HEV-Filtering Multifocal Contact Lenses for Clearer Presbyopic Vision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multifocal contact lenses for presbyopic patients suffer from issues such as vision clarity, glare, and quality, leaving many unsatisfied.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a high energy visible (HEV) light absorbing compound into the multifocal contact lens design, which filters HEV light and optionally UV light, while maintaining substantial transmission of wavelengths above 450 nm, to improve vision attributes like clarity, glare reduction, and chromatic contrast.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multifocal contact lenses are used to treat presbyopia, then vision at different distances is improved, but vision clarity and quality deteriorate due to glare and other visual disturbances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of HEV light (which causes glare and reduces vision quality) into a beneficial filtering mechanism. By incorporating HEV light absorbing compounds into the lens, the harmful blue light is absorbed and converted into harmless heat, while the lens maintains its multifocal capability to provide vision at different distances. This resolves the contradiction by eliminating the harmful aspect without sacrificing the adaptive benefit.
Solution Approach 2:
The HEV light absorbing compound acts as an intermediary substance within the contact lens material. This intermediary component selectively absorbs HEV light wavelengths (400-450 nm) while allowing other visible light wavelengths to pass through. The intermediary compound thus mediates between the conflicting requirements of maintaining multifocal vision capability and improving vision clarity by reducing glare.
2Reliability
If HEV light is blocked to reduce glare, then vision quality improves, but light transmission is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selectively filtering only the HEV light portion of the spectrum (400-450 nm) while allowing other wavelengths to transmit freely. The HEV light absorbing compound is incorporated at specific concentrations (0.01-10% by weight) to achieve localized filtering effect only where needed, rather than blocking all light. This resolves the contradiction by providing targeted spectral filtering that improves vision quality without excessive light transmission loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the contact lens by incorporating HEV light absorbing compounds that specifically alter the transmission characteristics in the 400-450 nm range. The compound concentration and molecular structure are adjusted to optimize the balance between glare reduction and overall light transmission. This parameter change enables selective wavelength filtering that improves vision quality while maintaining adequate light transmission for clear vision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional multifocal lens designs are used, then presbyopia is corrected, but chromatic contrast and vision clarity remain insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials by combining traditional multifocal lens materials with HEV light absorbing compounds. The composite structure integrates the optical power distribution characteristics of multifocal lenses with the spectral filtering properties of HEV absorbing substances. This composite approach simultaneously achieves presbyopia correction through the multifocal design and improves chromatic contrast and vision clarity through the HEV filtering capability.
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 HEV light absorbing compound enhances vision quality, reduces glare, and improves chromatic contrast in presbyopic patients, providing a more satisfactory experience compared to traditional multifocal lenses.
Implementation Method 1
The contact lens filters high energy visible (HEV) light, and optionally UV light, while substantially transmitting (e.g., greater than 80% transmission) at wavelengths longer than about 450 nm
Data Source
AI summary
Described are multifocal contact lenses that contain high energy visible (HEV) light absorbing compounds and their use for improving one or more vision attributes.