Multifocal ophthalmic lens

• US 6,527,389 B2
• Filed: 03/22/2002
• Issued: 03/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Abbott Medical Optics Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Advanced Medical Optics Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Portney, Valdemar
• Primary Examiner(s): Sugarman, Scott J.
• Application Number:
  US10/104,613
• Publication Number:
  US 20020135733A1
• Time in Patent Office: 347 Days
• Field of Search: 351/160.R, 351/160.H, 351/161, 351/162, 351/177, 623/6.24, 623/6.28, 623/6.27
• US Class Current: 351/161
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00969 used for transplantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/14 Eye parts, e.g. lenses, corneal implants; Implanting instruments specially adapted therefor; Artificial eyes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/1451 Inlays or onlays
• 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 2/1618 Multifocal lenses
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/3604 characterised by the human or animal origin of the biological material, e.g. hair, fascia, fish scales, silk, shellac, pericardium, pleura, renal tissue, amniotic membrane, parenchymal tissue, fetal tissue, muscle tissue, fat tissue, enamel
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/041 bifocal; multifocal
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/042 Simultaneous type
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/044 Annular configuration, e.g. pupil tuned
• 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

An improved ophthalmic lens is disclosed which has a plurality of alternating power zones with a continuously varying power within each zone, as well as in transition from one zone to another. In other words, a plurality of concentric zones (at least two) are provided in which the variation from far to near vision correction is continuous, i.e., from near correction focal power to far correction focal power, then back to near, and again back to far, or vice versa. This change is continuous (progressive), without any abrupt correction changes, or “edges”.

Two versions of the invention are disclosed. In the first version continuous, alternating power variation is accomplished by a continuously changing curvature of the lens posterior surface, thereby altering the angle of impact of light rays on the eye.

In the second version continuous, alternating power variation is accomplished by creating non-homogeneous surface characteristics having refractive material indexes which continuously vary in the lens radial direction (out from the optical axis).

Claims

1. A method comprising shaping first, second and third regions of a surface of an ophthalmic lens structured to be carried by or in an eye to provide the first region with a first vision correction power, the second region with a second vision correction power which is different from the first vision correction power to enhance vision at first and second different distances, respectively, and the third region between said first and second regions to provide vision correction powers which include vision correction powers which are between the first and second vision correction powers, the third region including progressive vision correction powers.

2. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the first region has a near vision correction power and the second region has a far vision correction power.

3. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the ophthalmic lens is an intraocular lens.

4. A method comprising:

shaping first and second annular regions of a surface of an ophthalmic lens structured to be carried by or in an eye to provide the first region with a first vision correction power and the second region with a second vision correction power which is different from the first vision correction power to enhance vision at first and second different distances, respectively; and

shaping a third annular region of the surface between said first and second regions to provide vision correction powers which include vision correction powers which are between the first and second vision correction powers, said second annular region circumscribing the first annular region, and said third annular region including progressive vision correction powers.

5. A method as defined in claim 4 including shaping a central region of the surface to provide a vision correction power intermediate the first and second vision correction powers, said first annular region circumscribing the central region.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein the ophthalmic lens is an intraocular lens.

7. An ophthalmic lens structured to be carried by or in an eye having a first region having a configuration which provides a first vision correction power, a second region having a configuration which provides a second vision correction power which is different from the first vision correction power to enhance vision at first and second different distances, respectively, and a third region between the first and second regions having a configuration which provides vision correction powers which include vision correction powers which are between the first and second vision correction powers, the third region including progressive vision correction powers.

8. A lens as defined in claim 7 wherein the first and second distances are near and far, respectively.

9. A lens as defined in claim 7 wherein the first, second and third regions are annular and the second region circumscribes the first region.

10. A lens as defined in claim 9 wherein the third region circumscribes the first region, and the second region circumscribes the third region.

11. A lens as defined in claim 7 having a central region circumscribed by the first region which provides a vision correction power intermediate the first and second vision correction powers.

12. A lens as defined in claim 7 which is an intraocular lens.

13. A lens as defined in claim 7 which is structured to be carried in an eye.

14. An ophthalmic lens having progressive vision correction powers in at least one of first, second and third at least partially annular regions, said second and third regions at least partially circumscribing the first and second regions, respectively, the first and third regions constituting a first set of regions, the progressive vision correction powers of said first set of regions, if any, including progressive vision correction powers which increase in a radial outward direction and the progressive vision correction powers of said second region, if any, including progressive vision correction powers which decrease in a radial outward direction.

15. A lens as defined in claim 14 wherein said first region is substantially completely annular.

16. A lens as defined in claim 15 wherein said second region substantially completely circumscribes the first region.

17. A lens as defined in claim 14 which is an intraocular lens.

18. A lens as defined in claim 14 which is structured to be carried in an eye.