Abstract: A progressive ophthalmic lens element including a lens surface having an upper viewing zone having a surface power to achieve a refracting power corresponding to distance vision, a lower viewing zone having a different surface power than the upper viewing zone to achieve a refracting power corresponding to near vision; and an intermediate zone extending across the lens element having a surface power varying from that of the upper viewing zone to that of the lower viewing zone one or more of the upper, intermediate and lower viewing zones being designed optically to reduce or minimise a selected measure of blur for the corresponding range of object distances; and at least a portion of the peripheral region of the surface of the ophthalmic lens element being designed to reduce or minimise one or more surface characteristics known to correlate with the sensation of swim.

Abstract: A method and system for designing a progressive lens is disclosed. The method includes modifying a reference progressive lens design having a peripheral design which is suitable for a wearer and design features with known values. The modification of the reference progressive lens design provides a new progressive lens design in which at least one of the design features have been customised according to the wearer's preference. The new progressive lens design has substantially the same peripheral design as the reference progressive lens design.

Abstract: The invention relates to coated optical elements, coatings therefor and methods of producing such coatings, the coatings having improved characteristics of adhesion and of resistance to abrasion. In a preferred embodiment the coating includes a plurality of superimposed layers, namely: a hardcoat layer, a thin adhesion layer, a first dielectric layer including a material having a high refraction index selected from the group comprising: CrxOy, TiO2, ZnSe, ZnS and mixtures thereof, wherein x is a number comprised between 1 and 2 and y is a number comprised between 1 and 3; and a second dielectric layer having a refraction index lower than the refraction index of the second material.

Abstract: A cross-linkable polymeric casting composition includingA) a polyoxy alkylene glycol diacrylate or dimethacrylate;B) a monomer having a recurring unit derived from at least one radical-polymerisable bisphenol monomer capable of forming a homopolymer having a refractive index of more than 1.55; andC) a urethane monomer having 2 to 6 terminal groups selected from a group comprising acrylic and methacrylic groups.

Abstract: A soft contact lens made of a hydrated polymer with an overall water content in the range of 40% to 90% by weight has a water content at the front surface of the lens which is at least 3 percentage points higher than the water content at its rear cornea-contacting surface, as measured by use of an Abbe refractometer. The lens is made from a monomer capable of polymerizing to form a clear transparent partially swollen hydrogel polymer and a diluent forming from 15 to 50% by weight of the moulding mixture, which is moulded between a convex and a concave mould member of different materials chosen so that the lens has the different water contents at its surfaces, as mentioned above.