Ophthalmic Lens System for Presbyopia Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for non-presbyopes, such as opticians and sales personnel, to understand presbyopia symptoms are inadequate, as existing simulators lack the ability to simulate the actual experience of presbyopia using physical objects and often come with side effects from drug use, limiting their effectiveness in conveying the benefits of premium progressive lenses to patients.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using two ophthalmic lenses with specific vision zones, where the lenses are re-positioned to simulate presbyopia by allowing distance vision through a near vision zone and near vision through a distance vision zone, eliminating the need for drugs and providing a more realistic experience without side effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If drugs such as atropine are used to simulate presbyopia, then the accommodation reflex is blocked causing pupil dilatation and loss of accommodation, but this causes harmful side effects including light sensitivity, blurred near vision, and potential damage to the retina and lens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an optical intermediary device (lens system with specific powers) to simulate presbyopia symptoms without using pharmacological agents. The lens acts as a mediator that optically reproduces the visual experience of presbyopia (blurred near vision, difficulty focusing) without triggering the harmful physiological responses caused by atropine or other eye drops
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the chemical/pharmacological system (drugs affecting the ciliary muscle and pupil) with an optical-mechanical system (lenses with specific diopter powers). Instead of using atropine to paralyze accommodation, the invention uses optical lenses to artificially create the same visual symptoms through refractive power manipulation, thereby eliminating drug-related side effects
2Duration of action of moving object
If drugs with shorter effective time are used, then the subject is prevented from working in optimal conditions for only a few hours, but the subject is still incapacitated during the drug effect period
Solution Approach 1:
The optical lens system serves as a controllable intermediary that can be easily donned and doffed, allowing the subject to experience presbyopia symptoms only when needed for demonstration or training purposes. The subject maintains full working capability when the lenses are removed, unlike drug effects that continuously incapacitate the subject throughout their duration
3Adaptability or versatility
If only a small fraction of opticians are certified to dispense lenses, then fewer than 40% of opticians experience the effect of losing accommodation in an educational environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal optical intermediary device that can be used by any optician or trainer regardless of certification status. The lens-based system removes the barrier of specialized drug administration credentials, allowing broad access to presbyopia simulation while maintaining reliable symptom reproduction through optical physics
Solution Approach 2:
By replacing the pharmacological approach (which requires certification to administer) with an optical approach (lenses that anyone can use), the patent dramatically increases accessibility. The mechanical/optical system of prescription lenses eliminates the need for specialized training or certification to simulate presbyopia, while still providing reliable symptom experience
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
Enables non-presbyopes to better understand presbyopia symptoms and the benefits of premium progressive lenses, enhancing their ability to communicate these benefits to patients, with all subjects tested experiencing the 'short arm effect' of presbyopia, simulating the condition effectively without drug-related discomfort.
Implementation Method 1
Presbyopia entails the progressive loss of amplitude of accommodation that occurs with aging. It is caused by hardening of the lens of the eye, causing the eye to focus light behind rather than on the retina when looking at close objects.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for demonstrating an optical disorder includes providing two ophthalmic lenses in a first position relative to each other. Each lens includes a first vision zone and a second vision zone. The first vision zone includes a distance vision zone having a distance vision reference point and a power of between about −1.00 Diopters and −4.00 Diopters. The second vision zone includes a near vision zone having a near vision reference point and a power of between about +1.00 Diopters and about +4.00 Diopters. Each lens includes an Add power of between +2.00 Diopters and +3.25 Diopters; the ophthalmic lenses are repositioned to a second position relative to each other, so the distance vision zone of each lens is viewable by a wearer through the near vision zone and the near vision zone of each lens is viewable by a wearer through the distance vision zone.