Diffractive Binocular Lens Systems for Chromatic Aberration Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional multifocal ophthalmic lenses fail to reduce chromatic aberration for both distant and near/intermediate vision, leading to suboptimal visual acuity and modulation transfer function (MTF) performance.
Innovation Solution
The use of binocular ophthalmic lens systems with differing aberrations in each eye, featuring multifocal diffractive patterns and aspheric shapes to balance longitudinal chromatic aberration (LCA) and monochromatic aberrations, ensuring reduced or no chromatic aberrations for both distant and near/intermediate vision, thereby enhancing visual acuity and MTF performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a traditional multifocal diffractive lens is used, then near or intermediate vision is improved by reducing chromatic aberration, but distant vision chromatic aberration is not affected
Solution Approach 1:
The lens is divided into multiple regions with different diffractive powers: a first region provides chromatic aberration reduction for distant vision, a second region provides chromatic aberration reduction for near or intermediate vision, and a third region provides additional focal points. This segmentation allows each region to address specific vision needs independently.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the lens are assigned different optical properties - the first region has diffractive power optimized for distant vision chromatic aberration reduction, the second region has diffractive power optimized for near or intermediate vision, and the third region provides additional multifocal capability. Each local area has quality tailored to its specific function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multifocal diffractive patterns are added to refractive lenses, then multiple foci are provided for different distances, but chromatic aberration for distant vision remains uncorrected
Solution Approach 1:
The lens is divided into multiple regions with different diffractive powers: a first region provides chromatic aberration reduction for distant vision, a second region provides chromatic aberration reduction for near or intermediate vision, and a third region provides additional focal points. This segmentation allows each region to address specific vision needs independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The lens combines multiple functions in a single optical element: it provides distant vision correction, near or intermediate vision correction, and reduced chromatic aberration for both distance ranges simultaneously through its multi-region design with different diffractive powers.
3Ease of manufacture
If both eyes are given identical multifocal lenses, then symmetric optical correction is provided, but binocular visual performance is suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetric design by giving each eye a different lens configuration - one eye receives a lens optimized for certain focal points and chromatic aberration reduction, while the other eye receives a lens with different optimization parameters. This asymmetric approach balances the optical performance between the two eyes and improves overall binocular vision.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the lens are assigned different optical properties - the first region has diffractive power optimized for distant vision chromatic aberration reduction, the second region has diffractive power optimized for near or intermediate vision, and the third region provides additional multifocal capability. Each local area has quality tailored to its specific function.
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 binocular lens system provides improved visual acuity and MTF performance for both distant and near/intermediate vision by reducing chromatic aberrations, with one eye having high performance and the other having somewhat lower performance, achieving a balanced optical performance for both eyes.
Implementation Method 1
One way of providing a multifocal lens is to add a multifocal diffractive pattern to a refractive lens. The diffractive pattern may be configured so that approximately half the light from an object is focused by the refractive power of the lens
Implementation Method 2
the +1 diffraction order has a chromatic aberration that is opposite in sign to that produced by the refractive power of the ophthalmic lens and the cornea of the eye. By proper selection of the diffractive power, the total chromatic aberration of the ophthalmic lens / eye system can be significantly reduced
Implementation Method 3
featuring multifocal diffractive patterns and aspheric shapes to balance longitudinal chromatic aberration (LCA) and monochromatic aberrations
Data Source
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AI summary
A system of ophthalmic lenses contains a first lens for a first eye of a subject and a second lens for a second eye of a subject. The first lens includes a first lens shape having a first base refractive power and a first diffractive pattern imposed on the first lens shape, the diffractive pattern having a first lower diffraction order with a first lower diffractive power and a first higher diffraction order with a first higher diffractive power. The first lens includes lower and higher optical powers equal to the first base refractive power plus the first lower and higher diffractive powers, respectively. The second lens includes a second lens shape having a second base refractive power and a second diffractive pattern imposed on the second lens shape, the second diffractive pattern having a second lower diffraction order with a second lower diffractive power and a second higher diffraction order with a second higher diffractive power. The second lens includes lower and higher optical powers equal to the second base refractive power plus the second lower and higher diffractive powers, respectively. The first higher optical power has a negative LCA and the second lower optical power has a negative LCA. The second base refractive power does not equal either the second lower optical power or the higher optical power.