Lenses and spectacles bearing lenses

• US 20020149739A1
• Filed: 10/22/2001
• Published: 10/17/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CARL Zeiss Vision Australia Holdings Limited (Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung)
• Original Assignee: Colin Maurice Perrott, Oʼconnor, Kevin Douglas, Simon John Edwards
• Inventors: Perrott, Colin Maurice, Edwards, Simon John, OʼConnor, Kevin Douglas
• Granted Patent: US 6,698,884 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 351/159
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 2202/16 Laminated or compound lenses
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/02 Lenses; Lens systems ; Methods of designing lenses
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/06 bifocal; multifocal ; progressive G02C7/041 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/086 Auxiliary lenses located directly on a main spectacle lens or in the immediate vicinity of main spectacles
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/10 Filters, e.g. for facilitating adaptation of the eyes to the dark; Sunglasses
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/108 Colouring materials
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/12 Polarisers

Abstract

An optical lens element of wrap-around or shield type wherein the aperture of the lens outline or edge of at least one surface of the optical lens element is of generally ovaline shape and located on the surface of a sphere whose radius of curvature corresponds to 11 D or above, a toroid where the horizontal radius or curvature corresponds to 11 D or above, or a surface where the radius of curvature changes across at least one section of the lens aperture.

Claims

1. An ophthalmic article including

a first lens element having

a front;

a rear surface; and

an extension in the temporal region; and

a complementary lens element capable of bearing a prescription (Rx) surface having a front surface so shaped to closely approach at least a portion of the rear surface of the first lens element;

the complementary lens element providing at least a portion of the refractive power required by the wearer;

the ophthalmic article remaining substantially free of optical distortion.

2. An ophthalmic article according to claim 1, wherein the article is a pair of spectacles and the first lens element is a tinted sunglass element attached to the spectacle frame.

3. An ophthalmic article according to claim 2, wherein the complementary lens element has a front surface of complementary shape to the rear surface of the first lens element.

73. An optical lens element according to claim 1, modified to accentuate facial form in the nasal region and include a region of reduced or opposite curvature defining a nasal accentuating region.

74. A pair of optical lens element according to claim 73, mounted in a frame such that the lenses in conjunction with an attached nose-piece provide physical or radiation protection to the wearer'"'"'s nose.

4. An ophthalmic article including

a first lens element capable of bearing a prescription (Rx) surface and including an extension in the temporal region;

and

a complementary lens element having a rear surface so shaped to closely approach at least a portion of the front surface of the first lens element;

the complementary lens element providing at least a portion of the refractive power required by the wearer;

the ophthalmic article remaining substantially free of optical distortion.

6. An ophthalmic article according to claim 4, wherein the complementary lens element is a tinted sunglass lens element.

7. A lens element holder including

a pair of lens element supports;

attachment means for removably attaching the lens element holder to a spectacle frame; and

a pair of lens elements mounted on or in the lens element supports, said lens element(s) including an extension(s) in the temporal region.

8. A lens element holder according to claim 7 including a nose piece adapted to receive and retain a pair of lens elements;

the nose piece being adapted to be removably attached to the nose piece of the spectacle frame.

9. Spectacles including

a spectacle frame;

a tinted sunglass element(s) or shield element attached to the frame;

a lens element holder including a pair of lens element supports;

attachment means for optionally removably attaching the lens element holder to the spectacle frame; and

a pair of optical lens elements mounted on or in the lens element supports, said lens element(s) including an extension(s) in the temporal region.

10. Spectacles according to claim 9, wherein the optical lens elements may be optical lens wafers.

11. Spectacles according to claim 9, wherein the pair of optical lens wafers are back lens wafers capable of forming a prescription (Rx) surface.

13. Spectacles according to claim 12, wherein the attachment means is designed for removably attaching the lens element holder to the front of the spectacle frame.

14. Spectacles according to claim 13, wherein the optical lens elements are a pair of optical lens wafers.

15. Spectacles according to claim 14, wherein the optical lens wafers are front lens wafers.

18. An optical lens element according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the front surface exhibits a change of base curve across the field of vision of the wearer, the base curves being smoothly blended to avoid a prismatic jump in the Rx zone.

19. An optical lens element according to claim 18, wherein each surface corresponds to the formula

20. An optical lens element according to claim 18, wherein both front and back surfaces of the lens change base curve to provide the desired prescription (Rx) in the prescription zone without astigmatic, mean power or prismatic errors;

and the back surface is selected to be of complementary shape, or vice versa.

21. An optical lens element according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the lens element is adapted for mounting in a frame of the wrap-around or shield type, such that the lens is rotated temporally about a vertical axis through the optical centre thereof.

22. An optical lens element according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the lens element is adapted for mounting in a frame of the wrap-around or shield type, such that the lens is decentred to displace its optical axis from the line of sight while maintaining parallelism between the two.

23. An optical lens element according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the lens element is adapted for mounting in a frame of the wrap-around or shield type, such that the lens both decentred and rotated temporally about a vertical axis through the optical centre thereof.

24. An optical lens element according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the peripheral temporal zone is at least in part of generally toric physical shape.

25. An optical lens element according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the peripheral temporal zone is at least in part generally piano, the front surface being modified in the peripheral temporal zone to substantially correspond to the curvature of the back surface.

26. An optical lens element according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the lens element is modified to permit light control.

27. An optical lens element according to claim 26, wherein the lens element includes one or more of the group consisting of a mirror coating, a light control coating, a light polarizing member, a reflective coating or a light control tint within the peripheral temporal zone.

28. An optical lens element according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the lens element is generally rotationally symmetrical about its geometric centre.

29. An optical lens element according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the lens element is modified to provide multi-focal correction or progressive power addition.

30. An optical lens element according to claim 29, wherein the lens element is modified to permit light control.

31. An optical lens element according to claim 30, wherein the lens element includes one or more of the group consisting of a mirror coating, a light control coating, a light polarizing member, a reflective coating or a light control tint within the peripheral temporal zone.

12. Spectacles including

a spectacle frame;

a pair of ophthalmic lenses capable of bearing a prescription (Rx) surface;

a lens element holder including

a lens element support(s);

attachment means for optionally removably attaching the lens element holder to the spectacle frame; and

an optical lens element(s) mounted on or in the lens element support,

said lens element(s) including an extension(s) in the temporal region.

16. An optical lens element including a front and back surface, at least one surface being continuous, and forming a prescription (Rx) zone and optionally a peripheral temporal zone;

at least one surface exhibiting a change of base curve across the field of vision of the wearer;

the front and/or back surface bearing a surface correction to at least partially adjust for optical errors.

17. An optical lens element including a front and back surface, at least one surface being continuous, and forming a prescription (Rx) zone and optionally a non-prescription peripheral temporal zone,

at least one surface exhibiting a change of base curve across the field of vision of the wearer;

the front and/or back surface bearing a surface correction to at least partially adjust for optical errors.

32. An optical lens element providing a prescription (Rx) correction zone in the range of about −

6.0 D to +6.0 D and optionally a peripheral temporal zone for providing a shield in the area of the temples,

wherein the front surface is capable of being mounted in a frame of constant design curve irrespective of the Rx, such frame curves being 5.0 D and above;

the back surface provides good clearance from temples or eye lashes; and

at least one surface exhibits a change of base curve across the field of vision of the wearer;

the front and/or back surface bearing a surface correction to at least partially adjust for optical errors.

33. An optical lens element according to claim 32, wherein the peripheral temporal zone is a non-prescription zone.

34. An optical lens element according to claim 32 wherein the front surface exhibits a change of base curve across the field of vision of the wearer, the base curves being smoothly blended to avoid a prismatic jump in the Rx zone.

35. An optical lens element according to claim 34, wherein the front surface of the lens element has a base curve of approximately 0.0 D to approximately 8.0 D extending from the nasal limit to the optical centre of the lens element and a high base curve from the optical centre to the temporal limit of approximately 8.0 D or above, but the vertical curve is 8.0 D or below.

36. An optical element according to claim 32, wherein at least one surface provides multi-focal correction or progressive power addition

37. An optical lens element according to claim 32, wherein the lens element is modified to permit light control.

38. An optical lens element according to claim 32, wherein the lens element includes one or more of the group consisting of a mirror coating, a light control coating, a light polarizing member, a reflective coating or a light control tint within the peripheral temporal zone.

40. A unitary lens according to claim 39 wherein the peripheral temporal zone is a non-prescription zone.

41. A unitary lens according to claim 39, wherein the lens provides true Rx correction in the prescription (Rx) zone for a wearer not greater than 50°

of eye rotation off axis and terminating in a peripheral temporal zone, that provides clear perception of objects in the peripheral area of human vision and avoids prismatic jump in the prescription zone.

45. An optical lens element according to claim 41 wherein each surface corresponds to the formula

39. A unitary lens including a pair of optical lens elements, each lens element including

a front and back surface, at least one surface being continuous, and forming a prescription (Rx) zone and a peripheral temporal zone for providing a shield in the area of the temples, which zones are smoothly blended to avoid a prismatic jump from the Rx zone to the temporal zone;

and

providing prescription (Rx) correction in the range of about −

6.0 D to +6.0 D,

wherein the front surface is capable of being mounted in a frame of constant design curve irrespective of the Rx, such frame curves being 5.0 D and above; and

the back surface provides good clearance from temples or eye lashes; and

at least one surface exhibits a change of base curve across the field of vision of the wearer.

42. An optical lens element adapted for mounting in a frame of the wrap-around or shield type, such that the lens element is rotated temporally about a vertical axis through the optical centre thereof, the lens element including

a front and back surface, at least one surface being continuous and forming a prescription (Rx) zone and a peripheral temporal zone;

the front and/or back surface bearing a surface correction to at least partially adjust for optical errors including astigmatic and mean power errors;

at least one surface exhibits a change of base curve across the field of vision of the wearer.

43. An optical lens element according to claim 42, wherein the front and/or back surface further includes a surface correction to at least partially adjust for prismatic errors.

44. An optical lens element according to claim 42 wherein the lens element is generally rotationally symmetrical about its geometric centre.

46. An optical lens element according to claim 42 wherein the back surface includes a base curvature such that the patient'"'"'s required prescription power, Rx, in the prescription zone is achieved;

the back surface being further modified to complement the front surface selected.

47. An optical lens element according to claim 46 wherein the back surface further includes an astigmatic and mean power error correction to compensate for lens wrap.

48. An optical lens element according to claim 42, wherein the lens element is modified to provide multi-focal correction or progressive power addition.

49. An optical lens element according to claim 42, wherein the lens element is modified to permit light control.

50. An optical lens element adapted for mounting in a frame of the wrap-around or shield type, such that the lens element is decentred so that the optical axis and direct line of sight remain parallel, the lens element including

a front and back surface, at least one surface being continuous and forming a prescription (Rx) zone and a peripheral temporal zone;

the front and/or back surface bearing a surface correction to at least partially adjust for optical errors including astigmatic and mean power errors;

at least one surface exhibits a change of base curve across the field of vision of the wearer.

51. An optical lens element according to claim 50, wherein the front and/or back surface further includes a surface correction to at least partially adjust for prismatic errors.

52. An optical lens element according to claim 50 wherein the lens element is generally rotationally symmetrical about its geometric centre.

53. An optical lens element according to claim 50 wherein the back surface includes a base curvature such that the patient'"'"'s required prescription power, Rx, in the prescription zone is achieved;

the back surface being further modified to complement the front surface selected.

54. An optical lens element according to claim 53 wherein the back surface further includes an prismatic and astigmatic and mean power error correction to compensate for lens wrap and decentration.

55. An optical lens element according to claim 50, wherein the lens element is modified to provide multi-focal correction or progressive power addition.

56. An optical lens element according to claim 50, wherein the lens element is modified to permit light control.

58. An optical lens according to claim 57, wherein the lens element includes a non-prescription peripheral temporal zone.

59. An optical lens element according to claim 57, wherein the lens element is generally rotationally symmetrical about its geometric centre.

60. An optical lens element according to claim 59, wherein the lens element is rotated temporally about a vertical axis through the optical centre thereof.

61. An, optical lens element according to claim 57, wherein the front and/or back surface further includes a surface correction to at least partially adjust for off-axis astigmatic and mean power errors as well as to avoid prismatic jump.

62. An optical lens element according to claim 57, wherein the lens element is modified to provide multi-focal correction or progressive power addition.

63. An optical lens element according to claim 57, wherein the lens element is modified to permit light control.

57. An optical lens element adapted for mounting in a frame of the wrap around or shield type, the lens element including

a front and back surface, at least one surface being continuous, forming a prescription (Rx) zone and a peripheral temporal zone;

the front and/or back surface bearing a surface correction to at least partially adjust for errors including astigmatic and mean power errors;

at least one surface exhibits a change of base curve across the field of vision of the wearer;

wherein the optical axis is decentred relative to the geometric axis of the lens element to provide for prismatic correction.

64. A laminate optical article adapted for mounting in a frame of the wrap-around or shield type, including

a front lens element;

a complementary back lens element, at least one of the front and back surfaces of the laminate optical article being continuous and forming a prescription (Rx) zone;

at least one surface exhibits a change of base curve across the field of vision of the wearer;

the front and/or back surface bearing a correction to at least partially adjust for errors including astigmatic and mean power errors;

the front and/or back lens element optionally including

a peripheral temporal zone.

65. A laminate optical article according to claim 64, wherein the front and/or back lens elements include a peripheral temporal zone which is a non-prescription zone.

66. A laminate optical article according to claim 64, wherein the front surface exhibits a change of base curve across the field of vision of the wearer, the base curves being smoothly blended to avoid a prismatic jump in the Rx zone.

67. A laminate optical article according to claim 66, wherein the front and back lens elements are generally rotationally symmetric about their respective geometric centres.

68. A laminate optical article according to claim 67, wherein the laminate article is rotated temporally about a vertical axis through the optical centre thereof, or the optical axis is decentred relative to the geometric axis, or the laminate article is both rotated and decentred.

70. A method according to claim 69, including providing a mathematical or numerical representation of an aspheric front surface of an optical lens element including a first section designed to provide the desired prescription (Rx) in the prescription zone and adding thereto a mathematical or numerical representation of an overlapping section of increased base curve such that the complete lens surface exhibits a change of base curve across the field of vision of the wearer thus forming a second section of increased base curve;

rotating and/or decentring the representation of the lens surface to permit mounting in a suitable frame; and

subsequently providing a mathematical or numerical representation of a prescription (Rx) back surface; and

modifying the representation of the back surface of the lens element to at least partially adjust for errors including astigmatic and mean power errors.

71. A method according to claim 70, including

providing

a mathematical or numerical representation of a surface of an optical lens element including a section designed to provide the desired prescription (Rx) in the prescription zone;

and adding thereto

a first mathematical or numerical representation of a second overlapping section of increased base curve such that the complete lens surface exhibits a change of base curve across the field of vision of the wearer,

a second mathematical or numerical representation of a transition section designed to smoothly blend in the prescription section and the second overlapping section to define a complete lens surface;

rotating and/or decentring the representation of the lens surface to permit mounting in a suitable frame; and

modifying the representation of the lens surface to at least partially adjust for errors including astigmatic and mean power errors.

72. A method according to claim 71 wherein each surface corresponds to the formula

69. A method of designing an optical lens element adapted for mounting in a form of the wrap-around or shield type, which method includes

providing

mathematical or numerical representation of a surface of an optical lens element including a first section designed to provide the desired prescription (Rx) in the prescription zone;

and adding thereto a mathematical or numerical representation of an overlapping section of increased base curve such that the complete lens surface exhibits a change of base curve across the field of vision of the wearer thus forming a second section of increased base curve;

rotating and/or decentring the representation of the lens surface to permit mounting in a suitable frame; and

modifying the representation of the lens surface to at least partially correct for astigmatic and mean power errors.

75. Spectacles including

a spectacle frame of the wrap-around type adapted to receive a pair of ophthalmic lenses such that each lens is rotated temporally about a vertical axis through the optical centre thereof;

and

a pair of optical lenses, each lens including

a front and back surface together forming a prescription (Rx) zone and a peripheral temporal zone,

the front and/or back surface bearing a surface correction to at least partially adjust for errors including astigmatic and mean power errors;

at least one surface exhibiting a change of base curve across the field of vision of the wearer.

76. Spectacles according to claim 75 wherein the peripheral temporal zone is a non-prescription zone.

77. Spectacles including

a spectacle frame of the wrap-around type;

a pair of optical lens elements which lens elements provide true Rx correction in a prescription (Rx) zone for a wearer 60°

of eye rotation off axis, and terminating in a peripheral temporal zone,

each lens element having at least one surface which exhibits a change of base curve across the field of vision of the wearer,

at least one surface exhibiting a change of base curve across the field of vision of the wearer;

the lens elements providing clear perception of objects in the peripheral area of human vision and avoiding prismatic jump in the prescription zone.