Textured Intraocular Lens Surfaces for Off-Axis Glare Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Intraocular lenses (IOLs) cause photic phenomena such as glare, straylight, and halos due to light scattering and refraction at the interfaces of their fluid chambers, which affect retinal image quality.
Innovation Solution
The IOLs are designed with textured internal and peripheral surfaces to diffuse light, incorporating materials with different refractive indices and using laser texturing to reduce off-axis photic disturbances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If IOLs incorporate fluid chambers with smooth internal surfaces, then the lens can achieve desired optical power through shape change, but light scattering and refraction at the fluid chamber interfaces cause photic phenomena such as glare, straylight, and halos
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different surface qualities to different regions of the IOL. The external peripheral surface is textured to diffuse off-axis light, while the internal chamber surfaces are kept smooth to maintain optical power through shape change. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by addressing photic disturbances only where they originate from off-axis light, without interfering with the accommodation mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary textured surface layer on the external periphery that acts as a mediator between incoming off-axis light and the internal optical components. This textured surface diffuses harmful light before it reaches the fluid chamber interfaces, preventing photic phenomena without affecting the accommodation function of the internal smooth surfaces.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the internal chamber surfaces are textured to diffuse light, then off-axis photic disturbances are reduced, but the optical power and shape change capability of the lens may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the light-diffusing function from the optical power control function. The external peripheral surface is segmented as a separate light-diffusing zone, while the internal chamber surfaces remain smooth to maintain precise optical power control through shape change. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function without compromising the other.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the peripheral regions of the lens are made light-blocking, then off-axis light is reduced, but the overall light transmission and visual quality may be degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses surface texturing (a form of optical property modification) on the external peripheral surface to change how light interacts with that region. The textured surface diffuses off-axis light through microstructural modifications rather than complete blocking, allowing beneficial light transmission while reducing harmful photic disturbances from oblique angles.
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 textured surfaces effectively scatter and block light, significantly reducing glare and halos, thereby improving visual quality.
Implementation Method 1
The one or more interior walls located within the optical zone include a textured surface configured to diffuse light
Implementation Method 2
light scattering and refraction at the interfaces of their fluid chambers
Data Source
AI summary
An intraocular lens having a solid optical component having a peripheral edge located outside of and surrounding an optical zone of the intraocular lens and an internal chamber defined by one or more interior walls located within the optical zone of the intraocular lens; and a liquid optical material contained within the internal chamber. The one or more interior walls located within the optical zone comprises a textured surface configured to diffuse light. Related apparatus, methods, and devices are provided.