Therapeutic Optical Structure for Emerging Myopia Regulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for treating myopia primarily focus on increasing the central corneal radius, which are ineffective for emerging myopia, as they do not address the need to decrease the radius of curvature of the mid-peripheral cornea, and fail to regulate the growth of the eye effectively during the early stages of refractive error development.
Innovation Solution
A therapeutic optical structure that focuses the peripheral image field in front of the mid-peripheral retina while maintaining the central image focused on the central retina, using a contact lens or corneal reshaping technique, without substantially reshaping the central cornea, by employing a central zone with a power matching the refractive error and an annular zone that creates off-axis retinal defocus to regulate eye growth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If current lens designs increase the radius of curvature of the central cornea, then refractive error is reduced, but emerging myopia cannot be regulated because the mid peripheral cornea is not reshaped
Solution Approach 1:
The contact lens design applies different optical properties to different zones: the central zone maintains or increases radius of curvature for refractive error correction, while the mid peripheral zone decreases radius of curvature to create myopic defocus. This local differentiation allows simultaneous addressing of both central vision correction and peripheral myopia prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The lens is divided into distinct functional zones: a central zone for correcting refractive error and a mid peripheral zone for preventing myopia progression. This segmentation allows each zone to independently perform its specific function without interfering with the other, resolving the contradiction between correcting existing error and preventing future progression.
2Manufacturing precision
If the central cornea is reshaped to correct myopia, then central vision is improved, but the peripheral image field remains defocused failing to regulate eye growth
Solution Approach 1:
The optical structure provides different image focus qualities in different regions: central rays are focused on the retina for clear vision, while peripheral rays are deliberately defocused in front of the retina to create myopic defocus. This local quality differentiation simultaneously achieves clear central vision and reliable myopia progression regulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The mid peripheral corneal reshaping acts as an intermediary mechanism that translates central corneal treatment into peripheral myopic defocus. By reshaping the mid peripheral zone with a shorter radius of curvature, the system creates an optical intermediary effect that protects against myopia progression while maintaining central vision correction.
3Manufacturing precision
If a lens focuses peripheral images on the retina, then clear peripheral vision is achieved, but myopia progression is not regulated
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of focusing peripheral images on the retina for clear peripheral vision, the invention inverts the approach by deliberately defocusing peripheral images in front of the retina. This creates myopic defocus that signals the eye to slow axial elongation, thereby regulating myopia progression while accepting some peripheral vision trade-off.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts what would normally be considered an optical defect (peripheral defocus) into a beneficial therapeutic effect. By allowing peripheral images to focus in front of the retina rather than on it, the system creates myopic defocus that actively regulates eye growth and prevents myopia progression, turning a potential vision quality issue into a protective mechanism.
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 effectively regulates emerging myopia by preventing or halting the progression of refractive error without altering the central cornea's curvature, making it suitable for early intervention in children and individuals not yet experiencing myopia.
Implementation Method 1
A therapeutic optical structure or method producing an off axis image field that places the peripheral image field in front of the mid peripheral retina
Implementation Method 2
Exemplary therapeutic optical structures can be achieved by way of corneal reshaping or by way of a contact lens, or other refractive correction system or method
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention, an eye is presented with a therapeutic optical structure (e.g., corneal reshaping or by way of a contact lens) that focuses the peripheral image field in at least one meridian in front of the mid peripheral retina. In general, the therapeutic optical structure places the peripheral image field with reference to the retina in the direction and amplitude that growth is needed in order that the emerging myopia would be regulated. In accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention, an eye is presented with a therapeutic optical structure that further produces a central retinal image that is focused on the central retina in at least one meridian so as to not reshape the central cornea.