Programmable corrective lenses

• US 6,139,146 A
• Filed: 11/27/1998
• Issued: 10/31/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Novartis Ag
• Original Assignee: Novartis Ag
• Inventors: Zhang, Xiaoxiao
• Primary Examiner(s): Sugarman, Scott J.
• Application Number:
  US09/200,689
• Time in Patent Office: 704 Days
• Field of Search: 351/160 R, 351/160 H, 351/161, 351/162, 351/177, 359/19
• US Class Current: 351/160.00R
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/32 Holograms used as optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 2202/16 Laminated or compound lenses
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 2202/20 Diffractive and Fresnel lenses or lens portions
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/00 Optical parts characterised by the material G02B1/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/041 bifocal; multifocal
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/043 Translating type
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/048 Means for stabilising the orientation of lenses in the eye
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/049 Contact lenses having special fitting or structural features achieved by special materials or material structures
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/06 bifocal; multifocal ; progressive G02C7/041 takes precedence

Abstract

The invention provides an ophthalmic lens, which uses a volume HOE to provide an optical power. The ophthalmic lens is produced by a highly flexible production process such that a variety of different ametropic conditions can be accommodated.

Claims

1. A contact lens for correcting astigmatism, comprising a volume holographic element, wherein said holographic element has a volume grating structure which provides one or more of corrective powers comprising a cylindrical power.

2. The contact lens of claim 1 wherein said lens further provides a spherical power.

3. The contact lens of claim 2 wherein said spherical power is provided by said volume grating structure.

4. The contact lens of claim 2 wherein said spherical power is a refractive power provided by the contour of said ophthalmic lens.

5. The contact lens of claim 1 wherein said lens has a stabilizing mechanism.

6. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1 wherein said holographic element comprises a biocompatible optical material.

7. The ophthalmic lens of claim 6 wherein said lens is a composite lens.

8. A contact lens comprising a transmission volume holographic element, wherein said holographic element has a volume grating structure that provides an optical power.

9. The contact lens of claim 8 wherein said holographic element is a biocompatible optical element.

10. The contact lens of claim 8 wherein said lens is a composite lens.

11. A contact lens for correct astigmatism, comprising a volume holographic element, wherein said holographic element has a volume grating structure which is programmed to provide a cylindrical power.

12. The contact lens of claim 11 wherein said lens has a stabilizing mechanism.

13. The contact lens of claim 11 wherein said holographic element comprises a biocompatible optical element.

14. The contact lens of claim 11 wherein said lens further provides a spherical power.

15. The contact lens of claim 14 wherein said spherical power is a minus power.

16. The contact lens of claim 14 wherein said spherical power is a plus power.