Dual-filter ophthalmic lens to reduce risk of macular degeneration

• US 20080291394A1
• Filed: 04/04/2008
• Published: 11/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: High Performance Optics Inc.
• Original Assignee: High Performance Optics Inc.
• Inventors: Ishak, Andrew
• Granted Patent: US 8,500,274 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 351/163
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/16 Intraocular lenses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/1613 having special lens configurations, e.g. multipart lenses; having particular optical properties, e.g. pseudo-accommodative lenses, lenses having aberration corrections, diffractive lenses, lenses for variably absorbing electromagnetic radiation, lenses having variable focus
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/16965 Lens includes ultraviolet absorber
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 2202/16 Laminated or compound lenses
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/10 Filters, e.g. for facilitating adaptation of the eyes to the dark; Sunglasses
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/104 having spectral characteristics for purposes other than sun-protection
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/12 Polarisers

Abstract

An improved dual-filter lens for protective eyewear that combines a first filter for blocking essentially 100% of UV light, and second filter for filtering blue light. The first filter may comprise a multi-layered dielectric mirror layer 14 or Rugate filter 50, and the second filter may comprise dye-impregnated lens layer(s) 16, 18 or Rugate filter 50. The first filter blocks essentially 100% of UV light, while the second filter establishes an increasing transmission profile that cuts on sharply at approximately 415 nm, and establishes an increasing transmission profile between approximately 415 nm to about 475 nm. The cut-on slope rises approximately 0.15% in transmissivity for every nanometer of increasing wavelength change, with a maximum filtering effect within the 440-465 nm range. These dual filters provide a balanced light transmission profile that reduces harmful light transmission and prevents macular degeneration, cataracts and other ocular injuries, while still preserving visual acuity.

Claims

1. A lens comprising:

a polymer material; and

at least two filters incorporated in the polymer material of said lens, said two filters combining to block all UV light and selectively filter blue and violet light pursuant to a sharp cut-on filter with increasing transmission profile between approximately 415 nm to about 475 nm.

2. The lens according to claim 1, wherein one of said at least two filters is a first colored dye.

3. The lens according to claim 2, wherein another of said at least two filters is a Rugate filter.

4. The lens according to claim 2, wherein another of said at least two filters is a second colored dye.

5. The lens according to claim 2, wherein said lens material comprises plastic (CR-39).

6. The lens according to claim 5, wherein 99% of visible blue light is absorbed between 400-475 nm.

7. A pair of sunglasses incorporating a lens according to claim 1.

8. A pair of contact lenses incorporating a lens according to claim 1.

9. A pair of IOLs incorporating a lens according to claim 1.

10. The lens according to claim 2, wherein said first colored dye is one from among the group of high-contrast blue-blocking amber-tint and color discriminating grey tint.

11. The lens according to claim 3, wherein said Rugate filter comprises a bandstop rugate filter for selectively filtering visible blue light between approximately 415 nm to about 475 nm to preserve macular integrity.

12. The lens according to claim 1, whereby one of said two filters is a band pass filter.

13. The lens according to claim 1, whereby one of said two filters blocks UV light.

14. The lens according to claim 1, whereby one of said two filters, filters blue light.

15. An ophthalmic lens comprising two filters, whereby one filter blocks essentially 100% of UV light, and the other filter filters blue light.

16. The ophthalmic lens according to claim 15, whereby said blue light filter has a maximum filtering effect within the 440-465 nm range.

17. The ophthalmic lens according to claim 15, wherein one of said two filters is a first colored dye.

18. The ophthalmic lens according to claim 17, wherein another of said two filters is a Rugate filter.

19. The ophthalmic lens according to claim 17, wherein another of said two filters is a second colored dye.

20. The ophthalmic lens according to claim 15, wherein said lens material comprises plastic (CR-39).

21. The ophthalmic lens according to claim 16, wherein 99% of visible blue light is absorbed between 400-475 nm.

22. A pair of sunglasses incorporating an ophthalmic lens according to claim 21.

23. A pair of contact lenses incorporating an ophthalmic lens according to claim 21.

24. A pair of IOLs incorporating an ophthalmic lens according to claim 21.

25. The ophthalmic lens according to claim 17, wherein said first colored dye is high-contrast blue-blocking amber-tint.

26. The ophthalmic lens according to claim 18, wherein said Rugate filter comprises a bandstop rugate filter for selectively filtering visible blue light between approximately 415 nm to about 475 nm to preserve macular integrity.

27. The ophthalmic lens according to claim 15, whereby one of said two filters is a band pass filter.

28. The ophthalmic lens according to claim 15, whereby one of said two filters blocks UV light.

29. The ophthalmic lens according to claim 15, whereby one of said two filters filters blue light.