Electroactive Spectacle Lens for Myopia Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for treating refractive errors, such as myopia, are often complex and may degrade vision, providing less than ideal treatment results and potentially worsening vision over time.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising a lens with a switchable optical component made of electroactive material that can change between a light scattering configuration and a transparent configuration, using an electroactive component like liquid crystals or patterned electrodes to provide optical power or scatter light, specifically targeting the peripheral retina to slow down refractive error progression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a switchable optical component with electroactive material is added to provide light scattering for myopia treatment, then refractive error treatment effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the corrective lens function with the light scattering treatment function into a single integrated apparatus. The electroactive optical component is embedded within or coupled to the spectacle lens, allowing both vision correction and myopia management to be achieved simultaneously through one device rather than requiring separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The switchable optical component serves multiple functions: it provides light scattering for myopia treatment when activated, and can be switched to a transparent state that allows normal vision correction through the lens. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making the treatment component versatile enough to fulfill both therapeutic and optical correction roles.
2Reliability
If the switchable optical component is kept on to provide continuous light scattering for treatment, then refractive error progression is slowed, but vision quality degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic switching mechanism that allows the optical component to transition between transparent and light-scattering states. This dynamic capability enables the system to adapt to different viewing conditions and user needs, providing treatment only when necessary while maintaining clear vision during normal activities, thus resolving the contradiction between continuous treatment effectiveness and vision quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The switchable optical component can be activated periodically or intermittently rather than continuously. The electronic control system can schedule treatment periods or activate the component based on detected conditions, providing light scattering in periodic intervals that are sufficient for myopia management while allowing clear vision during non-treatment periods.
3Reliability
If the electroactive component scatters light to the peripheral retina for treatment, then myopia progression decreases, but light transmission to the retina is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The electroactive optical component is strategically positioned in the peripheral regions of the spectacle lens, away from the central optical zone. This local placement ensures that light scattering occurs primarily in the peripheral fields where it can stimulate the peripheral retina for myopia management, while the central vision area maintains high light transmission efficiency for normal viewing activities.
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 apparatus effectively treats refractive errors by scattering light to the peripheral retina, reducing the progression of myopia and other refractive errors while allowing clear vision through the optical zone, with the ability to switch between treatment and normal viewing configurations.
Implementation Method 1
The switchable optical component can be configured with an electroactive material to provide optical power or light scattering
Implementation Method 2
In an off state, the additional optical component functions as a substantially transparent optical layer with no substantial optical power or light scattering. In an on state, the optical component is either switched to a fixed or controllable amount of optical power, or a fixed or controllable amount of light scatter.
Implementation Method 3
a polarization insensitive liquid crystal based diffractive optic comprises a diffractive surface relief on the inner surface of the electro-active optical component
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus to treat refractive error of an eye comprises an electroactive component configured to switch between a light scattering or optical power providing configuration to treat refractive error of the eye and a substantially transparent configuration to allow normal viewing. The electroactive component can be located on the lens away from a central axis of the lens to provide light to a peripheral region of the retina to decrease the progression of myopia. The electroactive component can be located on the lens away from the central axis of the lens in order for the wearer to view objects through an optical zone while the electroactive component scatters light. The electroactive component can be configured to switch to the substantially transparent configuration to allow light to pass through the electroactive component and to allow the lens to refract light to correct vision and allow normal viewing through the lens.