front of the retina, column 1703 represents a location 0 mm on the retina, and columns 1704 and 1705 represent retinal locations +0.3 mm and +0.15 mm behind the retina.

[0140] As can be seen, the montage of the through-focus image around the retina forms a Starm's cone or space (1700) with an elliptical blur pattern encompassing the tangential (1701) and sagittal (1703) planes and the circle of least confusion (1702). Behind the retina, the elliptical blur patterns (1704, 1705) continue to grow in size. In a preferred configuration, contact lens embodiments are prescribed such that one of the elliptical focuses (tangential) is in front of the retina and the other elliptical focus (sagittal) is on the retina.

[0141] Compared to Example 1 (FIG. 11), the lengths of the sagittal and tangential planes depicted in the through-focus image obtained in Example 2 (FIG. 17) are increased, which is due to the increased cylindrical power of this lens embodiment (Example #2). Note that the scale of each spot diagram is 300 μm.

[0142] In another example of the present disclosure, contact lens embodiments can be prescribed such that both elliptical foci (tangential and sagittal) are in front of the retina. In yet another configuration, contact lens embodiments can be prescribed such that one of the elliptical foci (tangential) is in front of the retina and the circle of least confusion is on the retina.

[0143] Furthermore, in each of these contemplated configurations, by virtue of the rotationally symmetric peripheral carrier zone configured in the contemplated embodiments, the astigmatic or toric light stimulus in front of or on the retina varies due to the rotation of the contact lens on the eye along with the natural blinking motion, providing a temporally and spatially varying light signal.

[0144] FIG. 18 shows the retinal signal plotted as the on-axis through-focus absolute value of the optical transfer function for the principal and perpendicular meridians of the time- and spatially varying point spread function when incident light of visible wavelength (589 nm) with 0D vergence is incident on a −3D myopic model eye of Table 1 corrected with an embodiment of a contact lens described herein (Example 2).

[0145] In this exemplary embodiment, the peak of the optical transfer function in the principal meridian is located at or slightly anterior to the retinal plane, thereby providing an at least partially foveal or at least partially meridian correction to the −3D myopic eye.

[0146] The peak of the optical transfer function for the perpendicular meridian is approximately 0.64 mm anterior to the retina, providing the induced or induced meridian stop signal. In this example, the peaks of the principal and perpendicular meridians are synonymous with elliptical blur patterns in the sagittal and tangential planes, respectively.

[0147] In some other embodiments, the peak of the optical transfer function of the principal meridian may be on the retina and not more than 0.1 mm in front of the retina. In some other embodiments, the peak of the optical transfer function of the perpendicular meridian may be approximately 0.25 mm, 0.35 mm, 0.45 mm, or 0.6 mm in front of the retina. In some embodiments, the distance between the peaks of the principal and perpendicular meridians may be optimized to improve visual performance while achieving a desired level of induced meridian astigmatism that contributes to the light stopping signal.

[0148] 19 shows a two-dimensional power map (in D) of an exemplary embodiment (Example #3) across an 8 mm diameter optic zone. The lens is configured with a -3D spherical power and a +1.5DC cylinder power, and in addition to the spherocylinder power distribution, the lens is configured with a -0.75D primary spherical aberration defined at the edge of the optic zone.

[0149] When the power map is decomposed into two principal meridians, one principal meridian (vertical solid line, 1901) has a power of approximately -3D and a negative primary spherical aberration of the magnitude defined above is defined throughout the optic zone, and the other principal meridian (horizontal dashed line, 1902) has a power of approximately -1.5D and a negative primary spherical aberration of the magnitude defined above is defined throughout the optic zone. The power variation over azimuth about the optical center, the intersection of the dashed and solid lines, follows a complex cosine distribution as described herein.

[0150] In some exemplary embodiments, the substantially asymmetric power distribution is represented using a power distribution function described by the formula sphere+azimuth component, where sphere refers to the distance spherical prescription power for correcting the eye, and the azimuth component of the power distribution function is C a * cos(mθ), where C a is the azimuth coefficient, m is an integer between 1 and 6, and theta (θ) is the azimuth angle of a given point in the optical zone.

[0151] In some other exemplary embodiments, the substantially asymmetric optical power distribution is spherical+(radial component) * (azimuth component), where sphere refers to the distance spherical prescription power for correcting myopia, and the radial component of the power distribution function is C r * ρ, where C r are the expansion coefficients, and rho (ρ) is the normalized radial coordinate (ρ0 / ρ max ) and the azimuth component of the refractive power distribution function is C a * cos(mθ), where m can be any integer between 1 and 6, theta (θ) is the azimuth angle, rho (ρ0) is the radial coordinate at a given point, and ρ max is the maximum radial coordinate or semidiameter of the optical zone. The embodiment of the contact lens of Example #3 is configured to provide at least a partial foveal correction or at least a partial meridian correction to the -3D myopic model eye described in Table 1, and the asymmetrical refractive power distribution (defined as a complex cosine distribution around the azimuth) substantially centered on the optical axis provides a meridian stop signal induced at the retina of the model eye. In other embodiments of the present disclosure, other magnitudes of primary spherical aberration, such as -0.5D, -1D, -1.25D, varying across the entire optical zone of the contact lens, may be more desirable. In some other embodiments of the present disclosure, a desired magnitude of positive spherical aberration may be configured across a small area of ​​the optical zone, such as 5mm, 6mm, or 7mm.

[0152] Figure 20 shows a cross-sectional thickness profile of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention (Example #3). For contact lens Example #3, two thickness profiles are shown for perpendicular meridians along the steep (2001) and flat (2002) sections of the optic zone. In this exemplary embodiment, the asymmetric optical power distribution, which may be expressed as a complex cosine distribution about the optical center, defined along the azimuth direction of the contact lens embodiment depicted in Figure 19, results in an elliptical optic zone with a major axis (2002, the weak principal meridian) and a minor axis (2001, the strong principal meridian).

[0153] In this exemplary embodiment, the zone between the minor axis (2001, the steepest meridian) and the non-optical peripheral carrier zone (2003) creates a gradual transition or blending zone (2004). As can be seen in FIG. 20, the peripheral non-optical zone of the lens has a substantially rotationally symmetric carrier zone. This design promotes substantially free rotation on or around the optical center of the contact lens embodiment (Example #3) due to natural blinking facilitated by the combined action of the upper and lower eyelids, which in turn causes the astigmatic stimulus provided by the optical zone to vary with blinking, resulting in a temporally and spatially varying stimulus for reducing progression rate in myopic wearers, with the directional cue and effectiveness of reducing eye growth progression remaining substantially consistent over time.

[0154] When incident light of visible wavelength (589 nm) with vergence 0D is incident on a myopic eye of Table 1 corrected with an exemplary embodiment (Example #3), the resulting on-axis, temporally and spatially varying point spread functions at the retinal plane are shown in FIG. 21 with the lens principal meridian at 0° (2101), 45° (2202), 90° (2203) and 135° (2204).

[0155] As can be seen, compared to the results obtained with Examples 1 and 2 (Figures 10 and 16), the length of the on-axis point spread function captured at the retina is reduced in Example 3 (Figure 21), which is due to the introduction of negative primary spherical aberration in this contact lens embodiment (Example #3).

[0156] The rotationally symmetric peripheral carrier zone of the exemplary embodiment (Example #3) facilitates the astigmatic stimulus depicted as a sagittal point spread function on the retina varying due to contact lens rotation with natural blinking motion, providing a temporally and spatially varying signal to the eye.

[0157] FIG. 22 shows the temporally and spatially varying signal for a wide angle (i.e., ±10° field of view) where the principal meridian of a contact lens embodiment (Example #3) has been rotated 0°, 45°, 90° and 135° around the optical center to simulate contact lens rotation over time.

[0158] The through-focus geometric spot diagram of FIG. 22 is a representation of the time integral of the light stopping signal obtained by integrating the response obtained when an embodiment of a contact lens is placed on a -3D myopic model eye and further rotated in four different configurations (0°, 45°, 90° and 135°) mimicking on-eye rotation of the contact lens resulting in a spatially and temporally varying light stopping signal.

[0159] A through-focus geometric spot analysis around the retinal plane is calculated at five (5) locations 2201-2205, where columns 2201 and 2202 represent retinal locations −0.3 mm and −0.15 mm in front of the retina, column 2203 represents a location 0 mm on the retina, and columns 2204 and 2205 represent retinal locations +0.3 mm and +0.15 mm behind the retina.

[0160] As can be seen, the montage of the through-focus image around the retina forms a Starm's cone or space (2200) with an elliptical blur pattern encompassing the tangential (2201) and sagittal (2203) planes and the circle of least confusion (2202). Behind the retina, the elliptical blur patterns (2204, 2205) continue to grow in size. In a preferred configuration, contact lens embodiments are prescribed such that one of the elliptical focuses (tangential) is in front of the retina and the other elliptical focus (sagittal) is on the retina.

[0161] In comparison with Examples 1 and 2 (FIGS. 11 and 17), the lengths of the sagittal and tangential planes depicted in the through-focus image obtained in Example 2 (FIG. 17) are reduced due to the introduction of negative primary spherical aberration into this lens embodiment (Example #2). It is noted that the scale of each spot diagram is 300 μm. In other examples of the present disclosure, contact lens embodiments can be prescribed such that both elliptical foci (tangential and sagittal) are in front of the retina. In yet another configuration, contact lens embodiments can be prescribed such that one of the elliptical foci (tangential) is in front of the retina and the circle of least confusion is on the retina. Furthermore, in each of these contemplated configurations, by virtue of the rotationally symmetric peripheral carrier zones configured in the contemplated embodiments, the asymmetric blur stimuli in front of or on the retina vary due to the rotation of the contact lens on the eye with the natural blinking motion, providing a temporally and spatially varying optical signal.

[0162] FIG. 23 shows the retinal signal plotted as the on-axis through-focus absolute value of the optical transfer function for the principal and perpendicular meridians of the time- and spatially varying point spread function when incident light of visible wavelength (589 nm) with 0D vergence is incident on a −3D myopic model eye of Table 1 corrected with an embodiment of a contact lens described herein (Example 3).

[0163] In this exemplary embodiment, the peak of the optical transfer function of the principal meridian is located at or slightly anterior to the retinal plane, thereby providing at least a partial foveal correction or at least a partial meridian correction to the −3D myopic eye. The peak of the optical transfer function of the perpendicular meridian is approximately 0.42 mm anterior to the retina, thereby providing an induced or induced meridian stop signal. In this example, the peaks of the principal and perpendicular meridians are synonymous with elliptical blur patterns in the sagittal and tangential planes, respectively.

[0164] In some other embodiments, the peak of the optical transfer function of the principal meridian may be on the retina and not more than 0.1 mm in front of the retina. In some other embodiments, the peak of the optical transfer function of the perpendicular meridian may be approximately 0.25 mm, 0.35 mm, 0.45 mm, or 0.6 mm in front of the retina. In some embodiments, the distance between the peaks of the principal and perpendicular meridians may be optimized to improve visual performance while achieving a desired level of induced meridian astigmatism that contributes to the light stopping signal.

[0165] FIG. 24 shows a two-dimensional power map (in D) of an exemplary embodiment (Example #4) over an 8 mm diameter optical zone. The lens is configured with a -3D spherical power and a +1.5DC cylinder power, and in addition to the spherocylinder power distribution, the lens is configured with a +0.75D primary spherical aberration defined at the edge of the optical zone. When the power map is decomposed into two principal meridians, one principal meridian (vertical solid line, 2401) has a power of approximately -3D and a positive primary spherical aberration of the magnitude defined above is defined throughout the optical zone, and the other principal meridian (horizontal dashed line, 2402) has a power of approximately -1.5D and a positive primary spherical aberration of the magnitude defined above is defined throughout the optical zone. The power variation over azimuth around the optical center, which is the intersection of the dashed and solid lines, follows a complex cosine distribution as described herein.

[0166] In some exemplary embodiments, the substantially asymmetric power distribution is represented by a power distribution function that is at least partially described by at least one or more terms of a Bessel circle function of the first kind of the general formula (n,m), where at least one or more terms of the Bessel circle function are obtained when n takes values ​​of 1, 2, 3 and m takes values ​​of ±2. In some other exemplary embodiments, the azimuth power distribution function is cos 2 (mθ), where m is an integer between 1 and 6, inclusive.

[0167] The contact lens embodiment of Example #4 is configured to provide at least a partial foveal correction or at least a partial meridian correction to the 3D myopic model eye described in Table 1, where an asymmetric refractive power distribution about the optical axis (defined as a complex cosine distribution about azimuth) provides a meridian stop signal induced at the retina of the model eye.

[0168] In other embodiments of the present disclosure, other magnitudes of varying primary spherical aberration defined across the optic zone of the contact lens may be more desirable, for example, +0.5D, +1D, +1.25D, etc. In some other embodiments of the present disclosure, a desired magnitude of positive spherical aberration may be configured over a small area of ​​the optic zone, for example, 5mm, 6mm, or 7mm.

[0169] FIG. 25 shows a cross-sectional thickness profile of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention (Example #4). For contact lens Example #4, two thickness profiles are shown for perpendicular meridians along the steep (2501) and flat (2502) sections of the optic zone. In this exemplary embodiment, the asymmetric optical power distribution, which may be expressed as a complex cosine distribution about the optical center, defined along the azimuth direction of the contact lens embodiment depicted in FIG. 24, results in an elliptical optic zone with a major axis (2502, weak principal meridian) and a minor axis (2501, strong principal meridian). In this exemplary embodiment, the zone between the minor axis (2501, strong principal meridian) and the non-optical peripheral carrier zone (2503) results in a gradual transition or blending zone (2504).

[0170] As can be seen in Figure 25, the peripheral non-optical zone of the lens has a substantially rotationally symmetric carrier zone. This design facilitates substantially free rotation on or around the optical center of the contact lens embodiment (Example #4) due to natural blinking facilitated by the combined action of the upper and lower eyelids, which in turn causes the asymmetric stimulus provided by the optical zone to vary with blinking, resulting in a temporally and spatially varying stimulus for reducing progression rate in myopic wearers, with the directional cue and effectiveness of reducing eye growth progression remaining substantially consistent over time.

[0171] FIG. 26 shows the resulting on-axis, temporally and spatially varying point spread functions at the retinal plane when incident light of visible wavelength (589 nm) with a vergence of 0D is incident on a myopic eye of Table 1 corrected with an exemplary embodiment (Example #4) with the lens' principal meridian at 0° (2601), 45° (2602), 90° (2603) and 135° (2604).

[0172] As can be seen, the on-axis point spread function captured at the retina is slightly sharper in Example 4 (FIG. 26) compared to the results obtained with Example 3 (FIG. 21), which is due to the introduction of positive primary spherical aberration in this contact lens embodiment (Example #4). The rotationally symmetric peripheral carrier zone of the exemplary embodiment (Example #4) facilitates asymmetric stimulation depicted as a sagittal point spread function on the retina that varies due to contact lens rotation with natural blinking behavior, providing a temporally and spatially varying signal to the eye.

[0173] Figure 27 shows the time- and spatially varying signal for a wide angle (i.e., ±10° field of view) where the principal meridian of a contact lens embodiment (Example #4) has been rotated 0°, 45°, 90° and 135° about the optical center to simulate contact lens rotation over time. The through-focus geometric spot diagram in Figure 27 is a representation of the time integral of the light stopping signal obtained by integrating the response obtained when a contact lens embodiment is placed on a -3D myopic model eye and further rotated in four different configurations (0°, 45°, 90° and 135°) mimicking on-eye rotation of said contact lens resulting in a spatially and temporally varying light stopping signal. A through-focus geometric spot analysis around the retinal plane is calculated at five (5) locations 2701-2705, with columns 2701 and 2702 representing retinal locations -0.3 mm and -0.15 mm in front of the retina, column 2703 representing a location 0 mm on the retina, and columns 2704 and 2705 representing retinal locations +0.3 mm and +0.15 mm behind the retina. As can be seen, the montage of through-focus images around the retina forms a Sturm's cone or interval (2700) with an elliptical blur pattern encompassing the tangential (2701) and sagittal (2703) planes as well as a circle of least confusion (2702). Behind the retina, the elliptical blur pattern (2704, 2705) continues to grow in size. In a preferred configuration, the contact lens embodiment is prescribed such that one of the elliptical foci (tangential) is in front of the retina and the other elliptical focus (sagittal) is on the retina. Compared to Example 2 (Figure 17), the through-focus image of Example 4 (Figure 27) is slightly increased, which is due to the negative spherical aberration of this lens. It is noted that the scale of each spot diagram is 300 μm.

[0174] In other examples of the present disclosure, contact lens embodiments may be prescribed such that both elliptical foci (tangential and sagittal) are in front of the retina. In yet another configuration, contact lens embodiments may be prescribed such that one of the elliptical foci (tangential) is in front of the retina and the circle of least confusion is on the retina. Furthermore, in each of these contemplated configurations, by virtue of the rotationally symmetric peripheral carrier zones configured in the contemplated embodiments, the asymmetric blur stimuli in front of or on the retina vary due to the rotation of the contact lens on the eye with the natural blinking motion, providing a temporally and spatially varying optical signal.

[0175] FIG. 28 shows the retinal signal plotted as the on-axis through-focus absolute value of the optical transfer function for the principal and perpendicular meridians of the time- and space-varying point spread function when incident light of 0D vergence at visible wavelength (589 nm) is incident on the −3D myopic model eye of Table 1 corrected with an embodiment of a contact lens described herein (Example 4). In this exemplary embodiment, the peak of the optical transfer function of the principal meridian is located at or slightly anterior to the retinal plane, thereby providing at least a partially foveal correction or at least a partially meridian correction to the −3D myopic eye. The peak of the optical transfer function of the perpendicular meridian is approximately 0.45 mm anterior to the retina, thereby providing an induced or induced meridian stop signal. In this example, the peaks of the principal and perpendicular meridians are synonymous with elliptical blur patterns in the sagittal and tangential planes, respectively. In some other embodiments, the peak of the optical transfer function of the principal meridian may be on the retina, but not more than 0.1 mm anterior to the retina. In some other embodiments, the peak of the optical transfer function of the perpendicular meridian may be approximately 0.25 mm, 0.35 mm, 0.45 mm, or 0.6 mm in front of the retina. In some embodiments, the distance between the peak of the principal meridian and the perpendicular meridian may be optimized to improve visual performance while achieving a desired level of induced meridian astigmatism contributing to the light stop signal. When incident light of visible wavelength (589 nm) with 0D vergence is incident on the myopic eye of Table 1 corrected with the exemplary embodiment (Example #2), the resulting on-axis decentering point spread function at the retinal plane is shown in FIG. 29 when the lens is decentered 0.75 mm (2901) and -0.75 mm (2902) along the x-axis and 0.75 mm (2903) and -0.75 mm (2904) along the y-axis.

[0176] Figure 30 shows a wide-angle (i.e., ±10° field) time- and spatially-varying (i.e., the lens is decentered ±0.75 mm along the x- and y-axes over time) geometric spot analysis around the retinal plane when the -3D myopic model eye of Table 1 is corrected with one of the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein (Example #2). The through-focus geometric spot diagram of Figure 30 is a representation of the spatial integral of the light stopping signal obtained by integrating the response obtained when an embodiment of a contact lens is placed on the -3D myopic model eye and further decentered in two different configurations (±0.75 mm along the x- and y-axes) mimicking on-eye rotation of said contact lens resulting in a spatially and temporally-varying light stopping signal.

[0177] As can be seen, the montage of through-focus images around the retina forms a Starm's cone or interval (3000) with an elliptical blur pattern with sagittal (3002) and tangential (3003) planes and a circle of least confusion (3001). Behind the retina, the blur pattern (3004, 3005) continues to grow in size. An embodiment of the contact lens is prescribed such that one of the elliptical foci is in front of the retina. Furthermore, due to the rotationally symmetric peripheral carrier zone, the stimulus in front of the retina varies (a temporally and spatially varying signal) with the natural blinking behavior, i.e., in this exemplary embodiment, due to the decentering of the lens.

[0178] FIG. 31 shows the retinal signal plotted as the on-axis through-focus absolute value of the optical transfer function for the principal and perpendicular meridians of the time- and space-varying point spread function when the lens is decentered, for incident light of 0D vergence at visible wavelength (589 nm) incident on a −3D myopic model eye of Table 1 corrected with an embodiment of a contact lens described herein (Example 2). The optical transfer function peak for the principal meridian is located at or slightly anterior to the retinal plane, providing the meridian correction to the −3D myopic eye. The optical transfer function peak for the perpendicular meridian is located approximately 0.64 mm anterior to the retina, providing the induced meridian stop signal.

[0179] In some other embodiments, the change or substantial change in the light signal is received by the on-axis and off-axis areas on the retina constituted by the Starm's cones or spaces, and the light stop signal means that a portion of the Starm's cones or spaces falls in front of the retina, while the remainder of the Starm's cones or spaces falls around the retina. The percentage of the Starm's cones or spaces that provide the meridian stop signal can be approximately 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% or 100%.

[0180] In some embodiments, the astigmatic, or toric, portion of the optical zone of a contact lens embodiment provides at least partially a meridian correction to a myopic eye and a meridian stop signal to at least partially reduce the rate of myopia progression. The induced or induced astigmatic, optical stop signal can be at least +0.5DC, +0.75DC, +1DC, +1.25DC, +1.5DC, +1.75DC, +2DC, +2.25DC or +2.5DC.

[0181] In certain embodiments, the astigmatism, or toricity, of the optical zone of a contact lens embodiment that provides at least partially a meridian correction to a myopic eye and at least partially a meridian stop signal to reduce the rate of myopia progression, the surface area defined by the minor and major axes of a portion can be at least 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, or 80%.

[0182] In certain other embodiments, the desired prescription for induced or induced astigmatism, the optical stop signal, may be expressed in the form of a negative cylinder. For example, a prescription in the form of a negative cylinder in one embodiment of the present disclosure intended to correct and manage a -3D myopic model eye would be -2D spherical power and -1DC cylinder power, and in this example, this embodiment would provide a partial foveal correction, or at least a partial meridional correction, to the myopic model eye, and further provide at least 1DC astigmatic blur (i.e., a stop signal) to the myopic eye.

[0183] In some embodiments, the induced astigmatism in the toric optical zone of the contact lens may be at least +0.5DC, +0.75DC, +1DC, +1.25DC, +1.5DC, +1.75DC, +2DC, +2.25DC, or +2.5DC. In some embodiments, the induced astigmatism in the toric optical zone of the contact lens may be between +0.50DC to +0.75DC, +0.5DC to +1DC, and +0.5DC to +1.25DC, +0.5DC to 1.5DC, 0.5DC to 1.75DC, 0.5DC to 2DC, 0.5DC to 2.25DC, or 0.5DC to 2.5DC.

[0184] In some embodiments, the toric optical zone of a contact lens may be at least 6 mm, 6.5 mm, 7 mm, 7.5 mm, 8 mm, 8.5 mm, or 9 mm in diameter. In some embodiments, the toric optical zone of a contact lens may be between 6 mm and 7 mm, 7 mm and 8 mm, 7.5 mm and 8.5 mm, or between 7 and 9 mm in diameter.

[0185] In some embodiments, the blend zone or blending zone of the contact lens may be at least 0.05 mm, 0.1 mm, 0.15 mm, 0.25 mm, 0.35, or 0.5 mm in width. In some embodiments, the blend zone or blending zone of the contact lens may be between 0.05 mm and 0.15 mm, 0.1 mm and 0.3 mm, or 0.25 mm and 0.5 mm in width. In some embodiments, the blending zone may be symmetrical, and in some other embodiments, the blending zone may be asymmetrical, e.g., elliptical. In some other embodiments, one skilled in the art may contemplate practicing the invention without the use of a blend zone or blending zone.

[0186] In some embodiments, a substantial portion of the optical zone of a contact lens made with a toric correction, defined substantially concentrically about the optical axis or optical center, may be understood to mean at least 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 98%, or 100% of the optical zone of the contact lens. In some embodiments, a substantial portion of the optical zone of a contact lens made with a toric correction, defined substantially concentrically about the optical axis or optical center, may be understood to mean between 50%-70%, between 60%-80%, between 60%-90%, between 50%-95%, between 80%-95%, between 85%-98%, or between 50%-100% of the optical zone of the contact lens.

[0187] In some embodiments, the peripheral non-optical zone or carrier zone of the contact lens may be at least 2.25 mm, 2.5 mm, 2.75 mm, or 3 mm in width. In some embodiments, the peripheral zone or carrier zone of the contact lens may be between 2.25 mm and 2.75 mm, 2.5 mm and 3 mm, or 2 mm and 3.5 mm in width. In some embodiments, the peripheral zone or carrier zone of the contact lens is substantially symmetrical, with a radial thickness profile that is substantially similar across the horizontal, vertical, and other oblique meridians.

[0188] In some embodiments, the peripheral or carrier zone of the contact lens is substantially symmetrical, with radial thickness profiles that are substantially similar across horizontal, vertical and other oblique meridians, which may mean that the thickness profile of the peripheral carrier zone across any semi-meridian is within 7%, 9%, 11%, 13%, or 15% variation of the thickness profile of any other semi-meridian, where the radial thickness profiles compared between any different meridians are measured over radial distances.

[0189] In some embodiments, the peripheral zone or carrier zone of the contact lens is substantially symmetrical, meaning that the radial thickness profile is substantially similar across horizontal, vertical and other oblique meridians, which may mean that the thickness profile of the peripheral carrier zone across any meridian is within 7%, 9%, 11%, 13%, or 15% variation of the thickness profile of any other meridian. Here, the radial thickness profiles compared between any different meridians are measured in radial distance. In some embodiments, the peripheral zone or carrier zone of the contact lens is substantially rotationally symmetrical, meaning that the radial thickness profile is substantially similar across horizontal, vertical and other oblique meridians, which may mean that the thickest point in the peripheral carrier zone across any semi-meridian is within a maximum of 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, or 40 μm variation of the thickest peripheral point of any other semi-meridian. For the avoidance of doubt, the thickness profile is measured in the radial direction.

[0190] In some embodiments, the peripheral zone or carrier zone of the contact lens is substantially rotationally symmetric, with a radial thickness profile that is substantially similar across horizontal, vertical and other oblique meridians, which may mean that the thickest point in the peripheral carrier zone across any meridian is within a maximum of 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, or 40 μm variation of the thickest peripheral point of any other meridian. For the avoidance of doubt, the thickness profile is measured in the radial direction. In some embodiments, the peripheral zone or non-optical carrier zone of the contact lens is configured to be substantially free of ballast, free of any optical prisms, free of prism ballasts, free of slab-off designs, or free of truncated designs commonly used in conventional toric or asymmetric contact lenses intended to stabilize the orientation of the contact lens on the eye.

[0191] In some embodiments, the substantially free rotation of the contact lens over time can be at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 10 times 180 degrees per day, and at least 10, 15, 20, or 25 degrees per hour of lens wear. In other embodiments, the substantially free rotation of the contact lens over time can be at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 10 times 90 degrees per day, and at least 10, 15, 20, or 25 degrees per hour of lens wear. In some embodiments, the toric portion of the contact lens can be located, formed, or placed on the anterior surface, the posterior surface, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the toric portion of the contact lens, defined substantially concentrically about the optical axis or optical center of the contact lens, is directed to generating a particular feature of the stop signal, such as an induced astigmatism in which either the sagittal or tangential focal line is substantially in front of the retina.

[0192] In certain other examples, the toric portion of the contact lens is located, formed, or placed on one of the two surfaces of the contact lens, and the other surface may have other features to further reduce eye growth, such as the use of additional optical features such as coma, trefoil, or primary spherical aberration to improve visual performance according to embodiments while presenting a directional cue or stop signal to reduce the rate of eye growth.

[0193] In certain embodiments, the shape of the optical zone, blending zone and / or peripheral carrier zone may be described by one or more of a sphere, an aspheric surface, an extended odd polynomial, an extended even polynomial, a conic section, a biconic section, a toric surface, or a Zernike polynomial.

[0194] In some other embodiments, the radial and / or azimuth power distribution across the optical center may be described by appropriate Bessel functions, Jacobi polynomials, Taylor polynomials, Fourier expansions, or combinations thereof. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the stop signal may be configured using exclusively astigmatic, astigmatic or toric power profiles. However, in other embodiments, higher order aberrations such as primary spherical aberration, coma, trefoil may be combined with the configured astigmatic, toric or asymmetric blur. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, the present invention may be used in combination with any of the devices / methods that may affect the progression of myopia. These include, but are not limited to, various designs of eyeglass lenses, color filters, medicines, behavioral changes, and environmental conditions.

[0195] Prototype contact lenses Lens #1 and Lens #2: Design, measurements, and clinical data Two toric contact lenses with rotationally symmetric peripheral carrier zones were manufactured to prescriptions for the right and left eyes of one subject to evaluate visual performance and to determine the amount of lens rotation over time when worn on the eye.

[0196] Lens #1 and Lens #2 are exemplary embodiments of the invention disclosed herein. Both lenses (Lens #1 and Lens #2) had a spherical power of -2.00D and a cylinder power of +1.50DC. However, the contact lens embodiment incorporated a meridian negative spherical aberration, and the magnitude of the spherical aberration was selected such that the principal meridian composed of positive cylinder blended into a sphere at the edge of the optical zone. This method reduced the average cylinder power over the 8mm optical zone to approximately +0.8DC. Both lenses provided clinically acceptable visual performance when compared to monofocal correction.

[0197] Table 4 shows the measured base curve, lens diameter and center thickness values ​​for two manufactured lenses, Lens #1 for the right eye and Lens #2 for the left eye. The contact lens material was Contaflex 42 (Contamac, UK) with a measured refractive index of 1.432.

[0198] [Table 3]

[0199] 32a and 32b show measured thickness profiles at two perpendicular meridians for two prototype contact lenses, #1 (FIG. 32a) and #2 (FIG. 32b), which are variations of the contact lens embodiment described in FIG. 19.

[0200] The thickness profiles were measured with an Optimec is830 (Optimec Ltd, UK) to determine the peripheral prism, i.e. the thickness difference between the two peripheral peaks of each lens meridian. For lens #1 (3201), the thickness difference was 32.5 μm and 2.3 μm at meridians 1 and 2, respectively. Similarly, for lens #2 (3020), the thickness difference was 22.9 μm and 0.4 μm at meridians 1 and 2, respectively.

[0201] As expected from the peripheral rotationally symmetric carrier zone design of these prototype contact lenses, the peripheral thickness difference across both meridians was minimal, providing a peripheral carrier zone without rotational stabilization.

[0202] While the Optimec is830 allows reliable measurement of the peripheral thickness profile, the measurement variability of the instrument increases in the central optic zone, and the expected thickness differences between the perpendicular and horizontal meridians of the toric optic zone of Lens #1 and Lens #2 cannot be properly assessed from these measurements. Instead, the power mapping instrument NIMOevo (Lambda-X, Belgium) was used to measure and confirm the cylindrical power of the central optic zone of Lens #1 and Lens #2.

[0203] Figures 33a and 33b show the measured relative meridian power from NIMOevo after a cosine was fitted to the data for two prototype contact lenses, Lens #1 (3301) and Lens #2 (3302), which are variations of the contact lens embodiment described in Figure 19. The measured cylinder powers for Lens #1 and Lens #2 were 0.78DC and 0.74DC, respectively, at an 8mm aperture, which matches the expected cylinder power (i.e., cylinder power + meridian negative spherical aberration).

[0204] Figures 34a and 34b show the measured thickness profiles in the vertical and horizontal meridians of two commercially available toric contact lenses (Control #1 and Control #2). For the avoidance of doubt, Control #1 and Control #2 are examples of prior art lenses. The lenses were Biofinity toric lenses (CooperVision, US) with a cylinder power of -1.25 DC (material: comfilcon A).

[0205] In this example, the thickness profile was measured with an Optimec is830 (Optimec Ltd, UK) to determine the peripheral prism, i.e. the thickness difference between the two peripheral peaks of each lens meridian. In Control #1 (3401), the thickness difference was 197.5 μm and 28 μm in meridians 1 (vertical) and 2 (horizontal), respectively. In Control #2 (3402), the thickness difference was 198.5 μm and 0.03 μm in meridians 1 and 2, respectively. Unlike the thickness profiles and differences of the prototype contact lenses, Lens #1 (3201) and Lens #2 (3202), which were similar in both meridians, the two commercially available toric contact lenses, Control #1 (3401) and Control #2 (3402), showed significant peripheral prism along meridian 2. These peripheral prisms have the purpose of stabilizing toric contact lenses (prior art).

[0206] Figure 35 shows a photograph of the device (3500) used to measure contact lens rotation over time. The device (3500) consists of a simple eyeglass frame (3501) to which is attached a mounting arm with a small camera (3503) (SQ11 Mini HD camera). The camera is positioned such that video of the contact lens when worn on the eye can be taken over time to assess the rotation of the contact lens embodiments disclosed herein, i.e., spatially and temporally varying stimuli.

[0207] FIG. 36 shows a front view of a contact lens embodiment (3600) disclosed herein that includes a symmetric non-optical peripheral carrier zone (3601) under the influence of the lower eyelid (3603) and upper eyelid (3604) that allows free rotation on or around the optical center of the contact lens embodiment. The front view further shows a method, i.e., two different markings (3605a and 3605b) along the same meridian on the contact lens embodiment that, in conjunction with the device (3500), can be used to measure the azimuth position (3602) or amount of rotation of the contact lens over time. In this exemplary embodiment (3600), the contact lens marking (3605b) was located along the 45° meridian. In other embodiments, the markings may be of different shapes, sizes, or colors, and the number of markings may be greater than two to further facilitate detection of the azimuth position of the contact lens over time.

[0208] 37a and 37b show the azimuth positions measured over time, i.e., about 30 minutes of lens wear, of a prototype contact lens #1 (3701) and a commercial toric contact lens control #1 (3702) when wearing the described device (3500) and following the described method (3600). Unlike the commercial toric contact lens control #1, which showed only a small amount of lens rotation, the prototype contact lens #1 rotated approximately 250° after approximately 25 minutes of lens wear. In some embodiments, the contact lens can be configured with a specific fit that allows for substantially free rotation of the contact lens on the myopic eye, where substantially free rotation of the contact lens is determined as a rotation of the contact lens of 180 degrees at least once, twice, three times, four or five times per day, and at least 15 degrees, 20 degrees, 25 degrees, 30 degrees or 35 degrees within one hour of lens wear. Some other exemplary embodiments are described in the following example set. EXAMPLES

[0209] Example Set "A" - Astigmatism Power Distribution 1. An ophthalmic contact lens comprising: an optical zone about an optical center; and a non-optical peripheral carrier zone about the optical zone, the optical zone being configured with a substantially toric or astigmatic power distribution substantially centered about the optical center to provide, at least in part, a meridian correction to the eye, and at least in part, to provide meridian astigmatism that generates a directional cue that acts, at least in part, as a stop signal to the eye, and the non-optical peripheral carrier zone being configured with a substantially rotationally symmetric thickness profile about the optical center.

[0210] A contact lens as described in one or more claims in Example Set A, wherein the area of ​​the optical zone comprised of a substantially toric or astigmatic power distribution comprises at least 50% of the optical zone, with the remainder of the optical zone being comprised of a spherical correction to the eye.

[0211] A contact lens as described in one or more claims in Example Set A, wherein the meridional correction and meridional astigmatism are provided by a region of the optical zone comprised of a substantially toric or astigmatic power distribution extending over at least 4 mm of a central region of the contact lens.

[0212] The contact lens of one or more claims in Example Set A, wherein the substantially toric or astigmatic power distribution of the optical zone is configured on the anterior surface of the contact lens.

[0213] The contact lens of one or more claims in Example Set A, wherein the substantially toric or astigmatic power distribution of the optical zone is configured on the posterior surface of the contact lens.

[0214] The contact lens of one or more claims in Example Set A, wherein the substantially toric or astigmatic power distribution of the optical zone is defined in part by the anterior surface and in part by the posterior surface of the contact lens.

[0215] A contact lens according to one or more claims in Example Set A, wherein the thickest point within the non-optical peripheral carrier zone across any semi-meridian is within a maximum variation of 30 μm of the thickest peripheral point of any other semi-meridian.

[0216] A contact lens according to one or more claims in Example Set A, wherein the thickness profile of the substantially rotationally symmetric region of the non-optical peripheral carrier zone in any meridian is within at least 6% of the average thickness profile of the non-optical peripheral carrier zone measured around the optical center of the contact lens.

[0217] A contact lens as described in one or more claims in Example Set A, comprising a spherical blending zone between the optical zone and the non-optical peripheral carrier zone, the width of the spherical blending zone spanning at least 0.1 mm as measured over a half chord diameter across the optical center of the contact lens.

[0218] The contact lens of one or more claims in Example Set A, wherein the substantially toric or astigmatic power distribution has an effective astigmatism or toricity of at least +0.75 diopters of cylinder power.

[0219] The contact lens of one or more claims in Example Set A, wherein the substantially toric or astigmatic power distribution has an effective astigmatism or toricity of at least +1.25 diopters of cylinder power.

[0220] The contact lens of one or more claims in Example Set A, wherein the substantially toric or astigmatic power distribution has an effective astigmatism or toricity of at least +1.75 diopters of cylinder power.

[0221] The contact lens of one or more claims in Example Set A, wherein the substantially toric or astigmatic power distribution has an effective astigmatism or toricity of at least +2.25 diopters of cylinder power.

[0222] The contact lens of one or more of the claims in Example Set A, wherein a substantially toric or astigmatic power distribution is combined with a primary spherical aberration of at least +1D defined throughout the optical zone.

[0223] The contact lens of one or more of the claims in Example Set A, wherein a substantially toric or astigmatic power distribution is combined with a primary spherical aberration of at least -1D defined throughout the optical zone.

[0224] A contact lens as described in one or more claims of Example Set A, wherein the shape of a substantial area comprised of a substantially toric or astigmatic optical power distribution is provided within a substantially circular or elliptical optical zone area.

[0225] A contact lens as described in one or more claims of Example Set A, wherein the non-optical peripheral carrier zone provides specific adaptability to provide a temporally and spatially varying light stopping signal to the wearer's eye to provide a directional signal that substantially controls eye growth.

[0226] The contact lens of one or more claims in Example Set A, wherein the non-optical peripheral carrier zone is configured to allow at least one of at least 15 degree rotation of the contact lens during 1 hour of wear on a myopic eye, and at least three 180 degree rotations of the contact lens during 8 hours of wear.

[0227] A contact lens as described in one or more claims of Example Set A, wherein the non-optical peripheral carrier zone provides specific adaptability for providing a temporally and spatially varying optical stopping signal to the wearer's eye, the varying optical signal providing a substantially consistent directional stimulus or directional cue that inhibits or slows eye growth over time.

[0228] The contact lens of one or more claims in Example Set A, wherein the contact lens is configured for a myopic eye with no astigmatism or with less than 1 diopter of cylinder power astigmatism.

[0229] A contact lens according to one or more claims in Example Set A, wherein the contact lens is capable of providing the wearer with adequate visual performance comparable to that obtained with properly fitted commercially available single focus contact lenses.

[0230] The contact lens of one or more claims in Example Set A, wherein the contact lens is configured with an astigmatic or toric power zone substantially covering the optic zone, and the radial power profile is described by a standard conic section, a biconic section, an even or odd expansion polynomial, or a combination thereof.

[0231] The contact lens of one or more claims in Example Set A, wherein the contact lens is configured for an eye at risk of developing myopia.

[0232] A contact lens as described in one or more claims in Example Set A, wherein the optical zone is configured to provide at least partially adequate foveal correction to the eye and is further configured to provide at least partially a temporally and spatially varying stop signal for reducing a rate of eye growth.

[0233] A contact lens as described in one or more claims in Example Set A, wherein the optical zone is configured to provide at least partially adequate foveal correction to the eye and is further configured to provide a substantially consistent temporally and spatially varying stop signal over time for reducing a rate of at least partially consistent eye growth.

[0234] A contact lens according to one or more claims in Example Set A, which is capable of modifying incoming light and exploiting directional cues presented by induced astigmatism incorporated at least in part by the central optical zone to slow the rate of myopia progression.

[0235] A contact lens according to one or more claims in Example Set A, wherein the contact lens presents a temporally and spatially variable stop signal to the wearer by virtue of rotation of the contact lens on the eye facilitated at least in part by a rotationally symmetric non-optical peripheral carrier zone.

[0236] 1. A method comprising applying or prescribing a contact lens to a myopic eye, the contact lens providing a spherical correction to the myopic eye for at least reducing the myopic error of the eye, the contact lens including features effective to introduce astigmatism error to the myopic eye and rotate on the eye during wear of the contact lens, whereby the astigmatism error is temporally and spatially variable.

[0237] 13. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the contact lens is a contact lens according to any one or more of the preceding claims in Example Set A.

[0238] Example Set "B" - Asymmetric Distributions Defined by Other Power Profile Variations 1. A contact lens for an eye, comprising: an optical zone about an optical center; and a non-optical peripheral carrier zone about the optical zone, the optical zone configured with an asymmetric refractive power distribution substantially centered about the optical center, at least in part providing a meridian correction to the eye, and at least in part providing a meridian stop signal to the eye, the non-optical peripheral carrier zone configured substantially without ballast to provide substantial temporal and spatial variation in the meridian stop signal or otherwise configured to allow rotation of the lens when on the eye.

[0239] A contact lens as described in one or more claims of Example Set B, wherein the area of ​​the optical zone configured with a substantially asymmetric refractive power distribution substantially about the optical center comprises at least 50% of the optical zone, and the remainder of the optical zone is configured with a spherical correction for myopic eyes.

[0240] A contact lens as described in one or more claims of Example Set B, wherein the meridian correction and meridian stop signal are provided by an area of ​​the optical zone configured with a substantially asymmetric distribution extending over at least 4 mm of a central region of the contact lens.

[0241] The contact lens of one or more claims in Example Set B, wherein the substantially asymmetric optical power distribution of the optical zone is configured on the anterior surface of the contact lens.

[0242] The contact lens of one or more claims in Example Set B, wherein the substantially asymmetric optical power distribution of the optical zone is configured on a posterior surface of the contact lens.

[0243] The contact lens of one or more claims of Example Set B, wherein the substantially asymmetric optical power distribution of the optical zone is constituted partially by the anterior surface and partially by the posterior surface of the contact lens.

[0244] The contact lens of one or more claims in Example Set B, wherein the thickest point within the non-optical peripheral carrier zone across any one meridian is within a maximum variation of 30 μm of the thickest peripheral point of any other meridian.

[0245] A contact lens as described in one or more claims of Example Set B, wherein the thickness profile of the substantially rotationally symmetric region of the non-optical peripheral carrier zone at any meridian is within 6% of the average thickness profile of the non-optical peripheral carrier zone measured around the optical center of the contact lens.

[0246] A contact lens as described in one or more claims in Example Set B, comprising a spherical blending zone between the optical zone and the non-optical peripheral carrier zone, the width of the spherical blending zone spanning at least 0.1 mm as measured over a half chord diameter across the optical center of the contact lens.

[0247] The contact lens of one or more claims in Example Set B, wherein the difference in minimum to maximum optical power across the substantially asymmetric optical power distribution is at least +1.25 diopters.

[0248] The substantially asymmetrical power distribution is represented using a power distribution function described by the formula of sphere + azimuth component, where sphere refers to the distance spherical prescription power for correcting the eye, and the azimuth component of the power distribution function is C a * cos(mθ), where C a The contact lens of one or more claims in Example Set B, wherein m is the azimuth coefficient, m is an integer between 1 and 6, and theta (θ) is the azimuth angle of a given point in the optical zone.

[0249] The substantially asymmetric refractive power distribution is spherical + (radial component) * (azimuth component), where sphere refers to the distance spherical prescription power for correcting myopia, and the radial component of the power distribution function is C r* ρ, where C r are the expansion coefficients, and rho (ρ) is the normalized radial coordinate (ρ0 / ρ max ) and the azimuth component of the refractive power distribution function is C a * cos(mθ), where m can be any integer between 1 and 6, theta (θ) is the azimuth angle, rho (ρ0) is the radial coordinate at a given point, and ρ max The contact lens of one or more claims in Example Set B, wherein:

[0250] A contact lens according to one or more claims of Example Set B, wherein the substantially asymmetric power distribution is expressed at least in part by a power distribution function described by at least one or more terms of a Bessel circle function of the first kind of general formula (n,m), where at least one or more of the terms of the Bessel circle function are obtained when n takes values ​​of 1, 2, 3 and m takes values ​​of ±2.

[0251] The azimuth refractive power distribution function is cos 2 20. The contact lens of claim 1 or more of the following embodiments:

[0252] A contact lens according to one or more claims of Example Set B, wherein the shape of the substantial area comprised of a substantially asymmetric optical power distribution is provided within a substantially circular or elliptical optical zone area.

[0253] A contact lens as described in one or more claims of Example Set B, wherein the non-optical peripheral carrier zone provides specific adaptability to provide a temporally and spatially varying light stopping signal to the wearer's eye to provide a directional signal that substantially controls eye growth.

[0254] The contact lens of one or more claims in Example Set B, wherein the non-optical peripheral carrier zone is configured to allow at least one of at least 15 degree rotation of the contact lens during 1 hour of wear on a myopic eye, or at least three 180 degree rotations of the contact lens during 8 hours of wear.

[0255] A contact lens as described in one or more claims of Example Set B, wherein the non-optical peripheral carrier zone provides specific adaptability to provide a temporally and spatially varying light stopping signal to the wearer's eye to provide a directional signal that substantially controls ocular growth of the eye.

[0256] A contact lens as described in one or more claims of Example Set B, wherein the non-optical peripheral carrier zone provides specific adaptability to provide a temporally and spatially varying light stopping signal to the wearer's eye to provide a directional signal that substantially controls ocular growth of the eye that is substantially consistent over time.

[0257] The contact lens of one or more claims in Example Set B, wherein the contact lens is configured for a myopic eye with no astigmatism or with less than 1 diopter of cylinder power astigmatism.

[0258] A contact lens according to one or more claims of Example Set B, wherein the contact lens is capable of providing the wearer with adequate visual performance comparable to that obtained with commercially available single focus contact lenses.

[0259] The contact lens of one or more claims in Example Set B, wherein the contact lens is configured with an astigmatic or toric optical power profile substantially across the optical zone that is described by a Bessel function, a Jacobi polynomial, a Taylor polynomial, a Fourier expansion, or a combination thereof.

[0260] The contact lens of one or more claims in Example Set B, wherein the contact lens is configured for an eye at risk of developing myopia.

[0261] A contact lens as described in one or more claims of Example Set B, wherein the optical zone is configured to provide at least partially adequate foveal correction to the eye and is further configured to provide at least partially a temporally and spatially varying stop signal for reducing a rate of eye growth.

[0262] A contact lens as described in one or more claims of Example Set B, wherein the optical zone is configured to provide at least partially adequate foveal correction to the eye and further configured to at least partially provide a temporally and spatially varying stop signal for reducing a rate of ocular growth, and wherein the effectiveness of treating or managing ocular growth is substantially consistent over time.

[0263] A contact lens as described in one or more claims of Example Set B, which utilizes directional cues presented by induced asymmetric optical signals incorporated at least in part by the central optical zone to modify incoming light and slow the rate of myopia progression.

[0264] 1. A method comprising applying or prescribing a contact lens to a myopic eye, the contact lens providing a spherical correction to the myopic eye for at least reducing myopic error of the myopic eye, and including a structure effective to introduce a stop signal to the myopic eye and rotate on the eye during wear of the contact lens, whereby the stop signal is temporally and spatially variable.

[0265] 13. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the contact lens is a contact lens according to any one or more of the preceding claims of Example Set B.

Claims

1. 1. An ophthalmic contact lens, said contact lens comprising: a front surface, a back surface, an optical axis, an optical zone about the optical axis, and a non-optical peripheral zone surrounding the optical zone; the optical zone being configured with an asymmetric power profile varying about the optical axis, the asymmetric power profile at least partially providing a meridian correction to the eye and at least partially introducing a directional optical stop signal to the eye; A contact lens, wherein the non-optical peripheral zone is configured to be substantially rotationally symmetric about the optical axis, such that the contact lens rotates freely on the eye, thereby causing the directional optical stop signal to vary in time and space on the retina of the eye.

2. 2. The contact lens of claim 1, wherein the area of ​​the substantial region comprised of the asymmetric optical power profile comprises at least 50% of the optical zone, the remainder of the optical zone being comprised of a spherical correction to the eye.

3. The contact lens of claim 1 , wherein the meridional correction and the directional optical stop signal provided by the asymmetric optical power profile extend over at least 4 mm of a central area of ​​the optical zone.

4. The contact lens of claim 1 , wherein the asymmetric optical power profile of the optic zone is configured on an anterior surface of the contact lens.

5. The contact lens of claim 1 , wherein the asymmetric optical power profile of the optic zone is configured on a posterior surface of the contact lens.

6. The contact lens of claim 1 , wherein the asymmetric optical power profile of the optic zone is defined partially by an anterior surface and partially by a posterior surface of the contact lens.

7. 2. The contact lens of claim 1, wherein the thickness profile of the substantially rotationally symmetric region of the non-optical peripheral zone at any meridian is within 6% of the average thickness profile of the non-optical peripheral zone measured about the optical axis of the contact lens.

8. 2. The contact lens of claim 1, wherein the difference in optical power from minimum to maximum across the asymmetric optical power profile is at least +1.25 diopters.

9. The asymmetric refractive power profile is represented by a spherical + azimuth component refractive power distribution function, where the spherical component refers to the distance spherical prescription power for correcting the eye, and the azimuth component is C ａ ＊ cos(mθ), where C ａ 2. The contact lens of claim 1, wherein m is an azimuth coefficient, m is an integer between 1 and 6, and theta (θ) is the azimuth angle of a given point in the optical zone.

10. The asymmetric refractive power profile is C ａ ＊ cos(mθ) where C ａ 2. The contact lens of claim 1, wherein m is an azimuth coefficient, m is an integer between 1 and 6, and theta (θ) is the azimuth angle of a given point in the optical zone.

11. applying or prescribing a contact lens to an eye; The method includes a contact lens including a configuration effective to provide a spherical correction to the eye for at least reducing myopic error of the eye, introduce an asymmetric optical signal to the eye that introduces at least a partially directional optical stop signal to the eye and rotates on the eye during wear of the contact lens, whereby the asymmetric optical signal is temporally and spatially variable.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the asymmetric optical signal comprises astigmatic blur.

13. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the difference in optical power from minimum to maximum of the asymmetric optical signal is at least +1.25 diopters.

14. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the contact lens is configured to rotate at least 15 degrees during on-eye wear for one hour or less.

15. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the contact lens is configured to rotate 180 degrees at least three times during an eight hour period of wear on the eye.

16. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the asymmetric optical signal provided by the contact lens is effective to at least slow the progression of myopia in the eye.

17. 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising determining whether the eye is progressively myopic or at risk for becoming myopic.

18. 1. A method for reducing the progression of myopia in an eye, comprising: applying to or prescribing for an eye a contact lens having an optic zone with an asymmetric optical power profile and a non-optical peripheral zone that is substantially rotationally symmetric; the asymmetric optical power profile of the optical zone provides a directional optical signal that varies in time and space on a retina of the eye due to rotation of the contact lens on the eye; The method, wherein the directional optical signal is effective to slow axial elongation of the eye and reduce the progression of myopia.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the directional optical signal includes astigmatic blur.

20. 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the difference in optical power from minimum to maximum of the directional optical signal is at least +1.25 diopters.

Images