Color-enhanced lens

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the use of dyes that provide localized regions of reduced light transmission over a particular wavelength range.SOLUTION: Inclusion of the transmittance-attenuating dye in the lens adjusts the visible light transmission spectrum throughout the lens, thereby providing enhanced color contrast.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to ophthalmic lenses having multiple light-attenuating pigments that provide enhanced color contrast by selectively filtering specific ranges of light wavelengths. [Background technology]

[0002] Electronic displays have traditionally included contrast adjustment controls to tune the image to the viewer's preferences. Contrast modulation is a relatively new technology in real-world visual perception.

[0003] Contrast is the difference in color that allows one object to be distinguished from another. Contrast is specified by the difference in color and brightness between different objects in the same field of view. To adjust contrast for real-world color perception, a lens must be able to adjust the specific frequency range of visible light transmitted through the lens. For example, by reducing the transmission of green and red light, the perception of blue and yellow light is enhanced.

[0004] While contrast enhancement is subjective based on the lens wearer's personal preferences, certain contrast enhancing features can be combined to improve the perception of primary colors, e.g., primary colors are enhanced by reducing light transmission in wavelength regions that overlap with the primary colors.

[0005] The contrast-enhancing feature can also be combined with a polarizing filter to further improve contrast enhancement. Glare observed under outdoor conditions is specularly reflected sunlight, but is often partially polarized white light, compounded by reflections from colored surfaces. Glare typically saturates the hues of natural surface colors. Blocking hue-saturated glare is an additional way to enhance color contrast. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Today, as a result of an improved understanding of the physics of vision, lenses can be manufactured that protect the wearer's eyes from UV light, IR light, and glare by selectively filtering the light that passes through the lens. However, there is a demand in the industry for improved perception of primary colors and enhanced color contrast. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention relates to an ophthalmic lens as set forth in claim 1. Other advantageous, non-limiting features of this ophthalmic lens are described in claims 2-15. This application discloses the incorporation of specific combinations of color-reducing pigments into a lens to improve color contrast. The transmittance-reducing pigments provide localized regions where light transmittance is reduced over a specific wavelength range, i.e., local transmittance minima. By incorporating pigments that reduce light transmittance over a specific region, the unreduced wavelength range appears as regions of relatively high transmittance, i.e., local transmittance maxima. The inclusion of specific pigments in the lens improves color contrast by adjusting the local minima and maxima to achieve a desired transmission spectrum.

[0008] The transmittance-attenuating dyes can be selected to reduce transmittance over a desired wavelength range. The dye concentration can be selected to adjust the degree of transmittance reduction. The total number of dyes can be adjusted to customize the transmission spectrum. By combining multiple dyes, different transmittance profiles can be customized for individual applications.

[0009] In some aspects, a method for manufacturing an ophthalmic lens is provided, comprising: a polymerized lens comprising at least one polymer; and a lens component configured to provide reduced light transmission across multiple wavelength ranges. The lens component configured to provide reduced light transmission across multiple wavelength ranges may comprise at least two dyes, each of which provides a region of reduced light transmission. In some embodiments, the lens polymer is polycarbonate (PC) resin.

[0010] In one embodiment, the first light transmittance-reducing pigment may be selected to impart a first region of reduced light transmittance centered between about 485 nanometers and 510 nanometers. In some embodiments, the second light transmittance-reducing pigment may be selected to impart a second region of reduced light transmittance centered between about 570 nanometers and 600 nanometers. In some embodiments, the second light transmittance-reducing pigment may be selected to impart a second region of reduced light transmittance centered between about 685 nanometers and 715 nanometers. In some embodiments, a light transmittance-reducing pigment selected to impart a region of reduced light transmittance centered between about 570 nanometers and 600 nanometers is employed as the third optional light transmittance-reducing pigment. In some embodiments, a light transmittance-reducing pigment selected to impart a region of reduced light transmittance centered between about 685 nanometers and 715 nanometers is employed as the third optional light transmittance-reducing pigment. In some embodiments, reduced light transmission is defined as at least a 50% reduction in transmission in % compared to the region outside the reduced light transmission region and from 400 nanometers to 680 nanometers.

[0011] In some aspects, the lens component configured to provide reduced light transmission is a polymerized lens. A polymerized lens may include a blend of at least one polymer and a light transmission-reducing pigment. The lens may optionally be provided with one or more polymerized layers to create sunglass applications with customized regions of reduced transmission. Both prescription and plano lenses may be manufactured with localized regions of attenuated transmission. Various lens embodiments can be customized and manufactured for specific lens environments, including global color-enhancing features, driving glasses, lenses for foggy conditions, snow / ski lenses, fishing, flying, hunting, and other environments where reduced transmission over specific color regions can be utilized to improve color perception and discrimination.

[0012] When the light transmission reducing pigment is incorporated into the polarizing wafer structure, the wafer structure imparts reduced light transmission characteristics to the lens. The polarizing wafer structure may include at least one layer containing the light transmission reducing pigment. In some embodiments, the at least one layer containing the light transmission reducing pigment may be an injection molded layer comprising a polymer and pigment blend. In other embodiments, the at least one layer containing the light transmission reducing pigment is a film layer bonded to the polarizing wafer structure.

[0013] In some embodiments, the lens component configured to provide reduced light transmission is a coating matrix. In some embodiments, a high refractive index coating matrix may be provided to increase the refractive index. A durability-enhancing coating matrix may be provided to provide hot water resistance, weather resistance, light resistance, scratch resistance, abrasion resistance, and / or impact resistance to the lens. The coating matrix may be provided on both the concave and convex surfaces of the lens. Non-limiting examples of coating matrices include polyurethane and epoxy-based coating matrices.

[0014] In some embodiments, the lens component configured to provide reduced light transmittance is a multilayer interference film stack. Multiple transmittance-attenuating dyes can be incorporated into the interference stack, which interfere with or modulate the properties of light transmitted through the interference stack. One example of an interference stack includes multiple thin interference layers. Alternating layers of high-index and low-index dielectric materials may be provided in the lens substrate to reduce its light reflection and therefore increase its light transmission. In some aspects, the interference stack includes a metal-organic framework. In some aspects, the multilayer interference film stack is a film laminate on the surface of an ophthalmic lens. The surface of an ophthalmic lens may be concave or convex. In some embodiments, the multilayer interference film stack is on or within a polarizing wafer structure.

[0015] In some embodiments, the light transmission reducing pigments may be incorporated into an adhesive. The adhesive may then be incorporated into the lens to bond two layers together. In some embodiments, the adhesive containing the light transmission reducing pigments is an adhesive layer in a polarized wafer structure. In some embodiments, the adhesive containing the light transmission reducing pigments is between the polarized wafer structure and the polymerized lens. In some embodiments, a dye layer comprising the light transmission reducing pigments may be provided. The light transmission reducing pigments may then be incorporated into or onto the lens by conventional dyeing methods known to those skilled in the art.

[0016] In some embodiments, the polarizing wafer structure includes an inner polyvinyl alcohol polarizing layer between two outer layers, each outer layer independently fabricated from polycarbonate, cellulose triacetate, polyamide, thermoplastic polyurethane, or poly(methyl methacrylate). In some embodiments, the polymeric lens matrix may be provided with additional components to reduce transmission of UV and / or short wavelength blue light.

[0017] In some embodiments, the light transmittance-reducing pigments are each provided in an amount ranging from 1 to 100 ppm. This range may be adjusted to include values ​​outside this range if warranted. For example, a composition in which the light transmittance-reducing pigment is poorly soluble may contain less than 1 ppm of pigment. In contrast, a composition in which the light transmittance-reducing pigment is highly soluble may contain greater than 100 ppm of pigment. The pigments may be selected from azo dyes, polymethyne dyes, arylmethyne dyes, polyene dyes, anthracenedione dyes, pyrazolone dyes, anthraquinone dyes, isoindolinone dyes, auinophthalone dyes, naphthalenediamine dyes, and carbonyl dyes.

[0018] A dye is defined by the Ecological and Toxicological Association of Dyes and Organic Pigment Manufacturers as a dyeing or fluorescent organic molecule that imparts color to a substrate by selective absorption of light. Dyes are soluble and / or subject to application processes that disrupt any crystalline structure, at least temporarily, by absorption, dissolution, and mechanical retention, or by ionic or covalent chemical bonding.

[0019] The terms "transmittance reduction," "transmittance attenuation," and "color absorption" are used interchangeably herein. According to the present disclosure, an "ophthalmic lens" is defined as an adaptive lens, i.e., a lens for mounting in eyeglasses, that functions to protect the eyes and / or correct vision. The lens can be afocal, monofocal, bifocal, trifocal, or progressive. The ophthalmic lens can be corrective or non-corrective. The eyeglasses into which the ophthalmic lens is mounted can be either a conventional frame containing two different ophthalmic lenses, one for the right eye and one for the left eye, or a mask, visor, helmet sight, or goggle-like design in which one ophthalmic lens faces both the right and left eyes simultaneously. The ophthalmic lens can be manufactured in a conventional shape, such as a circle, or can be manufactured to fit into the intended frame. The ophthalmic lens can be provided with at least one polarizing component to provide polarized ophthalmic lenses, e.g., sunglasses.

[0020] A "polarized lens comprising at least one polymer" can include a thermally polymerizable composition, a photopolymerizable composition, or a mixture thereof. A thermally polymerizable composition is a composition that undergoes polymerization upon exposure to elevated temperatures. A photopolymerizable composition is a composition that undergoes polymerization upon exposure to actinic radiation, such as, but not limited to, UV, visible light, IR, microwaves, etc. As used herein, polymerization refers to a chemical reaction that results in one or more monomers or oligomers bonding together to form a polymer.

[0021] Any embodiment of any disclosed composition and / or method can consist of or consist essentially of (as opposed to comprise / include / contain / have) any of the described elements and / or features and / or steps. Thus, in any of the claims, the terms "consisting of" or "consisting essentially of" can be substituted for any of the above open-ended conjunction verbs to modify the scope of a claim from the scope that would otherwise be the case if that claim used an open-ended conjunction verb.

[0022] The term "substantially" and variations thereof, as understood by one skilled in the art, is defined as most, but not necessarily all, of what is explicitly stated, and in one non-limiting embodiment, substantially refers to within 10%, within 5%, within 1%, or within 0.5%.

[0023] "About," or "approximately," or "substantially unchanged" are defined as close to what would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, and in one non-limiting embodiment, these terms are defined as within 10%, preferably within 5%, more preferably within 1%, and most preferably within 0.5%. The use of the article "a" or "an," when used in conjunction with the term "comprising" in the claims and / or specification, can mean "one," but is also consistent with the meaning of "one or more," "at least one," and "one or more." As used in this specification and claims, the words "comprising" (and all forms of comprising, e.g., "comprise" and "comprises"), "having" (and all forms of having, e.g., "have" and "has"), "including" (and all forms of including, e.g., "includes" and "include"), or "containing" (and all forms of containing, e.g., "contains" and "contain") are inclusive or open-ended and do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps.

[0024] The compositions and methods can "comprise," "consist essentially of," or "consist of" any of the components or steps disclosed throughout the specification for their use. With regard to the transitional step "consisting essentially of" in one non-limiting embodiment, a fundamental and novel feature of the compositions and methods disclosed herein includes the ability of the compositions to reduce light transmittance over multiple wavelength regions.

[0025] Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and examples, while indicating specific embodiments of the present invention, are given by way of illustration only. Moreover, it is believed that changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1A] 1 is a graph showing various lenses with multiple graphs showing the transmittance spectra of various lens embodiments having a lens base material and multiple transmittance-attenuating dyes. [Figure 1B] 1 is a graph showing various lenses with multiple graphs showing the transmittance spectra of various lens embodiments having a lens base material and multiple transmittance-attenuating dyes. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the incorporation of a transmittance-attenuating pigment into a lens resin material. [Figure 3A] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the incorporation of a transmittance-attenuating dye into a polarizing wafer structure by injection molding. [Figure 3B] 1 is a schematic diagram showing overmolding of a polarizing wafer structure onto an injection molded lens after assembly. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the incorporation of a film containing a transmittance-attenuating dye into a polarizing wafer structure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] Various features and advantageous details will be more fully explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating embodiments, are given by way of illustration only and not by way of limitation. Various substitutions, modifications, additions, and / or rearrangements will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.

[0028] In the following description, numerous specific details are provided to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the present invention.

[0029] The color-enhancing features disclosed herein may be provided to a lens through a variety of manufacturing methods. In some embodiments, the color-enhancing features are imparted by incorporating one or more transmission-reducing pigments into at least one lens component. The method by which the one or more pigments are provided and the location of the one or more pigments within the lens may vary, while achieving comparable performance. [Example]

[0030] Method 1: Pigments premixed into the lens resin matrix Using Method 1, Examples A-D were fabricated using polycarbonate (PC) resin containing broadband UV-absorbing pigments. In some examples, additional light-attenuating pigments were included to further reduce %Tv and increase color enhancement. As used herein, Category 2 wafers have a %Tv in the range of 19%-45%, and Category 3 wafers have a %Tv in the range of 8%-18%. Different category wafers are used to provide lenses with different %Tv.

[0031] Referring to the embodiment shown in Figure 2, a polarized PC wafer without color-enhancing dyes was overmolded onto pre-mixed PC resin to obtain a semi-finished (SF) lens. The pre-mixed PC resin contained two or three dyes formulated to provide two or three attenuated transmittance spectral ranges, respectively.

[0032] Examples A and B contained three dyes to provide transmission minima centered at approximately 495 nm, 585 nm, and 700 nm. Examples C and D contained two dyes to provide transmission minima centered at approximately 495 nm and 585 nm. The SF lenses were then adhered to the surface of a plano (non-power) lens with a central thickness of 2 mm. All lenses were designed to meet ISO standards for driving (Q signal and %Tmin).

[0033] [Table 1]

[0034] The dye concentrations shown in the following examples are nominal concentrations. Actual concentrations may vary slightly from the nominal concentrations due to losses that may occur during tumbling, mixing, or other manufacturing processes.

[0035] Example A: Pre-mixed PC resin + Category 2 gray wafer (%Tv approx. 34%, polarization efficiency >97%)

[0036] [Table 2]

[0037] Example B: Pre-mixed PC resin + Category 3 gray wafer (%Tv approx. 17%, polarization efficiency >99%)

[0038] [Table 3]

[0039] Example C: Pre-mixed PC resin + Category 2 gray wafer (%Tv approx. 34%, polarization efficiency >97%)

[0040] [Table 4]

[0041] Example D: Pre-mixed PC resin + Category 3 gray wafer (%Tv approx. 17%, polarization efficiency >99%)

[0042] [Table 5]

[0043] Example E: Pre-mixed PC resin + Category 2 wafer (%Tv approx. 35%, polarization efficiency >99%)

[0044] [Table 6]

[0045] Example F: Pre-mixed PC resin + Category 2 wafer (%Tv approx. 35%, polarization efficiency >99%)

[0046] [Table 7]

[0047] The transmission spectra of the lenses of Examples A-D are shown in Figure 1A along with that of a standard Category 3 gray polarized lens (not color-enhanced). Example A contains three localized regions of transmittance attenuation due to the inclusion of three dyes in the premixed PC resin. In Example B, the amount of dye 3, which has a transmittance attenuation region centered at approximately 700 nm, is significantly reduced compared to Example A. The transmission spectrum of Example B exhibits a transmittance attenuation region at approximately 700 nm, with a transmittance greater than the corresponding region of Example A. These two examples demonstrate that the dye concentration can be varied to selectively adjust transmittance in desired regions.

[0048] In lenses corresponding to Examples C and D, two transmittance-attenuating pigments were included in each pre-blended PC resin. The transmission spectra of Examples C and D in Figure 1A show two localized regions of transmittance attenuation due to the inclusion of the two pigments in the pre-blended PC resin.

[0049] In the lenses corresponding to Examples E and F, the lens PC resin was pre-formulated with a pigment combination (Airwear Color Blue G11) that absorbs equally across most wavelength regions and reduces the overall total transmission. For Example E, two additional transmittance-attenuating pigments were added to the PC resin. For Example F, three additional transmittance-attenuating pigments were added to the PC resin. The transmission spectra for Examples E and F in Figure 1B show two and three localized transmittance-attenuating regions, respectively, due to the inclusion of the corresponding number of pigments in the pre-mixed PC resin.

[0050] Method 2: Dye incorporated into polarizing wafer The transmittance-attenuating dye can be incorporated into various lens components. In the embodiment described in Method 2, the dye is incorporated into one or more layers of the polarizing wafer structure. Options A and B below describe two different methods for incorporating the transmittance-attenuating dye into the polarizing wafer structure.

[0051] Option A: The polarizing wafer structure may be overmolded with a thin resin layer having multiple dyes using an injection molding process. With reference to FIG. 3A, the polarizing wafer structure is inserted into a mold, and the mold is closed with an appropriate space for the thin layer injection. Resin is then injected into the mold and melt-bonded to the polarizing wafer structure. The injection molded thin layer contains multiple transmittance-attenuating dyes and is designated "CE1" for its color-enhancing characteristics.

[0052] In the embodiment shown in Figure 3A, the polarizing wafer structure is a PC / PVA / PC polarizing wafer structure, and the infused resin is a thermoplastic resin with multiple transmittance-attenuating dyes. The exemplary PC / PVA / PC / CE1 polarizing wafer produced by this method is then overmolded into a semi-finished lens using a conventional transparent resin according to the process shown in Figure 3B.

[0053] Option B: An optical quality film (CE2) with multiple transmittance-attenuating pigments may be laminated onto a polarizing laminate, such as a PC / PVA polarizing laminate, thereby providing a PC / PVA / CE2 polarizing wafer structure. As shown in Figure 4, the color-enhancing polarizing wafer structure may be overmolded onto a thermoplastic resin. The resulting lens contains pigments in the CE2 layer between the polarizing PVA layer and the parent injection-molded lens. Option B (film-embedded) is preferred over Option A (injection molding) because the pre-fabricated film can be thinner than the injection-molded layer. The optical quality film (CE2) may be fabricated from an optical resin selected from a variety of optical-grade thermoplastics, including, but not limited to, PC, nylon, and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).

[0054] Method 3: Dyes incorporated into the coating matrix The transmittance-attenuating pigment may be incorporated into a coating matrix, which may then be deposited on the lens. A high refractive index coating matrix may be provided to increase the refractive index. A durability-enhancing coating matrix may be provided to impart hot water resistance, weather resistance, light resistance, scratch resistance, abrasion resistance, and / or impact resistance to the lens. The coating matrix may be provided on either the concave or convex lens surface, or anywhere between the outermost lens surfaces.

[0055] Method 4: Dye incorporated during the dyeing process The transmittance-attenuating pigments can be incorporated into or onto the ophthalmic element by a dyeing process. The transmittance-attenuating pigments can be incorporated into or onto the lens by selecting a transmittance-attenuating pigment specifically designed to adhere to the lens base or substrate material to be dyed, or by first coating the base lens or other substrate with a thin overlay of a resin that not only adheres to the lens or substrate but also has a high affinity for the pigment. The pigments can be mixed and applied to the lens as a pigment combination, or each pigment can be applied separately. Standard dyeing processes known to those skilled in the art can be employed, including, but not limited to, immersion dyeing and thermal transfer dyeing (sublimation transfer).

[0056] Method 5: Spectral adjustment by using interference stacks Attenuated transmission, which selectively reflects light of specific wavelengths, can be introduced by using an interference stack that interferes with or modulates the properties of light transmitted through the interference stack. The interference stack may include multiple thin interference layers. Alternating layers of high and low refractive index dielectric materials may be provided on the lens substrate, thereby reducing its light transmission within specific wavelength regions. Additionally, multiple dyes can be introduced into the interference stack to further attenuate the transmission of light through the interference stack.

[0057] Method 6: Pigments incorporated into adhesives Multiple transmittance-attenuating pigments can be incorporated into the lens adhesive. A dye-sustaining adhesive can then be incorporated between lens layers to bond the layers together. In a non-limiting embodiment, one or more transmittance-attenuating pigments can be incorporated into the adhesive that is later used to bond the layers of a polarized PC / PVA / PC laminate. The polarized laminate can then be overmolded onto the SF as described in Method 1 above.

[0058] The claims shall not be construed as including means-plus or step-plus-function limitations unless such limitations are expressly recited in a particular claim using the phrase "means for" or "step for," respectively.

Claims

1. In ophthalmic lenses, a polymeric lens comprising at least one polymer; configured to provide reduced light transmission over a plurality of wavelength ranges; a first light transmission reducing pigment configured to provide a first reduced light transmission region centered between about 485 nanometers and 510 nanometers; a second light transmission reducing pigment configured to impart a second reduced light transmission region centered between about 570 nanometers and 600 nanometers; an optional third light transmission reducing pigment configured to impart a third reduced light transmission region centered between about 685 nanometers and 715 nanometers; a lens component including: Including, the reduced light transmission is at least a 50% reduction in transmission in % compared to the region outside the reduced light transmission region and between 400 nanometers and 680 nanometers; An ophthalmic lens, optionally including a polarizing wafer structure.

2. 10. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, wherein the lens component configured to provide reduced light transmission is the polymerized lens, the polymerized lens comprising a mixture of at least one polymer and the light transmission reducing pigment.

3. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1 , wherein the lens component configured to provide reduced light transmission is the polarized wafer structure.

4. The ophthalmic lens of claim 3 , wherein the polarizing wafer structure includes at least one layer containing the light transmission reducing pigment.

5. The ophthalmic lens of claim 4 , wherein the at least one layer containing the light transmission reducing pigment is an injection molded layer comprising a mixture of a polymer and the light transmission reducing pigment.

6. The ophthalmic lens of claim 4 , wherein the at least one layer containing the light transmission reducing pigment is a light transmission reducing film layer bonded to the polarizing wafer structure.

7. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1 , wherein the lens component configured to provide reduced light transmission is a coating matrix.

8. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1 , wherein the lens component configured to provide reduced light transmission is a multilayer interference film stack.

9. The ophthalmic lens of claim 8 , wherein the multilayer interference film stack is a film laminate on the convex surface of the ophthalmic lens.

10. The ophthalmic lens of claim 8 , wherein the multilayer interference film stack is on or within the polarizing wafer structure.

11. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1 , wherein the lens component configured to provide reduced light transmission is an adhesive layer.

12. The ophthalmic lens of claim 11 , wherein the adhesive layer is an adhesive layer within the polarizing wafer structure.

13. The ophthalmic lens of claim 11 , wherein the adhesive layer is between the polarized wafer structure and the polymerized lens.

14. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1 , wherein the lens component configured to provide reduced light transmission is a tint layer.

15. 10. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, wherein the polarizing wafer structure includes an inner polyvinyl alcohol polarizing layer between two outer layers, each outer layer being fabricated from polycarbonate, cellulose triacetate, polyamide, thermoplastic polyurethane, or poly(methyl methacrylate).

Images