Method and apparatus for treating refractive eye abnormalities
First Claim
1. A method for treating a refractive abnormality, comprising the steps of:
- identifying a refractive abnormality of an eye; and
treating said refractive abnormality by controlling a spectral power distribution of visible light incident to the eye to effect a change in the shape of the eve over time.
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Abstract
A method for treating refractive eye abnormalities, including myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism, by shifting the spectral distribution of incident light is described. Optical filters or tints are provided on eyeglasses, contact lenses, intra-ocular implants, or at ambient light sources to shift the spectral distribution of light entering the eye being treated. Ambient light sources emitting at specified spectral distribution or wavelength range can also be used. In this way, the average spectral distribution of visible light incident to an eye is controlled to treat refractive eye abnormalities. Changes in the eyeball shape and focus resulting from an eye'"'"'s response to the spectral distribution of light are prevented, mitigated, halted, or even reversed. The visible spectral content is shifted to shorter or longer wavelengths over an entire field of view detected by the retina to treat myopia and hyperopia respectively. To correct for astigmatism, the spectral distribution of light is shifted within selected areas of a retina field of view corresponding to an abnormal power.
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Citations
42 Claims
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1. A method for treating a refractive abnormality, comprising the steps of:
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identifying a refractive abnormality of an eye; and treating said refractive abnormality by controlling a spectral power distribution of visible light incident to the eye to effect a change in the shape of the eve over time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An apparatus for treating myopia in an eye comprising:
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an optical device for passing light to the eye; and a blue filter for filtering light passing through said optical device to the eye to effect a change in the shape of the eye over time to treat the myopia. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A light source apparatus for treating myopia, comprising:
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a light source for emitting visible light; and a blue filter for filtering the emitted light incident to an eye to effect a change in the shape of the eve over time to treat the myopia.
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27. An apparatus for treating hyperopia comprising:
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an optical device for passing light to an eye; and a red filter for filtering light passing through said optical device to the eye to substantially block wavelengths less than 590 nm, and to effect a change in the shape of the eve over time to treat the hyperopia. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A light source apparatus for treating hyperopia, comprising:
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a light source for emitting visible light; and a red filter for filtering the emitted light incident to an eye to substantially block wavelengths less than 590 nm, and to effect a change in the shape of the eye over time to treat the hyperopia.
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34. An apparatus for treating astigmatism comprising:
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an optical device for passing light to an eye; and a sectioned-filter including red and blue filter sections for filtering light passing through said optical device to the eye to effect a change in the shape of the eve over time to treat the astigmatism. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37)
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38. A method for treating myopia, comprising:
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receiving incident visible light having a spectral distribution including red and blue spectral components at an eye; and filtering said spectral distribution of the received incident light passing to the eye to reduce the magnitude of red spectral components relative to the magnitude of blue spectral components to treat the myopia such that a response of the eye to red spectral components which causes the eye to lengthen is prevented, mitigated, or reversed.
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39. A method for treating hyperopia, comprising the steps of:
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receiving incident visible light having a spectral distribution including red and blue spectral components; and filtering said spectral distribution of the received incident light to reduce the magnitude of blue spectral components relative to the magnitude of red spectral components to treat the hyperopia such that a response of the eye to blue spectral components which causes the eye to shorten is prevented, mitigated, or reversed.
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40. A method for treating astigmatism in an eye having at least first and second retina regions, wherein the astigmatism focuses light passing within the eye at a focus position behind the retina in the first retina region and in front of the retina in the second retina region, comprising the steps of:
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receiving incident visible light having a spectral distribution including red and blue spectral components; filtering a spectral distribution of the incident light in the field of view of the first retina region to reduce the magnitude of blue spectral components relative to the magnitude of red spectral components; and filtering a spectral distribution of the incident light in the field of view of the second retina region to reduce the magnitude of red spectral components relative to the magnitude of blue spectral components such that a response of the eye at the first retina section to blue spectral components which causes the eye to shorten is prevented, mitigated, or reversed, and a response of the eye at the second retina section to red spectral components which causes the eye to lengthen is prevented, mitigated, or reversed.
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41. A method for treating astigmatism, comprising the steps of:
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receiving incident visible light having a spectral distribution including red and blue spectral components; and filtering said spectral distribution of the received incident light to reduce the magnitude of red spectral components relative to the magnitude of blue spectral components to effect a change in the shape of the eye over time to treat the astigmatism in at least a portion of the field of view of an eye.
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42. A method for treating astigmatism, comprising the steps of:
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receiving incident visible light having a spectral distribution including red and blue spectral components; and filtering said spectral distribution of the received incident light to reduce the magnitude of blue spectral components relative to the magnitude of red spectral components to effect a change in the shape of the eye over time to treat the astigmatism in at least a portion of the field of view of an eye.
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Specification