Refraction Determination Under Specific Spectral Conditions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing eyewear technologies fail to adapt to specific non-standard spectral conditions, leading to ametropic shifts and reduced visual comfort and performance due to polychromatic filters causing longitudinal chromatic aberration, which is more pronounced in myopes.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for determining and compensating refraction under specific spectral conditions using a polychromatic light source or chromatic filter, allowing for the selection of an adapted chromatic filter to optimize light focus on the retina, reducing accommodative effort and improving visual acuity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If polychromatic filters are used in eyewear, then visual comfort and vision improvement in various light conditions is achieved, but ametropic shift occurs and visual quality decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptation to different light conditionsVSAvoidvisual quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by measuring the wearer's refraction under the specific spectral conditions created by the polychromatic filter, rather than using standard spectral measurements. This allows the optical system parameters (lens power) to be adjusted to compensate for the filter-induced ametropic shift, maintaining visual quality while preserving the adaptability benefits of the filter

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by using the measured refraction data obtained under the filter's spectral conditions to determine the appropriate optical correction. This closed-loop approach ensures that the optical system adapts to the specific spectral environment, compensating for chromatic aberration effects and maintaining reliable visual performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of manufacture

If standard spectral prescription is used, then eyewear prescription is determined, but refraction is not adapted to specific non-standard spectral conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprescription determinationVSAvoidadaptation to spectral conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by measuring the wearer's refraction in advance under the specific spectral conditions that will be present during actual use of the eyewear with polychromatic filters. This pre-measurement allows the optical prescription to be customized before manufacturing, ensuring adaptation to non-standard spectral conditions while maintaining ease of manufacture through a systematic measurement approach

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If colored filters alter the spectrum of incoming light, then comfort and vision in various light conditions is improved, but longitudinal chromatic aberration increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisual comfortVSAvoidlongitudinal chromatic aberration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of longitudinal chromatic aberration into a beneficial measurement opportunity. By measuring refraction under the specific spectral conditions created by the colored filters, the patent uses the chromatic aberration effects as a diagnostic tool to determine the appropriate compensation, thereby maintaining visual comfort while eliminating the harmful blur through customized optical correction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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

This approach enables sharper vision and reduced visual fatigue by determining and compensating for refraction under specific spectral conditions, improving visual acuity and contrast sensitivity, and selecting the appropriate chromatic filter to minimize ametropic shifts.

Implementation Method 1

When an eye is illuminated by polychromatic visible light, the different wavelengths of visible light focus in different plans, either behind (long wavelength) or in front (short wavelength) of the retina plan. The amplitude of this defocus is known as longitudinal chromatic aberration.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLongitudinal chromatic aberration: Refraction

Data Source

PatentUS11638521B2Methods and systems for determining a refraction of at least an eye of a person

Publication Date: 2023.05.02 ESSILOR INTERNATIONAL(COMPAGNIE GENERALE D OPTIQUE)

AI summary

Method for determining a refraction of at least an eye of a person under specific spectral conditions, the method including: an eye illumination step, during which the eye of the person is illuminated under the specific spectral conditions, the specific spectral conditions being provided by a polychromatic source having a spectrum which is different from the spectrum of a white light source and/or by a chromatic filter positioned before the eye of the person and illuminated by a source; and a refraction determination step during which the refraction of the eye of the person is determined under the specific spectral conditions.