Polarized lens with oxide additive

• US 6,334,680 B1
• Filed: 02/22/1999
• Issued: 01/01/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Optimieyes Limited Partnership
• Original Assignee: Optimieyes Limited Partnership
• Inventors: Larson, Charles P.
• Primary Examiner(s): SCHWARTZ, JORDAN MARC
• Application Number:
  US09/255,093
• Time in Patent Office: 1,044 Days
• Field of Search: 351/159, 351/41, 351/44-46, 351/49, 351/160.R, 351/160.H, 351/163-166, 623/6, 623/6.17, 623/6.56, 623/6.62
• US Class Current: 351/159
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/108 Colouring materials
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/12 Polarisers

Abstract

A lens for reducing glare and improving color discrimination includes a lens wafer containing a rare earth oxide such as neodymium that provides relatively high light transmittancy at 450 nm, 540 nm, and 610 nm, and relatively low light transmittency at 500 nm and at 580 nm. A polarized filter is included to reduce glare, and an anti-reflective layer minimizes ghost images, haze, and loss of contrast.

Claims

1. A multi-layer lens for eyeglasses comprising:

a first lens wafer having rare earth oxide additive, the additive comprising between about 1% and 2% (by mole) neodymium and being adapted to impart light transmittancy characteristics to the lens such that the lens will exhibit a light transmittancy at 450 nm that is greater than a light transmittancy at 500 nm, the lens further exhibiting an average light transmittancy at 540 nm and 610 nm that is greater than a light transmittancy at 580 nm;

a second lens wafer;

a polarizing layer between the first and second lens wafers; and

an anti-reflective layer adjacent an outside surface of at least one of the lens wafers.

2. The multi-layer lens of claim 1, wherein the additive comprises between about 1.1% and about 1.4% (by mole) neodymium.

3. A multi-layer lens for eyeglasses comprising:

a first lens wafer having an additive, the additive comprising only a single rare earth oxide, the rare earth oxide comprising between about 1% and about 2% (by mole) neodymium, the additive imparting the following light transmittancy characteristics to the lens;

a light transmittancy at 450 nm that is greater than a light transmittancy at 500 nm;

an average light transmittancy at 540 nm and 610 nm that is greater than a light transmittancy at 580 nm;

a second lens wafer;

a polarizing layer between the first and second lens wafers; and

an anti-reflective layer.

4. The multi-layer lens of claim 3, wherein the additive comprises between about 1.1% and about 1.4% (by mole) neodymium.