Lens element

Abstract

1. A lens element intended for wearing in front of a wearer's eye, comprising: - a refractive zone having a refractive power based on a prescription for said eye of the wearer; - A plurality of at least two optical elements having an optical function that does not form an image on the retina of the wearer's eye, wherein the refractive regions each include a plurality of independent island-shaped regions, the refractive regions are formed as regions other than the optical elements, and each refractive island-shaped region exists within one optical element.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to lens elements intended for placement in front of a person's eye to retard or reduce the progression of refractive errors of the eye, such as myopia or hyperopia, and also to related machining methods for manufacturing such lenses.

[0002] The present disclosure further relates to a mold for a lens element intended for wearing in front of a human eye. [Background technology]

[0003] Myopia of the eye is characterized by the fact that the eye focuses an image of distant objects in front of the retina. Myopia is usually corrected with a concave lens, while hyperopia is usually corrected with a convex lens.

[0004] It has been observed that people, especially children, whose vision is corrected with conventional single vision optical lenses, experience inaccurate imaging when viewing objects at close range, i.e., in near vision. Even in myopic children whose distance vision has been corrected, the poor imaging results in images of nearby objects being formed behind the retina, in extreme cases in the foveal region.

[0005] Such imaging defects may influence the progression of myopia in such individuals, and it can be seen that the myopic defect in the majority of such individuals tends to increase over time.

[0006] Central vision corresponds to the condition of gaze in which the image of the object being gazed upon is formed by the eye in the central region of the retina, called the foveal region.

[0007] Peripheral vision corresponds to the perception of elements of a scene that are laterally displaced from the object being gazed at, the images of which are formed in the periphery of the retina, away from the foveal region.

[0008] The ophthalmic correction administered to patients with refractive errors is usually adapted to their central vision. However, as is known, the correction for peripheral vision must be weakened compared to the correction determined for central vision. In particular, studies carried out on monkeys have shown that strong defocusing of light behind the retina, occurring away from the foveal region, can cause the eyeball to elongate, thus increasing the myopic defect. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 6,318,859 [Non-patent literature]

[0010] [Non-Patent Document 1] “Ray tracing through progressive ophthalmic lenses”, 1990 International Lens Design Conference, DTMoore ed., Proc.Soc.Photo.Opt.Instrum.Eng. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] It can therefore be seen that there is a need for a lens element that inhibits or at least slows the progression of refractive errors of the eye, such as myopia or hyperopia. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] To this end, the present disclosure proposes a lens element intended to be worn in front of the wearer's eye, - a refractive zone having a refractive power based on a prescription for said eye of the wearer; - comprising a plurality of at least two optical elements having an optical function that prevents an image from being focused on a retina of the wearer's eye, for example to slow the progression of refractive error of the eye; The refractive region includes a plurality of independent island-shaped regions, and the refractive region is formed as a region other than the optical element, and each island-shaped refractive region exists within one optical element.

[0013] As an advantageous feature, by having an optical element configured to not focus images on the wearer's retina, the natural tendency of the eye's retina to deform, particularly to elongate, is reduced, thus slowing the progression of refractive errors in the eye.

[0014] Furthermore, since the refractive region includes a plurality of independent island regions, each of which is formed within the optical element, it is possible to improve the correction of refractive error in the wearer's eye.

[0015] In other words, the lenses according to the present disclosure are capable of slowing the progression of refractive error in the wearer's eye while maintaining perfect vision by effectively correcting said eye's refractive error.

[0016] According to further embodiments, which may be considered alone or in combination, at least some, for example all, of the optical elements have an annular shape around the refractive region; and / or - at least two, e.g. all, of the optical elements are adjacent, and / or - the optical element has a contour that can be engraved into a circle with a diameter of 0.8 mm or more and 3.0 mm or less; and / or - the optical elements are arranged along multiple concentric rings, and / or - the optical elements are arranged in a structured mesh, and / or - the structured mesh is a square mesh or a hexagonal mesh or a triangular mesh or an octagonal mesh, and / or - the mesh structure is a random mesh, e.g. a Voronoi mesh, and / or - at least one, e.g. all, of the optical elements have an optical function that focuses an image at a location other than the retina under normal wearing conditions; and / or - the optical elements are configured so that the average focal point of the light rays passing through each optical element is equidistant from the retina, and / or - at least one, for example all, of the optical elements has an aspheric optical function under normal wearing conditions, and / or - at least one, for example all, of the optical elements has a cylindrical power, and / or - at least some, for example all, of the optical elements have a constant refractive power and a discontinuous first derivative between two adjacent optical elements; and / or - at least some, for example all, of the optical elements have a refractive power that varies between two adjacent optical elements and a discontinuous first derivative; and / or - the optical element is configured such that, along at least one cross-section of the lens, the mean sphere of the optical element varies from a point on said cross-section towards the periphery of said cross-section; and / or - the optical element is configured such that, along at least one cross-section of the lens, the cylinder power of the optical element varies from a point on said cross-section towards the periphery of said cross-section; and / or - the optical element is configured such that, along at least one cross-section of the lens, the mean sphere and / or cylinder of the optical element increases from the center of said cross-section towards the periphery of said cross-section; and / or - the refractive zone includes an optical center, and the optical element is configured such that, along any cross section passing through the optical center of the lens, the mean sphere and / or cylinder of the optical element increases from the optical center towards the periphery of the lens; and / or - the refractive zone includes a distance vision reference point, a near vision reference point, and a meridian joining the distance and near vision reference points, and the optical element is configured such that, under normal wear conditions, along any horizontal cross-section of the lens, the mean sphere and / or cylinder of the optical element increases from the intersection of said horizontal cross-section and the meridian towards the periphery of the lens; and / or - the mean sphere and / or cylinder growth function along a cross-section varies depending on the position of said cross-section along a meridian, and / or - the mean sphere and / or cylinder growth function along the cross section is asymmetric, and / or - the optical element is configured such that under normal mounting conditions at least one cross section is a horizontal cross section, and / or - the mean sphere and / or cylinder of the optical element increases from a first point on the cross-section towards the periphery of the cross-section and decreases from a second point on the cross-section towards the periphery of the cross-section, the second point being closer to the periphery of the cross-section than the first point; and / or - the mean sphere and / or cylinder growth function along at least one cross section is a Gaussian function, and / or - the mean sphere and / or cylinder growth function along at least one cross section is a quadratic function, and / or - the optical element is configured such that, along at least one cross section of the lens, the size of the optical element varies from a point on the cross section towards the periphery of the cross section; and / or - the function of varying the size of the optical element is monotonic, and / or - the optical elements are configured such that, along at least one cross section of the lens, the size of the optical elements increases from a point on said cross section towards the periphery of said cross section; and / or - the optical element is configured such that, along at least one cross section of the lens, the size of the optical element decreases from a point on said cross section towards the periphery of said cross section; and / or - the size of the optical element increases from a first point on the cross-section of the lens towards the periphery of said cross-section and decreases from a second point on said cross-section towards the periphery of said cross-section, the second point being closer to the periphery of said cross-section than the first point; and / or the optical element is configured such that, along at least one cross section of the lens, the size of the discrete islands forming the refractive region 12 varies from a point on the cross section towards the periphery of the cross section; and / or - the function that varies the size of the individual islands is monotonic, and / or the optical element is configured such that, along at least one cross section of the lens, the size of the discrete islands forming the refractive region 12 increases from a point on said cross section towards the periphery of said cross section; and / or the optical element is configured such that, along at least one cross-section of the lens, the discrete islands forming the refractive region 12 decrease in size from a point on said cross-section towards the periphery of said cross-section; and / or the size of the separate islands forming the refractive zone 12 increases from a first point on the cross-section of the lens towards the periphery of said cross-section and decreases from a second point on said cross-section towards the periphery of said cross-section, the second point being closer to the periphery of said cross-section than the first point; and / or - the size and / or independent island area growth function of the optical element along at least one cross section is Gaussian; and / or - the size of the optical element and / or the independent island area growth function along at least one cross section is quadratic; and / or - at least some, e.g. all, of the optical elements are arranged on the surface of the lens element; and / or - at least part of the optical element, for example the entirety, is arranged behind the ophthalmic lens; and / or - at least a part of the optical element, for example the whole of it, is arranged between the front and back surfaces of the ophthalmic lens; and / or the spherical power, e.g. the mean spherical power, of at least part of the optical element, e.g. the total spherical power, increases within said optical element with decentering, and / or the lens element further comprises at least four optical elements organized into at least two groups of adjacent optical elements; and / or - each group of adjacent optical elements is organized into at least two concentric rings having the same center, each concentric ring of adjacent optical elements being defined by an inner diameter corresponding to the smallest circle tangent to at least one optical element of said group and an outer diameter corresponding to the largest circle tangent to at least one optical element of said group; - at least some, e.g. all, of the concentric rings of optical elements are centred at the optical centre of the surface of the lens element on which they are arranged; and / or - the concentric rings of the optical element have a diameter between 9.0 mm and 60 mm; and / or - the optical element further comprises an optical element arranged radially between two concentric rings; and / or - the refractive region is formed as a region other than a region formed as a plurality of optical elements, and / or - for each circular area with a radius of 2 to 4 mm, including a geometric center located at a distance of at least the radius + 5 mm from a framing reference facing the pupil of a user gazing straight ahead under standard wearing conditions, the ratio of the sum of the areas of the optical elements located within the circular area to the area of ​​the circular area is 20% to 70%, and / or - at least one of the optical elements is a multifocal refractive microlens, and / or - at least one multifocal refractive microlens includes a cylindrical power, and / or - at least one multifocal refractive microlens comprises an aspherical surface, with or without rotational symmetry; and / or - at least one of the optical elements is a toric refractive microlens; and / or - at least one multifocal refractive microlens includes a toric surface; and / or - at least one of the optical elements is made of a birefringent material, and / or - at least one optical element has a shape configured to form a focal line in front of the retina of the human eye; and / or - at least one optical element is a multifocal binary element, and / or - at least one optical element is a pixelated lens, and / or at least some, e.g. all, of the optical functions include high-order optical aberrations; and / or - the refractive region is further configured to provide the wearer with a second refractive power for central vision under standard wearing conditions, the second refractive power being different from the first refractive power; and / or - The difference between the primary and secondary refractive powers is 0.5D or more.

[0017] The present disclosure further relates to a method for machining a lens element intended for wearing in front of a wearer's eye, the method comprising: - providing an initial lens element including at least one support surface including a plurality of at least two optical elements having an optical function that does not focus an image on the retina of the wearer's eye, for example to slow the progression of refractive error of the eye; - machining at least a portion of the plurality of optical elements to obtain a surface parallel to the support surface over a portion of the optical element surface.

[0018] As an advantageous feature, machining a portion of the surfaces of the optical elements to be parallel to the support surface improves the process of obtaining a lens element that reduces the progression of refractive error in the wearer's eye in terms of efficiency, cost savings, and required resources, while maintaining good visual acuity for the wearer.

[0019] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a mold for a lens element including a plurality of optical elements having a specific optical function, the mold comprising: - a first mold forming element having a first surface with a first curvature, the first surface including a plurality of first surface elements having a curvature substantially identical to the first curvature and a plurality of second surface elements having at least one second curvature different from the first curvature, each of the first surface elements being an independent island-like element; - a second mold forming element having a second surface; - a gasket having an inner surface and an outer surface; The first surface of the first mold-forming element, the second surface of the second element, and the interior surface of the gasket form a mold-forming cavity that is filled with a mold-forming material.

[0020] According to further embodiments, which may be considered alone or in combination, - each first surface element is present within a second surface element; and / or at least some, for example all, of the second surface elements have an annular shape around the first surface; and / or - at least two, for example all, of the second surface elements are adjacent, and / or - the second surface element has a circular imprintable or contoured shape with a diameter of 0.8 mm or more and 3.0 mm or less; and / or - the second surface elements are arranged along a plurality of concentric rings; and / or - second surface elements are arranged in a structured mesh, and / or - the structured mesh is a square mesh or a hexagonal mesh or a triangular mesh or an octagonal mesh, and / or - the mesh structure is a random mesh, e.g. a Voronoi mesh, and / or at least one, for example all, of the second surface elements have an aspherical surface; and / or - at least one, for example all, of the second surface elements have a toric surface; and / or - at least some, for example all, of the second surface elements have a constant curvature and a discontinuous first derivative between two adjacent second surface elements; and / or - at least some, for example all, of the second surface elements have a varying curvature and a discontinuous first derivative between two adjacent second surface elements; and / or - the second surface elements are configured such that, along at least one cross-section of the mold, the mean curvature of the second surface elements varies from a point on the cross-section towards the periphery of the cross-section; and / or - the second surface elements are configured such that, along at least one cross section of the mold, the cylindrical power of the second surface elements varies from a point on the cross section towards the periphery of the cross section; and / or - the second surface elements are configured such that, along at least one cross-section of the mold, the mean curvature and / or cylinder of the second surface elements increases from the center of said cross-section towards the periphery of said cross-section; and / or - the mean curvature and / or cylinder growth function along a cross-section varies depending on the position of said cross-section along the meridian, and / or - the mean curvature and / or cylinder growth function along the cross section is asymmetric, and / or - the mean curvature and / or cylinder power of the optical element increases from a first point on the cross-section towards the periphery of the cross-section and decreases from a second point on the cross-section towards the periphery of the cross-section, the second point being closer to the periphery of the cross-section than the first point; and / or - the mean curvature and / or cylinder growth function along at least one cross section is a Gaussian function, and / or - the mean curvature and / or cylinder growth function along at least one cross section is quadratic, and / or the curvature of at least a part, for example the entire second surface element, increases in the optical element with decentration, and / or - the mold further comprises at least four second surface elements organized into at least two groups of adjacent second surface elements; and / or - each group of adjacent second surface elements is organized into at least two concentric rings having the same center, each concentric ring of adjacent second surface elements being defined by an inner radius corresponding to the smallest circle tangent to at least one second surface element of said group and an outer radius corresponding to the largest circle tangent to at least one second surface element of said group; - at least some, for example all, of the concentric rings of second surface elements are centred at the centre of the first surface of the mould on which said second surface elements are deposited; and / or - the concentric rings of the second surface element have a diameter of between 9.0 mm and 60 mm; and / or - the mould further comprises second surface elements arranged radially between the two concentric rings; and / or - The difference between the first and second curvatures is 0.5D or more.

[0021] Non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a lens element according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2]FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a lens element according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] 1 shows a close-up view of an optical element according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4a] 1 illustrates an example of an organization of optical elements on a lens element according to the present disclosure. [Figure 4b] 1 illustrates an example of an organization of optical elements on a lens element according to the present disclosure. [Figure 4c] 1 illustrates an example of an organization of optical elements on a lens element according to the present disclosure. [Figure 4d] 1 illustrates an example of an organization of optical elements on a lens element according to the present disclosure. [Figure 5] 1 illustrates an example of an organization of optical elements on a lens element according to the present disclosure. [Figure 6a] The astigmatism axis γ of the lens is indicated in TABO notation. [Figure 6b] The cylinder axis γAX is shown in the notation used to characterize aspheric surfaces. [Figure 7] 1 shows a schematic diagram of the optical system of the eye and lens. [Figure 8] 1 shows a schematic diagram of the optical system of the eye and lens. [Figure 9a] 1 illustrates a method for machining a lens element intended to be worn in front of a wearer's eye. [Figure 9b] 1 illustrates a method for machining a lens element intended to be worn in front of a wearer's eye. [Figure 10] 1 shows an exploded view of a mold for a lens element according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] Elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the size of some elements in the drawings may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0024] The present disclosure relates to lens elements intended for wear in front of a wearer's eye.

[0025] In the following description, terms such as "top," "bottom," "horizontal," "vertical," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," or other terms indicating relative positions may be used, and it should be understood that these terms relate to the mounting condition of the lens elements.

[0026] In the context of this disclosure, the term "lens element" may refer to an uncut optical lens, or an eyeglass lens cut to fit a particular eyeglass frame, or an ophthalmic lens and an optical device adapted to be placed on the ophthalmic lens. The optical device may be placed on the front or back surface of the eyeglass lens. The optical device may be an optical patch. The optical device may be adapted to be removably placed on the ophthalmic lens, such as, for example, clip-on sunglasses configured to clip onto an eyeglass frame containing the ophthalmic lens.

[0027] A lens element 10 according to the present disclosure is adapted to a wearer and is intended to be worn in front of the wearer's eye.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 1, a lens element 10 according to the present disclosure includes: a refractive area 12; - includes a plurality of adjacent optical elements 14;

[0029] As shown in FIG. 1, the refractive region 12 includes a plurality of independent island regions.

[0030] In the sense of this disclosure, two optical elements are considered independent if they produce independent images.

[0031] In particular, when illuminated "centrally" by a parallel beam, each "independent adjacent optical element" forms its own associated spot in a plane in image space. In other words, if one of the "optical elements" is obscured, the spot disappears, even if that optical element is adjacent to another optical element.

[0032] The refractive region is preferably formed as a region other than the regions formed by the optical elements, in other words, the refractive region is a region complementary to the regions formed by the optical elements.

[0033] The refractive region 12 is configured to provide the wearer with a first refractive power based on the wearer's prescription that corrects the refractive error of said eye of the wearer under normal wearing conditions, particularly central vision.

[0034] Wearing conditions are to be understood as the position of the lens element relative to the wearer's eye, defined by, for example, the angle of forward tilt when wearing, the cornea-lens distance, the pupil-cornea distance, the center of rotation of the eye (CRE)-pupillary distance, the CRE-lens distance, and the wrap angle.

[0035] The cornea-lens distance is the distance along the visual axis of the eye in the first position (usually taken horizontally) between the cornea and the back surface of the lens, and is equal to, for example, 12 mm.

[0036] The pupil-corneal distance is the distance along the visual axis between the pupil and the cornea of ​​the eye, and is usually equal to 2 mm.

[0037] The CRE-pupillary distance is the distance between the center of rotation of the eye (CRE) and the visual axis of the cornea, and is equal to, for example, 11.5 mm.

[0038] The CRE-lens distance is the distance along the visual axis of the eye in the first eye position (usually taken horizontally) between the CRE of the eye and the back surface of the lens, and is equal to, for example, 25.5 mm.

[0039] The angle of forward tilt when worn is the angle in the vertical plane between the normal to the back surface of the lens and the visual axis of the eye in the first position (usually taken horizontally), at the line of intersection between the back surface of the lens and the visual axis of the eye in the first position, and is, for example, equal to -8°.

[0040] The wrap angle is the angle in the horizontal plane between the normal to the back surface of the lens and the visual axis of the eye in the first position (usually taken horizontally), at the line of intersection of the back surface of the lens with the visual axis of the eye in the first position, and is, for example, equal to 0°.

[0041] An example of a standard wearer condition can be defined by a wearing angle of -8°, a cornea-lens distance of 12 mm, a pupil-cornea distance of 2 mm, a CRE-pupillary distance of 11.5 mm, a CRE-lens distance of 25.5 mm, and a wrap angle of 0°.

[0042] The term "prescription" is understood to mean the set of optical characteristics of the eye, such as refractive power, astigmatism, and prismatic deviation, determined by an ophthalmologist or optometrist to correct a visual defect of the eye, for example, by a lens placed in front of the eye. For example, a prescription for a myopic eye includes values ​​for refractive power and astigmatism with respect to the distance vision axis.

[0043] Although this disclosure is not directed to progressive lenses, the terminology used herein is shown in Figures 1 to 10 of document WO 2016 / 146590, which is directed to progressive lenses. Those skilled in the art will be able to adapt these definitions to single vision lenses.

[0044] A progressive lens includes at least one, but preferably two, non-rotationally symmetric aspheric surfaces, such as, but not limited to, a progressive surface, a receding surface, a toric surface, or an atoric surface.

[0045] As is known, the minimum curvature CURV min is the following formula:

number

[0046] Similarly, the maximum curvature CURV max is the following formula:

number

[0047] If the surface is locally spherical, the local minimum radius of curvature R min and the local maximum radius of curvature R max are equal, so the minimum and maximum curvatures CURV min and CURV max Note that if the surface is aspherical, the local minimum radius of curvature R min and the local maximum radius of curvature R max is different.

[0048] Minimum and maximum curvature CURV min , CURV max From these equations, SPH min and SPH max The minimum and maximum spheres labeled can be inferred from the type of surface considered.

[0049] If the surface under consideration is the object-side surface (also called the front surface), then the formula is:

number

[0050] If the surface under consideration is the eye-facing surface (also called the back surface), then the formula is:

number

[0051] As is well known, the mean spherical power SPHmean at any point on the aspheric surface can also be calculated using the following formula:

number

number

number

[0052] Any aspheric surface of a lens can be characterized by a local mean sphere and cylinder: A surface is considered to be locally aspheric if the cylinder is at least 0.25 diopters.

[0053] For aspheric surfaces, a local cylinder axis γ can further be defined: Figure 6a shows the astigmatism axis γ defined in TABO notation, and Figure 6b shows the cylinder axis γ in notation defined to characterize aspheric surfaces.

[0054] The cylinder axis γAX is the angle of orientation of the maximum curvature CURVmax in a selected sense of rotation and relative to a reference axis. In the notation defined above, the reference axis is horizontal (the angle of said reference axis is 0°) and the sense of rotation is counterclockwise for each eye when the wearer is gazing at the eyes (0°≦γAX≦180°). An axis value of +45° for the cylinder axis γAX therefore represents an obliquely oriented axis, stretching from the upper right quadrant to the lower left quadrant when the wearer is gazing at the eyes.

[0055] Furthermore, progressive lenses may be prescribed with optical characteristics that take into account the requirements of the lens wearer.

[0056] Figures 7 and 8 are schematic diagrams of the eye and lens optical system and therefore illustrate the definitions used in this specification. More precisely, Figure 7 shows a perspective view of such a system, indicating the parameters α and β used to define the gaze direction. Figure 8 illustrates a vertical plane parallel to the anterior-posterior axis of the wearer's head and passing through the center of rotation of the eye, when the parameter β is equal to 0.

[0057] The center of rotation of the eye is labeled Q'. The axis Q'F', shown by a dashed line in Figure 8, is a horizontal axis that passes through the center of rotation of the eye and extends in front of the wearer, i.e., corresponds to the primary gaze view. This axis cuts the aspheric surface of the lens at a point called the fitting cross, which exists on the lens to allow the optometrist to align the lens in the frame. The intersection of the rear surface of the lens and the axis Q'F' is O. O can be the fitting cross if it is located on the rear surface. A vertex sphere with center Q' and radius q' touches the rear surface of the lens at a point on the horizontal axis. As an example, a value of radius q' of 25.5 mm corresponds to a normal value and gives satisfactory results when wearing the lens.

[0058] A given gaze direction, represented by a solid line in Fig. 7, corresponds to the position of the eye during rotation around Q' and to a point J on the vertex sphere, and the angle β is the angle formed between the axis Q'F' and the projection of the line Q'J onto the horizontal plane containing the axis Q'F', which angle appears in the scheme of Fig. 7. The angle α is the angle formed between the axis Q'J and the projection of the line Q'J onto the horizontal plane containing the axis Q'F', which angle appears in the schemes of Figs. 7 and 8. A given gaze view therefore corresponds to a point J or a pair (α, β) on the vertex sphere. The more positive the value of the downward gaze angle, the more downward the gaze, and the more negative the value, the more upward the gaze.

[0059] For a given gaze direction, the image of a point M in object space located at a given distance from the object is formed between two points S and T, which correspond to the minimum and maximum distances JS and JT, which are the local focal lengths in the sagittal and tangential directions. The image of a point at infinity in object space is formed at point F'. Distance D corresponds to the plane of the back surface of the lens.

[0060] An ergorama is a function that associates the normal distance of an object point with each gaze direction. Typically, in distance vision, following the primary gaze direction, the object point is at infinity. In near vision, following a gaze direction that essentially corresponds to an angle α of the order of 35° in absolute value toward the nasal side and an angle β of the order of 5°, the object distance is on the order of 30-50 cm. For further details regarding possible definitions of ergoramas, see U.S. Patent No. 6,249,999, which describes ergoramas, their definition, and their modeling methods. In the disclosed method, multiple points may or may not be at infinity. The ergorama may be a function of the wearer's refractive error or the wearer's addition.

[0061] Using these elements, it is possible to define the wearer's refractive power and astigmatism for each gaze direction. Consider an object point M at a distance to the object given by the ergorama for gaze direction (α, β). For a point M on the corresponding ray in object space, the object proximity ProxO is defined as the inverse of the distance MJ between point M and point J on the vertex sphere.

number

[0062] This allows us to calculate the object proximity in a thin lens approximated at every point on the vertex sphere and use it to determine the ergorama. For a real lens, the object proximity can be considered as the reciprocal of the distance between an object point and the front surface of the lens on the corresponding ray.

[0063] For the same gaze direction (α, β), the image of a point M with a given object proximity is formed between two points S and T, which correspond to the minimum and maximum focal distances (which become the focal distances in the sagittal and tangential directions), respectively. The quantity ProxI is called the image proximity of point M.

number

[0064] By analogy with the case of thin lenses, for a given gaze direction and for a given object proximity, i.e. for a point in object space on the corresponding light ray, we can therefore define the refractive power Pui as the sum of the image proximity and the object proximity. Pui=ProxO+ProxI

[0065] Using the same notation, the astigmatism Ast is defined for all gaze directions and for a given object proximity as follows:

number

[0066] The above definition corresponds to the astigmatism of the light beam caused by the lens. Note that the above definition gives the classical value of the astigmatism in the main gaze direction. The astigmatism angle, usually called the axis, is the angle γ. The angle γ is measured in the frame {Q',xm,ym,zm} associated with the eye. It corresponds to the angle at which the image S or Ti is formed according to the notation used in relation to the direction zm in the plane {Q',zm,ym}.

[0067] A possible definition of the refractive power and astigmatism of the lens in the wearing condition can therefore be calculated as explained in the non-patent document by B. Bourdoncle et al.

[0068] The refractive region 12 may further be configured to provide the wearer with a second refractive power, particularly for central vision, that differs from the first refractive power based on the wearer's prescription.

[0069] Within the meaning of this disclosure, two refractive powers are considered to be different if the difference between the two refractive powers is 0.5D or more.

[0070] If the refractive error of the person's eye corresponds to myopia, the second refractive power is greater than the first refractive power.

[0071] If the refractive error of the person's eye corresponds to hyperopia, the second refractive power is smaller than the first refractive power.

[0072] 1 and 3, each independent island-like region that constitutes the refractive region 12 is formed within one optical element 14. In other words, each optical element 14 surrounds an island-like region.

[0073] A lens element according to the present disclosure includes a plurality of at least two optical elements 14 .

[0074] At least one, and preferably all, of the optical elements of the optical elements 14 have an optical function that does not focus an image on the retina of the wearer's eye, particularly in peripheral vision, and preferably in central and peripheral vision.

[0075] In the sense of this disclosure, "imaging" is understood to produce an imaging spot having a circular portion that can be reduced to the size of a point or diffraction spot in the focal plane.

[0076] As an advantageous feature, such optical function of the optical element can slow the progression of refractive error in the eye of a person wearing the lens element by reducing deformation of the retina of the wearer's eye in peripheral vision.

[0077] According to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure shown in Figures 1, 3 and 4a, 4b, at least some, for example all, of the plurality of optical elements have an annular shape around the refractive region.

[0078] As an advantageous feature, such a configuration provides a good distribution of refractive regions and optical elements, thereby allowing for a better correction of said refractive error while maintaining the effective function of the optical elements in reducing or at least slowing the progression of said refractive error in the wearer's eye.

[0079] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of at least two optical elements are adjacent. Figures 4b-4d show several examples of adjacent optical elements in the sense of the present disclosure.

[0080] In the sense of this disclosure, two optical elements on a surface of a lens element are adjacent if there is a path supported by said surface connecting the two optical elements and if the base surface on which the optical elements are located is not reached along said path.

[0081] If the surface on which at least two optical elements are arranged is a sphere, the base surface corresponds to said sphere, in other words, two optical elements arranged on a sphere are adjacent if there is a path supported by said sphere connecting said optical elements, and the sphere cannot be reached along said path.

[0082] If the surface on which at least two optical elements are arranged is aspherical, the base surface corresponds to the local spherical surface that best fits the aspherical surface. In other words, two optical elements arranged on an aspherical surface are adjacent if there is a path supported by the aspherical surface connecting the optical elements, and if along the path no spherical surface that best fits the aspherical surface is reached.

[0083] As an advantageous feature, having adjacent optical elements helps to improve the aesthetics of the lens element and is easier to manufacture.

[0084] The lens element may include at least four optical elements organized into at least two groups of adjacent optical elements. Figure 4c shows an example of optical elements organized into four groups of adjacent optical elements.

[0085] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the optical element has a specific size, in particular, an outline shape that can be engraved into a circle with a diameter of 0.8 mm or more and 3.0 mm or less, preferably 1.0 mm or more and less than 2.0 mm.

[0086] According to several embodiments of the present disclosure, the optical element is disposed on a mesh.

[0087] The mesh on which the optical elements are arranged may be a structured mesh as shown in Figures 1, 4a to 4d.

[0088] According to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the optical elements are arranged in a structured mesh, which may be a square mesh, a hexagonal mesh, a triangular mesh, or an octagonal mesh. For example, Figures 4a and 4b show a hexagonal mesh of optical elements 14 having an annular shape around the refractive region 12. In particular, the geometric centers of the optical elements may be organized into a mesh, for example a hexagonal mesh, a square mesh, a triangular mesh, or an octagonal mesh.

[0089] In the embodiments shown in Figures 1 and 4c, the optical elements are arranged along concentric rings.

[0090] The concentric rings of optical elements may be annular rings.

[0091] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the lens element further includes at least four optical elements organized into at least two groups of optical elements, each group of optical elements organized into at least two concentric rings having the same geometric center, and adjacent concentric rings of each group of optical elements defined by an inner diameter and an outer diameter.

[0092] The inner diameter of the concentric rings of each group of optical elements corresponds to the smallest circle tangent to at least one optical element of said group of optical elements, and the outer diameter of the concentric rings of optical elements corresponds to the largest circle tangent to at least one optical element of said group.

[0093] For example, a lens element may include n rings of optical elements, where f inner1 refers to the inner diameter of the concentric ring closest to the optical center of the lens element, and f outer1 refers to the outer diameter of the concentric ring closest to the optical center of the lens element, and f innern refers to the inner diameter of the ring closest to the periphery of the lens element, and f outernrefers to the outer diameter of the concentric ring closest to the periphery of the lens element.

[0094] Distance D0001 between two consecutive concentric rings of optical elements i and i+1 i is the following formula: D i =|f inneri+1 -f outeri | (Here f outeri is the outer diameter of the first ring in optic i, and f inneri+1 refers to the inner diameter of the second ring of optical element i+1, which is contiguous with the first ring and closer to the periphery of the lens element.

[0095] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the optical elements are organized into concentric rings centered at the optical center of the surface of the lens element on which the optical elements are disposed and connecting the geometric centers of each optical element.

[0096] For example, a lens element may include n rings of optical elements, where f refers to the ring closest to the optical center of the lens element and f n refers to the diameter of the ring closest to the periphery of the lens element.

[0097] The distance D between two consecutive concentric rings of optical elements i and i+1 i is the following formula:

number

[0098] Advantageously, the optical centre of the lens element and the centre of the concentric rings of the optical element are coincident, e.g. the geometric centre of the lens element, the optical centre of the lens element and the centre of the concentric rings of the optical element are coincident.

[0099] In the sense of this disclosure, the term coincident is to be understood as being in close proximity to one another, for example, at a distance of less than 1.0 mm.

[0100] Distance D between two consecutive concentric rings i can vary depending on i. For example, the distance D between two consecutive concentric rings i can vary between 1.0 mm and 5.0 mm.

[0101] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the distance D between two consecutive concentric rings of the optical element is i is greater than 1.00 mm, preferably greater than 2.0 mm, and more preferably greater than 4.0 mm.

[0102] Advantageously, a distance D between two successive concentric rings of the optical element is greater than 1.00 mm. i By having a ring diameter of 1.0 mm or less, a larger refractive area can be managed between the rings of the optic, thus providing better visual acuity.

[0103] In other words, the inventors have found that for a given value of the above ratio, an arrangement of adjacent optical elements in concentric rings, the rings being spaced apart by a distance greater than 2.0 mm, provides an annular region of refractive area that is easier to manufacture than a refractive area administered when the optical elements are arranged in a hexagonal mesh or randomly on the surface of the lens element, thereby resulting in a better correction of the refractive error of the eye and therefore better visual acuity.

[0104] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the diameters di of all optical elements of the lens element are the same.

[0105] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the distance D between two consecutive concentric rings i and i+1 is i may increase as i increases towards the periphery of the lens element.

[0106] The concentric rings of optical elements may have a diameter between 9mm and 60mm.

[0107] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the lens element includes optical elements arranged in at least two concentric rings, preferably more than five, and more preferably more than ten concentric rings. For example, the optical elements may be arranged in 11 concentric rings centered at the optical center of the lens.

[0108] In Figure 1, the optical elements are arranged along a set of five concentric rings. The optical power and / or cylinder of the microlenses may vary depending on their position along the concentric rings.

[0109] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the lens element may further include optical elements 14 radially arranged between the two concentric rings, for example, four optical elements may be arranged between the two concentric rings, and preferably more optical elements may be arranged between both rings.

[0110] Alternatively, the optical elements may be arranged in a random structured mesh, such as a Voronoi mesh, as shown in FIG.

[0111] An advantageous feature is that having optical elements arranged in a random structure reduces the risk of light scattering or diffraction.

[0112] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, at least some, e.g., all, of the optical elements have a constant optical power and a discontinuous first derivative between two adjacent optical elements, in other words, there is no area between the junction of two adjacent optical elements that is free of a spherical surface.

[0113] Alternatively, at least some, for example all, of the plurality of optical elements have varying optical power and a discontinuous first derivative between the junction of two adjacent optical elements.

[0114] To obtain such a variation, two constant refractive powers may now be used, one positive and the other negative, with the area of ​​negative power being much smaller than the area of ​​positive power, resulting in a global positive power effect.

[0115] As shown in FIG. 2, lens element 10 according to the present disclosure includes an object-side surface F1 formed as a surface that is convexly curved toward the object side, and an eye-side surface F2 formed as a concave surface having a curvature that differs from the curvature of object-side surface F1.

[0116] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, at least some, for example all, of the plurality of optical elements are disposed in front of the lens element.

[0117] At least some, for example all, of the plurality of optical elements may be disposed on the rear surface of the lens element.

[0118] At least some, for example all, of the plurality of optical elements may be disposed between the front and back surfaces of the lens element, for example, the lens element may include regions of different refractive index forming the optical elements.

[0119] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, at least some, for example all, of the plurality of optical elements have an optical function that focuses an image at a position other than the retina.

[0120] Preferably, at least 50%, such as at least 80%, such as all, of the plurality of optical elements have an optical function that focuses an image for peripheral vision at a location other than the retina.

[0121] According to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, all of the optical elements are configured such that, at least for peripheral vision, the average focal point of the beam passing through each optical element is equidistant from the wearer's retina.

[0122] The optical function, particularly the refractive function, of each optical element may be optimized to provide a focused image at a certain distance from the retina of the wearer's eye, particularly in peripheral vision. Such optimization requires adapting the refractive optical function of each optical element depending on its position on the lens element.

[0123] In particular, the inventors have determined that the spot diagram analyzed in peripheral view (30° from the pupil center) of a beam of light passing through a spherical 3D microlens is not a point.

[0124] To achieve this, the inventors determined that the optical element should have a cylindrical power, for example, a toric shape.

[0125] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one, for example all, of the plurality of optical elements has an aspheric optical function under normal wearing conditions.

[0126] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one, for example all, of the plurality of optical elements has a cylindrical power.

[0127] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the optical element is configured such that, along at least one cross section of the lens, the mean sphere of the optical element varies from a point on the cross section to a periphery of the cross section.

[0128] The optical element may further be configured such that, along at least one cross section of the lens, e.g., at least the same cross section as the cross section along which the mean sphere of the optical element varies, the cylinder power varies from said cross section point, e.g., the same point as the mean sphere, towards the periphery of said cross section.

[0129] An advantageous feature is that the optical element is configured such that the mean sphere and / or mean cylinder of the optical element varies along at least one cross section of the lens from a point on the cross section to the periphery of the cross section, thereby allowing for the defocusing of light rays to be varied in front of the retina in the case of myopia, or behind the retina in the case of hyperopia.

[0130] In other words, the inventors have discovered that having an optical element configured such that the mean sphere and / or mean cylinder of the optical element along at least one cross section of the lens varies from a point on the cross section towards the periphery of the cross section can help slow the progression of refractive errors of the eye, such as myopia or hyperopia.

[0131] The optical element may be configured such that along at least one cross-section of the lens the mean sphere and / or cylinder of the optical element increases from the center of the cross-section towards the periphery of the cross-section.

[0132] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the optical element is configured such that under normal wearing conditions, at least one cross section is a horizontal cross section.

[0133] The lens element, particularly the refractive region, may include an optical center, and the optical element may be configured such that along any cross section passing through the optical center of the lens, the mean sphere and / or cylinder of the optical element varies, e.g., increases from the optical center towards the peripheral portion of the lens.

[0134] The lens element, particularly the refractive region, may include a distance vision reference point, a near vision reference point, and a meridian joining the distance and near vision reference points. In such embodiments, the optical element may be configured such that, under normal wear conditions, along any horizontal cross-section of the lens, the mean sphere and / or cylinder of the optical element varies, e.g., increases, from the intersection of the horizontal cross-section and the meridian toward the periphery of the lens.

[0135] Preferably, according to such an embodiment, the optical element is configured such that, along any horizontal cross-section of the lens, under normal wearing conditions, the mean sphere and / or cylinder of the optical element increases from the intersection of said horizontal cross-section with the meridian towards the periphery of the lens.

[0136] The meridians correspond to the axial traces of the intersection of the main gaze direction and the surface of the lens.

[0137] The function, e.g., increasing function, that varies the mean sphere and / or cylinder along a cross section may be different depending on the position of said cross section along a meridian.

[0138] In particular, the function, e.g., the growth function, varying the mean sphere and / or cylinder along the cross section may be asymmetric, e.g., the mean sphere and / or cylinder growth function is asymmetric along the vertical and / or horizontal cross section under standard wearing conditions.

[0139] The mean sphere and / or cylinder may increase according to an increasing function along at least one horizontal cross section, the increasing function being a Gaussian function, which may be different between the nasal and temporal portions of the lens to account for asymmetries in the human retina.

[0140] Alternatively, the mean sphere and / or cylinder may vary according to an increasing function along at least one horizontal cross section, the increasing function being a quadratic function, which may vary between the nasal and temporal portions of the lens to take into account asymmetries in the human retina.

[0141] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the mean sphere and / or cylinder of the optical element increases from a first point on the cross section toward the periphery of the cross section and decreases from a second point on the cross section toward the periphery of the cross section, the second point being closer to the periphery of the cross section than the first point.

[0142] Such an embodiment is shown in Table 1, which provides the mean sphere of the optical element as a function of the radial distance to the optical center of the lens element.

[0143] In the example of Table 1, the optic is a microlens placed on a spherical anterior surface with a curvature of 329.5 mm, the lens element is made of an optical material with a refractive index of 1.591, and the wearer is prescribed a power of -6D. The optic is assumed to be worn under standard wearing conditions, and the wearer's retina is determined to have a defocus of 0.8D at an angle of 30°. The optic is determined to have a peripheral defocus of 2D.

[0144] [Table 1]

[0145] As shown in Table 1, starting near the optical center of the lens element, the mean sphere of the optical element increases towards the periphery of the cross section and then decreases towards the periphery of the cross section.

[0146] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the mean cylinder power of the optical element increases from a first point on the cross section toward the periphery of the cross section and decreases from a second point on the cross section toward the periphery of the cross section, the second point being closer to the periphery of the cross section than the first point.

[0147] Such an embodiment is shown in Tables 2 and 3, which provide the amplitude of the cylinder vector projected onto a first direction Y corresponding to the local radial direction and a second direction X perpendicular to the first direction.

[0148] In the example of Table 2, the optic is a microlens placed on a spherical anterior surface with a curvature of 167.81 mm, the lens elements are made of an optical material with a refractive index of 1.591, and the wearer is prescribed a power of -6D. The optic is assumed to be worn under standard wearing conditions, with the wearer's retina having a defocus of 0.8D at an angle of 30°. The optic is determined to have a peripheral defocus of 2D.

[0149] In the example of Table 3, the optic is a microlens placed on a spherical anterior surface with a curvature of 167.81 mm, the lens element is made of an optical material with a refractive index of 1.591, and the wearer is prescribed a power of -1D. The optic is assumed to be worn under standard wearing conditions, with the wearer's retina having a defocus of 0.8D at an angle of 30°. The optic is determined to have a peripheral defocus of 2D.

[0150] [Table 2]

[0151] [Table 3]

[0152] As shown in Tables 2 and 3, starting near the optical center of the lens element, the cylinder power of the optical element increases towards the periphery of the cross section and then decreases towards the periphery of the cross section.

[0153] For example, the optical elements may be evenly spaced along a circle centered at the optical center of the refractive region.

[0154] The optical element on a circle with a diameter of 10 mm centered at the optical center of the refractive region may be a microlens with a mean spherical power of 2.75D.

[0155] The optical element on a circle having a diameter of 20 mm and centered at the optical center of the refractive region may be a microlens with a mean spherical power of 4.75D.

[0156] The optical element on a circle having a diameter of 30 mm and centered at the optical center of the refractive region may be a microlens with a mean spherical power of 5.5D.

[0157] The optical element on a circle having a diameter of 40 mm and centered at the optical center of the refractive region may be a microlens having a mean spherical power of 5.75D.

[0158] The cylinder power of the different optics can be adjusted based on the shape of a person's retina.

[0159] According to one embodiment of the present invention, optical element 14 is configured such that along at least one cross section of the lens, the size of the optical element varies from a point on the cross section to the periphery of the cross section.

[0160] The size of the optical element 14 may increase along the cross section of the lens element towards the periphery of the lens element.

[0161] Additionally, the size of optical element 14 may increase from a first point on the cross section of the lens element toward the periphery of the cross section and decrease from a second point on the cross section toward the periphery of the cross section, the second point being closer to the periphery of the cross section than the first point.

[0162] In particular, the size of the individual islands forming refractive region 12 may increase along the cross section of the lens element towards the periphery of the lens element.

[0163] Additionally, the size of the individual island regions forming refractive region 12 may increase from a first point on the cross section of the lens element toward the periphery of the cross section and decrease from a second point on the cross section toward the periphery of the cross section, the second point being closer to the periphery of the cross section than the first point.

[0164] Alternatively, the size of the optical element 14 may decrease along the cross section of the lens element towards the periphery of the lens element.

[0165] Additionally, the size of the optical element may decrease from a first point on the cross section of the lens element toward the periphery of the cross section and increase from a second point on the cross section toward the periphery of the cross section, the second point being closer to the periphery of the cross section than the first point.

[0166] In particular, the size of the individual islands forming refractive region 12 may decrease along the cross section of the lens element towards the periphery of the lens element.

[0167] Additionally, the size of the individual island regions forming the refractive region 12 may decrease from a first point on the cross section of the lens element toward the periphery of the cross section and increase from a second point on the cross section toward the periphery of the cross section, the second point being closer to the periphery of the cross section than the first point.

[0168] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one of the plurality of optical elements has a defocus optical function for peripheral vision under normal wearing conditions.

[0169] Preferably at least 50%, such as at least 80%, such as all, of the optical elements 14 have a defocus optical function for peripheral vision under normal wearing conditions.

[0170] In the sense of this disclosure, an "out-of-focus optical function" is understood to be one that does not have a single focus under normal wearing conditions and for peripheral vision.

[0171] As an advantageous feature, such an optical function of the optical element reduces deformation of the retina of the wearer's eye, thereby making it possible to slow the progression of refractive error in the eye of a person wearing the lens element.

[0172] At least one optical element having a defocus optical function is transparent.

[0173] Advantageously, the non-adjacent optical elements are not visible in the lens element and do not affect the aesthetics of the lens element.

[0174] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the lens element may include clip-on sunglasses including an ophthalmic lens including a refractive region and a plurality of at least two optical elements adapted to be removably attached to the ophthalmic lens when the lens element is worn.

[0175] Advantageously, when a person is in a long-distance environment, for example outdoors, the person may separate the clip-on sunglasses from the ophthalmic lenses and eventually replace them with a second pair of clip-on sunglasses that does not have any of the at least two optical elements. For example, the second pair of clip-on sunglasses may include photochromic lenses. The person may also use the ophthalmic lenses without any additional clip-on sunglasses.

[0176] The optical element can correspond to a particular region of the lens element, as well as the center or any other region.

[0177] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a central region of the lens corresponding to a region centered at the optical center of the lens element does not include any optical elements. For example, a lens element may include a void region having a diameter equal to 9 mm, centered at the optical center of the lens element, and not including any optical elements.

[0178] The optical center of the lens element may correspond to the fitting point of the lens.

[0179] Alternatively, the optical element may be disposed over the entire surface of the lens element.

[0180] The density of the optical elements, and therefore the amount of refractive power, can be tailored to different regions of the lens element. Typically, the optical elements may be located at the periphery of the lens element to enhance the effect of the optical elements on myopia control, for example to compensate for peripheral defocus due to the peripheral shape of the retina. According to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, in all circular regions of a lens element having a radius of 2 to 4 mm, including a geometric center located at a distance of the radius + 5 mm or more from the optical center of the lens element, the ratio of the sum of the areas of the optical elements located within the circular region to the area of ​​the circular region is 20% to 70%, preferably 30% to 60%, and more preferably 40% to 50%.

[0181] The surface considered in determining the area ratio may be along the slope of the optical element or may be the surface projected onto the refractive region.

[0182] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one, for example all, of the plurality of optical elements have a shape configured to form a focal line in front of the retina of the human eye, in other words, such optical elements are configured such that all cross-sectional planes at which any light beams would be focused are located in front of the retina of the human eye.

[0183] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one, for example all, of the optical elements having an aspheric optical function are multifocal refractive microlenses.

[0184] In the sense of this disclosure, a "multifocal refractive microlens" includes bifocal lenses (having two focal powers), trifocal lenses (having three focal powers), and progressive addition lenses, which have a continuously varying focal power, such as an aspheric progressive surface lens, and which have an axis of symmetry and a continuously varying surface refraction that is rotationally symmetric about said axis.

[0185] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one of the plurality of optical elements, preferably more than 50% and more preferably more than 80% of the plurality of optical elements, is an aspherical microlens, in the sense of the present disclosure, an aspherical microlens having a continuously varying refractive power across its surface.

[0186] The aspheric microlens may have an asphericity between 0.1D and 3D, where the asphericity of the aspheric microlens corresponds to the ratio of the refractive power measured at a first point on the optical element to the refractive power measured at a second point on the microlens element, the first and second points being located at different radial distances from the geometric center of the optical element.

[0187] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the aspherical microlens has a refractive power at the first point with an absolute value of 2.0D to 7.0D, and a refractive power at the second point with an absolute value of 1.5D to 6.0D.

[0188] The asphericity of the aspherical micro-lenses before coating the surface of the lens element on which the optical element is located can vary depending on the radial distance from the optical center of said lens element.

[0189] Additionally, the asphericity of the aspheric micro-lens after coating of the surface of the lens element on which the optical element is located may also vary depending on the radial distance from the geometric center of said lens element.

[0190] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one multifocal refractive microlens has a toric surface, which is a surface of revolution that can be formed by rotating a circle or an arc around an axis of rotation that does not pass through its center of curvature (ultimately located at infinity).

[0191] A toric surface lens has two different radial profiles that are orthogonal to each other, thereby producing two different focal powers.

[0192] The toric and spherical surface elements of a toric lens create an astigmatic light beam as opposed to a single point focus.

[0193] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one of the optical elements having an aspheric optical function, for example, all of the optical elements, is a toric refractive microlens, for example, a toric refractive microlens having a sphere value of 0 diopters (δ) or more and +5 diopters (δ) or less, and a cylinder value of 0.25 diopters (δ) or more.

[0194] In a specific embodiment, a toric refractive micro-lens is pure cylinder, ie, the minimum meridian power is zero, while the maximum meridian power is strictly positive, for example less than 5 diopters.

[0195] The optical element can be manufactured by direct deposition, molding, casting, injection molding, embossing, deposition, photolithography, or the like.

[0196] The present disclosure further relates to a method for machining a lens element intended to be worn in front of a wearer's eye.

[0197] As shown in Figure 9a, the method includes step S2 of providing an initial lens element, the initial lens element including at least one support surface including a plurality of at least two optical elements having an optical function that prevents the focusing of images on the retina of the wearer's eye, e.g., to slow the progression of refractive error in the eye.

[0198] Advantageously, the plurality of at least two optical elements have at least a first surface different from the support surface.

[0199] The method further comprises a step S4 in which at least some, for example all, of the plurality of optical elements are machined to obtain a surface parallel to the support surface over part of the surface of the optical element. Such a machining step S4 is shown in Figure 9b, where the translation of the surface 18 equivalent to the support surface along the axis of symmetry of said support surface is represented by the dashed surface.

[0200] Advantageously, the method according to the present disclosure can improve the process of obtaining lens elements that reduce the progression of refractive error in a wearer's eye while maintaining good visual acuity for the wearer, in terms of efficiency, cost reduction, and required resources.

[0201] The method according to the present disclosure allows for adjusting the density of optical elements on the lens element by adjusting the level of the cut height of the surface indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 9b.

[0202] The support surface may be identical independent of the wearer's prescription, and the optical function of the lens element is adjusted by the opposite surface, i.e., the surface without the optical element. Such an embodiment is advantageous from the standpoint of cost and logistics. Indeed, the lens elements provided in step S2 are usually obtained using molds, which are very expensive to manufacture. Having the same support surface for a very wide range of prescriptions makes it possible to reduce the number of different molds required and therefore costs and logistics. During the machining step, a portion of the first surface of the optical element is removed, for example using a build-up method, to obtain a second surface with the same curvature as the support surface.

[0203] The present disclosure further relates to a lens element mold that includes a plurality of optical elements having a specific optical function.

[0204] 10, mold 20 includes a first mold element 21 having a first mold surface 24. First mold surface 24 may be a spherical surface having a first curvature.

[0205] The first mold surface 24 includes a plurality of first surface elements 26. Each of the first surface elements 26 has a spherical surface having a curvature substantially identical to the first curvature.

[0206] Some, preferably all, of the plurality of first surface elements 26 exhibit an axis of symmetry (Di).

[0207] The first surface elements 26 have a contour shape that can be imprinted on a circle (C) having a diameter of 0.8 mm or more and 3.0 mm or less. The circle (C) is a planar projection of the surface of the surface element onto a plane perpendicular to the axis of symmetry of the surface element, for example.

[0208] The axis of symmetry of each first surface element 26 may correspond to the centre of the circle on which each surface element is respectively imprinted.

[0209] First mold surface 24 further includes a plurality of second surface elements 28. Each second surface element 28 has a spherical surface with a second curvature that is different from the first curvature, e.g., the second curvature is greater than the first curvature.

[0210] The plurality of second surface elements 28 of the first mold forming element 21 may correspond to the optical elements 14 disposed on the surface of the lens element 10 .

[0211] As detailed with respect to first mold surface 24, the first and second surface elements are spherical, however, the present disclosure is not limited to such embodiments and any of the surfaces, for example all of the surfaces, may be aspherical surfaces.

[0212] Aspheric surface elements, within the meaning of this disclosure, have a continuously varying height across their surface.

[0213] Along a cross section of the second surface element 28, i.e. a cross section passing through the axis of symmetry (Di) of said second surface element, the curvature of the second surface element increases from the intersection of the axis of symmetry with the surface of the second surface element towards a first point and decreases from said first point towards the periphery of the second surface element.

[0214] At least one, preferably 50%, and more preferably more than 80% of the plurality of second surface elements 28 may have a toric surface. A toric surface is a surface of revolution (ultimately located at infinity) that can be formed by rotating a circle or an arc around an axis of rotation that does not pass through its center of curvature. A toric surface element has two different radial profiles that are orthogonal to each other. A toric surface element may be a pure cylinder, meaning that the shortest meridian is zero while the longest meridian is strictly positive.

[0215] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, at least two of the plurality of second surface elements 28 are non-adjacent in the sense of the present disclosure if, for all paths connecting the two surface elements, the first curvature of the first surface 24 of the first mold forming element 21 can be measured along at least a portion of each path.

[0216] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, at least two of the plurality of second surface elements 28 are adjacent. Two surface elements are adjacent in the sense of the present disclosure if, for at least one path connecting the two surface elements, the first curvature of the first surface 24 of the first mold forming element 21 cannot be measured along said at least one path.

[0217] At least some, for example all, of the plurality of first surface elements 26 and / or second surface elements 28 may be arranged in a structured mesh.

[0218] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the arrangement of at least some, e.g., all, of the plurality of first surface elements 26 and / or second surface elements 28 on the first surface 24 of the first mold-forming element 21 exhibits rotational symmetry, e.g., about an axis having its center at the geometric center of the first surface 24 of the first mold-forming element 21. In other words, at least some of the plurality of first surface elements 26 and / or second surface elements 28 may be equally spaced along at least one circle having its center at the geometric center of the first surface 24 of the first mold-forming element 21.

[0219] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, at least some, for example all, of the plurality of first surface elements 26 and / or second surface elements 28 are arranged in a ring on the first surface 24 of at least the first mold forming element 21.

[0220] The plurality of first surface elements 26 and / or second surface elements 28 may further be organized into concentric rings on the first surface of the first mold-forming element. For example, the plurality of first surface elements 26 and / or second surface elements 28 may be arranged along a set of 11 concentric rings across the first surface 24 of the first mold-forming element 21. The concentric rings of surface elements may be centered at the geometric center of the first surface 24 of the first mold-forming element 21.

[0221] The average curvature of the plurality of second surface elements 28 may be the same for all of the second surface elements 28 of the same concentric ring, in particular the average curvature of the central region of the second surface elements 28 of the same concentric ring is the same.

[0222] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of first surface elements 26 and / or second surface elements 28 may be arranged in different patterns, such as a hexagonal pattern, a triangular pattern, a square pattern, a Voronoi pattern, etc.

[0223] The plurality of second surface elements 28 may be configured such that along at least one cross section of the first mold forming element 21, the average curvature of the plurality of second surface elements increases from a point on the cross section towards the periphery of the cross section.

[0224] The plurality of second surface elements 28 may be configured such that along at least one cross section of the first mold forming element 21 passing through the geometric center of the first surface 24 of the first mold forming element, the average curvature of the plurality of second surface elements 28 increases from the geometric center towards the periphery of the cross section.

[0225] The plurality of second surface elements 28 may be configured such that along at least one cross section of the first mold forming element 21, for example a cross section passing through the geometric center of the first surface of the first mold forming element, the average curvature of the plurality of second surface elements 28 increases from a first point on the cross section towards a peripheral portion of the cross section and decreases from a second point on the cross section towards the peripheral portion of the cross section, the second point being closer to the peripheral portion of the cross section than the first point.

[0226] For all circular areas with a radius of 4 to 8 mm that include the geometric center of the first surface 24 of the first mold molding element 21 at a distance of the radius + 5 mm or more, the ratio of the sum of the areas of the multiple second surface elements arranged within the circular area to the area of ​​the circular area is 20% to 70%.

[0227] Preferably, each of the first surface elements 26 is an independent island element.

[0228] Preferably, the second surface elements 28 have an annular shape. More preferably, each second surface element 28 surrounds a first surface element 26.

[0229] Mold 20 further includes a second mold forming element 22 having a second surface 25. Second surface 25 of second mold forming element 22 faces first surface 24 of the first mold forming element and is therefore not shown in FIG.

[0230] The mold 20 further includes a gasket 23. The gasket 23 is annular and includes an outer surface 23a and an inner surface 23b. The gasket 23 further includes an opening 27.

[0231] Gasket 23 seals first and second mold forming elements 21, 22 together to form mold forming cavity 30. Mold forming cavity 30 is defined by first surface 24, including first surface element 26 and second surface element 28, of first mold forming element 21, second surface 25 of second mold forming element 22, and inner surface 23a of gasket 23.

[0232] The mold cavity 30 of the mold 20 for the lens element 10 is filled with mold material through opening 27. Although depicted in the gasket 23, opening 27 may alternatively be located in the first mold element or the second mold element. For example, the mold material may be a casting material that is injected into the mold cavity through opening 27 in the gasket 23. The casting material in the mold cavity is then polymerized into a lens material to form the lens element 10.

[0233] Alternatively, the mold material may be a thermoplastic material. The thermoplastic material, in a first liquid phase at a first temperature, is injected into the mold cavity 30 through the opening 27. During the cooling process, the thermoplastic material changes from the first liquid phase to a second solid phase corresponding to the lens material of the lens element 10.

[0234] Many further modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the exemplary embodiments described above, which are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure, which is determined solely by the appended claims.

[0235] In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The fact that different features are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these features cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0236] 10 Lens Elements 12 Refraction Area 14 Optical Elements 18 Surface 20 Mold 21 First mold forming element 22 Second mold forming element 23 Gasket 24 First mold forming surface 25 Second Surface 26 First surface element 27 Opening 28 Second Surface Element 30 Mold forming cavity

Claims

1. 1. A lens element intended for wearing in front of a wearer's eye, comprising: a refractive zone having a refractive power according to a prescription for said eye of said wearer; a plurality of at least two adjacent optical elements having an optical function that does not focus an image on the retina of the eye of the wearer; Including, A lens element, wherein the refractive regions include a plurality of independent island-shaped regions, the refractive regions being formed as regions other than the adjacent optical elements, and each of the refractive island-shaped regions being present within one of the adjacent optical elements.

2. The lens element of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the optical element has an annular shape around a refractive region.

3. 3. The lens element according to claim 1, wherein the optical element has a contour shape that can be engraved into a circle having a diameter of 0.8 mm to 3.0 mm.

4. A lens element according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the optical elements are arranged in a structured mesh, which is a square mesh or a hexagonal mesh or a triangular mesh or an octagonal mesh.

5. A lens element according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least one of the optical elements has an optical function that focuses an image at a location other than the retina under normal wearing conditions.

6. A lens element according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein all of the optical elements have an optical function that focuses an image at a location other than the retina under normal wearing conditions.

7. A lens element according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least one of the optical elements has an aspheric optical function under normal wearing conditions.

8. A lens element according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein all of the optical elements have aspheric optical functions under normal wearing conditions.

9. A lens element according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein at least one of the optical elements has a cylindrical power.

10. A lens element according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein all of the optical elements have a cylindrical power.

11. 11. A lens element according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the optical element is configured such that, along at least one cross-section of the lens, the mean sphere of the optical element varies from a point on the cross-section towards a periphery of the cross-section.

12. 12. A lens element according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the optical element is configured such that, along at least one cross-section of the lens, the cylinder power of the optical element varies from a point on the cross-section towards a periphery of the cross-section.

13. A lens element according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein at least a part of the optical element is arranged on a front surface of the lens element.

14. A lens element according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein all of the optical elements are disposed on the front surface of the lens element.

15. A lens element according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein at least a part of said optical element is arranged between the front and back surfaces of an ophthalmic lens.

16. A lens element according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein all of said optical elements are disposed between the front and back surfaces of an ophthalmic lens.

17. A lens element according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the spherical surface of at least a part of the optical element increases decenteringly within the optical element.

18. A lens element according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the total spherical surface of the optical element increases decenteringly within the optical element.

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