Myopia-Control Contact Lenses With Diffractive Optics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional myopia-correcting lenses cause unwanted visual side effects such as halos around images and improper use of the eye's accommodation due to annular add-power regions, which can exacerbate myopia progression in young subjects.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a diffractive lens in the optic zone of ophthalmic lenses to manipulate longitudinal chromatic aberration properties, reducing, canceling, or reversing the natural chromatic blur signals to provide a 'stop' or 'cancel' signal for myopia progression, while maintaining clear vision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If annular add-power regions are used to provide myopic defocus, then myopia progression is slowed, but visual side effects such as halos and improper accommodation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optical parameters by introducing longitudinal chromatic aberration manipulation through diffractive optics. Instead of using simple annular add-power regions, the invention modifies the chromatic properties of light to create a 'stop signal' that slows myopia progression without the visual side effects of traditional designs. This involves changing the focal positions of different wavelengths to achieve myopic defocus while maintaining clear vision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces longitudinal chromatic aberration as an intermediary mechanism. Rather than directly using annular add-power regions that cause halos, the invention uses chromatic blur signals as an intermediate step to transmit the myopia control effect. The diffractive optical element creates wavelength-dependent focal shifts that serve as a mediator between the lens and the retina, achieving the desired therapeutic effect without harmful visual side effects.
2Ease of operation
If full correction of distance vision is provided, then clear distance vision is achieved, but myopia progression is not controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different optical effects in different parts of the visual spectrum. The diffractive optical element introduces longitudinal chromatic aberration that affects different wavelengths differently, with shorter wavelengths (blue light) being focused in front of the retina while longer wavelengths (red light) are focused on or behind the retina. This local differentiation in focal positions for different wavelengths allows simultaneous achievement of clear vision and myopia control.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chromatic parameter distribution across the spectrum. By introducing controlled longitudinal chromatic aberration, the patent creates a situation where the overall chromatic blur signal provides a 'stop' signal for myopia progression while individual wavelength components maintain adequate focus for clear vision. This parameter manipulation allows the lens to simultaneously provide full correction for clear vision and induce myopic defocus for progression control.
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 diffractive lens reduces or eliminates chromatic blur signals, preventing or slowing myopia progression by mimicking myopic defocus, thereby improving visual clarity and reducing unwanted eye accommodation.
Implementation Method 1
The optic zone comprises a diffractive lens for manipulating the longitudinal chromatic aberration properties of the light proximate the focal surface
Implementation Method 2
manipulating the longitudinal chromatic aberration properties of the light
Data Source
AI summary
An ophthalmic lens (112′, 200) for use in preventing or slowing the development or progression of myopia comprises an optic zone (202) for focusing light from distant point objects to a focal surface. The optic zone comprises a diffractive lens (206) for manipulating the longitudinal chromatic aberration properties of the light proximate the focal surface.