Progressive multifocal lens and manufacturing method of eyeglass lens and progressive multifocal lens

• US 6,019,470 A
• Filed: 06/03/1997
• Issued: 02/01/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: EHS Lens Philippines, Inc. (Hoya Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Mukaiyama, Hiroyuki, Kato, Kazutoshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Sugarman, Scott J.
• Application Number:
  US08/849,386
• Time in Patent Office: 973 Days
• Field of Search: 351/168, 351/169, 351/170, 351/171, 351/172, 351/177
• US Class Current: 351/169
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/061 Spectacle lenses with progressively varying focal power
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/068 Special properties achieved by the combination of the front and back surfaces

Abstract

A progressive multifocal lens used for correction of vision includes a progressive refractive surface positioned closest to the user'"'"'s eye when the lens is worn by the user, and a second surface on an object side of the lens. Because the base curve of the second surface can be a constant spherical surface, it is possible to prevent variations in magnification due to shape factors. In addition, differences in magnification between a distance-vision region and a near-vision region of the progressive multifocal lens are reduced, and variations in the magnification of a progressive refractive region in the progressive multifocal lens can be suppressed. Accordingly, image jumping and warping due to differences in magnification are reduced, resulting in a comfortable visual field for the user. A progressive multifocal lens for correction of astigmatism includes a progressive refractive surface and a toric surface that are combined to form a composite surface positioned closest to the user'"'"'s eye when the lens is worn by the user.

Claims

1. A progressive multifocal lens capable of correcting a user'"'"'s vision and having a first major surface and a second major surface, where the first major surface is positioned closest to the user'"'"'s eye when the progressive multifocal lens is worn by the user, the progressive multifocal lens comprising:

a distance-vision region having a first refractive power;

a near-vision region having a second refractive power; and

a progressive region joining the distance-vision region and the near-vision region and having a refractive power that varies gradually;

wherein the first major surface is a composite surface that comprises a progressive refractive surface comprising the distance-vision region, near-vision region, and progressive region; and

wherein the first major surface includes a surface that corrects astigmatism.

2. The progressive multifocal lens of claim 1, wherein the second major surface of the progressive multifocal lens is spherical.

3. The progressive multifocal lens of claim 1, wherein the second major surface of the progressive multifocal lens is rotationally symmetric and non-spherical.

4. The progressive multifocal lens of claim 1, wherein:

the second major surface of the progressive multifocal lens is rotationally symmetric;

a main line of sight extends from the distance-vision region to the near-vision region; and

space="preserve" listing-type="equation">0.5≦

(D1-D2)≦

3.5

wherein;

D1 is an average surface refractive power of the first major surface in the distance-vision region in a vicinity of the main line of sight; and

D2 is an average surface refractive power of the first major surface in the near-vision region in a vicinity of the main line of sight.

5. The progressive multifocal lens of claim 1, wherein a main line of sight extends from the distance-vision region to the near-vision region and a curvature of the progressive refractive surface along the main line of sight decreases in the direction of the near-vision region.

6. The progressive multifocal lens of claim 1, wherein a main line of sight extends from the distance-vision region to the near-vision region and a curvature of the progressive refractive surface in the distance-vision region decreases along at least one direction that progresses away from the main line of sight.

7. The progressive multifocal lens of claim 1, wherein a main line of sight extends from the distance-vision region to the near-vision region and a curvature of the progressive refractive surface in the near-vision region increases along at least one direction that progresses away from the main line of sight.

8. The progressive multifocal lens of claim 1, wherein a main line of sight extends from the distance-vision region to the near-vision region and, at at least one location on the main line of sight, a curvature of the progressive refractive surface along the main line of sight is substantially equal to respective curvatures of the progressive refractive surface along two orthogonal directions.

9. The progressive multifocal lens of claim 1, wherein the first major surface is a toric surface that corrects astigmatism.

10. The progressive multifocal lens of claim 1, wherein the first major surface has cylindrical power.

11. The progressive multifocal lens of claim 1, wherein the first major surface is a composite surface that comprises:

an original progressive refractive surface capable of correcting the user'"'"'s vision; and

an original toric surface capable of correcting astigmatism.

12. The progressive multifocal lens of claim 11, wherein a value for Z of a corresponding point p(X, Y, Z) on the first major surface is defined as:

##EQU3## where;

X, Y and Z are spatial coordinates along, first, second and third mutually orthogonal directions, respectively;

Cp is an approximate curvature of the original progressive refractive surface;

Cx is a curvature of the original toric surface along the first direction; and

Cy is a curvature of the original toric surface along the second direction.

13. The progressive multifocal lens of claim 1, wherein the progressive multifocal lens exhibits a 270°

base prismatic power.

14. The progressive multifocal lens of claim 1, wherein:

space="preserve" listing-type="equation">Pb>

Ps+Pa

where;

Ps is a vertex power of the distance-vision region;

Pa is a join power; and

Pb is a refractive power of the second major surface.

15. The progressive multifocal lens of claim 1, wherein the progressive multifocal lens is shaped to fit an eyeglass frame.

16. The progressive multifocal lens of claim 12, wherein the progressive multifocal lens is shaped to fit an eyeglass frame.

17. A method of manufacturing a progressive multifocal lens capable of correcting a user'"'"'s vision and having a first major surface and a second major surface, where the first major surface is positioned closest to the user'"'"'s eye when the progressive multifocal lens is worn by the user, the progressive multifocal lens having a distance-vision region having a first refractive power, a near-vision region having a second refractive power, and a progressive region joining the distance-vision region and the near-vision region and having a refractive power that varies, the method comprising:

determining parameters of an original progressive refractive surface capable of correcting the user'"'"'s vision;

determining parameters of an original toric surface capable of correcting astigmatism; and

determining parameters of the first major surface of the progressive multifocal lens from the parameters of the original progressive refractive surface and the parameters of the original toric surface.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein a value for Z of a corresponding point p(X, Y, Z) on the first major surface is determined using the relation:

##EQU4## where;

X, Y and Z are spatial coordinates along, first, second and third mutually orthogonal directions, respectively;

Cp is an approximate curvature of the original progressive refractive surface;

Cx is a curvature of the original toric surface along the first direction; and

Cy is a curvature of the original toric surface along the second direction.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the parameters determined for the first major surface define a spherical surface.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising determining parameters of the second major surface, the parameters defining a rotationally symmetric non-spherical surface.