Multifocal Ophthalmic Lens Zones for Extended Depth-of-Focus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multifocal lenses often result in visual irregularities due to the coexistence of distinctive defocused and sharply focused images, particularly as the human eye ages and its ability to adapt to different distances declines.

Innovation Solution

An ophthalmic lens with a surface profile featuring a base curvature and multiple zones, including adjustments such as spherical aberration, longitudinal chromatic aberration, and phase shift changes, to extend the depth-of-focus and smooth transitions between focal points, providing continuous vision.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a multifocal lens provides correction at different focal lengths, then vision at multiple distances is improved, but visual irregularities occur due to coexistence of defocused and sharply focused images

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevision at multiple distancesVSAvoidvisual irregularities

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The lens surface is divided into multiple zones with different optical powers, each zone contributing to a specific focal length correction. The surface profile includes a plurality of zones adapted to produce a plurality of curves corresponding to light energy distribution, creating distinct focal regions for near, intermediate, and distance vision while managing the transition between them

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the lens surface are given different optical properties through the surface profile design. The base curvature provides a base optical power, while the plurality of zones introduces localized variations in curvature and optical power to create multiple focal points, with each zone optimized for specific viewing distances

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If the lens surface profile includes multiple zones for different focal lengths, then extended depth-of-focus is achieved, but the complexity of the surface profile increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveextended depth-of-focusVSAvoidsurface profile complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple optical functions are combined into a single surface profile structure. The base curvature and the plurality of zones are integrated into one continuous surface geometry, allowing the lens to provide multiple focal corrections simultaneously without requiring separate optical elements or complex multi-layer structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The surface profile utilizes curved geometries including the base curvature and additional curved zones to achieve multiple focal lengths. The curvature variations in the surface profile create the necessary optical power changes across different zones, leveraging spherical and aspherical surface designs to manage light focusing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 enhances visual clarity by minimizing visual disturbances and improving distance refraction targeting through extended depth-of-focus, offering continuous vision across different focal lengths.

Implementation Method 1

at least one of the first surface and the second surface includes a surface profile having a base curvature and a plurality of zones. The base curvature corresponds to a base optical power. The plurality of zones is adapted to produce a plurality of curves corresponding to light energy distribution along the optical axis.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

The plurality of adjustments may include at least one spherical aberration.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpherical aberration:

Implementation Method 3

The plurality of adjustments may include at least one longitudinal chromatic aberration.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChromatic aberration:

Data Source

PatentUS12393054B2Multifocal ophthalmic lens with extended depth-of-focus

Publication Date: 2025.08.19 ALCON INC

AI summary

An ophthalmic lens includes an optic having a first surface and a second surface disposed about an optical axis. At least one of the first surface and the second surface includes a surface profile having a base curvature and a plurality of zones. The base curvature corresponds to a base optical power. The plurality of zones is adapted to produce a plurality of curves corresponding to light energy distribution along the optical axis. The surface profile includes a plurality of adjustments providing an extended depth-of-focus, the plurality of adjustments being adapted to extend each one of the plurality of curves towards another of the plurality of curves. The plurality of adjustments may include at least one spherical aberration. The plurality of adjustments may include at least one longitudinal chromatic aberration. The plurality of adjustments may include at least one phase shift change.