Multifocal Ophthalmic Lens with Progressive Add Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multifocal ophthalmic lenses face challenges in providing simultaneous far, near, and intermediate vision while minimizing halos, glare, and pupil dependence, due to abrupt optical power changes between zones, which affect contrast sensitivity and vision quality.
Innovation Solution
The design of an ophthalmic lens with three distinct regions, each providing a specific optical power, featuring a progressive optical add power that transitions smoothly from one region to another, allowing for continuous focus across far, near, and intermediate distances, reducing halos and glare, and minimizing pupil dependence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If concentric annular zones with abrupt optical power steps are used to provide multifocal vision, then bifocal division of incident light is achieved, but halos, glare, and decreased contrast sensitivity occur
Solution Approach 1:
The optic is divided into multiple concentric annular zones with different optical powers. Each zone is designed to direct light to specific focal points (distance, intermediate, or near), creating a segmented optical path that enables multifocal vision while controlling unwanted optical effects through careful zone design
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the optic are assigned different optical properties (optical powers) tailored to specific viewing distances. The first annular zone provides distance focus, the second provides intermediate focus, and the third provides near focus, with each zone's optical characteristics optimized for its intended function
Solution Approach 3:
The optical system dynamically adapts to different viewing conditions by utilizing different zones based on the required focal distance. The lens provides variable optical power distribution across different radial regions, allowing the eye to access appropriate focal points depending on the object distance
2Adaptability or versatility
If non-radially symmetric zones are used to constrain add power to lower portion, then bifocal vision is provided, but intermediate vision is not achieved and pupil dependence increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lens incorporates both radially symmetric and asymmetric elements. The concentric annular zones provide symmetric multifocal distribution, while the progressive add power region introduces controlled asymmetry to optimize vision at different pupil sizes and viewing distances, reducing pupil dependence
Solution Approach 2:
The optic is designed to provide multiple functions within a single lens structure: distance vision through the first annular zone, intermediate vision through the second annular zone, and near vision through the third annular zone and progressive region. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate lenses for different viewing distances
3Manufacturing precision
If abrupt optical power steps between zones are used, then zone definition is clear, but contrast sensitivity decreases and vision quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lens surfaces incorporate curved profiles with carefully designed radii of curvature. The first and second surfaces have different curvatures in different radial zones, creating smooth optical transitions that maintain clear zone definitions while minimizing abrupt power changes that would degrade contrast sensitivity
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 lens enables improved contrast sensitivity and reduced halos and glare, providing optimal vision across a range of distances with minimized pupil dependence, effectively addressing the limitations of current multifocal lens designs.
Implementation Method 1
The use of diffractive or refractive optics in ophthalmic lenses, in order to provide multifocal/bifocal division of incident light
Implementation Method 2
The use of diffractive or refractive optics in ophthalmic lenses, in order to provide multifocal/bifocal division of incident light
Implementation Method 3
a third region having optical powers that progress from the first optical power to the second optical power
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus, system and method including an ophthalmic lens having an optic with an anterior surface, a posterior surface, and an optical axis. The ophthalmic lens further includes a first region having a first optical power and a second region having a second optical power. The ophthalmic lens further includes a third region having an optical power that progresses from the first optical power to the second optical power. The progression may be uniform or non-uniform. Each of the first, second and progression optical power may include a base power and an optical add power. Each of the first, second and progression regions may provide a first focus, a second focus and a plurality of third foci, respectively.