Bifocal multiorder diffractive lenses for vision correction

• US 20050057720A1
• Filed: 10/25/2004
• Published: 03/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apollo Optical Systems LLC
• Original Assignee: Apollo Optical Systems LLC
• Inventors: Morris, G. Michael, Federico, Richard J., Buralli, Dale A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,232,218 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 351/159
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/1618 Multifocal lenses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/1654 Diffractive lenses
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 2202/20 Diffractive and Fresnel lenses or lens portions
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/042 Simultaneous type
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/044 Annular configuration, e.g. pupil tuned
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/06 bifocal; multifocal ; progressive G02C7/041 takes precedence

Abstract

A bifocal multiorder diffractive lens is provided having a lens body with one or more first regions having a first multiorder diffractive structure providing near vision correction, and one or more second regions having a second multiorder diffractive structure providing distance vision correction, in which the lens defines an aperture divided between the first and second regions. Such one or more first regions may represent one or more annular rings, or other portion of the lens, and the second region may occupy the portion of the lens aperture outside the first region. The lens body may be provided by a single optical element or multiple optical elements. When multiple optical elements are used, the multiorder diffractive structures may be located along an interior surface of the lens. In other embodiments, a bifocal multiorder diffractive lens is provided by a single or multiple element lens body having a multiorder diffractive structure for distance vision correction and one or more refractive regions to add power for near vision correction, or a single or multiple element lens body shaped for refractive power for distance vision correction and a multiorder diffractive structure for add power for near vision correction. The lens may represent a contact lens, a spectacle lens, or the optic portion of an intraocular implant (IOL). Multiorder diffractive structures may be optimized for performance for photopic and scotopic vision.

Claims

1-38. -38. (cancelled)

39. A multiorder diffractive optical element comprising:

one or more multiorder diffractive structures in which each of said diffractive structures is in accordance with wavelengths for both photopic and scotopic vision.

40. The optical element according to claim 39 wherein said photopic and scotopic vision each have a wavelength of peak efficiency, and the wavelength of peak efficiency for both photopic and scotopic vision aligns with a wavelength of peak efficiency for each of said diffractive structures.

41. The optical element according to claim 39 wherein each of said diffractive structures directs light in a plurality of different wavelengths to a single focus.

42. The optical element according to claim 44 wherein said diffractive structures are provided on a single surface of said lens body.

43. The optical element according to claim 44 wherein said diffractive structures are provided on different surfaces of said lens body.

44. The optical element according to claim 39 wherein said optical element is provided by a single lens body.

45. The optical element according to claim 39 wherein said optical element is provided by multiple optical elements.

46. The optical element according to claim 45 wherein said diffractive structures are provided on an internal surface of said optical element between two of said multiple optical elements.

55. The optical element according to claim 39 wherein each of said multiorder diffractive structures is characterized by a plurality of zones which define zone boundaries at which light incident on the diffractive structure experiences an optical phase shift, and which diffract light of each of said wavelengths in a different diffractive order, m, such that m≧

1, to the focus for the diffractive structure.

56. The optical element according to claim 39 further comprising a lens body having said diffractive structures, and one or more surfaces providing refractive power.

57. The optical element according to claim 39 wherein one or more of said diffractive structures corrects for astigmatism.

58. The optical element according to claim 39 wherein said multiorder diffractive structures each provide a different optical power.

59. The optical element according to claim 39 wherein said multiorder diffractive structures numbers two, a first of said diffractive structures provides for near vision correction, and a second diffractive structure provides for distance vision correction.

60. The optical element according to claim 59 further comprising a lens body defining a lens aperture, wherein said first and second of said diffractive structures are each in one or more different regions dividing said lens aperture.

61. The optical element according to claim 39 wherein said optical element is part of an intraocular implant.

62. The optical element according to claim 39 wherein said optical element represents a contact lens.

63. The optical element according to claim 39 wherein said optical element represents a spectacle lens.

47. A multiorder diffractive lens comprising:

at least one multiorder diffractive structure which directs light of a plurality of different wavelengths to a single focus which is optimized for photopic and scotopic vision.

48. The lens according to claim 47 wherein said photopic and scotopic vision each have a wavelength of peak efficiency, and the wavelength of peak efficiency for both photopic and scotopic vision aligns with a wavelength of peak efficiency for said diffractive structure.

49. The lens according to claim 47 wherein one or more of said diffractive structures corrects for astigmatism.

50. The lens according to claim 47 wherein the diffractive structure is characterized by a plurality of zones which define zone boundaries at which light incident on the diffractive structure experiences an optical phase shift, and which diffract light of each of said wavelengths in a different diffractive order, m, such that m≧

1, to the focus for the diffractive structure.

51. The lens according to claim 47 further comprising one or more surfaces providing refractive power to said lens.

52. The lens according to claim 47 wherein said lens is part of an intraocular implant.

53. The lens according to claim 47 wherein said lens represents a contact lens.

54. The lens according to claim 47 wherein said lens represents a spectacle lens.

64. A multiorder diffractive lens comprising:

two or more multiorder diffractive structures of different optical power, in which at least one of said diffractive structures directs light of a plurality of different wavelengths to a single focus which is optimized for at least one of photopic and scotopic vision.