Static progressive surface region in optical communication with a dynamic optic

• US 20080002150A1
• Filed: 06/12/2007
• Published: 01/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: E-Vision Optics LLC
• Original Assignee: e-Vision, LLC (New Smart Optics, Inc.)
• Inventors: Iyer, Venkatramani, Haddock, Joshua, Kokonaski, William, Blum, Ronald
• Granted Patent: US 7,604,349 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 351/169
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 2202/20 Diffractive and Fresnel lenses or lens portions
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/061 Spectacle lenses with progressively varying focal power
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/063 Shape of the progressive surface
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/083 Electrooptic lenses

Abstract

An ophthalmic lens is presented in which the lens includes a progressive addition legion and a dynamic optic. The dynamic optic and the progressive addition region are in optical communication. The progressive addition region has an add power which is less than a user'"'"'s neat viewing distance add power. The dynamic optic, when activated, provides the additional needed optical power for the wearer to see clearly at a near distance. This combination leads to the unexpected result that not only does the wearer have the ability to see clearly at intermediate and near distances, but the level of unwanted astigmatism, distortion, and vision compromise ale reduced significantly.

Claims

1. An ophthalmic lens for a user having a fitting point, comprising:

a progressive addition region having a channel, wherein said progressive addition region has an add power therein; and

a dynamic optic in optical communication therewith having an optical power when activated.

2. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, wherein said add power is less than the user'"'"'s near viewing distance add power.

3. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, wherein said add power is approximately 50% of the near viewing distance add power.

4. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, wherein said add power is between approximately 30% and approximately 70% of the near viewing distance add power.

5. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, wherein said optical power when added to said add power is substantially equal to the user'"'"'s neat viewing distance add power.

6. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, wherein said progressive addition region is located on a front surface of the lens.

7. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, wherein said progressive addition region is located on a back surface of the lens.

8. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, wherein said progressive addition region is embedded within the lens.

9. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, wherein said dynamic optic is located on a front surface of the lens.

10. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, wherein said dynamic optic is located on a back surface of the lens.

11. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, wherein said dynamic optic is embedded within the lens.

12. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, wherein said dynamic optic is an electro-active optic

13. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, wherein said dynamic optic is a meniscus lens.

14. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, wherein said dynamic optic is a fluid lens.

15. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, wherein said dynamic optic is a movable dynamic optic having at least one moving component.

16. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, wherein said dynamic optic is a gas lens.

17. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, wherein said dynamic optic is a membrane lens having a membrane capable of being deformed.

18. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, wherein said add power is between approximately +0.50 diopters and approximately +1.50 diopters.

19. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, wherein said optical power is between approximately +0.50 diopters and approximately +2.25 diopters.

20. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, wherein said dynamic optic has a width between approximately 24 mm and approximately 40 mm.

21. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, wherein said channel of said progressive addition region has a length between approximately 11 and approximately 20 mm.

22. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, wherein a top peripheral edge of said dynamic optic is located within approximately 15 mm of the fitting point.

23. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of a top peripheral edge of said dynamic optic is located above the fitting point the lens.

24. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, wherein a top peripheral edge of said dynamic optic is located between approximately 0 mm and approximately half of the vertical length of said dynamic optic above the fitting point the lens.

25. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, wherein a top peripheral edge of said dynamic optic is located between approximately one eighth of the vertical length of said dynamic optic and approximately three eighth of the vertical length of said dynamic optic above the fitting point the lens.

26. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, wherein said dynamic lens is not activated until the user'"'"'s eye passes over atop peripheral edge of said dynamic optic.

27. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, further comprising a blend zone associated with said dynamic optic.

28. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, wherein said optical power comprises two or more optical powers.

29. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, wherein said optical power comprises a positive power and substantially no optical power.

30. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, wherein said optical power is alterable.

31. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, wherein said dynamic optic can be activated and deactivated.

32. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, wherein said dynamic optic is spaced apart from said progressive addition region.

33. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, further comprising a sensor for controlling said optical power.

34. The ophthalmic lens of claim 33, wherein said sensor deactivates said dynamic optic when the user looks beyond an intermediate distance.

35. The ophthalmic lens of claim 33, wherein said sensor activates said dynamic optic when the user looks closer than a far distance.

36. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, wherein an intermediate distance vision correction is provided for the user when the user looks through the fitting point when said dynamic optic is activated.

37. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, wherein a far distance vision correction is provided for the user when the user looks through the fitting point when said dynamic optic is deactivated.

38. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, wherein said dynamic optic is off-center relative to said progressive addition region.

39. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, wherein the lens is formed from a semi-finished blank.