Extended depth of field optics for human vision
First Claim
1. A system for extending depth of field of an eye, comprising an optical mask positioned between a retina of the eye and an object, the optical mask configured for altering wavefront phase with a continuous phase function, without altering intensity, such thatan optical transfer function of the eye and the optical mask is less sensitive to distance between the eye and the object as compared to an optical transfer function of the eye without the optical mask.
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Abstract
The present invention provides extended depth of field to human eyes by modifying contact lenses, intraocular implants, and/or the surface of the eye itself. This may be accomplished by applying selected phase variations to these optical elements (e.g., by varying surface thickness of the cornea of the eye). The phase variations EDF-code the wavefront and cause the optical transfer function to remain essentially constant within a range of distances from the in-focus position. This provides a coded image on the retina. The human brain decodes this coded image, resulting in an in-focus image over an increased depth of field.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A system for extending depth of field of an eye, comprising an optical mask positioned between a retina of the eye and an object, the optical mask configured for altering wavefront phase with a continuous phase function, without altering intensity, such that
an optical transfer function of the eye and the optical mask is less sensitive to distance between the eye and the object as compared to an optical transfer function of the eye without the optical mask.
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5. A method for extending depth of field of an eye, comprising:
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altering an optical transfer function of the eye thereby providing an altered optical transfer function such that the altered optical transfer function is substantially insensitive to distance between an object and the eye; and encoding phase of light from the object with a continuous phase function that is consistent with the altered optical transfer function. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13)
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14. A system for extending depth of field of an eye in viewing an object within a range of object distances from the eye, said system comprising:
an optical mask disposed between the eye and the object, said optical mask being configured for altering wavefront phase with a continuous phase funtion such that at least one of a modulation transfer function and a point spread function of the combination of the eye and the optical mask is substantially constant over said range.
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15. A method for extending depth of field of an eye, said eye including a cornea having a thickness, said method comprising:
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altering an optical transfer function of the eye thereby providing an altered optical transfer function such that the altered optical transfer function is substantially insensitive over a range of distances between an object and the eye; and encoding phase of light from the object so as to be consistent with the altered optical transfer function, wherein said altering includes modifying the thickness so as to alter the optical transfer function of the eye.
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Specification