Toric lens with orientation wave forms

• US 5,500,695 A
• Filed: 01/18/1994
• Issued: 03/19/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dugmont Pty Limited
• Original Assignee: Steve Newman
• Inventors: Newman, Steve
• Primary Examiner(s): Sugarman, Scott J.
• Application Number:
  US08/167,823
• Time in Patent Office: 791 Days
• Field of Search: 351/160 R, 351/160 H, 351/161, 351/162
• US Class Current: 351/161
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/021 with pattern for identification or with cosmetic or therapeutic effects methods and processes take preference, e.g. printing, marking or copying processes B41M; identification in general G09F3/00; producing decorative effects in general B44C; surface treatment of glass C03C15/00 - C03C23/00; positioning or marking of lenses B24B13/0055
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/041 bifocal; multifocal
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/048 Means for stabilising the orientation of lenses in the eye

Abstract

An improved contact lens (1) having an optic zone (4) and a radial planar zone (5) such that the radial planar zone has an array of contours which are defined by a waveform or waveforms (2, 3) comprising crests and troughs on the back and/or front surface of the lens. The waveform(s) provide(s) means to enable proper location and orientation of the lens on the eye of a wearer by interaction between the lens, the eye and an eyelid and facilitating increased gas transmission through the lens.

Claims

1. A contact lens having an optic zone and an outer radial planar zone, the lens comprising an array of contours which are defined by at least one waveform comprising crests and troughs on at least one of the back and front surfaces of the lens, said at least one waveform providing means to enable proper location and orientation of the lens on the eye of a wearer by interaction between said lens, said eye and an eyelid and allowing sufficient gas transmission through said lens.

2. A contact lens according to claim 1 wherein said at least one waveform is formed by means of a raised and lowered area on part or all of the outer radial planar zone of the lens to harness the lens orientation forces.

3. A contact lens according to claim 2 wherein said at least one waveform is configured to maximise resistance of the lens to rotation.

4. A contact lens according to claim 3 wherein said at least one waveform is disposed either randomly or according to a configuration dictated by the requirements of a particular user.

5. A contact lens according to claim 4 wherein said at least one waveform is symmetrical about either the horizontal or vertical axis of the lens.

6. A contact lens according to claim 5 wherein the direction of travel of said at least one waveform is either radial, parallel with or at an angle to either or both the vertical axis and horizontal axis of the lens.

7. A contact lens according to claim 6 wherein the depth of the wave troughs vary from wave to wave.

8. A contact lens according to claim 7 wherein there is one waveform in the planar zone over the first and second quadrants of the lens.

9. A contact lens according to claim 7 wherein a first waveform is disposed in the planar zone between the fourth and first quadrants of the lens and a second wave symmetrical with said first wave about the horizontal axis is disposed in the second and third quadrants of the lens.

10. A contact lens according to claim 7 wherein one waveform is disposed in the direction of the vertical axis and spans the first and second quadrants of the lens.

11. A contact lens according to claim 7 wherein the waveforms are substantially parallel and are formed in series near the edge of the lens.

12. A contact lens according to claim 7 wherein the waveforms are either disposed in a radial array around the periphery of the lens or disposed randomly across at least one of the front surface and back surface of the lens.

13. A contact lens according to claim 1 wherein the planar zone comprises in addition to said at least one waveform, thin zones or prism ballast.

14. A contact lens according to claim 13 wherein the optic zone is mono, bi or multi-focal.

15. A contact lens according to claim 14 wherein the forces generated between the eyelid of a wearer and the lens are, by virtue of said at least one waveform, channelled downwards, backwards and outwards towards both nasal and tarsal canthi thereby effecting stabilisation of the lens.

16. A contact lens according to claim 3 wherein the planar zone comprises in addition to said at least one waveform, thin zones or prism ballast.

17. A contact lens according to claim 2 wherein the planar zone comprises in addition to said at least one waveform, thin zones or prism ballast.

18. A contact lens according to claim 5 wherein the planar zone comprises in addition to said at least one waveform, thin zones or prism ballast.

19. A contact lens according to claim 1 wherein said at least one waveform is on the front convex surface of the lens.

20. A contact lens according to claim 1 wherein said at least one waveform is disposed only in said outer radial planar zone.

21. A contact lens according to claim 1 wherein each waveform has two ends, and the waveform extends between said ends in a wave pattern when viewed from the front surface or back surface of the lens.

22. A contact lens having an optic zone and an outer radial planar zone, the lens comprising at least one waveform, each waveform comprising crests and troughs on at least one of the back and front surfaces of the lens, said at least one waveform providing means to enable location and orientation of the lens on the eye of a wearer by interaction between said lens, said eye and an eyelid and allowing sufficient gas transmission through said lens, each of said waveforms being located only in said outer planar zone and having a plurality of alternating turns between the ends of the waveform.