Abstract: Adjustable variable transmissivity (AVT) eyewear for patients, the AVT eyewear having a liquid crystal lens driven by an electronics circuit so that light transmitted through the lens is detected, the transmitted light being driven to a setpoint by the electronics circuit according to feedback control on the liquid crystal lens drive voltage duty cycle. In another embodiment, light detected from the ambient is detected and the resulting photocurrent value processed by a microprocessor included in the electronics circuit, the microprocessor driving the liquid crystal lens to a desired transmissivity, the desired transmissivity given by a computed transmissivity curve. The computed transmissivity curve may be controlled by the physician or in an alternate embodiment controlled by the patient according to a set of electronic controls on the AVT eye glasses.

Abstract: A vacuum fluorescent display is disclosed having a grid plate substantially coplanar with the anode and which is controllable with conventional metal oxide semiconductor devices. Each digit of the display includes a segmented anode structure substantially surrounded by a control electrode or grid plate. At least one cathode is disposed adjacent the anode segments and control electrode such that the distance between the cathode and the control electrode is less than the distance between the cathode and any of the anode segments. Utilizing such a structure, a voltage on the order of about -5 volts on the control electrode is effective to cut off luminescence from any of the anode segments of that digit.