Ophthalmic lenses, methods of manufacturing the same, and methods of dispensing eye care products including the same

Abstract

To provide methods of forming patterns of optical elements on a stock ophthalmic lens.SOLUTION: Ophthalmic lenses and methods of manufacturing ophthalmic lenses are disclosed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1A

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] [CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 027,229, filed May 19, 2020, and U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 062,687, filed August 7, 2020, each of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to ophthalmic lenses and methods for manufacturing ophthalmic lenses. More particularly, the present disclosure relates, at least in part, to just-in-time manufacturing of ophthalmic lenses. In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to just-in-time manufacturing of ophthalmic lenses that can be used to reduce myopia progression in a wearer. [Background technology]

[0003] The eye is a photosensor that focuses external light with a lens and shines it onto the surface of the retina, an array of wavelength-dependent photosensors. The eye's lens can focus external light rays at an optimal or near-optimal focal length and adapt by changing its shape to produce an inverted image on the surface of the retina that corresponds to the external image observed by the eye. The eye's lens optimally or near-optimally focuses light emitted from or reflected by external objects within a certain distance range from the eye, and does not optimally focus or focus light from objects outside that distance range.

[0004] In normal vision, the axial length of the eyeball, i.e., the distance from the anterior surface of the cornea to the focal point on the retina, corresponds to the focal length for near-optimal focusing of distant objects. The eye of a person with normal vision can focus distant objects without neural input to muscles that change the shape of the lens. Near objects are focused in normal people as a result of convergence.

[0005] However, many people have problems with the axial length of their eyes, such as myopia. In myopic people, the axial length of the eye is longer than the axial length required to focus on distant objects. As a result, myopic people can see close objects clearly up to a certain distance, but objects further away appear blurry.

[0006] Typically, infants are born hyperopic, with eye lengths shorter than those required for optimal or near-optimal focusing of distant objects without accommodation. During normal eye development, a process known as "refraction," the axial length of the eye increases relative to other eye dimensions until it reaches a length that allows for near-optimal focusing of distant objects. Ideally, biological processes maintain a near-optimal relative ocular length relative to eye size (e.g., axial length) as the eye grows to its final adult size. However, in myopic individuals, the axial length of the eye relative to eye size continues to increase during development, exceeding the length required for near-optimal focusing of distant objects, resulting in increasingly pronounced myopia.

[0007] Myopia is thought to be influenced not only by genetic factors but also by environmental factors. Therefore, myopia can be alleviated by a treatment device that addresses environmental factors. For example, a treatment device for treating eye length-related disorders, including myopia, is described in Patent Document 1.

[0008] Therapeutic devices for slowing myopia progression include ophthalmic lenses, such as certain eyeglass lenses and contact lenses. Prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses are typically provided through an eye doctor's office or online clinic. In both cases, especially in the case of eyeglasses, these devices are specifically customized for each patient. For example, patients can choose from a wide variety of styles and brands of eyeglasses. For a given prescription, they can also choose from a variety of different stock lenses with various possible coatings (e.g., hard coats and optical filters, such as short-wavelength filters and / or photochromic filters). Multifocal lenses are also possible, which involve an even higher degree of customization. In both cases, just-in-time eyeglass manufacturing supply chains ensure timely delivery to end users. Lens manufacturers typically supply stock lenses to regional supply centers, which can customize the lenses by, for example, forming one or both lens surfaces, applying coatings to one or both lens surfaces, and forming what are typically circular blanks to fit the specific eyeglass frames selected by the user. The latter process generally takes into account the patient's particular interpupillary distance and the optical center height in relation to the vertical pupil position for a particular eyeglass frame. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] US Patent Application Publication No. 2011 / 0313058 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent No. 10,268,050 [Patent Document 3] International Publication No. 2019 / 166653 [Patent Document 4] International Publication No. 2019 / 166653 [Patent Document 5] International Publication No. 2019 / 166654 [Patent Document 6] International Publication No. 2019 / 166655 [Patent Document 7] International Publication No. 2019 / 166657 [Patent Document 8] International Publication No. 2019 / 166659 [Patent Document 9] International Publication No. 2019 / 206569 [Patent Document 10] U.S. Patent No. 7,506,983 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] Certain manufacturing methods for forming patterns of optical elements on stock ophthalmic lenses can be economically implemented at or near the point of sale of the eyewear to the end user. For example, certain manufacturing methods can be deployed in an ophthalmologist's office or a local lens retailer. Furthermore, some of these manufacturing methods allow for a high degree of customization of the patterns of optical elements on ophthalmic lenses, which can be stock ophthalmic lenses, such as finished single vision lenses (i.e., plano, spherical, cylindrical, or toric lenses), or surfaced ophthalmic lenses, such as digitally surfaced single vision lenses, multifocal lenses, or progressive lenses. Thus, these methods can be used to provide a high degree of customization of optical element patterns on a variety of different stock or surfaced ophthalmic lenses, just as various lens coatings are offered. These methods can be referred to as just-in-time (JIT) delivery methods, facilitating the rapid delivery of customized products to consumers. Furthermore, these methods can be easily deployed within existing supply chains for delivering prescription eyewear to consumers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] In general, in a first aspect, the invention features a method including providing an ophthalmic lens having opposing surfaces (e.g., one or both surfaces are finished) that define an optical power of the ophthalmic lens, where one or both of the opposing surfaces further define an optical center of the ophthalmic lens, and the ophthalmic lens includes an edge that defines a periphery of the ophthalmic lens; obtaining a pattern of three or more optical elements; and forming the optical elements on the lens according to the pattern, wherein each of the at least three optical elements has an optical effect that is different from the optical power of the ophthalmic lens. (i) the pattern is radially asymmetric, or (ii) the ophthalmic lens has at least one optical or structural feature (e.g., a marker or feature on the edge of the lens) that is radially asymmetric relative to the ophthalmic lens, (i) the ophthalmic lens is radially asymmetric and the pattern is formed on the ophthalmic lens according to a specified direction, or (ii) one or more optical or structural features that specify the rotational orientation of the ophthalmic lens are formed on at least one surface and / or edge of the ophthalmic lens.

[0012] In general, in another aspect, the invention features a method including receiving an ophthalmic lens having opposing surfaces that define an optical power of the ophthalmic lens, one or both of the opposing surfaces further defining an optical center of the ophthalmic lens, the ophthalmic lens having an edge that defines an outer periphery of the ophthalmic lens, the ophthalmic lens being optically and structurally radially symmetric about an optical axis; obtaining a pattern of three or more optical elements, the pattern being radially asymmetric; forming the optical elements on the lens according to the pattern; and forming one or more structural features on at least one surface and / or edge of the ophthalmic lens that can be used to identify a rotational orientation of the lens, wherein each of the at least three optical elements has an optical effect that differs from the optical power of the ophthalmic lens.

[0013] In general, in another aspect, the invention features a method including the steps of providing an ophthalmic lens having opposing surfaces that define an optical power of the ophthalmic lens, one or both of the opposing surfaces further defining an optical center of the ophthalmic lens, the ophthalmic lens including an edge that defines a periphery of the ophthalmic lens, the ophthalmic lens having at least one optical or structural feature that is radially asymmetric about an optical axis; obtaining a pattern of three or more optical elements, the pattern being radially asymmetric about its center; identifying, with a data processing device, a relative orientation of the ophthalmic lens and the pattern; and forming optical elements on the lens according to the pattern and the identified orientations, each of the at least three optical elements having an optical effect that differs from the optical power of the ophthalmic lens.

[0014] In general, in yet another aspect, the invention features a method including receiving an ophthalmic lens having opposing surfaces that define an optical power of the ophthalmic lens, one or both of the opposing surfaces further defining an optical center of the ophthalmic lens, the ophthalmic lens having an edge that defines a circumference of the ophthalmic lens, the ophthalmic lens being radially symmetric about an optical axis; obtaining a pattern of three or more optical elements, the pattern being radially asymmetric; forming the optical elements on the lens according to the pattern; and forming one or more optical or structural features on at least one surface and / or edge of the ophthalmic lens that define a rotational orientation of the lens about an axis passing through a geometric center of the lens, wherein each of the at least three optical elements has an optical effect that differs from the optical power of the ophthalmic lens.

[0015] In a further aspect, the invention features an article including an ophthalmic lens having opposing surfaces that define the optical power of the ophthalmic lens, one or both of the opposing surfaces further defining an optical center of the ophthalmic lens, the ophthalmic lens including an edge that defines an outer periphery of the ophthalmic lens, the ophthalmic lens having at least one optical or structural feature that is not radially symmetric about the optical center, the edge that includes the outer periphery of the ophthalmic lens not being radially symmetric about the optical center; and a pattern of at least three optical elements having a shape and / or density distribution that defines an image viewable from outside a pair of eyeglasses that include the ophthalmic lens, wherein the image is not radially symmetric about the optical center.

[0016] In another aspect, the invention features a method that includes receiving, in a data processing device, input parameter values ​​specified by a user; determining, using the data processing device, a pattern of optical elements to form on a surface of the ophthalmic lens based on the input parameter values; and providing the optical elements on the surface of the ophthalmic lens according to the pattern.

[0017] In yet another aspect, the invention features a method for forming an ophthalmic lens for inhibiting myopia progression in a human patient, the method including: receiving, in a data processing device, information characterizing the ophthalmic lens based on the refractive error of the human patient; determining, by the data processing device, a pattern of optical elements to form on a surface of the ophthalmic lens, the pattern of optical elements selected to inhibit myopia progression in the human patient; and fabricating the ophthalmic lens based on the information and the pattern of optical elements, the surface of the ophthalmic lens including one or more portions having base curvatures corresponding to an optical power and the pattern of optical elements to correct the refractive error of the human patient.

[0018] In yet another aspect, the invention features a system for forming an ophthalmic lens for inhibiting myopia progression in a human patient from a stock ophthalmic lens selected for the human patient, the system including: an input terminal for receiving information about the stock ophthalmic lens and information about the human patient; a data processing device programmed to receive the information about the stock ophthalmic lens and the information about the human patient from the input terminal and output a pattern of optical elements to form on a surface of the stock ophthalmic lens, the pattern of optical elements selected to inhibit myopia progression in the human patient; and a lens surface modification device positioned to receive the pattern of optical elements output by the data processing device and form optical elements on a surface of the ophthalmic lens in accordance with the pattern.

[0019] Each of the foregoing aspects may include one or more features recited in the claims and / or described in the following description. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1A] 1 illustrates an exemplary system and workflow for providing customized ophthalmic lenses for eyeglasses. [Figure 1B] 1 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for manufacturing an ophthalmic lens including an optical element. [Figure 1C] 1A and 1B are plan views illustrating examples of radially symmetric ophthalmic lenses having radially symmetric patterns. [Figure 1D] 1A and 1B are plan views illustrating examples of radially symmetric ophthalmic lenses having radially symmetric patterns. [Figure 1E] FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating an example of a radially asymmetric ophthalmic lens having a radially symmetric pattern. [Figure 1F] FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating an example of a radially asymmetric ophthalmic lens having a radially symmetric pattern. [Figure 1G] FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating an example of a radially asymmetric ophthalmic lens having a radially symmetric pattern. [Figure 1H]FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating an example of a radially asymmetric ophthalmic lens having a radially symmetric pattern. [Figure 1I] 1A and 1B are plan views illustrating examples of radially symmetric ophthalmic lenses having radially asymmetric patterns. [Figure 1J] 1A and 1B are plan views illustrating examples of radially symmetric ophthalmic lenses having radially asymmetric patterns. [Figure 1K] 1A and 1B are plan views illustrating examples of radially symmetric ophthalmic lenses having radially asymmetric patterns. [Figure 1L] 1A and 1B are plan views illustrating examples of radially symmetric ophthalmic lenses having radially asymmetric patterns. [Figure 1M] FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating an example of an ophthalmic lens. [Figure 1N] FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating an example of an ophthalmic lens. [Figure 1O] FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating an example of an ophthalmic lens. [Figure 1P] FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating an example of an ophthalmic lens. [Figure 1Q] FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating an example of an ophthalmic lens. [Figure 1R] FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating an example of an ophthalmic lens. [Figure 1S] FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating an example of an ophthalmic lens. [Figure 1T] FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating an example of an ophthalmic lens. [Figure 1U] FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating an example of an ophthalmic lens. [Figure 1V] FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating an example of an ophthalmic lens. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a printing system for forming optical elements on the surface of an ophthalmic lens. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a laser device for forming an optical element on an ophthalmic lens. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an example of a tray for supporting an ophthalmic lens during a manufacturing process. [Figure 5]FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an example of an ophthalmic lens having a pattern of optical elements including two clear apertures. [Figure 6A] FIG. 6 shows a pair of spectacles including an ophthalmic lens as shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 6B] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a horizontal field of view and a vertical field of view of a person. [Figure 6C] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a horizontal field of view and a vertical field of view of a person. [Figure 7A] 1A-1C illustrate steps in the manufacturing process for an example ophthalmic lens featuring optical elements and markers for identifying the orientation of the lens. [Figure 7B] 1A-1C illustrate steps in the manufacturing process for an example ophthalmic lens featuring optical elements and markers for identifying the orientation of the lens. [Figure 7C] 1A-1C illustrate steps in the manufacturing process for an example ophthalmic lens featuring optical elements and markers for identifying the orientation of the lens. [Figure 7D] 1A-1C illustrate steps in the manufacturing process for an example ophthalmic lens featuring optical elements and markers for identifying the orientation of the lens. [Figure 8A] 1A-1C illustrate steps in a manufacturing process for an example ophthalmic lens featuring an optical element with edge features for identifying the orientation of the lens. [Figure 8B] 1A-1C illustrate steps in the manufacturing process of an example ophthalmic lens featuring an optical element with edge features for identifying the orientation of the lens. [Figure 8C] 1A-1C illustrate steps in the manufacturing process of an example ophthalmic lens featuring an optical element with edge features for identifying the orientation of the lens. [Figure 8D] 1A-1C illustrate steps in the manufacturing process of an example ophthalmic lens featuring an optical element with edge features for identifying the orientation of the lens. [Figure 9A] 1A-1D illustrate steps in a manufacturing process for an example ophthalmic lens having optical elements on both surfaces. [Figure 9B]1A-1D illustrate steps in a manufacturing process for an example ophthalmic lens having optical elements on both surfaces. [Figure 9C] 1A-1D illustrate steps in a manufacturing process for an example ophthalmic lens having optical elements on both surfaces. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an example of an ophthalmic lens having a pattern of optical elements including two clear apertures. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a plan view of another example ophthalmic lens having a pattern of optical elements including two clear apertures. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a plan view of a further example ophthalmic lens having a pattern of optical elements including two clear apertures. [Figure 13] FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating an example of an ophthalmic lens having a pattern of optical elements that does not include a clear aperture. [Figure 14] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a data processing device that can be used in a lens manufacturing apparatus. [Figure 15] 1 is a flowchart showing the steps of an example of a method for manufacturing an ophthalmic lens. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] 1A, an exemplary system 100 for providing eyeglasses 101 includes an input terminal 110 and a data processing device 120 in communication with a lens modification system 130. The eyeglasses 101 include lenses 150, 151 mounted in an eyeglass frame 170. Each lens 150, 151 includes a pattern 155, 156 of optical elements formed thereon by the lens modification system 130 as part of the customization process.

[0022] The input terminal 110 may be, for example, a computer terminal or a mobile device (such as a tablet computer or a mobile phone) running a software application that facilitates operation of the system 100. The data processing device 120 includes a processing module 122 (e.g., having one or more computer processors) that obtains or calculates information 124 regarding a pattern 155 of optical elements to be formed on the lens. For example, the optical elements may include lenslets, scattering centers, and / or Fresnel lens elements, which may be arranged according to the pattern 155. In some embodiments, the optical elements inhibit the progression of myopia in a user of the eyeglasses 101. Upon selection, the system 100 transmits the information 125 regarding the pattern 155 to the lens modification system 130.

[0023] The system 100 is designed to be able to modify a variety of lenses 140 to include a pattern of optical elements 155. That is, the system is designed to modify lens blanks commercially available from numerous ophthalmic lens companies. These include single vision prescription lenses, multifocal lenses, and plano lenses. The lenses 140 are generally formed from glass or plastic. The corrective lenses 142 are typically selected according to the user's needs (e.g., Rx) and preferences (e.g., lens material, coatings).

[0024] The lens modification system 130 includes a platform 132 that positions a selected lens 142 relative to an exposure apparatus 134, or vice versa. Depending on the embodiment, the exposure apparatus 134 either deposits material on the surface of the lens to form an optical element, or exposes the lens to radiation that modifies the surface and / or bulk of the lens 142 to form an optical element. The lens modification system 130 also includes, for example, an optical alignment module or a physical stop, that aligns the lens 142 relative to the exposure apparatus 134 to ensure that the pattern is formed according to a specified relative alignment between the lens and the pattern.

[0025] System 100 controls the relative orientation between lens 142 and exposure device 134 to form an optical element on the lens according to pattern 155. After forming pattern 155 of optical element 152 on lens 142, the edge of the lens is shaped (e.g., milled) to conform to eyeglass frame 170 in a process generally called edging. Alternatively, before forming pattern 155 of optical element 152 on lens 142, the edge of the lens is shaped to conform to eyeglass frame 170. The second lens is modified in the same way to provide a second lens 151 for attachment to frame 170.

[0026] The process schematically shown in FIG. 1A may include additional steps. For example, additional coatings can be applied to one or both of the lens surfaces either before or after application of pattern 155. Examples include UV or blue light filters, anti-reflective coatings, photochromic coatings, polarizers, mirror coatings, tints, and hard coats. In some cases, additional shaping of the lens surface is performed, e.g., to customize a multifocal lens for the user, either before or after application of pattern 155.

[0027] This process can be implemented at an eyeglass store, distribution center, optical laboratory, or centralized manufacturing facility. Lens modification can be performed locally on lenses from lens inventory, and in conjunction with existing eyeglass provision protocols, enables just-in-time delivery of highly customized eyeglass sets, including patterns of customized optical elements.

[0028] Referring also to FIG. 1B , in some implementations, personalized eyeglasses 101 are provided by a sequence 180 that may be performed entirely in the eye care professional's office or in collaboration with a distribution center, optical laboratory, or centralized manufacturing facility. In a first step 181, the eye care professional determines the patient's prescription, for example, by refracting the subject. This step determines the power of the ophthalmic lens on which the pattern will be formed. The patient also selects eyeglass frames in the same manner as for regular prescription eyeglasses. In some implementations, eyeglass frames are selected from a retail store, and the lens shape can be communicated to the edging facility by (i) providing a model number so that the trace shape can be retrieved from a database, (ii) performing a frame tracking process in the store and providing the trace shape electronically, or (iii) shipping the frames to the edging facility so that the edging facility can obtain the trace shape. In an alternative implementation, eyeglass frames may be selected from a "static frame board," where one or more in-store models match eyeglass frames in stock at the edging facility.

[0029] The eye care professional can also gather additional information to select a pattern. Typically, the pattern can take into account factors such as the patient's lens prescription (Rx), the patient's pupil size, the patient's convergence, the patient's pupil distance, the patient's gaze angle, the patient's myopia progression measure, the patient's predisposition to myopia (e.g., genetic predisposition or behavioral influences), the final shape and size of the lens after it is attached to the eyeglass frame, the conspicuousness of the optical element pattern to others, the patient's comfort level, the optical center height of a given pupil relative to the patient's frame, the patient's preference or choice (e.g., the outer shape of the pattern), and the eyeglass professional's preference (e.g., the dosage for therapeutic effect).

[0030] In the next step 182, the system identifies an appropriate optical element pattern for the patient. This identification may involve selecting from among several pre-established patterns (e.g., stored in a database of patterns) or calculating a new pattern according to a pattern generation algorithm. For example, a pattern may be calculated by the system to have a particular geometry or density profile selected by the user.

[0031] Parameters of the pattern that can be varied include, for example, the type of optical element (e.g., lenslets, scattering centers, Fresnel lenses), the size of the optical elements, their density, and the shape of the area they occupy. Further parameters include the size, shape, and location of the clear aperture, the location of the pattern on the lens, etc. Each of these can be individualized depending on the desired optical effect of the pattern on the wearer (e.g., the amount of contrast reduction in peripheral vision and in the angular range of the clear aperture) and / or the conspicuousness of the pattern to someone else when the observer views the glasses being worn.

[0032] Once the system has established the pattern, information about the pattern is transferred to the lens modification system 130 in step 183. This information may include one or more data files in a format readable by the lens modification system 130. For example, commercially available software suitable for generating images (e.g., Microsoft Office products such as Visio, PowerPoint, or Word; Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator) can be used in combination with standard driver software to generate control signals for the lens modification system 130. For example, the pattern can be specified in a file format such as WinLase Professional Job (WLJ), WinLase Professional Object (WLO), HPGL Plotter File (PLT), Windows Enhanced Metafile (EMF), or Windows MetaFile (WMF). The file format may be an AutoCad (DXF), AutoCad (DWG), Adobe Illustrator (AI), CorelDRAW (CDR), Excellon2 File (EX2), Windows Bitmap (BMP), JPEG Bitmap (JPG), CompuServe Bitman (GIF), PaintBrush (PCX), TruView Job (JOB), or TruView Object (MCL) file. The patterns encoded in such files may be generated using computer code using computer programming languages ​​such as AppleScript, JavaScript, Python, and C++. Alternatively, or additionally, custom software and file formats may be used. Such patterns may be generated by software using input parameters from a specific user, such as an eye care professional or patient.Such custom patterns can be generated in a short time, such as within 24 hours (e.g., within 12 hours, within 1 hour, within 50 minutes, within 40 minutes, within 30 minutes, within 20 minutes, within 10 minutes, e.g., within 1 minute, within 40 seconds, within 30 seconds, within 10 seconds, within 1 second), allowing for rapid, just-in-time manufacturing.

[0033] Next, in step 184, the lens modification system 130 aligns the lens relative to the system, or vice versa, to form the pattern at the identified location on the lens. This may involve physically moving the lens relative to the lens modification system and / or software adjustments that translate, rotate, and / or scale the size of the pattern to correspond to the position of the lens. Once aligned, in step 185, the system modifies the lens according to the information about the pattern to form optical elements in the desired pattern.

[0034] In step 186, the edges of the lenses are shaped and the shaped lenses are mounted in frames.

[0035] In general, these steps may occur in other orders, for example, the lens may be edged and shaped in step 186 before the optical elements are formed on the lens in step 185.

[0036] In some embodiments, both the lens and the pattern are radially symmetric. In other words, both the lens and the pattern have symmetry about a central axis. This may also be called rotational symmetry. For example, a plano lens or a spherical-only lens would be radially symmetric if it has a circular edge. Generally, a lens with a circular edge is referred to as a circular lens, even if the curvature of the surface extends beyond the plane of the circle defined by the edge.

[0037] Furthermore, the optical elements can be arranged in a pattern that is radially symmetric about the geometric center of the pattern. Such patterns generally have a circular periphery and perform the same optical function regardless of the radial direction from which the user looks. In such cases, the geometric center of the pattern, such as the center of a clear aperture in the annular region of the optical element, can be aligned with the optical center of the lens. For such spherical lenses, the optical center often coincides with the geometric center of the lens. In such cases, alignment of the pattern to the lens can be achieved, for example, by measuring and marking the optical center using a lens meter and then aligning the pattern to the marked optical center before forming the pattern on the lens.

[0038] More generally, however, the techniques described above can also be used to form rotationally asymmetric patterns on radially symmetric or radially asymmetric lenses. Generally, it is necessary to establish a relative alignment between the lens and the pattern that takes into account the asymmetry before forming the optical element. The system adjusts the alignment as necessary to ensure the relative alignment is as specified. In some embodiments, structural and / or optical alignment features can be formed on the lens that allow for alignment of the lens within the lens modification system before forming the optical element. Examples that generally fall into the following four categories are described below:

[0039] Type 1: Radially symmetric lenses (e.g., with radially symmetric power profiles) and radially symmetric patterns (i) A circular plano lens with a radially symmetric pattern about the lens. An example of such a lens is shown in Figure 1C. Lens 100C is a plano lens (SPH=0.00D, CYL=0.00D) that includes a radially symmetric pattern 110C of optical elements centered about the geometric center 105C of the lens. (ii) A circular spherical lens with no cylindrical power, having a radially symmetric pattern about the lens. An example of such a lens is shown in FIG. 1D. Here, lens 100D is a spherical lens (SPH=-1.00D, CYL=0.00D) that includes a radially symmetric pattern 110D of optical elements centered about the geometric center 105D of the lens. Geometric center 105D coincides with the optical center of lens 100D.

[0040] In these examples, lenses can be made in a "just-in-time" fashion by incorporating one or more inputs from the user, such as the density of the pattern, the spacing of the optical features, etc. Such lenses do not require orientation and are radially symmetric in all respects, so they can be molded and fitted in any orientation. It is also possible to pre-make such lenses and stock each pattern and spherical power as a separate stock-keeping unit (SKU).

[0041] Type 2: Radially asymmetric lenses (e.g., with a radially asymmetric power profile) and radially symmetric patterns (i) A round, flat, or circular spherical lens with a cylindrical power axis and a radially symmetric pattern about the lens. An example of such a lens is shown in Figure 1E. A lens 100E having SPH=-1.00D and CYL=-0.50D along a cylindrical axis 102E includes a radially symmetric pattern 110E about the geometric center 105E of the lens. (ii) A multifocal or progressive lens with a radially symmetric pattern about the lens. An example of such a lens is shown in Figure 1F, where a progressive lens 100F has five zones of different optical powers (120F, 121F, 122F, 123F, and 124F). The radially symmetric pattern 110F is centered at the geometric center 105F of the lens. (iii) Non-circular lenses, such as lenses with flat edges or notches, or lenses shaped to fit an eyeglass frame and having a radially symmetric pattern around the lens. Examples of such lenses are shown in FIGS. 1G and 1H. In FIG. 1G, lens 100G is circular but has a flat edge 101G. Lens 101G includes a radially symmetric pattern 110G centered on a radial center 105G of the circular portion of the edge. Center 105G may coincide with the optical center of the lens. FIG. 1H shows lens 100H shaped to fit an eyeglass frame. Lens 100H includes a radially symmetric pattern 110H with center 105H, which may coincide with the optical center of lens 100H.

[0042] In these examples, lenses can be produced "just-in-time" by incorporating one or more user inputs, such as pattern density and spacing of optical features. While these lenses already have orientation capabilities, the pattern is radially symmetric and centered on the lens, eliminating the need for a specific orientation between the pattern and the lens. During molding, these lenses can be oriented using traditional optical alignment techniques, such as alignment using a cylinder axis or a progressive lens marker. In some cases, such as with spherical lenses with cylindrical powers, it may be possible to prefabricate these lenses and stock each pattern and lens power as a separate stock-keeping unit (SKU). However, this may not be practical, as progressive lenses often require customized designs for each patient. In these cases, patterns may be applied to semi-finished blanks, which may then be stored until surface processing, or the pattern may be applied "just-in-time" after surface processing.

[0043] Type 3: Radially symmetric lens and radially asymmetric pattern relative to the lens (i) A circular plano lens with a radially symmetric pattern, where the center of the lens does not coincide with the geometric center of the pattern. FIG. 1I shows an example of such a lens, where a plano lens 100I includes a pattern 110I that is radially symmetric about a point 111I that is offset from the geometric center 105I of the lens. A marker 103I (e.g., on or in the lens) can be used as a fiducial in aligning the pattern to the lens. (ii) A circular spherical lens with no cylindrical power that has a radially symmetric pattern, where the center of the lens does not coincide with the geometric center of the pattern. FIG. 1J shows an example of such a lens. Specifically, spherical lens 100J includes a pattern 110J that is radially symmetric about a point 111J that is offset from the geometric center 105J of the lens. The geometric center can coincide with the optical center of the lens. Marker 103J can be used as a reference when aligning the pattern to the lens. (iii) A circular, plano lens with a radially asymmetric pattern. An example of such a lens is shown in FIG. 1K, where plano lens 100K includes pattern 110K, which has a circular outline formed by horizontal lines of optical elements (e.g., scattering centers or rows of lenslets). The circular center of pattern 110K is aligned with the geometric center 105K of the lens. Marker 103K can be used as a reference when aligning the pattern with the lens. (iv) A circular spherical lens without cylindrical power that has a radially asymmetric pattern. FIG. 1L shows an example of such a lens. Here, spherical lens 100L includes pattern 110L with a circular outline formed by horizontal lines of optical elements (e.g., scattering centers or rows of lenslets). The circular center of pattern 110L is aligned with the geometric center 105L of the lens. The geometric center can coincide with the optical center of the lens. Marker 103L can be used as a reference when aligning the pattern with the lens.

[0044] In these examples, because the starting lens is radially symmetric, alignment of the lens is not required for patterning, but alignment marks must be added before, during, or after patterning to determine the desired orientation of the asymmetric pattern within the eyeglass frame. These alignment marks can be used for manual orientation or can be machine-readable to determine orientation. They can also be used alone or in conjunction with other markers to place one or more additional orientation markers that can be manually or machine-read to determine the desired orientation. Examples of such alignment markers can be physical, such as notches or flattened portions in the circular outline of the lens, additional markings such as fiducials, or encoded / determined in the pattern asymmetry itself.

[0045] Type 4: Radially asymmetric lens and radially asymmetric pattern on the lens. (i) A circular plano or spherical lens with a cylindrical power axis and a radially symmetric pattern that is not centered on the lens. Figure 1V shows an example of such a lens, where lens 100V, with SPH=-1.00D, CYL=-0.50D and cylindrical axis 102V, contains a pattern 110V of optical elements that is radially symmetric about a point 111V offset from the geometric center 105V of the lens. (ii) A circular plano or spherical lens with a cylindrical power axis and a radially asymmetric pattern. An example of such a lens is shown in FIG. 1M. Here, lens 100M, SPH=-1.00D, CYL=-0.50D, with cylindrical axis 102M, includes pattern 110M with a circular outline formed by horizontal lines of optical elements (e.g., scattering centers or rows of lenslets). The circular center of pattern 110M is aligned with the geometric center 105M of the lens. (iii) Circular plano or spherical lenses, with or without a cylindrical axis, having a radially symmetric pattern with a decentered optical center that is not at the center of the lens. FIG. 1N shows an example of such a lens. Here, lens 100N includes a pattern 110N that is radially symmetric about a point 111N that is offset from the geometric center 105N of the lens. Point 111N coincides with the optical center of lens 100N. (iv) Circular plano or spherical lenses, with or without a cylindrical axis, non-concentric optical centers, and radially asymmetric patterns. FIG. 1O shows an example of such a lens. Here, lens 100O includes pattern 110O with a circular outline formed by horizontal lines of optical elements (e.g., scattering centers or rows of lenslets). The circular center of pattern 110O is aligned with the geometric center 105O of ​​the lens, but the optical center 111O of the lens is offset from the geometric center 105O. (v) A circular multifocal or progressive lens with a radially symmetric pattern that is not centered on the lens. Figure 1P shows an example of such a lens. Here, a progressive lens 100P has five zones of different optical powers (120P, 121P, 122P, 123P, and 124P). A radially symmetric pattern 110P is centered at a point 111P in zone 122P and offset from the geometric center 105P of the lens, which is located in zone 121P. (vi) A circular multifocal or progressive lens with a radially asymmetric pattern, an example of which is shown in FIG. 1Q. Here, lens 100Q includes a pattern 110Q of optical elements arranged in parallel lines 120Q arranged horizontally across the lens, spanning zones (102Q, 103Q, 104Q, 105Q, and 106Q) of the lens, with different optical powers. The radial center of pattern 110Q coincides with the geometric center 105Q of lens 100Q. (vii) Non-circular lenses with a radially symmetric pattern that is not centered on the lens (such as lenses with flat edges or cutouts, or lenses shaped to fit into an eyeglass frame). FIG. 1R shows an example of such a lens 100R, which has a flat edge 101R and a pattern of optical elements 110R that is radially symmetric about a point 111R that is off-center from the optical center 105R of the lens 100R. FIG. 1S shows an example of a lens 100S with an edge shaped to fit into an eyeglass frame. The lens 100S includes a pattern 110S that is radially symmetric about a point 111S but is not centered on the optical center 105S of the lens. (viii) Non-circular lenses with radially asymmetric patterns (e.g., lenses with flat edges or cutouts, lenses shaped to fit into eyeglass frames, etc.). FIG. 1T shows an example of such a lens 100T having a flat edge 101T and a pattern 110T of optical elements with circular outlines. The pattern 110T is made up of rows of optical elements, with the circles representing the outlines of the optical elements centered on the optical center 105T of the lens 100T. FIG. 1U shows an example of a lens 100U having an edge shaped to fit into an eyeglass frame. The lens 100U includes a pattern 110U of optical elements with circular outlines. The pattern 110U is made up of rows of optical elements, with the circles representing the outlines of the optical elements centered on the optical center 105U of the lens 100U.

[0046] In these examples, both the lens and the pattern are radially asymmetric. In these cases, the lens orientation and the pattern orientation can be aligned so that when the molded lens is mounted in an eyeglass frame, both the lens and the pattern can be mounted according to the desired orientation. Because there are an almost infinite number of lens designs, lens orientations, and pattern orientations, it would be difficult to pre-manufacture and stock such lenses. Therefore, there is a significant advantage to just-in-time production.

[0047] In general, optical elements can be formed on lenses in a variety of ways, including UV LED direct substrate printing, pad printing, hot stamping, and screen printing techniques. Accordingly, a variety of different systems (e.g., commercially available systems) can be used for the lens modification system 130 in the system 100 described above. In some embodiments, optical elements are formed by inkjet-applying a curable material to the surface of a blank ophthalmic lens and then curing the material to set the optical elements in a pattern. Referring to FIG. 2 , an inkjet and curing system 200 includes an inkjet printer 220 and a computer 210 in communication with the printer. The printer 220 includes a controller 230, a reservoir 240, an inkjet printhead 250, and a stage 260. The stage 260 supports the lens 201 and positions it relative to the printhead 250. The reservoir 240 stores uncured material for inkjetting. Examples of curable materials suitable for inkjet processing include a variety of commercially available proprietary monomers and oligomers that are crosslinked together by photopolymerization.

[0048] In operation, print head 250 receives uncured material from reservoir 240. Stage 260 moves lens 201 relative to print head 250 (as depicted by arrow 261) while print head 250 ejects droplets of uncured material 202 toward the lens. Either the stage and / or the print head may be the moving part during this process. Drop volume varies depending on the desired protrusion size. Drop volume is 0.001 mm 3 to 0.05 mm 3 (e.g., about 0.002 mm 3 , approximately 0.003 mm 3 , approximately 0.004 mm 3 , about 0.005mm 3 , approximately 0.006 mm 3 , approximately 0.008 mm 3 , about 0.010mm 3 , approximately 0.012 mm 3Upon contact with the lens surface, the droplet wets the surface and forms an uncured protrusion 305. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the stage 260 remains stationary and an actuator moves the print head relative to the lens.

[0049] System 200 also includes a UV lamp 270. Stage 260 positions a lens adjacent to lamp 270 so that the lamp can cure the deposited material to form the final protrusion. Examples of suitable UV lamps include LEDs emitting in the wavelength range of 360 nm to 390 nm. Alternatively, or additionally, thermal curing can be used to cure the deposited material.

[0050] The controller 230 communicates with the reservoir 240, print head 250, stage 260, and UV lamp 270 and coordinates their respective operations to facilitate printing and curing of the droplets. Specifically, the controller 230 controls the relative motion between the print head 250 and stage 260, the inkjet droplet firing frequency, and the droplet volume so that the system 200 forms the desired pattern on the lens 201. The controller 230 can also control the temperature of the uncured material (e.g., by a heater associated with the reservoir 240 or elsewhere) to control the viscosity of the uncured material. A user inputs a droplet pattern via the computer 210, which generates corresponding control signals for the printer and communicates the signals to the controller 230.

[0051] Commercially available inkjet printers may be used. Suitable inkjet printers include Roland DGA (Irvine, CA) and Mimaki (Suwanee, GA) brand UV LED Direct-to-Substrate Printers.

[0052] In some embodiments, the lens can be mounted in a frame and the frame can be fitted to the wearer before the deposited material has cured, allowing the printed pattern to be cleanly removed from the lens and reprinted as needed.

[0053] Other methods for forming the optical elements comprised of protrusions are also possible. For example, transfer printing or lithographic printing can be used instead of inkjet printing. In transfer printing, the protrusions are formed on a separate substrate and then transferred to the surface of the lens in a separate process step. In lithographic printing, a continuous, uniform layer of protrusion material is formed on the lens surface, and the layer may be patterned to form scattering centers or lenslet patterns. Optical or contact lithography can be used to pattern the layer. In some embodiments, the pattern may be provided by a film that is laminated onto the surface of the lens.

[0054] Although the optical elements formed by inkjet printing are protrusions formed on the surface of an ophthalmic lens, other embodiments are possible that provide equivalent optical properties and lens durability. For example, in some embodiments, the optical elements can be formed as recesses in the lens surface. The recesses can have dimensions similar to the protrusions described above. The recesses can be formed using various techniques, such as etching (e.g., physical or chemical etching) or ablation of material from the lens surface (e.g., using laser radiation or a molecular or ion beam).

[0055] In some embodiments, optical elements are formed on a lens surface by exposing the lens surface to laser radiation. Focused laser radiation interacts locally with the lens material at the surface, leaving small pits, bubbles, craters, etc. Selective laser irradiation of the lens surface can form a pattern of optical elements on the surface. For example, a laser beam can be pulsed and moved relative to the surface. The relative movement of the beam and lens surface can be achieved by moving the beam while the surface is fixed, by moving the surface while the beam is fixed, or by moving both the beam and the surface.

[0056] 3, an exemplary laser system 300 for forming optical elements on the surface of a lens includes a laser 320, a beam chopper 330, focusing optics 340, a mirror 350, and a stage 370. Laser 320 directs a laser beam toward mirror 350, which deflects the beam toward lens 301, which is positioned relative to mirror 350 by stage 370. Mirror 350 has an actuator 360 (e.g., a piezoelectric actuator) attached to it. Laser system 300 also includes a controller (e.g., a computer controller) in communication with laser 320, beam chopper 330, and actuator 360.

[0057] Beam chopper 330 and collection optics 340 are positioned in the beam path. Chopper 330 periodically blocks the beam so that lens 301 is exposed to discrete pulses of laser light. Collection optics 340 typically includes one or more optically dynamic elements (e.g., one or more lenses) to focus the beam to a spot small enough on the surface of lens 301 so that the area modified by the beam on the surface of lens 301 can be shaped to the desired pattern feature size. Actuator 360 changes the orientation of mirror 350 relative to the beam to scan the pulsed beam to different target points on the lens surface. Controller 310 coordinates the operation of laser 320, chopper 330, and actuator 360 so that the laser system forms a predetermined optical element pattern on the lens.

[0058] In some embodiments, the stage 370 also includes an actuator. The stage actuator can be a multi-axis actuator, e.g., capable of moving the lens in two lateral dimensions orthogonal to the beam propagation direction. Alternatively, or additionally, the actuator can move the stage along the beam direction. Moving the stage along the beam direction can be used to maintain the exposed portion of the lens surface at the focal position of the beam, regardless of the curvature of the lens surface, thereby maintaining a substantially constant beam size across the lens surface. The stage actuator can also be controlled by the controller 310, which coordinates the movement of the stage with other elements of the system. In some embodiments, the stage actuator is used instead of a mirror actuator.

[0059] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the orientation and position of the optical or structural features of the lens are captured prior to introduction into system 100 or 200, respectively, using, for example, a focus meter, lens meter, optical mapper, CCD camera with feature detection software, mechanical fixtures or tracers capturing on a mechanical structure, etc. The lens is then fixed in a known orientation and position based on the previous measurement using, for example, clamps, fixtures, jigs, suction cups, etc., and introduced into system 100 or 200, respectively, without losing the orientation and position information. This transfer can be accomplished, for example, by using a robotic arm, manual transfer to a holder or known position and orientation, a rotary turntable with fixed locking positions, etc. Alternatively, devices for capturing the orientation and position of the optical and structural features of the lens, including the examples described above, can be integrated with other components of the system, for example, in actuation stage 260 or 370, a conveyor, or a rotary table. In general, implementation can include machine vision and automated alignment of the lens to various system components to achieve the desired placement of the pattern of optical elements on the lens.

[0060] Generally, the laser 320 can be any type of laser capable of generating light with sufficient energy to surface modify the lens material. Gas lasers, dye lasers, solid-state lasers, and semiconductor lasers can be used. In general, many laser technologies suitable for machining applications, for example, can be used. Gas lasers include certain excimer lasers (e.g., XeCl at 308 nm and XeF at 353 nm). Other types of gas lasers that can be used include certain infrared lasers, such as CO2 lasers (emission wavelengths at 9.4 m or 10.6 m). Commercially available laser systems can be used, such as CO2 laser systems manufactured by Universal Laser Systems, Inc. (Scottsdale, AZ) (e.g., the 60W VLS 4.60 system). Examples of solid-state lasers that can be used include ytterbium-doped glass lasers emitting at 1 m and chromium-doped alexandrite lasers (e.g., emitting at visible or near-infrared wavelengths). Examples of semiconductor lasers that can be used include InGaAsP or InGaAsP lasers.

[0061] The pulse width and pulse energy are typically selected to modify the amount of material on the lens surface to provide an optical element of a desired size.

[0062] While the examples of lens modification systems described above form optical elements on the lens surface, alternatively or additionally, optical elements can be embedded in the lens material itself. For example, the lens material and laser exposure system can be selected such that exposure induces localized changes in the refractive index of the bulk lens material itself, forming optical elements (e.g., scattering centers or lenslets) in the lens body. Further methods for forming optical elements on lenses are described in Exhibits I and II enclosed herewith.

[0063] Referring to FIG. 4 , in some embodiments, a jig 490 is used to support multiple lenses during lens modification. The jig 490 includes a tray 491 with an array of lens holders 492 sized to securely hold the lenses. For example, if 70 mm diameter lens blanks are used, each lens holder has a 70 mm diameter to securely hold a respective lens. During operation, the jig 490 containing one or more lenses is positioned on the stage 460. Alternatively, smaller (e.g., 60 mm) or larger (e.g., 80 mm or 100 mm) lens blanks can be used. The jig holds each lens in a precise position so that the system 400 can precisely jet or laser the lens surface. The jig also allows for the production of multiple lenses in a single batch. While the jig in FIG. 4 includes 48 lens holders, in general, the jig can be designed to hold any number of lenses, subject to the physical constraints imposed by the lens modification system. Many sizes of fixtures are possible, including fixtures that accommodate about 24 lenses, about 48 lenses, about 100 lenses, about 200 lenses, about 300 lenses, about 400 lenses, about 500 lenses, or more than 500 lenses per load.

[0064] Turning now to further examples of optical element patterns, a variety of different patterns are generally possible. As mentioned above, in some embodiments, rotationally asymmetric patterns are used. Such patterns lack radial symmetry about an axis, such as an axis passing through the geometric center of the pattern. An example of such a pattern is shown in FIG. 5, which illustrates an ophthalmic lens 500 including a first clear aperture 510 and an annular scattering region 530 surrounding the clear aperture. In this case, the lens 500 has uniform optical properties and is, for example, a spherical lens or a single-vision lens such as a compound lens or toric lens (i.e., having a spherical component and a cylindrical component), or a plano lens (i.e., a lens with no optical power). FIG. 5 also illustrates vertical and horizontal axes for ease of reference. While the lens 500 is depicted as a circular blank and thus radially symmetrical relative to a spherical lens, it will be understood that the horizontal and vertical directions refer to how the lens is oriented when mounted in an eyeglass frame.

[0065] A first clear aperture 510 is located substantially near the center of the lens 500. A patterned region 530 is also centrally located relative to the lens center. The patterned region 530 is also surrounded by a transparent region 540. A second clear aperture 520 is also provided in the patterned region 530, separated from the clear aperture 510 along an axis 532 that is offset from the normal axis of the lens by an angle α.

[0066] 5, clear aperture 510 is a distance viewing aperture that can be engaged for distance viewing activities such as reading road signs, and second clear aperture 520 is a near vision aperture that can be engaged for near vision activities such as reading a book.

[0067] When referring to the offset angle from the vertical meridian after wearing, it can be selected to match the path of the user's eyes when focusing on a near object. Also, when focusing on a near object, the eyes shift horizontally inward, known as convergence. Therefore, to make a near object visible to the accommodated eye through the second aperture, the angle can be selected to match the user's convergence with respect to the near object. In some embodiments, α is 45° or less, e.g., about 30° or less, about 25° or less, about 20° or less, about 15° or less, about 10° or less, about 8° or less, e.g., 1° or more, 2° or more, 3° or more, 4° or more, 5° or more, or 0°. For example, the clear aperture 520 (for nearsightedness) can be offset toward the user's nose from the vertical axis passing through the center of the clear aperture 510 to accommodate the vergence of the wearer's eyes when focusing on a near object. This offset can be 1 mm or more (e.g., 2 mm or more, 3 mm or more, 4 mm or more, 5 mm or more, 6 mm or more, 7 mm or more, e.g., 10 mm or less, 9 mm or less, 8 mm or less), and this distance is measured from the horizontal center point of clear aperture 510 (which in some embodiments may correspond to the center of the lens) to the horizontal center point of clear aperture 520. Both clear apertures 510 and 520 are circular, with aperture 520 having a slightly larger diameter than aperture 510. Generally, the aperture sizes vary and are set to provide the user with sufficient on-axis vision (through aperture 510) and sufficient near vision (through aperture 520), while not being so large as to significantly interfere with the peripheral contrast reduction effect of the pattern area optics. Typically, both clear apertures have a diameter of 2 mm or more (e.g., 3 mm or more, 4 mm or more, 5 mm or more, e.g., 10 mm or less).

[0068] Non-circular apertures are also possible (see below for examples). For example, the horizontal width of the aperture can be different from the vertical height of the aperture. In FIG. 5, the horizontal widths of apertures 510 and 520 are respectively designated w 510 , w 520, in general, the horizontal widths of the apertures may be the same or different. In some embodiments, such as illustrated in FIG. 520 Ha w 510 For example, w 520 Ha w 510 In some embodiments, w can be 10% or more (e.g., 20% or more, 30% or more, 40% or more, 50% or more, 75% or more, 100% or more, e.g., 200% or less, 150% or less, 120% or less, etc.). 520 is selected for near vision so that the user's visual axis remains within the clear aperture 520 while the user is engaged in a particular task that involves scanning the line of sight horizontally (e.g., while reading). This can be advantageous in allowing the user to scan the field of view through the clear aperture without moving their head.

[0069] The distance between the apertures can also vary, and is typically set so that the apertures correspond to comfortable on-axis vision and comfortable near vision for the user. The distance between the nearest edges of the clear apertures can be 1 mm or more (e.g., 2 mm or more, 5 mm or more, e.g., 10 mm or less).

[0070] In Fig. 5, δ NF The distance between the centers of apertures 510 and 520, denoted by δ, can be varied to correspond to the direction of the user's line of sight when aperture 520 is focused on a nearby object. NF may be in the range of 0.5 mm to 20 mm (e.g., 0.6 mm or more, 0.7 mm or more, 0.8 mm or more, 0.9 mm or more, 10 mm or more, 11 mm or more, 12 mm or more, 13 mm or more, 14 mm or more, e.g., 19 mm or less, 18 mm or less, 17 mm or less, 16 mm or less, 15 mm or less).

[0071] The separation between apertures 510 and 520 depends on the size of each aperture and the distance between their centers. In some embodiments, the separation can be 0.5 mm or more (e.g., 1 mm or more, 2 mm or more, 3 mm or more). The separation can be 10 mm or less (e.g., 9 mm or less, 8 mm or less, 7 mm or less, 6 mm or less, 5 mm or less).

[0072] The patterned regions 530 include optical elements that scatter, defocus, or blur at least a portion of the light that enters the lens in these regions through optical aberrations. This can reduce contrast in the user's peripheral vision, which is believed to slow the progression of myopia in the user. Generally, the optical elements can include features on the surface of the lens (e.g., protrusions or depressions) or inclusions in the bulk lens material.

[0073] In general, the properties of the optical elements can be selected based on various design parameters to provide a desired degree of contrast reduction on the user's retina. These design parameters generally include, for example, optical element density, their size and shape, and their refractive index, as described in more detail below. Ideally, the optical elements are selected to provide high visual acuity in the fovea and reduce image contrast in other parts of the retina, while causing sufficiently low discomfort to the wearer to allow for extended, continuous wear. For example, it may be desirable for children to wear eyeglasses comfortably most, if not all, of the day. Alternatively, or additionally, the optical elements can be designed for specific tasks, particularly those that are thought to strongly promote eye growth, such as video games, reading, or other wide-angle, high-contrast image exposure. For example, in such situations (e.g., situations where the user experiences high contrast in their peripheral vision and / or where the wearer does not need to use peripheral vision to move and orient themselves), the scattering intensity and scattering angle in the periphery can be increased, while less attention and self-esteem considerations may be required. In such high-contrast environments, peripheral contrast reduction may be more efficient. Similarly, the blur radius and intensity of the defocus lenslets and optical aberration features can be adjusted.

[0074] Reducing image contrast in the user's eye cavity is believed to be less effective in controlling eye growth than reducing image contrast in other portions of the user's retina. Therefore, the scattering centers can be adjusted to reduce (e.g., minimize) light scattered into the user's eye cavity, while relatively more of the light on other portions of the retina is scattered light. The amount of scattered light on the cavity can be affected by the size of the clear aperture, but also by the properties of the scattering centers, particularly those closest to the clear aperture. In some embodiments, for example, scattering centers closest to the clear aperture can be designed for less efficient light scattering than scattering centers further away. Alternatively, or additionally, in some embodiments, scattering centers closest to the clear aperture can be designed for smaller angle forward scattering than those further away from the aperture. In a similar manner, the amount of blur produced by defocusing lenslets or optical aberration features depends on the density of the features, their size, and the intensity of the visual blur (e.g., by the amount of relative plus-minus power of the lenslets). By optimizing the design to suppress blur in the central vision while inducing blur in the peripheral retina, it is possible to provide a comfortable visual experience and slow the progression of myopia.

[0075] In certain embodiments, the scattering center can be designed to provide reduced narrow-angle scattering and increased wide-angle scattering through the scattering center's geometry to create a uniform light distribution on the retina / low-contrast signal while maintaining visual acuity. For example, the scattering center can be designed to generate significant wide-angle forward scattering (e.g., 10% or more, 20% or more, 30% or more, 40% or more, 50% or more, 2.5 degrees or more deflection, etc.). Narrow-angle forward scattering, i.e., scattering within 2.5 degrees, can be kept relatively low (e.g., 50% or less, 40% or less, 30% or less, 20% or less, 10% or less, etc.).

[0076] In general, to optimize scattering centers for use in myopia-reducing eyewear, various different metrics can be used to evaluate the performance of scattering centers. For example, scattering centers can be optimized empirically, e.g., based on physical measurements of lenses with different scattering center shapes, sizes, and layouts. For example, light scattering can be characterized based on haze measurements, such as international haze testing standards (e.g., ASTM D1003 and BS EN ISO 13468). Conventional haze meters can be used, such as the BYK-Gardner Haze Meter (e.g., the HazeGard Plus instrument), which measures the amount of light completely transmitted through the lens, the amount of undisturbed transmitted light (e.g., within 0.5 degrees), the amount deflected by more than 2.5 degrees, and clarity (within 2.5 degrees). These can be considered indicators of narrow-angle scattering. Other instruments can also be used to characterize light scattering for the purpose of empirically optimizing scattering patterns. For example, an instrument that measures light diffusion by measuring light in an annular ring around 2.5 degrees can be used (e.g., the Hornell instrument described in standard EN167).

[0077] Alternatively, or additionally, the contrast-reducing optics can be optimized by computer modeling software (eg, Zemax or Code V).

[0078] In some embodiments, the scattering centers can be designed based on optimizing a point spread function, which is a representation of the image of the scattering centers on the retina. For example, the size, shape, composition, spacing, and / or refractive index of the scattering centers can be varied to uniformly spread the illumination of the retina so that the retina outside the fovea is homogeneously covered with scattered light, reducing (e.g., minimizing) the contrast in this region of the retina.

[0079] In some embodiments, optimizing light scattering over the peripheral retina accentuates the intensity of scattered versus unobstructed light in certain regions of the retina, resulting in stronger suppression of high-contrast images. High-contrast images, such as reading black-and-white text, tend to originate more from the lower half of the eye. Thus, blanketing the upper retinal orbit more strongly with scattered light can be beneficial in reducing the signal for axial length growth, while reducing visual impacts on the upper visual orbit, such as glare or halo. Similarly, blurring from defocusing lenslets or optical aberration features can be modified in intensity to differentially impact the lower and upper visual orbits.

[0080] Alternatively, or in addition, scattering centers can be designed based on optimization of a modulation transfer function, which refers to the spatial frequency response of the human visual system. For example, the size, shape, and spacing of scattering centers can be varied to smooth the attenuation of a range of spatial frequencies. The design parameters of scattering centers can be varied to increase or decrease specific spatial frequencies as desired. Generally, the spatial frequencies for vision are 18 cycles per degree on the fine side and 1.5 cycles per degree on the coarse side. Scattering centers can be designed to increase the signal at specific spatial frequencies within this range.

[0081] The aforementioned metrics can be used to evaluate scattering centers based on their size and / or shape, both of which can be varied as desired. For example, scattering centers can be substantially circular (e.g., spherical), elongated (e.g., elliptical), or irregularly shaped. Generally, if the scattering centers are protrusions on the surface of the lens, the protrusions should have dimensions (e.g., diameter) large enough to scatter visible light and small enough so that they are not resolved by the wearer during normal use. For example, the scattering center is about 0.001 mm or more (e.g., about 0.005 mm or more, about 0.01 mm or more, about 0.015 mm or more, about 0.025 mm or more, about 0.025 mm or more, about 0.03 mm or more, about 0.035 mm or more, about 0.04 mm or more, about 0.045 mm or more, about 0.05 mm or more, about 0.055 mm or more, about 0.06 mm or more, about 0.07 mm or more, about 0.08 mm or more, about 0.09 mm or more, about 0.1 mm) to about 1 mm or less (e.g., about 0.9 mm or less, about 0.8 mm or less, about 0.7 mm or less, about 0.6 mm or less, about 0.5 mm or less, about 0.4 mm or less, about 0.3 mm or less, about 0.2 mm or less, about 0.1 mm).

[0082] It should be noted that for small scattering centers, e.g., with dimensions comparable to the wavelength of light (e.g., 0.001 mm to about 0.05 mm), the light scattering may be considered Lowry or Mie scattering. For larger scattering centers, e.g., about 0.1 mm or larger, the light scattering may be mostly due to geometric scattering. The optical element may also include, for example, a non-focusing lenslet, a prism, or a high-order aberration lenslet.

[0083] In general, the dimensions of the optical elements may be the same across each lens or may vary. For example, the dimensions may increase or decrease as a function of the position of the optical element, e.g., as measured from a clear aperture, and / or as a function of distance from the edge of the lens. In some embodiments, the dimensions of the optical elements vary monotonically (e.g., monotonically increase or decrease) with increasing distance from the center of the lens. In some aspects, the monotonically increasing / decreasing dimensions include linearly varying the diameter of the optical element as a function of distance from the center of the lens.

[0084] The shape of the optical element can be selected to provide an appropriate light scattering or blur profile. For example, the optical element can be substantially spherical or aspherical. In some embodiments, the optical element can be elongated in one direction (e.g., horizontally or vertically), as in the case of an elliptical scattering center. In some embodiments, the optical element is irregularly shaped.

[0085] In general, the distribution of optical elements in patterned region 530 can be varied to provide an appropriate level of light scattering or blurring. In some embodiments, the optical elements are spaced a uniform amount in each direction in a regular array, e.g., a square grid. Generally, the optical elements are spaced so that collectively they provide sufficient contrast reduction in the periphery of the viewer for myopia relief. Generally, the smaller the spacing between scattering centers, the greater the contrast reduction (provided adjacent scattering centers do not overlap or merge). Generally, scattering centers can be spaced from their nearest neighbors by an amount ranging from about 0.05 mm (e.g., about 0.1 mm or more, about 0.15 mm or more, about 0.2 mm or more, about 0.25 mm or more, about 0.3 mm or more, about 0.35 mm or more, about 0.4 mm or more, about 0.45 mm or more, about 0.5 mm or more, about 0.55 mm or more, about 0.6 mm or more, about 0.65 mm or more, about 0.7 mm or more, about 0.75 mm or more) to about 2 mm (e.g., about 1.9 mm or less, about 1.8 mm or less, about 1.7 mm or less, about 1.6 mm or less, about 1.5 mm or less, about 1.4 mm or less, about 1.3 mm or less, about 1.2 mm or less, about 1 mm or less, about 1 mm or less, about 0.9 mm or less, about 0.8 mm or less), preferably. As an example, the spacing can be 0.55 mm, 0.365 mm, or 0.240 mm.

[0086] The optical elements may be arranged in a non-square grid. For example, a hexagonal (e.g., hexagonally packed) grid may be used. Irregular arrangements are also possible, for example, random or semi-random placements may be used. Deviations from a square grid or a hexagonally packed grid are also possible, for example, they may be displaced by random amounts. Examples of such optical element patterns are shown in Appendix II.

[0087] Generally, the coverage of the lens by the optical elements can vary depending on the pattern. Here, coverage refers to the percentage of the total lens area, projected onto the plane shown in FIG. 5, that corresponds to the optical elements. Generally, lower coverage of the optical elements results in less scattering or blurring than higher coverage (assuming the individual optical elements are discontinuous, i.e., they do not combine to form larger optical elements). The scattering center coverage can vary from 5% or more to about 75%. For example, the coverage can be 10% or more, 15% or more, 20% or more, 25% or more, 30% or more, 35% or more, 40% or more, 45% or more, e.g., 50% or 55%. The coverage can be selected according to the user's comfort level, e.g., to provide a level of peripheral vision that is comfortable enough that the wearer will willingly wear the glasses for extended periods of time (e.g., all day) and / or according to the desired strength at which axial eye length growth signals are suppressed.

[0088] Light from the scene that enters the lens in the scattering regions 530 between the optical elements is believed to contribute to a discernible image of the scene on the user's retina, but not necessarily light from the scene that enters the optical elements. Furthermore, at least a portion of the light that enters the optical elements is transmitted to the retina, thereby effectively reducing image contrast without substantially reducing the light intensity at the retina. Thus, the amount of contrast reduction in the user's peripheral vision is believed to be correlated (e.g., approximately proportional) to the percentage of the surface area of ​​the contrast-reducing regions that are covered by the optical elements.

[0089] Generally, the scattering centers are intended to reduce the contrast of the image of an object in the wearer's peripheral field of vision without significantly reducing the viewer's visual acuity in this region. For example, the scattering centers may provide predominantly wide-angle scattering. Here, peripheral field refers to the field of vision outside the clear aperture field of view. Image contrast in these regions may be reduced by 40% or more (e.g., 45% or more, 50% or more, 60% or more, 70% or more, or 80% or more) relative to the image contrast viewed using the lens's clear aperture, as determined using the method described below. Contrast reduction can be measured by a loss of contrast sensitivity of one or more letters or one or more lines on a high- or low-contrast visual acuity chart, such as a Snellen chart or ETDRS chart. Contrast reduction may be one or more letters, two or more letters, three or more letters, four or more letters, or five or more letters, or one or more lines, two or more lines, or three or more lines. Contrast reduction can also be less than a certain amount, such as 3 lines or less, 2 lines or less, or 1 line or less; or 5 letters or less, 4 letters or less, 3 letters or less, 2 letters or less, or 1 letter or less, all measured on a high-contrast or low-contrast visual acuity eye chart. Contrast reduction can be tailored to individual cases. Typical contrast reduction is believed to be in the range of approximately 50% to 55%. Very mild cases may require a contrast reduction of 50% or less, while predisposing individuals may require a contrast reduction of 55% or more. Visual acuity, as determined by subjective refraction, can be corrected to 20 / 30 or better (e.g., 20 / 25 or better, 20 / 20 or better) while still achieving meaningful contrast reduction. In embodiments, contrast reduction can result in the loss of 2 or fewer Snellen chart lines (e.g., 1.5 or less, 1 or less), with the loss of one line corresponding to a visual acuity reduction from 20 / 20 to 20 / 25.

[0090] Contrast here refers to the difference in brightness between two objects in the same field of view, so contrast reduction is any change in this difference.

[0091] Contrast and contrast reduction can be measured in a variety of ways: In some embodiments, contrast can be measured based on the luminance difference between different parts of a standard pattern, such as a checkerboard of black and white squares, obtained under controlled conditions through a clear aperture and a scattering center pattern in a lens.

[0092] Alternatively, or in addition, contrast reduction may be determined based on the optical transfer function (OTF) of the lens (see, for example, http: / / www.montana.edu / jshaw / documents / 18%20EELE582_S15_OTFMTF.pdf). For the OTF, contrast is specified for the transmission of stimuli in which light and dark regions are sinusoidally modulated at different "spatial frequencies." These stimuli appear as alternating light and dark bars, with the spacing between the bars varying over a range. In all optical systems, the lowest contrast transmission occurs for sinusoidally varying stimuli with the highest spatial frequencies. The relationship describing the contrast transmission for all spatial frequencies is the OTF. The OTF is obtained by the Fourier transform of the point spread function. The point spread function can be obtained by imaging a point source through a lens onto a detector array and determining how the light from the point is distributed across the detectors.

[0093] In the case of conflicting measurements, the OTF technique is preferred. In some embodiments, contrast can be estimated based on the ratio of the area of ​​the lens covered by the scattering centers compared to the area of ​​the clear aperture. This approximation assumes that all light striking the scattering centers is uniformly dispersed throughout the retinal area, reducing the amount of light available in bright areas of the image and adding light to dark areas. Therefore, contrast reduction may be calculated based on measurements of light transmittance made through the clear aperture and scattering areas of the lens.

[0094] The patterned region 530 has a circular shape (e.g., oval, polygonal, or other shapes such as irregular shapes including images), although other shapes are possible. The size of the patterned region is typically selected so that reduced contrast in the user's peripheral vision is experienced over a significant portion of the user's field of view, even when not looking directly through the on-axis aperture. The patterned region 530 can have a diameter (or maximum dimension, for non-circular regions) of 30 mm or more (e.g., 40 mm or more, 50 mm or more, 60 mm or more, 70 mm or more, 80 mm or more, e.g., 100 mm or less, 90 mm or less, 80 mm or less, 70 mm or less, 60 mm or less). In some embodiments, the patterned region extends to the edge of the lens.

[0095] In some embodiments, the periphery of the patterned area can be blended with the clear area by gradually reducing the amount, density, or power of the optical elements.

[0096] In some embodiments, the transparent regions can exhibit a lower amount of light scattering or haze compared to the patterned regions.

[0097] Referring to FIG. 6A, eyeglasses 501 include two lenses 500a and 500b in eyeglass frame 550. Each lens corresponds to lens 500 shown in FIG. 5 and is shaped and sized to fit frame 550 with second clear aperture 520 aligned below clear aperture 510 along axis 132 and angled α from the vertical axis. In each case, the offset angle is in the direction of the user's nose. This angle is the same for lenses 500a and 500b, but in some embodiments, the offset angle can be different. For example, different offset angles can be used to accommodate variations between convergence for each eye.

[0098] 6B and 6C, the clear apertures 510 and 520 can be sized, shaped, and positioned in the eyeglasses 501 to form a line of sight through the aperture 510 along the user's standard line of sight (e.g., for distance vision) and through the aperture 520 along the user's normal line of sight (e.g., for near vision, such as for reading). The clear aperture 510 can be sized and positioned to form a line of sight through the clear aperture by ±2° or more in the vertical and / or horizontal directions (e.g., ±3° or more, ±4° or more, ±5° or more, e.g., ±10° or less, ±9° or less, ±8° or less, ±7° or less, ±6° or less). The horizontal and vertical angular ranges can be the same or different. Also, the angular ranges of the upper field of view and the lower field of view can be the same or different.

[0099] The clear aperture 520 can be sized and positioned to provide a line of sight through the clear aperture of ±2° or more (e.g., ±3° or more, ±4° or more, ±5° or more, e.g., ±10° or less, ±9° or less, ±8° or less, ±7° or less, ±6° or less) in the vertical and / or horizontal directions about a normal seated gaze axis. The angular ranges in the horizontal and vertical directions can be the same or different. In some embodiments, the clear aperture 520 can have a sufficient horizontal width, e.g., 15° below the standard line of sight, so that a user has a line of sight through the aperture in the symbol recognition area. For example, the horizontal width of the clear aperture 520 can be sized to provide a line of sight through the clear aperture of up to ±30° (e.g., up to ±25°, up to ±20°, up to ±15°, up to ±12°).

[0100] Although the ophthalmic lens 500 includes a circular distance-vision aperture and a circular near-vision aperture, more generally, one or both of these apertures can have a non-circular shape, for example, to create a desired field of view along the standard and normal seating gaze axes. For example, either or both clear apertures can have an elliptical, polygonal, or irregular shape.

[0101] Additional optical element patterns for myopia progression control are shown in enclosed Appendix III.

[0102] As mentioned above, the horizontal and vertical axes refer to how the lens 500 will ultimately be oriented in an eyeglass frame. For unworn ophthalmic lenses 500, which are plano or spherical, before the edges are shaped for fitting into a frame, such lenses are typically radially symmetric, and the angle α is arbitrary until the lens is shaped for fitting. However, for lenses that do not have radial symmetry, such as cylindrical or toric lenses, the angle α can alternatively be defined relative to the direction of the second aperture 520 relative to the cylindrical axis of the cylindrical component. In other words, in addition to aligning the aperture 510 with the appropriate point on the lens (e.g., the center of the lens), it is important to align the axis 532 with the cylindrical axis of the lens.

[0103] This process is illustrated in Figures 7A-7D, where Figure 7A shows a lens 710 having a non-zero cylindrical power with a cylindrical axis 712. Also shown is the geometric center 715 of lens 710. Figure 7B shows a pattern of scattering centers 720. Pattern 720 includes a pair of apertures 722 and 724 located in a region 730 of scattering centers. Also shown is an axis 728 running from the geometric center 725 of the pattern, which is also the geometric center of aperture 724, through the geometric center of aperture 722.

[0104] FIG. 7C illustrates the relative alignment of pattern 720 and lens 710. In this example, center 725 of pattern 720 is aligned with center 715 of lens 710. Additionally, the pattern is aligned with axis 728 at an angle to cylindrical axis 712. The angle can be determined, for example, based on the cylindrical axis of the user's prescription and the range of pupil movement from far vision to near vision. FIG. 7C also illustrates the outline of edge 740 of the lens once sized for the eyeglass frame. Markers 750 are provided near the lens periphery to mark the cylindrical axis, providing a reference for aligning the lens with the pattern and for molding the lens into its final form 799 shown in FIG. 7D. Markers 750 can be printed or etched fiducials used to establish the orientation of the lens with respect to a lens modification system before, during, or after forming pattern 720 on the lens, and can be any optical feature identifiable by an alignment system used with the lens modification system. The markers can be formed using the same system used to form the pattern 720, or can be formed using a different system. In some embodiments, the markers 750 are formed within the lens, within the bulk lens material.

[0105] While the foregoing examples utilize printed or etched fiducials, which are one example of optical features, to establish the orientation of the cylindrical axis of the lens in order to form a pattern with a desired orientation, other features may also be used for this purpose. For example, it is possible to measure the optical properties of the lens itself, i.e., measure the cylindrical axis, and then use that measurement to properly align the pattern with the lens. Alternatively, or additionally, in some embodiments, physical features may be used to establish proper alignment of the lens.

[0106] For example, referring to Figure 8A, a lens 810 has a non-zero cylindrical power having a cylindrical axis 812 and a straight-edged section 818 at the otherwise circular edge of the lens. The straight-edged section 818 is aligned parallel to the axis 812. A geometric center 815 of the lens 810 is also shown, where the geometric center of the lens refers to the center of the circle defined by the edge of the lens 810.

[0107] 8B shows a pattern 820 of scattering centers for formation on lens 810. Pattern 820 includes a pair of apertures 822 and 824 disposed in scattering center region 830. An axis 828 is also shown that passes through the geometric center of aperture 822 from the geometric center 825 of the pattern, which is also the geometric center of aperture 824.

[0108] Figure 8C shows the relative alignment of pattern 820 and lens 810. In particular, center 825 of pattern 820 is aligned with center 815 of lens 810. In addition, the pattern is aligned with axis 828 at an angle to cylindrical axis 812. Figure 8C also shows the outline of edge 740 of the lens once sized for the eyeglass frame. Straight edged section 818 is used to establish the vertical and horizontal directions for shaping the lens into its final form 899, shown in Figure 8D.

[0109] Other types of physical features can be used for alignment purposes instead of, or in addition to, straight-edged section 818. For example, in some embodiments, one or more notches can be made in the edge that has a known relationship (e.g., aligned or offset by a known amount) with axis 812. The physical features can be formed on the lens before, during, or after forming the pattern on the lens.

[0110] In the above examples, the pattern of optical elements features optical elements occupying geometric shapes such as circles and arranged in a regular array, such as a circular pattern, on a grid, or a series of stripes, or in a random manner. However, as previously mentioned, irregular patterns or patterns having non-circular contours (e.g., irregular contours) can be used. Such patterns can also be recognizable shapes or images. An example is shown in FIG. 9A, where a pattern 930 of optical elements in circular regions is formed on one surface 910 of a lens 900, e.g., the side facing the wearer. A lens contour 920 molded for an eyeglass frame is shown.

[0111] The opposing surfaces can be formed with recognizable shapes or images, such as pictures, artwork, or logos. The size or density of the optical element pattern can be varied so that portions of the pattern appear lighter or darker when reflected to the viewer. Varying the size or density of the optical pattern can create a grayscale image. If colorants are used to deposit or create the optical elements, varying the size, density, and color of the optical pattern can create a color image. Like other rotationally asymmetric patterns, these patterns can have a predetermined orientation when mounted in an eyeglass frame or on the eye when used as a contact lens. For example, as shown in FIG. 9B, the side 940 of lens 900 features a heart-shaped pattern with an inner region of one density of optical elements and an outer region of a different density.

[0112] As a result, the lens 900 shown in Figure 9C features optical elements on both sides. Patterns on the front side (i.e., the side that faces away from the wearer during use) can be formed so that these shapes are visible to viewers of the wearer without being perceived by the wearer themselves.

[0113] The irregularly shaped patterns shown in Figures 9A-9C are merely examples, and the techniques disclosed herein can be used to form patterns that result in more complex images. 9A-9C are merely examples, and more generally, the techniques disclosed herein can be used to form patterns that result in more complex images. In general, by varying the geometry of the pattern and the density and size of the optical elements, it is possible to provide eyeglasses that display almost any image that can be digitized. Thus, the disclosed techniques allow users to customize lenses with images of their name, signature, logo, pets, family, friends, pop culture figures, and more.

[0114] In addition, by forming patterns on both sides, the image changes depending on the observer's relative position in relation to the lens due to the parallax effect of the two images shifted on the front and back sides of the lens.

[0115] The aforementioned examples feature single-vision lenses, such as plano lenses, sphere lenses, and toric lenses. More commonly, multifocal lenses—such as progressive lenses and bifocal lenses—can also be used. Progressive lenses are radially asymmetric and typically characterized by a gradient of lens power increase, in addition to correcting for the wearer's other refractive errors. The gradient begins with the wearer's distance prescription at the top of the lens and reaches the maximum, or reading, power at the bottom of the lens. This corresponds to the eye's natural path when focusing on near objects. The length of the progressive power gradient across the lens surface generally varies depending on the lens design, with the final add power typically ranging from 0.75 to 3.50 diopters. An example of a progressive lens with a rotationally asymmetric pattern is shown in Figure 10.

[0116] As shown, lens 1000 includes five distinct zones, delimited by dotted lines 1022, 1023, 1024, and 1025. These include a near vision zone 1011, an intermediate zone 1012, and a distance vision zone 1013. Such lenses may also include peripheral distortion zones 1014 and 1015. Although delimited by dotted lines, the change in optical power from one zone to the next is typically gradual.

[0117] With respect to the scattering / transparent features of the lens, the progressive power ophthalmic lens 1000 includes a transparent outer region 1040, a light-scattering region 1030, a first clear aperture 1010 for distance vision, and a second clear aperture 1020 for near vision. The second clear aperture 1020 is aligned along an axis 1032 that is offset from the normal axis of the lens by an angle α. The clear aperture 1010 for distance vision overlaps (in this case, partially) with the distance vision zone 1013 of the progressive lens, while the aperture 1020 for near vision overlaps with the near vision zone 1011.

[0118] In some embodiments when a multifocal lens is used, the second clear aperture (e.g., aperture 1020 in lens 1000) is specifically aligned over a region of the lens having add power for near vision. For example, the location of the second aperture can have an optical power of +0.25D (e.g., +0.5D or more, +0.75D or more, +1.0D or more, +1.25D or more, +1.5D or more, +1.75D or more, +2.0D or more) or more compared to the optical power of the lens at the first clear aperture (i.e., the aperture for distance vision).

[0119] As noted above, other optical elements besides scattering centers can be used in place of or in addition to scattering centers. For example, a lens may include one or more lenslets having a different optical power than the base lens in the areas identified as "scattering regions" in the above embodiments. More generally, scattering regions are also referred to as patterned regions. Examples of such lenslets are found in, for example, U.S. Patent No. 6,239,629, U.S. Patent No. 6,239,629 entitled "Spectacle Lens" published on April 23, 2019, U.S. Patent No. 6,239,629 entitled "Lens Element" published on September 6 ... October 31, 2019. For example, lenslets for myopic defocus can be used. In some embodiments, the optical element is an annular refractive structure (e.g., a Fresnel lens) for myopic defocus, an example of which is shown in U.S. Patent No. 5,629,299, entitled "Method of Optical Treatment," published March 24, 2009.

[0120] An example of a rotationally asymmetric lens in which the pattern of lenslets is rotationally asymmetric is shown in FIG. 11. Here, lens 1100 has a non-zero cylinder power and a cylinder axis 1142. The pattern of optical elements includes a first clear aperture 1110 and an annular-shaped region 1130 surrounding the clear aperture, which features an array of lenslets 1131 (shown in inset) sized and shaped for myopic defocus. The lenslets introduce defocus into portions of the wavefront that would otherwise be focused onto the user's retina. First clear aperture 1110 is located substantially near the center of lens 1100. Myopic defocus region 1130 is also centered relative to the lens center. Myopic defocus region 1130 is also surrounded by a transparent region 1140. A second clear aperture 1120 is also provided in the light scattering region 1130, separated from the clear aperture 1110 along an axis 1132 that is offset from the normal axis of the lens by an angle α. A cylindrical axis 1142 is aligned at an angle relative to the axis 1132.

[0121] In general, the optical properties of the lenslets can vary depending on the degree of defocus deemed appropriate for the user. For example, the lenslets can be spherical or aspherical, or can include higher-order aberrations. The lenslets can have positive or negative optical powers. In some embodiments, the lenslets have zero optical power (e.g., where the base power of the lens is strongly negative). The lenslets can each have the same optical power, or different lenslets can have different optical powers. In some embodiments, the lenslets can have an add power of +0.25D or more (e.g., +0.5D or more, +0.75D or more, +1.0D or more, +1.25D or more, +1.5D or more, +1.75D or more, +2.0D or more, +3.0D or more, +4.0D or more; such as up to +5.0D) compared to the base optical power of the lens. In certain embodiments, the lenslets can have an add power of −0.25D or less (e.g., −0.5D or less, −0.75D or less, −1.0D or less, −1.25D or less, −1.5D or less) compared to the base optical power of the lens.

[0122] The size of the lenslets can also be varied as appropriate: the lenslets can have diameters of 0.5 mm or greater (e.g., 0.8 mm or greater, 1 mm or greater, 1.5 mm or greater, 2 mm or greater, 3 mm or greater; e.g., up to 5 mm).

[0123] Some embodiments may include both lenslets and scattering centers. For example, referring to Figure 12, an exemplary lens 1200 includes a transparent outer region 1240, a light-scattering region 1230, a first clear aperture 1210 for distance vision, and a second clear aperture 1220 for near vision. The second clear aperture 1220 is aligned along an axis 1232 that is offset from the normal axis of the lens by an angle α.

[0124] The scattering region 1230 includes scattering centers, as described above. Additionally, the scattering region 1230 includes lenslets 1235 arranged in an annular configuration around the aperture 1210. The lenslets introduce defocus into portions of the wavefront that would otherwise be focused onto the user's retina. Scattering centers are included at the locations of the lenslets 1235. For example, scattering centers can be formed on the surface of each lenslet 1235, on the surface of the opposing lens but overlapping at the same lateral location as the lenslet 1235, and / or included within the bulk of the lens 1200 that laterally overlaps the lenslet 1235. In some embodiments, scattering centers are included between the lenslets 1235 but do not laterally overlap the lenslets. In certain embodiments, the scattering region of the lens includes only lenslets but no additional scattering centers.

[0125] A further example of a rotationally asymmetric lens with a rotationally asymmetric pattern is shown in FIG. 13 , which depicts a lens 1300 with a cylindrical axis 1312 oblique to the horizontal. The lens 1300 includes a pattern of optical elements comprised of two discrete zones: an upper zone 1320 and a lower zone 1330, each constituting half of the pattern area. The different zones 1320 and 1330 have different arrangements of optical elements. For example, depending on the implementation, the zones can have the same type of optical elements (e.g., scattering centers) but at different densities. For example, the upper zone 1330 can have a lower density of scattering centers than the lower zone 1320, resulting in increased light scattering for light transmitted through the lower zone. Alternatively, in certain embodiments, one zone can include lenslets and the other can feature scattering centers.

[0126] Other variations are possible, for example, more than two zones can be used, and in some embodiments, multiple zones can be used with one or more apertures.

[0127] 10-13 each illustrate an example of a lens that can be reliably and efficiently provided using the just-in-time process described above. It will be appreciated that the disclosed technology has broader applicability. For example, while the foregoing example relates to ophthalmic lenses for eyeglasses, the technology can also be applied to other types of ophthalmic lenses, such as contact lenses. In some embodiments, custom contact lenses including patterns of optical elements can be provided using the aforementioned technology.

[0128] In some embodiments, the processes described herein can be incorporated into lens delivery protocols that include lens blocking for custom edging of lenses for specific eyeglass frames. For example, Figure 15 is a flowchart illustrating steps in a method 1500 for customizing a standard, finished single vision lens with a pattern of optical elements, edging the lens, and fitting it into an eyeglass frame. Method 1500 incorporates several steps traditionally used to customize standard lenses for eyeglasses and can be integrated into established workflows with relatively little disruption.

[0129] In a first step 1510, a standard finished single vision lens is selected, for example from inventory, according to the job-specific Rx. The lens can be a stock lens, or a lens that has been resurfaced and / or coated as required by the job.

[0130] The lens is inspected (1520) to ensure that the lens power is as specified in the Rx and within tolerance. If the lens fails this inspection (1530), a new lens is selected and the inspection is repeated. If the lens passes this inspection, standard blocking is applied (1540) to the lens surface opposite the patterned surface, which is usually the convex front surface of the lens. Lens blocking refers to the process by which the periphery of a prescription lens is prepared before it is cut to fit a wearable frame; the latter process is called edging. Blocking typically involves detecting the optical center of the lens and ensuring that the lens is the correct shape for mounting in the frame. Typically, blocking involves attaching (e.g., using an adhesive) a block (e.g., a disc-shaped object formed, e.g., from a plastic material, that protrudes from the lens surface) to the surface of the lens. A surfacing block can be attached after identifying the optical center of the lens or some other identifying characteristic of the lens, so that the block forms a reference position on the lens and a reference for the angular orientation of the lens. The block may also provide a physical extension of the lens that allows the lens to be moved and / or reoriented relative to other processing equipment. Conventional block techniques may be used.

[0131] In the patterning process, the blocked lens is inserted into a jig (1550). This can be done manually or robotically. Once in the jig, the lens surface is presented to a laser engraving machine (1560). Alternatively, a robotic arm can hold the block and present the lens surface to the laser engraving machine. The laser engraving system determines the relative position of the lens surface to the laser beam and engraves a pattern into the lens surface according to a pre-set pattern. Only the portion within the edging boundary is engraved.

[0132] After engraving, the blocked lens is transferred to an edger (1570), which can be done manually or robotically, which edges the lens to the size and shape of the eyeglass frame in which it will be fitted (1580).

[0133] After edging, the lens is deblocked and cleaned (1590). Deblocking involves removing the surface processing block from the lens surface. Depending on how the block is attached to the lens, this can be done using a solvent, a water blade, heat treatment, and / or mechanically.

[0134] The neatly edged lenses are then fitted into eyeglass frames, and the eyeglasses are inspected for defects before being delivered to the wearer (1599).

[0135] As previously mentioned, the systems and methods disclosed above utilize data processing devices to implement the just-in-time manufacturing aspects described. FIG. 14 illustrates an example of a computing device 1400 and a mobile computing device 1450 that can be used as data processing devices to implement the techniques described herein. Computing device 1400 is intended to represent various forms of digital computers, such as laptops, desktops, workstations, personal digital assistants, servers, blade servers, mainframes, and other suitable computers. Mobile computing device 1450 is intended to represent various forms of mobile devices, such as personal digital assistants, mobile phones, smartphones, and other suitable computing devices. The components, their connections and relationships, and their functions shown herein are intended to be illustrative only and not limiting.

[0136] Computing device 1400 includes processor 1402, memory 1404, storage device 1406, a high-speed interface 1408 connecting memory 1404 and multiple high-speed expansion ports 1410, and a low-speed interface 1412 connecting a low-speed expansion port 1414 and storage device 1406. Each of processor 1402, memory 1404, storage device 1406, high-speed interface 1408, high-speed expansion port 1410, and low-speed interface 1412 are interconnected using various buses and may be mounted on a common motherboard or otherwise implemented as appropriate. Processor 1402 is capable of processing instructions for execution within computing device 1400, including instructions stored on memory 1404 or storage device 1406, to display graphical information for a GUI on an external input / output device, such as a display 1416 coupled to high-speed interface 1408. In other implementations, multiple processors and / or multiple buses may be used, along with multiple memories and memory types, as appropriate. Additionally, multiple computing devices may be connected together, each providing a portion of the required operations (eg, as a bank of servers, a cluster of blade servers, or a multi-processor system).

[0137] The memory 1404 stores information within the computing device 1400. In some implementations, the memory 1404 is a volatile memory unit or units. In some implementations, the memory 1404 is a non-volatile memory unit or units. The memory 1404 may also be another form of computer-readable medium, such as a magnetic disk or optical disk.

[0138] The storage device 1406 can provide mass storage for the computing device 1400. In some implementations, the storage device 1406 can be or include a computer-readable medium such as a floppy disk drive, a hard disk drive, an optical disk drive, or a tape drive, a flash memory or other similar solid-state memory device, or an array of devices including devices in a storage area network or other configuration. The instructions can be stored on an information carrier. When executed by one or more processing devices (e.g., the processor 1402), the instructions perform one or more methods, such as those described above. The instructions can also be stored by one or more storage devices (e.g., the memory 1404, the storage device 1406, or memory on the processor 1402), such as a computer- or machine-readable medium.

[0139] High-speed interface 1408 manages bandwidth-intensive operations of computing device 1400, while low-speed interface 1412 manages less bandwidth-intensive operations. This allocation of functionality is merely exemplary. In some implementations, high-speed interface 1408 is coupled to memory 1404, display 1416 (e.g., via a graphics processor or accelerator), and high-speed expansion port 1410, which can accept various expansion cards (not shown). In an embodiment, low-speed interface 1412 is coupled to storage device 1406 and low-speed expansion port 1414. Low-speed expansion port 1414, which may include various communication ports (e.g., USB, Bluetooth, Ethernet, wireless Ethernet), may be coupled to one or more input / output devices, such as a keyboard, pointing device, scanner, etc., or to networking devices, such as a switch or router, for example, via a network adapter.

[0140] Computing device 1400, as shown, may be implemented in many different forms. For example, it may be implemented as a standard server 1420 or a cluster of such servers. It may also be implemented in a personal computer such as a laptop computer 1422. It may also be implemented as part of a rack server system 1424. Alternatively, components from computing device 1400 may be combined with other components in a mobile device (not shown), such as mobile computing device 1450. Each such device may include one or more of computing device 1400 and mobile computing device 1450, or the entire system may be made up of multiple computing devices in communication with each other.

[0141] The mobile computing device 1450 includes components such as a processor 1452, memory 1464, input / output devices such as a display 1454, a communication interface 1466, and a transceiver 1468. The mobile computing device 1450 may also include a storage device such as a microdrive to provide additional storage. The processor 1452, memory 1464, display 1454, communication interface 1466, and transceiver 1468 are each interconnected using various buses, and some of the components may be mounted on a common motherboard or in other manners, as appropriate.

[0142] The processor 1452 can execute instructions within the mobile computing device 1450, including instructions stored in the memory 1464. The processor 1452 may be implemented as a chipset of chips including multiple separate analog and digital processors. The processor 1452 may provide for coordination of other components of the mobile computing device 1450, such as control of a user interface, applications run by the mobile computing device 1450, and wireless communication by the mobile computing device 1450.

[0143] The processor 1452 may communicate with a user via a control interface 1458 and a display interface 1456 coupled to a display 1454. The display 1454 may be, for example, a TFT (thin film transistor liquid crystal display) display or an OLED (organic light emitting diode) display, or other suitable display technology. The display interface 1456 may include appropriate circuitry for driving the display 1454 to present graphical and other information to a user. The control interface 1458 may receive and convert commands from a user for submission to the processor 1452. Additionally, an external interface 1462 may provide communication with the processor 1452 to enable proximate communication of the mobile computing device 1450 with other devices. The external interface 1462 may, for example, provide wired communication in some implementations and wireless communication in other implementations, and multiple interfaces may be used.

[0144] Memory 1464 stores information within mobile computing device 1450. Memory 1464 may be implemented as one or more of a computer-readable medium or media, a volatile memory unit or unit, or a non-volatile memory unit or unit. Expansion memory 1474 may also be provided and connected to mobile computing device 1450 via expansion interface 1472, which may include, for example, a Single In Line Memory Module (SIMM) card interface. Expansion memory 1474 may provide additional storage space for mobile computing device 1450 or store applications or other information for mobile computing device 1450. Specifically, expansion memory 1474 may include instructions for performing or supplementing the processes described above and may also include secure information. Thus, for example, expansion memory 1474 may be provided as a security module for mobile computing device 1450 and may be programmed with instructions that enable secure use of mobile computing device 1450. Furthermore, secure applications may be provided via a SIMM card, along with additional information, such as placing identifying information on the SIMM card in a non-hackable manner.

[0145] The memory may include, for example, flash memory and / or NVRAM memory (non-volatile random access memory), as described below. In some implementations, the instructions are stored on an information carrier. When executed by one or more processing units (e.g., processor 1452), the instructions perform one or more methods, such as those described above. The instructions may also be stored by one or more storage devices, such as one or more computer- or machine-readable media (e.g., memory 1464, expansion memory 1474, or memory on processor 1452). In some implementations, the instructions may be received in a propagated signal, for example, via transceiver 768 or external interface 1462.

[0146] Mobile computing device 1450 may communicate wirelessly via communication interface 1466, which may include digital signal processing circuitry as needed. Communication interface 1466 may provide for communication in various modes or protocols, such as GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) voice, SMS (Short Message Service), EMS (Enhanced Messaging Service), or MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access), PDC (Personal Digital Cellular), WCDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access), CDMA2000, or GPRS (General Packet Radio Service). Such communication may occur, for example, via transceiver 1468 using radio frequencies. Additionally, short-range communication may occur, such as using Bluetooth, WiFi, or other such transceivers (not shown). Additionally, a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver module 1470 may provide additional navigation and location-related radio data to the mobile computing device 1450, which may be used as appropriate by applications running on the mobile computing device 1450.

[0147] The mobile computing device 1450 can also communicate audibly using an audio codec 1460, which can receive spoken information from a user and convert it into usable digital information. The audio codec 1460 can also generate audible sounds for the user, such as through a speaker in the handset of the mobile computing device 1450. Such sounds can include sounds from a voice call, recorded sounds (e.g., voice messages, music files, etc.), and sounds generated by applications running on the mobile computing device 1450.

[0148] The mobile computing device 1450 may be implemented in many different forms, as shown, for example as a mobile phone 1480, or as part of a smartphone 1482, personal digital assistant, or other similar mobile device.

[0149] Various implementations of the systems and techniques described herein may be realized in digital electronic circuitry, integrated circuits, specially designed application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), computer hardware, firmware, software, and / or combinations thereof. These various implementations may include implementation in one or more computer programs executable and / or interpretable on a programmable system that includes at least one programmable processor, which may be special purpose or general purpose, at least one input device, and at least one output device, coupled to receive data and instructions from and transmit data and instructions to a storage system.

[0150] These computer programs (also known as programs, software, software applications, or code) contain machine instructions for a programmable processor and may be implemented in a high-level procedural and / or object-oriented programming language, and / or assembly / machine language. As used herein, the terms machine-readable medium and computer-readable medium refer to any computer program product, apparatus, and / or device (e.g., magnetic disk, optical disk, memory, programmable logic device (PLD)) used to provide machine instructions and / or data to a programmable processor, including a machine-readable medium that receives machine instructions as a machine-readable signal. The term machine-readable signal refers to any signal used to provide machine instructions and / or data to a programmable processor.

[0151] To provide for user interaction, the systems and techniques described herein can be implemented on a computer having a display device (e.g., a CRT (cathode ray tube) or LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor) for displaying information to the user, as well as a keyboard and pointing device (e.g., a mouse or trackball) by which the user can provide input to the computer. For example, feedback provided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback (e.g., visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback), and input from the user can be received in any form, including acoustic, speech, or tactile input.

[0152] The systems and techniques described herein can be implemented in a computing system that includes a back-end component (e.g., as a data server), or a computing system that includes a middleware component (e.g., an application server), or a front-end component (e.g., a client computer having a graphical user interface or web browser through which a user can interact with an implementation of the systems and techniques described herein), or any combination of such back-end, middleware, or front-end components. The components of the system can be interconnected by any form or medium of digital data communication (e.g., a communication network). Examples of communication networks include a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), and the Internet.

[0153] A computing system may include clients and servers. Clients and servers are generally remote from each other and typically interact through a communication network. The relationship of client and server arises by virtue of computer programs running on the respective computers and having a client-server relationship to each other.

[0154] In some embodiments, the computing system may be cloud-based and / or centrally compute the patterns. In such cases, anonymous input and output data may be stored for further analysis. In a cloud-based and / or computing center setup, it is easier to ensure data quality, maintain and update the computation engine, comply with data privacy regulations, and troubleshoot compared to distributed computation of patterns.

[0155] While several implementations have been described in detail above, other modifications are possible. For example, while described as a client application accessing a delegate, in other implementations, the delegate may be employed by other applications implemented by one or more processors, such as applications running on one or more servers. Furthermore, the logic flows depicted in the figures do not require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. Furthermore, other actions may be provided or removed from the described flows, and other components may be added or removed from the described systems.

[0156] While a number of embodiments have been described, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0157] 100 systems 101 Glasses 110 Radial Symmetry Pattern 110 Input terminal 120 Data Processing Device 122 Processing Module 130 Lens Modification System 132 Platform 134 Exposure equipment 140 Lens 142 Lens 150 lens 151 Lens 152 Optical Elements 155 Optical Element Pattern 156 Optical Element Pattern 170 eyeglass frames 200 systems 201 Lens 202 Uncured material 210 Computer 220 Inkjet Printer 230 Controller 240 reservoir printhead 250 print heads 260 Actuating Stage 270 UV lamps 300 Laser System 301 Lens 305 Protrusion 310 Controller 320 Laser 330 Beam Chopper 340 Condensing Optical System 350 Mirror 360 Actuator 370 Actuating Stage 400 System 460 Stage 490 Jig 491 Tray 492 Lens holder 500 ophthalmic lenses 501 Glasses 510 aperture, first clear aperture 520 aperture, second clear aperture 530 Scattering area, patterned area 540 Transparent area 550 eyeglass frames 710 Lens 712 Cylinder shaft 720 patterns 722 Aperture 724 Aperture 740 Edge 750 markers 768 Transceiver 810 Lens 812 Cylinder shaft 818 straight edged sections 820 patterns 822 Aperture 824 Aperture 900 lens 920 External shape 930 patterns 1000 Progressive Addition Ophthalmic Lenses 1000 lenses 1010 First Clear Aperture 1011 Near vision zone 1012 Intermediate Zone 1013 Far Vision Zone 1014 Peripheral distortion zone 1015 Peripheral distortion zone 1020 Second Clear Aperture 1030 Light scattering area 1040 Transparent outer area 1100 lens 1110 First Clear Aperture 1120 Second Clear Aperture 1130 Myopic defocus area, annular area, light scattering area 1131 Lenslet 1140 Transparent area 1142 Cylinder shaft 1200 lens 1210 First Clear Aperture 1220 Second Clear Aperture 1230 scattering area 1235 Lenslet 1240 outer area 1300 lens 1312 Cylinder shaft 1320 Upper Zone 1330 Lower Zone 1400 Computing Devices 1402 processor 1404 memory 1406 Storage device 1408 high-speed interface 1410 High-Speed ​​Expansion Port 1412 slow interface 1414 Low-Speed ​​Expansion Port 1416 Display 1420 Server 1422 laptop computer 1424 Rack Server System 1450 Mobile Computing Device 1452 processor 1454 Display 1456 Display Interface 1458 Control Interface 1460 Audio Codec 1462 External Interface 1464 memory 1466 Communication Interface 1468 Transceiver 1470 GPS Receiver Module 1472 Expansion Interface 1474 extended memory 1480 mobile phone 1482 smartphones 1570 Edger

Claims

1. receiving user-specified input parameter values ​​at the data processing device; determining, using the data processing device, a pattern of optical elements to form on the surface of the ophthalmic lens based on the input parameter values; and providing optical elements on a surface of the ophthalmic lens according to the pattern; A method comprising:

2. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the input parameter values ​​comprise one or more parameters selected from the group consisting of a human patient's lens prescription (Rx), a human patient's pupil size, a human patient's convergence, a human patient's pupillary distance, a human patient's gaze angle, a measure of the human patient's myopia progression, a human patient's predisposition to myopia, a predetermined pupil optical center height relative to the frame, a final shape and size of the lens after it is attached to the spectacle frame, a degree of prominence of the pattern of the optical element, and a degree of comfort for the human patient.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the step of receiving input parameter values ​​comprises measuring Rx of a human patient.

4. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein receiving the input parameter values ​​comprises comparing the human patient's Rx to previous Rx measurements and establishing a measure of the human patient's myopia progression based on the comparison.

5. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein receiving the input parameter values ​​comprises presenting a plurality of example patterns of the optical element, each having a different visibility, to the human patient, and receiving a selection from among the plurality of example patterns from the human patient.

6. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein presenting the human patient with a plurality of exemplary patterns of the optical element comprises positioning each of the exemplary patterns in the human patient's line of sight to allow the human patient to see through each of the patterns and allowing the human patient to select from the plurality of exemplary patterns based on a comfort level of seeing through each of the patterns.

7. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein presenting the plurality of exemplary patterns of the optical element to the human patient comprises having the human patient rate how salient each of the exemplary patterns appears to the human patient; and having the human patient select from the plurality of exemplary patterns based on the salience of each of the exemplary patterns.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the pattern of the optical elements comprises selecting a pattern from a plurality of predetermined patterns of the optical elements.

9. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the pattern of the optical elements comprises calculating one or more attributes of the optical elements based on the input parameter values, the attributes being selected from the group consisting of: a shape of the optical elements, a size of the optical elements, a spacing between the optical elements, a density of the optical elements, and an area on a surface of a first ophthalmic lens (e.g., a finished ophthalmic lens) forming the optical elements.

10. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the pattern of optical elements includes one or more apertures that do not include the optical elements, and determining the pattern of optical elements includes determining one or more attributes of the one or more apertures.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the attributes of the one or more apertures are selected from the group consisting of a shape of the aperture, a size of the aperture, and a position of the aperture on a surface of the ophthalmic lens.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the optical element comprises an optical scattering center.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the optical element comprises a lenslet.

14. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the ophthalmic lens is selected or generated based on a lens prescription (Rx) of a human patient.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the ophthalmic lens is a radially symmetric lens.

16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the ophthalmic lens is a radially asymmetric lens.

17. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein providing the pattern of optical elements comprises orienting the pattern relative to the first ophthalmic lens according to a radial asymmetry of the first ophthalmic lens.

18. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the radially asymmetric lens has a cylindrical axis.

19. The method of claim 1 , wherein the ophthalmic lens comprises a monofocal lens or a multifocal lens.

20. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the multifocal lens comprises a bifocal lens and / or a progressive lens.

21. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein upon selecting a multifocal lens, providing a pattern of optical elements comprises orienting the pattern relative to the ophthalmic lens according to an optical power distribution of the multifocal lens.

22. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the ophthalmic lens is a stock ophthalmic lens, and the step of providing the optical element comprises orienting the pattern relative to the ophthalmic lens before forming the optical element according to the pattern on a surface of the ophthalmic lens.

23. 23. The method of claim 22, wherein orienting the pattern relative to the stock ophthalmic lens comprises aligning an axis of the pattern of the optical element with an axis of the ophthalmic lens.

24. 24. The method of claim 23, wherein aligning the axis of the stock ophthalmic lens comprises measuring the axis and determining, using the data processing device, a location to form the optical element on the surface of the stock ophthalmic lens based on the measurement of the axis.

25. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of providing an optical element comprises selectively exposing a surface of the ophthalmic lens to laser radiation.

26. 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the laser radiation has a wavelength and power sufficient to selectively melt lens material of the ophthalmic lens at a surface of the ophthalmic lens.

27. 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the laser radiation has a wavelength and power sufficient to ablate or foam lens material of the ophthalmic lens at the surface of the ophthalmic lens.

28. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of providing an optical element comprises selectively depositing a material on a surface of the ophthalmic lens.

29. 30. The method of claim 28, wherein the step of providing an optical element further comprises curing a material selectively deposited on a surface of the ophthalmic lens.

30. 30. The method of claim 29, wherein the material is cured using ultraviolet light.

31. 30. The method of claim 28, wherein the material is selectively deposited on the surface of the ophthalmic lens by inkjetting.

32. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of shaping the periphery of the ophthalmic lens according to an eyeglass frame.

33. 33. The method of claim 32, wherein the periphery is shaped prior to forming the optical element on a surface (e.g., a finished surface) of the ophthalmic lens.

34. 33. The method of claim 32, wherein the periphery is shaped after forming the optical element on the surface of the ophthalmic lens.

35. 1. A method of forming an ophthalmic lens for inhibiting myopia progression in a human patient, the method comprising: receiving, at a data processing device, information characterizing the ophthalmic lens based on the patient's refractive error; determining, by the data processing device, a pattern of optical elements to form on a surface of the ophthalmic lens, the pattern of optical elements being selected to inhibit myopia progression in the human patient; and creating the ophthalmic lens based on the information and the pattern of the optical element; Including, The method, characterized in that the surface of the ophthalmic lens comprises one or more portions having a base curvature corresponding to an optical power for correcting the refractive error of the human patient, and the pattern of optical elements.

36. 36. The method of claim 35, wherein creating the ophthalmic lens comprises selecting a first stock ophthalmic lens from a plurality of stock ophthalmic lenses; and forming a pattern of the optical elements on a surface of the first stock ophthalmic lens.

37. 36. The method of claim 35, wherein creating the ophthalmic lens comprises selecting a first stock ophthalmic lens from a plurality of stock ophthalmic lenses; and grinding at least one surface of the first stock ophthalmic lens to provide a lens having an optical power to correct a refractive error of the human patient.

38. 36. The method of claim 35, wherein creating the ophthalmic lens comprises forming a lens material to form a surface of the ophthalmic lens.

39. 36. The method of claim 35, wherein the pattern of the optical element is determined based on one or more parameters selected from the group consisting of the human patient's lens prescription (Rx), the human patient's pupil size, the human patient's convergence, the human patient's pupillary distance, the human patient's gaze angle, a measure of the human patient's myopia progression, the human patient's predisposition to myopia, the optical center height of a predetermined pupil relative to the frame, the final shape and size of the lens after it is attached to the spectacle frame, the prominence of the pattern of the optical element, and the human patient's comfort level.

40. 36. The method of claim 35, wherein determining the pattern of the optical elements comprises selecting a pattern from a plurality of predetermined patterns of the optical elements.

41. 36. The method of claim 35, wherein the pattern of optical elements includes one or more apertures that do not include the optical element, and determining the pattern of optical elements includes determining one or more attributes of the one or more apertures.

42. 42. The method of claim 41, wherein the one or more aperture attributes are selected from the group consisting of aperture shape, aperture size, and aperture location on the surface of the ophthalmic lens.

43. The method of claim 35 , wherein the optical element comprises an optical scattering center.

44. 36. The method of claim 35, wherein the optical element comprises a lenslet.

45. 36. The method of claim 35, further comprising shaping the periphery of the ophthalmic lens according to an eyeglass frame selected for the human patient.

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