Abstract: A method of fabricating a lens element for an adjustable power lens of the kind comprising two lens elements that are slidable relative to one other in a direction transverse the optical axis of the lens and have respective lens surfaces that are shaped to act together to form a corrective lens, the power of which varies according to the relative disposition of the two lens elements, the method comprising the steps of forming a lens puck having two opposite faces, which are shaped to form opposite lens surfaces of one of the lens elements of the adjustable power lens, the puck having at least one alignment feature, and thereafter edging the puck to a desired eye shape with reference to the alignment feature.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a lens element for an adjustable power lens of the kind comprising two lens elements that are slidable relative to one other in a direction transverse the optical axis of the lens and have respective lens surfaces that are shaped to act together to form a corrective lens, the power of which varies according to the relative disposition of the two lens elements, the method comprising the steps of forming a lens puck having two opposite faces, which are shaped to form opposite lens surfaces of one of the lens elements of the adjustable power lens, the puck having at least one alignment feature, and thereafter edging the puck to a desired eye shape with reference to the alignment feature.

Abstract: An adjustable fluid-filled lens or minor assembly 100 comprising a fluid-filled envelope and a supporting structure therefor; the fluid-filled envelope being constituted by a first wall that is formed of a distensible elastic membrane 15 having an exterior optical surface of variable focusing power, a second wall 18 that is spaced from the first wall on a z-axis, and a collapsible peripheral side wall 17 that extends between the first and second walls, and being filled with a substantially incompressible fluid 16; a membrane holding structure 14 that is attached to a peripheral edge of membrane 15 for holding the membrane under tension; and one or more selectively operable actuator assemblies r1, r2, r3 for moving one or more corresponding regions of the peripheral edge of the membrane on the z-axis towards and away from the second wall 18 for controlling the profile of the peripheral edge of the membrane; wherein the or each actuator assembly comprises a connecting member 91, 92, 93 that is attached to the m

Abstract: Adjustable focal length eyewear (11) comprising two lenses (21, 22) that are mounted to a frame (14, 15, 16) for supporting the lenses (21, 22) in front of a user's eyes. At least one of the lenses (21, 22) is a variable focal length lens of the kind comprising two superposed lens elements (31, 41) having cooperating optical surfaces that are shaped such that the focal length of the variable focal length lens (21, 22) is variable according to the relative lateral disposition of the lens elements (31, 41). One of the lens elements (31) is fixedly mounted to the frame (14, 15, 16) and the other lens element (41) is movable manually relative to the fixed lens element (31) for varying the focal length of the variable focal length lens (21, 22).

Abstract: A method of assembling an adjustable fluid-filled lens assembly comprising biaxially tensioning an elastomeric membrane to a surface tension of greater than 180 N/m, typically greater than 1000 N/m; thermally conditioning the tensioned membrane, e.g., for one hour at a temperature of about 80° C., to accelerate relaxation of the membrane; mounting the membrane to a peripheral support structure whilst maintaining the tension in the membrane; assembling the mounted membrane with one or more other components to form an enclosure with the membrane forming one wall of the enclosure; and thereafter filling the enclosure with a fluid. The membrane may be formed from an aromatic polyurethane, and the fluid may be a phenylated siloxane. In some embodiments, the membrane is able to hold a substantially constant surface tension of at least 180 N/m for a period of at least 12 months.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a lens element for an adjustable power lens of the kind comprising two lens elements that are slidable relative to one other in a direction transverse the optical axis of the lens and have respective lens surfaces that are shaped to act together to form a corrective lens, the power of which varies according to the relative disposition of the two lens elements, the method comprising the steps of forming a lens puck having two opposite faces, which are shaped to form opposite lens surfaces of one of the lens elements of the adjustable power lens, the puck having at least one alignment feature, and thereafter edging the puck to a desired eye shape with reference to the alignment feature.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a lens element for an adjustable power lens of the kind comprising two lens elements that are slidable relative to one other in a direction transverse the optical axis of the lens and have respective lens surfaces that are shaped to act together to form a corrective lens, the power of which varies according to the relative disposition of the two lens elements, the method comprising the steps of forming a lens puck having two opposite faces, which are shaped to form opposite lens surfaces of one of the lens elements of the adjustable power lens, the puck having at least one alignment feature, and thereafter edging the puck to a desired eye shape with reference to the alignment feature.

Abstract: A method of assembling an adjustable fluid-filled lens assembly comprising biaxially tensioning an elastomeric membrane to a surface tension of greater than 180 N/m, typically greater than 1000 N/m; thermally conditioning the tensioned membrane, e.g., for one hour at a temperature of about 80° C., to accelerate relaxation of the membrane; mounting the membrane to a peripheral support structure whilst maintaining the tension in the membrane; assembling the mounted membrane with one or more other components to form an enclosure with the membrane forming one wall of the enclosure; and thereafter filling the enclosure with a fluid. The membrane may be formed from an aromatic polyurethane, and the fluid may be a phenylated siloxane. In some embodiments, the membrane is able to hold a substantially constant surface tension of at least 180 N/m for a period of at least 12 months.

Abstract: An adjustable fluid-filled lens or minor assembly 100 comprising a fluid-filled envelope and a supporting structure therefor; the fluid-filled envelope being constituted by a first wall that is formed of a distensible elastic membrane 15 having an exterior optical surface of variable focusing power, a second wall 18 that is spaced from the first wall on a z-axis, and a collapsible peripheral side wall 17 that extends between the first and second walls, and being filled with a substantially incompressible fluid 16; a membrane holding structure 14 that is attached to a peripheral edge of membrane 15 for holding the membrane under tension; and one or more selectively operable actuator assemblies r1, r2, r3 for moving one or more corresponding regions of the peripheral edge of the membrane on the z-axis towards and away from the second wall 18 for controlling the profile of the peripheral edge of the membrane; wherein the or each actuator assembly comprises a connecting member 91, 92, 93 that is attached to the m

Abstract: A variable focusing power fluid-filled lens or minor assembly (100a) comprising a fluid-filled envelope and a supporting structure (18) therefor; the fluid-filled envelope being constituted by a first wall that is formed of a distensible elastic membrane (15) having an exterior optical surface (151) of variable focusing power, a second wall (183) that is spaced from the first wall on a z-axis which is generally perpendicular to the membrane, and a collapsible peripheral side wall (17) that extends between the first and second walls (15, 183), and being filled with a substantially incompressible fluid (16); a membrane holding structure (14) that is attached to a peripheral edge of membrane for holding the membrane under tension, the membrane holding structure defining a plurality of discrete control points spaced around the peripheral edge of membrane where the position of the peripheral edge of the membrane relative to the second wall on the z-axis is controlled and permitting bending of the peripheral edge o

Abstract: Methods of filling an envelope (16) of a compression-type adjustable optical device (10), such as a liquid lens or mirror, which is formed in part by a distensible membrane (11) having an exterior optical surface, with a substantially incompressible fluid (15) to a predetermined optical power or radius of curvature; the methods comprising pumping fluid into the envelope (16) under vacuum through a fluid supply conduit (23) in fluid communication with an interior of the envelope (16) while allowing air to escape from the envelope through a fluid overflow conduit (26) in fluid communication with the interior of the envelope (16); continuing to pump fluid (15) into the envelope (16) to cause the membrane (11) to distend to an optical power of the optical device (10) that is greater than the predetermined optical power while allowing excess fluid (15) to escape from the envelope through the overflow device (26); slowing or stopping the supply of fluid to the envelope (16), thereby to allow the membrane (11) progr

Abstract: A method of assembling an adjustable fluid-filled lens assembly comprising biaxially tensioning an elastomeric membrane to a surface tension of greater than 180 N/m, typically greater than 1000 N/m; thermally conditioning the tensioned membrane, e.g., for one hour at a temperature of about 80° C., to accelerate relaxation of the membrane; mounting the membrane to a peripheral support structure whilst maintaining the tension in the membrane; assembling the mounted membrane with one or more other components to form an enclosure with the membrane forming one wall of the enclosure; and thereafter filling the enclosure with a fluid. The membrane may be formed from an aromatic polyurethane, and the fluid may be a phenylated siloxane. In some embodiments, the membrane is able to hold a substantially constant surface tension of at least 180 N/m for a period of at least 12 months.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a lens element for an adjustable power lens of the kind comprising two lens elements that are slidable relative to one other in a direction transverse the optical axis of the lens and have respective lens surfaces that are shaped to act together to form a corrective lens, the power of which varies according to the relative disposition of the two lens elements, the method comprising the steps of forming a lens puck having two opposite faces, which are shaped to form opposite lens surfaces of one of the lens elements of the adjustable power lens, the puck having at least one alignment feature, and thereafter edging the puck to a desired eye shape with reference to the alignment feature.

Abstract: A method of assembling an adjustable fluid-filled lens assembly comprising biaxially tensioning an elastomeric membrane to a surface tension of greater than 180 N/m, typically greater than 1000 N/m; thermally conditioning the tensioned membrane, e.g., for one hour at a temperature of about 80° C., to accelerate relaxation of the membrane; mounting the membrane to a peripheral support structure whilst maintaining the tension in the membrane; assembling the mounted membrane with one or more other components to form an enclosure with the membrane forming one wall of the enclosure; and thereafter filling the enclosure with a fluid. The membrane may be formed from an aromatic polyurethane, and the fluid may be a phenylated siloxane. In some embodiments, the membrane is able to hold a substantially constant surface tension of at least 180 N/m for a period of at least 12 months.

Abstract: A valve device for a variable lens comprises: an inlet for receiving fluid from a reservoir; an outlet for passing fluid to a lens cavity; and a valve member, the valve member comprising a passageway for fluid communication between the inlet and outlet and a valve for closing the passageway; wherein the valve is actuated by turning the valve member about an axis of rotation and the passageway extends along the valve member in the axial direction.

Abstract: The invention provides a variable focus lens formed from a ring with a front surface and a rear surface, a flexible membrane is attached to a radially inner part of the front surface, and a front cover is attached to a radially outer part of the front surface, a rear cover is provided on the rear surface of the ring, preferably integral with the ring, so that a variable volume cavity is defined between the flexible membrane, the ring and the rear cover, second flexible membrane can be provided between the ring and the rear cover, where the invention also provides a method of filling a variable focus lens, and an adjustment mechanism for varying the focus of the lens.