Abstract: Combined multifocal toric lens designs are disclosed which combine a correction for astigmatism, either corneal or lenticular, with a correction for presbyopia. One of the front and back surfaces of the lens defines a toric surface for an astigmatic optical correction, and one of the front and back surfaces, which can be the same surface or the opposite surface, defines a multifocal surface for a presbyopic optical correction, to provide visual acuity for astigmatic presbyopes. Embodiments are disclosed wherein one surface of the lens design has a combined concentric annular ring, multifocal toric surface, and the other surface of the lens design has a spherical or aspherical surface.

Abstract: Aspheric toric lens designs are disclosed which reduce the number of cylindrical axis locations required for stock keeping units in inventory by aspherizing the toric surface thereof. The present invention pertains to ophthalmic lenses, and in particular to contact lenses such as soft hydrogel contact lenses, particularly designed to fit astigmatic patients who are either non-presbyopic or presbyopic. One of the front and back surfaces of the aspheric toric lens defines a spherical surface corresponding at least to the patient's basic distance prescription Rx. The other of the front and back surfaces defines an aspheric toric curve, wherein the toric surface is constructed with aspheric radii, such that the aspheric curve desensitizes axial misalignment of the toric curve by providing an enhanced depth-of-focus.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for optimizing multifocal lens designs using neural network analysis. More specifically, a neural network is trained using data collected in clinical evaluations of various multifocal lens designs. The trained neural network is then used to predict optimal lens designs for large populations of patients.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the manufacture of lens molds used in the formation of optical contact lenses, the apparatus including a center gate aligned on the central axis of the lens mold cavity for delivery of the melt polymer in an axisymmetrical manner. The methodology produces lens molds of extremely precise dimensions as measured against lens molds produced with side gated technology.

Abstract: Concentric aspheric multifocal lens designs are disclosed which use a combination of an aspheric front surface, which results in aberration reduction and contrast vision enhancement, along with a concentric multifocal back surface, to produce a lens design which affords clear vision at a distance and also near without a loss in contrast which is generally typical of prior art simultaneous vision, concentric multifocal lens designs. The aspheric surface improves the modulation transfer function (MTF) of the lens eye combination which improves the focus and contrast of both distance and near images. The design form is valid for contact lenses and intraocular lenses.

Abstract: Concentric ring, single vision lens designs are disclosed which improve the depth-of-focus of the lens relative to current spherical contact lenses or intraocular lenses by placing at least one additional peripheral optical radius on the front or back surface of the lens. A plurality of concentric annular rings are provided in the periphery of the optic zone of the lens. The arrangement of optic powers in the concentric annular rings includes a mixture of the basic spherical refractive power and other annular rings with less plus or greater minus spherical refractive power, arranged to mediate spherical aberrations and improve visual acuity. The concentric annular ring design corrects peripheral, aperture-dependent ocular aberrations in a discrete, zonal fashion.

Abstract: A multifocus, concentric annular ring lens wherein one of the front and back surfaces of the lens defines a central area comprising a circular disc having a spherical surface corresponding to a basic prescription Rx spherical distance optical power. A plurality of annular rings surround the central area and have alternating spherical near and distance optical powers, and at least one intermediate optical power annular ring. The immediate optical power annular ring is located in the middle or outer region of the lens optic zone, and its optical power is intermediate to the distance and near optical powers, to provide visual acuity at intermediate distances. The intermediate optical power annular ring can be placed anywhere in the middle or outer region of the lens optic zone, and can be the second annular ring from the outer edge of the lens optic zone, or can be the outermost annular ring which defines the outer circumference of the lens optic zone.

Abstract: Concentric annular ring lens designs are disclosed for astigmatic patients, particularly lens designs which reduce the sensitivity of the patient to toric axis misalignment, thus reducing the required number of stock keeping units in inventory for a toric product. Several of the concentric annular ring lens designs comprise a multifocal concentric annular ring design on either the front or back surface and a toric curve on the reverse surface to correct for astigmatism.

Abstract: Programmable smooth junctions are provided for lenses and molds therefor, particularly for toric lens designs, which enable a numerically controlled (NC) machine to be programmed to machine smooth junctions or transitions between adjacent regions of a lens which have different thicknesses or radii of curvature. First and second mathematical functions f(a) and f(b) are defined which specify the curves of first and second segments of a lens surface. The slope dy/dx is derived of the first and second mathematical functions f(a) and f(b) at the transition between the first and second segments of the lens surface. A mathematical function is defined which describes a desired transition between the first and second segments of the lens.

Abstract: Non-ballasted, eyelid rotationally stabilized designs are disclosed for use in toric or multifocal toric contact lenses. The back surface of the lens includes a toric or multifocal toric surface and also thin top and bottom zones (slab offs) to achieve eyelid rotational orientation and stabilization. The advantage of this technical approach is in mold manufacturing, wherein the design allows the use of any chosen power spherical stock front mold.

Abstract: A method of making multifocal refractive contact lens to focus light on the retina of the eye uses a plurality of at least two of each alternating segments having different optical powers for distance vision and for near. The lens of the invention does not require orientation to produce adequate far and near vision and normal steroscoptic effect. One or both of the segments having the optical powers may have aspherical lens surface. Preferably, the lens has at least one aspherical lens surface and the segments are divided by an arcuate path going from the center of the lens to edge. Such a lens is manufactured by taking lens molds and cutting the molds from the edge through the center to the opposite edge along a predetermined path. The molds are cut so that the segments produced are interchangable and can be fitted together to make a mold that can produce the multifocal refractive contact lens by molding.

Abstract: A pair of ophthalmic lenses both containing at least two optical powers, one for near vision and one for distance vision are described, both containing in the center portion of the lens the distance optical power. In the preferred embodiment, the remainder of the lens is comprised of annular portions made up of one or more optical zones to provide the desired combined, cumulative ratio of near and distance focal length areas at each pupil diameter. The distance portion located in the center is appropriately suited to the real world situation of requiring distance vision under high illumination situations.

Abstract: An ophthalmic lens provides a cumulative ratio of distance to near focal length that is predominantly distance correction under high illumination, nearly evenly divided under moderate illumination, and favoring again distance vision correction under low level illumination. The lens is specifically adjusted to match the patient's pupil size as a function of illumination level, in the preferred embodiment by applying pupil size parameters as a function of age. This lens has the properties of matching both the distribution of near and distance focal vision correction to the type of human activity typically undertaken in various illumination conditions, as well as matching particular lens dimensions to suit the size of the pupil as a function of illumination intensity.

Abstract: An aspheric lens for providing improved vision and a method for generating such a lens is described. The lens provides a sharp image focus while minimizing image aberrations. The method utilizes ray tracing techniques in conjunction with Modulation Transfer functions to accurately account for the total corrective lens-eye system. The lens may be in the form of a contact lens, an intraocular lens, a natural lens or a spectacle lens, and is suitable for correcting myopia, presbyopia, astigmatism and other focusing problems. The lens is characterized by a hyperbolic or parabolic surface which functions to reduce spherical aberrations and minimize the retinal image spot size.

Abstract: A multifocal refractive lens to focus light on the retina of the eye and method of making. The lens is comprised of a plurality of segments, alternating segments having different optical powers. At least for distance vision and another for near. The lens of the invention does not require orientation to produce adequate far and near vision and normal steroscoptic effect. One or both of the segments having the optical powers may have aspherical lens surface. Preferably, the lens has at least one aspherical lens surface and the segments are divided by an arcuate path going from the center of the lens to edge. Such a lens is manufactured by taking lens molds and cutting the molds from the edge through the center to the opposite edge along a predetermined path. The molds are cut so that the segments produced are interchangable and can be fitted together to make a mold that can produce the multifocal refractive contact lens by molding.

Abstract: An aspheric lens for providing improved vision and a method for generating such a lens is described. The lens provides a sharp image focus while minimizing image aberrations. The method utilizes ray tracing techniques in conjunction with Modulation Transfer functions to accurately account for the total corrective lens-eye system. The lens may be in the form of a contact lens, an intraocular lens, a natural lens or a spectacle lens, and is suitable for correcting myopia, presbyopia, astigmatism and other focusing problems. The lens is characterized by a hyperbolic or parabolic surface which functions to reduce spherical aberrations and minimize the retinal image spot size.