Abstract: An optical element includes: a central region having a fixed optical power, wherein the fixed optical power is one of: a zero optical power, a negative optical power; and a peripheral region surrounding the central region, at least a portion of the peripheral region having an adjustable optical power, wherein the optical power of the portion of the peripheral region is to be selectively adjusted to produce a given optical power. When the fixed optical power is the zero optical power, the given optical power is a positive optical power. When the fixed optical power is the negative optical power, the given optical power is one of: the positive optical power, the negative optical power.

Abstract: An optical apparatus includes eye-tracking means, an active optical element per eye including an active material, and means for controlling the active material to generate optical powers. Gaze directions of a user’s eyes are determined. When it is detected, based on the gaze directions, that the user is looking through a predefined portion of the active optical element, a drive signal is generated to drive said means to control the active material to produce a predefined optical power. When it is detected that the user’s gaze is moving towards a periphery of the predefined portion, at least one other drive signal is generated to drive said means to control the active material to produce at least one intermediate optical power lying in a range between a zero optical power and the predefined optical power.

Abstract: An optical apparatus includes an active optical element including an active material encased between a first substrate and a second substrate. Means for selectively controlling the active material in a central portion and a plurality of sectors of the active optical element is employed. The central portion and the plurality of sectors are arranged around an optical axis of the active optical element, wherein the plurality of sectors surround the central portion. A processor of the optical apparatus is configured to generate a drive signal to drive said means to selectively control the active material in at least one of: the central portion, at least one of the plurality of sectors to produce a given optical power thereat.

Abstract: An optical apparatus includes means for determining an optical depth at which a user is looking, an active optical element per eye, controlling means for controlling an active material in the active optical element to generate one or more optical powers, and a processor . The processor is configured to process data, collected by the means for determining, to determine the optical depth at which the user is looking; detect when the optical depth at which the user is looking is greater than a predefined optical depth; and when it is detected that the optical depth is greater than the predefined optical depth, generate a drive signal to drive the controlling means to control the active material in a portion of the active optical element to produce a predefined optical power thereat, wherein the predefined optical power is a negative optical power.