Segmented Optical Lens for Myopia Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional single vision optical lenses often fail to correct myopia effectively for near vision in children, leading to increased progression of myopia due to inaccurate focusing, which can cause elongation of the eye and further refractive defects.
Innovation Solution
An optical lens with multiple contiguous optical elements, designed to slow down the progression of abnormal refractions by ensuring that a majority of light rays pass through elements with specific optical powers and dimensions, maintaining a Modulation Transfer Function greater than 0.1 between 0 and 20 cyc/deg, and optimizing optical path differences to reduce peripheral defocus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional single vision optical lenses are used to correct myopia for far vision, then the prescribed refractive power is provided, but the focusing accuracy for near vision deteriorates leading to image formation behind the retina
Solution Approach 1:
The lens is divided into multiple contiguous optical elements (at least 5 elements) with different optical characteristics. Each element processes light rays from specific zones, creating multiple focal points at different distances. This segmentation allows the lens to simultaneously provide accurate focus for both far vision (central zone) and near vision (peripheral zones), resolving the contradiction between single-vision correction and multi-vision adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different zones of the lens have different optical properties. The central zone provides the prescribed refractive power for far vision, while peripheral zones contain optical elements with powers designed to create focal points in front of the retina for near vision. This local differentiation of optical quality enables the lens to adapt to different viewing conditions across its surface, simultaneously achieving precise focusing for both distance and near objects.
2Reliability
If strong defocusing of light behind the retina occurs in peripheral vision, then the prescribed refractive power is maintained for foveal vision, but the eye elongates causing myopia progression
Solution Approach 1:
The peripheral optical elements are designed to create focal points in front of the retina (myopic defocus) rather than allowing light to focus behind the retina (hyperopic defocus). This preliminary anti-action counteracts the elongation stimulus by pre-positioning the focal point anteriorly, thereby preventing the biomechanical response of eye growth that would otherwise occur due to retinal hyperopic defocus, while maintaining stable central refraction.
3Measurement precision
If multiple contiguous optical elements are introduced to improve near vision focusing, then the focusing accuracy for near vision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple optical elements are merged into a single integrated lens structure where contiguous elements work together as one optical system. The elements are arranged in a regular pattern (e.g., hexagonal or square grid) and collectively provide the multifocal functionality without requiring separate components. This merging approach achieves complex near-vision correction while maintaining a relatively simple, monolithic lens form factor that is easy to manufacture and wear.
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 optical lens effectively slows down the progression of myopia or hyperopia by ensuring that light rays are focused at a consistent distance from the retina, reducing peripheral defocus and elongation of the eye, while providing the prescribed refractive power for the wearer.
Implementation Method 1
optical lens intended to be worn in front of an eye of a wearer having at least one prescribed refractive power Px... each of the contiguous optical element verifies that d×|P|=K with |P| the absolute value of a characteristic optical power
Data Source
AI summary
An optical lens to be worn in front of an eye of a wearer having at least one prescribed refractive power Px, the optical lens including two opposite optical faces and a plurality of contiguous optical elements at least part of the optical elements having an optical function of not focusing an image on the retina of the eye of the wearer so as to slow down the progression of the abnormal refraction of the eye. Over a pupil having at least a 4 mm diameter, one can measure in a plane corresponding to the at least one prescribed refractive power along at least one direction, a Modulation Transfer Function through the optical lens greater than 0.1 between 0 and 20 cyc/deg.