Contact Lens and Method for Prevention of Myopia Progression

• US 20080062380A1
• Filed: 07/01/2005
• Published: 03/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Auckland UniServices Limited (Auckland University)
• Original Assignee: Auckland UniServices Limited (Auckland University)
• Inventors: Phillips, John
• Granted Patent: US 7,766,478 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 351/161
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00 Methods or devices for treatment of the eyes; Devices for putting-in contact lenses; Devices to correct squinting; Apparatus to guide the blind; Protective devices for the eyes, carried on the body or in the hand caps with means for protecting the eyes A42B1/018; visors for helmets A42B3/22; retractors A61B17/02; manipulators specially adapted for use in surgery A61B34/70; appliances to aid invalids to move about A61H3/00; exercisers for the eyes A61H5/00; eye baths A61H35/02; sunglasses or goggles having the same features as spectacles G02C
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 2202/24 Myopia progression prevention
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/027 considering wearer's parameters
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/04 Contact lenses for the eyes disinfection or sterilisation of contact lenses A61L12/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/042 Simultaneous type
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/045 Sectorial configuration

Abstract

A method of slowing the progression of myopia in a person, comprises applying to the eye of the person contact lens or lenses each including a vision correction area for correcting in use the myopic vision of a wearer, and a myopic defocus area having a less negative focal power, to simultaneously present a controlled myopic defocus to the retina both when viewing in the distance and also when viewing at near. Contact lenses and their use are also claimed.

Claims

8. A contact lens including a vision correction area for correcting in use the myopic vision of a wearer correct pre-existing myopia allowing the wearer to see distant objects clearly, and a myopic defocus area for simultaneously in use presenting a myopic defocused image to the wearer which applies a controlled myopic defocus to the retina both when the wearer is viewing in the distance and also when viewing at near, so that a clear retinal image and myopic defocus during both distance and near viewing are simultaneously presented to the eye(s) of the wearer.

10. A contact lens according to claim 8 wherein the focal power of the treatment area of the lens is up to 5 dioptres less negative than the focal power of the vision correcting area.

11. A contact lens according to claim 8 wherein the focal power of the treatment area of the lens is between about 1 and about 3 dioptres less negative than the focal power of the vision correcting area.

12. A contact lens according to claim 8 wherein the focal power of the treatment area of the lens is about 2 dioptres less negative than the focal power of the vision correcting area.

9. A contact lens including a vision correction area having a negative focal power for correcting pre-existing myopia of a wearer and a myopic defocus area having a negative focal power which is less negative than the negative focal power of the vision correcting area to simultaneously present a controlled myopic defocus to the retina both when viewing in the distance and also when viewing at near.

1. A method of slowing the progression of myopia in a person, comprising applying to the eye(s) of the person or prescribing for the person, a contact lens or lens(es) each including a vision correction area for correcting in use the myopic vision of a wearer, and a myopic defocus area which simultaneously in use presents a myopic defocused image to the wearer, to thereby counter abnormal axial elongation of the eye(s) of the wearer.

2. A method according to claim 1 comprising applying to the eye(s) of the person or prescribing for the person, a contact lens or lens(es) the focal power of the treatment area of which is up to 5 dioptres less negative than the focal power of the vision correcting area.

3. A method according to claim 1 comprising applying to the eye(s) of the person or prescribing for the person, a contact lens or lens(es) the focal power of the treatment area of which is between about 1 and about 3 dioptres less negative than the focal power of the vision correcting area.

4. A method according to claim 1 comprising applying to the eye(s) of the person or prescribing for the person, a contact lens or lens(es) the focal power of the treatment area of which is about 2 dioptres less negative than the focal power of the vision correcting area.

5. A method according to claim 1 comprising applying to the eye(s) of the person or prescribing for the person, a contact lens or lens(es) in which the myopic defocus area comprises two separate part-circular shaped areas which impinge onto the area of the surface of the contact lens from either side or from above and below and in which the balance of the lens comprises the vision correction area.

6. A method according to claim 1 comprising applying to the eye(s) of the person or prescribing for the person, a contact lens or lens(es) in which the myopic defocus area comprises one half of the lens and the vision correction zone comprises the other half of the lens.

7. A method according to claim 1 comprising applying to the eye(s) of the person or prescribing for the person, a contact lens or lens(es) in which the vision correction zone comprises a central ovaloid area of the lens and the myopic defocus area comprises the balance of the lens.

13. A contact lens according to claim 9 in which the myopic defocus area comprises two separate part-circular shaped areas which impinge onto the area of the surface of the contact lens from either side or from above and below and in which the balance of the lens comprises the vision correction area.

14. A contact lens according to claim 9 in which the myopic defocus area comprises one half of the lens and the vision correction area comprises the other half of the lens.

15. A contact lens according to claim 9 in which the vision correction zone comprises a central ovaloid area of the lens and the myopic defocus area comprises the balance of the lens.

18. A contact lens according to claim 9 wherein the focal power of the treatment area of the lens is up to 5 dioptres less negative than the focal power of the vision correcting area.

20. A contact lens according to claim 9 wherein the focal power of the treatment area of the lens is about 2 dioptres less negative than the focal power of the vision correcting area.

16. Use, in the manufacture of a contact lens system or kit for treating or slowing the progression of myopia in a patient, of two or more contact lenses which may be the same or different, at least one of which includes a vision correction area for correcting in use the myopic vision of the patient and a myopic defocus area for simultaneously presenting in use a myopic defocused image to the patient.

17. Use of a contact lens including a vision correction area for correcting in use the myopic vision of a person and a myopic defocus area for simultaneously presenting in use a myopic defocused image to the person, for the technical purpose of correcting the person'"'"'s myopic vision causing lens-induced functional emmetropia on application of the contact lens to the person'"'"'s eye.

18-1. A contact lens according to claim 9 wherein the focal power of the treatment area of the lens is between about 1 and about 3 dioptres less negative than the focal power of the vision correcting area.