Diffractive Subsurface Structure for Myopia Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a common optical condition where close objects are seen clearly but distant objects appear blurry, and its prevalence is increasing, with individuals having a higher risk of developing other optical maladies like cataracts and retinal detachment, and current treatments like LASIK may not be suitable for those with high myopia.
Innovation Solution
A diffractive subsurface optical structure is integrated into an ophthalmic lens, altering the native longitudinal chromatic aberration of the eye to inhibit the progression of myopia by manipulating the axial length of the eye, achieved by inducing subsurface changes in refractive index, primarily using laser techniques, to provide a chromatic alteration that defocuses blue-light wavelengths and focuses red-light wavelengths, thereby reducing the axial growth of the eye.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the native longitudinal chromatic aberration of the eye is left unchanged, then the eye maintains its natural optical characteristics, but myopia progresses due to uncontrolled axial length growth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the refractive index distribution within the ophthalmic lens to create a diffractive subsurface optical structure. This structure alters the chromatic aberration parameters of the eye, specifically manipulating the focal length differences between blue and red wavelengths to control axial length growth and inhibit myopia progression.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical or chemical myopia treatment methods with an optical field-based approach. By using a diffractive optical structure within the lens to manipulate light wavelengths and their focal points, the system controls eye growth without requiring mechanical intervention or chemical medications.
2Reliability
If LASIK or laser refractive surgery is used to correct high myopia, then vision can be improved, but the procedure is not suitable for individuals with high myopia
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by addressing myopia progression before it reaches severe levels. The diffractive subsurface optical structure is integrated into ophthalmic lenses to control axial length growth during the progression phase, preventing the need for corrective surgery later. This proactive approach makes treatment accessible to a broader population before they become candidates for invasive procedures.
3Productivity
If blue light is focused on the retina, then the eye perceives the image plane is too short and axial length increases, but this accelerates myopia progression
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of blue light focusing (which causes axial length increase) into a beneficial control mechanism. By using the diffractive subsurface optical structure to deliberately create controlled chromatic aberration, the system manipulates which wavelengths focus where, transforming the natural LCA that causes myopia into a controllable optical stimulus that can inhibit axial growth when configured correctly.
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 solution effectively inhibits the progression of myopia by altering the eye's focal lengths for different wavelengths, reducing the axial length of the eye, and potentially reversing or reducing existing myopia, thereby improving vision quality and reducing the risk of associated optical maladies.
Implementation Method 1
The native LCA of an eye results in increased refraction of a blue-light wavelength relative to a central reference wavelength thereby producing a shorter focal length for the blue-light wavelength relative to a focal length for the central reference wavelength
Implementation Method 2
The native LCA of an eye is due to the dispersion of the ocular media of an eye (i.e., the cornea, the aqueous, the crystalline lens, the vitreous)
Implementation Method 3
A diffractive subsurface optical structure is integrated into an ophthalmic lens, altering the native longitudinal chromatic aberration of the eye
Data Source
AI summary
Ophthalmic lenses and related methods provide a longitudinal chromatic alteration for an eye to provide the eye with a stimulus to inhibit myopia progression or reverse myopia. An ophthalmic lens configured to inhibit progression of myopia in an eye or reduce myopia in the eye includes a subsurface optical structure. The ophthalmic lens is formed from a transparent material having a lens material refractive index. The subsurface optical structure includes refractive index spatial variations relative to the lens material refractive index to provide a chromatic alteration to reduce axial growth of the eye or decrease the axial length of the eye.