Angled Dual-Axis Intraocular Lens for Macular Degeneration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vision aids for patients with macular degeneration, such as telescopes, prisms, and magnifying glasses, often result in narrow visual fields and poor image quality, and existing intraocular lenses suffer from issues like chromatic aberration, halos, and reduced contrast sensitivity.
Innovation Solution
An intraocular lens design featuring a first lens for distance vision and a second lens with a distinct optical axis at an angle of 0.5 to 10 degrees relative to the first lens, allowing each lens to independently image onto the macula, thereby enhancing visual acuity and providing both orientation and detailed vision without the drawbacks of current devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single telescope is used as a vision aid, then magnification is provided, but the visual field becomes narrow and image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The intraocular lens is divided into multiple independent optical zones, each with different optical powers and orientations. The first optical zone provides distance vision along the first optical axis, while the second optical zone provides near vision along the second optical axis that is angled relative to the first. This segmentation allows simultaneous provision of multiple visual functions without requiring a single complex telescopic system, thereby maintaining a wider visual field while providing necessary magnification for near tasks.
2Ease of operation
If a prism is used to realign the line of sight, then orientation is improved, but magnification is not provided and visual resolution remains poor
Solution Approach 1:
The lens combines the functions of prism (line of sight realignment) and magnification (visual resolution improvement) into a single optical element. The first optical zone with its specific optical power provides both the refractive correction needed for line of sight alignment and the magnification required for improved visual resolution. This merging eliminates the need for separate prism devices while simultaneously achieving both alignment and resolution goals.
3Measurement precision
If a magnifying glass is used, then visual acuity is improved, but the visual aid becomes less portable and more cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The magnifying optical zones are nested within the intraocular lens structure, which is itself implanted within the eye's existing anatomical structures. The first and second optical zones are integrated into a single lens body that is positioned within the capsular bag or anterior chamber. This nesting eliminates the need for external handheld magnifying devices, providing permanent portability while maintaining high visual acuity through the integrated optical power distribution.
4Adaptability or versatility
If diffractive optics structures are used to provide multiple powers of magnification, then near and distance vision are provided, but chromatic aberration and halos are generated and contrast sensitivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Different optical zones of the lens have different local optical properties. The first optical zone has optical characteristics optimized for distance vision, while the second optical zone has different optical characteristics optimized for near vision. Each zone's power and orientation are locally optimized for its specific function. This local quality differentiation provides multiple powers of magnification without requiring diffractive structures, thereby avoiding chromatic aberration and halo effects while maintaining good contrast sensitivity.
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 design improves visual field and image quality, reduces halos, and increases portability by providing a larger photon concentration and better contrast sensitivity compared to conventional solutions, effectively addressing the limitations of existing intraocular lenses.
Implementation Method 1
a first lens (4) having a first optical axis (R4) arranged for alignment with an optical axis (R100) of the human eye; and a second lens (6) having a second optical axis (R6), wherein said second optical axis (R6) and said first optical axis (R4) enclose an angle between 0,5 and 10 degrees
Data Source
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Figure 5
AI summary
An intraocular lens comprises an optic, which comprises a first lens (4) having a first optical axis (R4) for alignment with an optical axis of the human eye having a macula; and a second lens (6) having a second optical axis (R6), wherein said second optical axis and said first optical axis enclose an angle between 0 and 10 degrees. The first lens and the second lens are arranged next to one another in a direction transverse to the first optical axis to provide no overlap in a direction along the first optical axis such that the first lens and the second lens each, independent from one another, image onto the macula of the eye. The angle and a direction of the second optical axis are chosen such that the second lens images onto a functional part of the macula of the human eye, which functional part is not compromised by a defect, such as a scotoma. Such intraocular lens is useful for implantation in the eye of patients suffering from (age-related) macula degeneration. Preferably, the second lens has a high magnification to compensate for a decreasing density of photo receptors in the retina in a direction away from the fovea.