Accommodating Contact Lens Eyelid Deformation Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solutions for presbyopia, such as surgical implants and static contact lenses, are invasive or provide inadequate accommodative amplitudes for clear and stable near vision, while existing non-surgical methods like multifocal lenses rely on static eye interactions that do not effectively change the refractive power to accommodate near distances.
Innovation Solution
A novel contact lens design with a molded or modified mid-peripheral to peripheral anterior surface that allows the eyelids to change the shape and position of the lens during focusing efforts, increasing the eye's power by engaging with the eyelids, thereby providing clear vision at various distances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If surgical implants or artificial intraocular lenses are used to treat presbyopia, then refractive correction is achieved, but the procedure becomes invasive and produces irreversible physical changes to the eye
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces surgical mechanical implantation with a non-invasive contact lens system that uses eyelid pressure to achieve accommodation. Instead of mechanically implanting artificial lenses through surgery, the system uses the natural eyelid closing action to deform the contact lens and change its refractive power, thereby substituting an invasive mechanical surgical system with a non-invasive optical-mechanical system.
2Stability of the object's composition
If static contact lenses are used to provide refractive correction, then the lens structure remains stable, but the ability to change refractive power for accommodation is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static contact lens into a dynamic system where the lens shape and refractive power can change in response to eyelid pressure. The contact lens is designed with specific geometric features (mid-peripheral zone, peripheral zone, central optic zone) that allow it to deform dynamically during blinking, enabling accommodation while maintaining structural integrity through its zoned design.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the contact lens is designed to be deformed by eyelid pressure, then accommodative ability is restored, but the lens shape changes from its original stable form
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the contact lens into distinct functional zones: a central optic zone for distance vision, a mid-peripheral zone for deformation during accommodation, and a peripheral zone for structural support. This segmentation allows different parts of the lens to perform different functions - the central zone maintains optical stability while the mid-peripheral zone deforms under eyelid pressure to change refractive power, resolving the contradiction between shape stability and accommodative adaptability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The contact lens design enables active accommodation by altering the lens shape and tear layer, enhancing the eye's refractive power to achieve clear vision from far to near distances without invasive procedures, addressing the limitations of existing solutions.
Implementation Method 1
the pressure of the eyelids during this accommodative process is the primary cause of corneal shape change
Implementation Method 2
change the refractive status of the eye such as when trying to clearly visualize objects at different distances
Data Source
AI summary
An “accommodating contact lens” or “focusable contact lens” is a contact lens comprised of a single unit lens, primarily of a rigid gas permeable material, that has one optical power ground into the lens and is fitted for the eye for clear vision at distance when the eye is in a relaxed, unaccommodated state. Unlike a standard single vision, rigid gas permeable contact lens, it has a modified anterior surface, which exists as either an excavated, concave region or heaped ridge running the entire circular midperipheral to peripheral region of the contact lens, that allows the eyelids a contact point on the lens to re-shape or move the contact lens either by squeezing or lifting it anteriorly from the eye during an attempt to accommodate or focus at near, in order to provide to the eye additional power and clear vision at intermediate or near distances.