Peripheral Blurring Elements in Ophthalmic Lenses for Eye-Length Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing incidence of eye-length-related disorders such as myopia, which is characterized by an excessive lengthening of the eye beyond the optimal focal length for clear vision, is not adequately addressed by current methods, particularly in individuals with genetic or behavioral factors contributing to continued eye growth.
Innovation Solution
Therapeutic intervention using specialized glasses that introduce artificial blurring to reduce the spatial frequency of images input to the retina, preventing further eye lengthening by forcing a transition to a state where the eye no longer responds to lengthening signals, and potentially reversing the disorder through controlled blurring techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If corrective lenses are used to address myopia, then vision clarity is improved, but the underlying eye lengthening problem continues to progress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies artificial blurring to create a controlled optical defect that triggers beneficial emmetropization feedback mechanisms. The blurring induces the eye to lengthen at a controlled rate, which then activates the eye's natural length-regulation systems, ultimately reversing the harmful effect of excessive eye lengthening in myopic individuals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameter of image sharpness by introducing controlled blurring through specialized lenses. This parameter change (from sharp to blurred images) fundamentally alters the visual feedback signal to the eye's development system, triggering a reversal of the axial lengthening process that occurs with normal myopia progression.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the eye continues to grow beyond optimal length, then the eye adapts to closer object focusing, but distant object vision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of allowing the eye to naturally lengthen to adapt to close object focusing (which deteriorates distant vision), the patent applies artificial blurring to create an optical condition that reverses the natural progression. The blurring signal tricks the eye's development system into stopping or reversing axial lengthening, thereby preserving distant object vision while maintaining the ability to focus on close objects.
3Length of moving object
If reading is limited to prevent excessive eye lengthening, then myopia progression is reduced, but educational activities are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces specialized corrective lenses as an intermediary device that allows children to engage in normal reading and educational activities while simultaneously controlling eye lengthening. The lenses mediate between the natural tendency of the eye to lengthen during close-work activities and the need to prevent excessive axial growth, enabling both learning and myopia prevention.
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 proposed method effectively halts and in some cases reverses eye lengthening, bringing the axial length into a normal range, thereby improving vision clarity and preventing further progression of myopia.
Implementation Method 1
glasses used in therapeutic intervention in patients with eye-length-related disorders... introduce artificial blurring to reduce the spatial frequency of images input to the retina
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An ophthalmic lens is disclosed that comprises a first area comprising a plurality of elements selected from the group consisting of: bumps on a surface of the lens; depressions on the surface of the lens; translucent inclusions in a lens material; and transparent inclusions in the lens material, the transparent inclusions having a refractive index different from that of the lens material; and a second area surrounded by the first area, the second area being free of the elements, wherein a density, dimension, and material of the elements are selected to reduce a visual acuity from 20/20 when a line of sight passes through the second area to about 20/25 when the line of sight passes through the first area. Further, a pair of eyeglasses is disclosed that comprises a first ophthalmic lens and a second ophthalmic lens, each of the first and second ophthalmic lenses comprising a pattern of elements selected from the group consisting of: bumps on a surface of a corresponding lens from said first and second lenses; depressions on the surface of the corresponding lens; translucent inclusions in a corresponding lens material; and transparent inclusions in the corresponding lens material, the transparent inclusions having a refractive index different from that of the corresponding lens material; and wherein each of the patterns of the first and second ophthalmic lenses has an area of higher element density in a peripheral region of the corresponding lens as compared to an element density in a central region of the corresponding lens.