Abstract: An electrically-switchable liquid crystal cell (10) is provided, along with a lens (50) comprising the cell, and methods of manufacturing the cell. The liquid crystal cell (10) includes a diffractive optical element (12) and liquid crystal material (14) switchable between an unmatched state and a matched state. In the unmatched state, the effective refractive index of the liquid crystal material (14) is different from the refractive index of the base material (18) of the diffractive optical element (12). In the matched state, the effective refractive index of the liquid crystal material (14) matches the refractive index of the base material (18). In the matched state the diffractive optical element does not contribute a focal power for the lens. The diffractive optical element (12) has a number of peaks (20) and troughs (30) having rounded corners.

Abstract: A mandrel 1 for holding an ophthalmic lens member blank 16 during machining is disclosed. The mandrel 1 has a front surface 6 for receiving an ophthalmic lens member blank 16 to be machined. The front surface 6 comprises a planar surface region 10; a curved surface region 8; and a drainage channel 12 located between the curved surface region 8 and the planar surface region 10 such that wax applied to the curved surface region 8 flows into the drainage channel 12. A kit of parts comprising such a mandrel 1, a method of mounting an ophthalmic lens member blank 16 for machining, a method of machining an ophthalmic lens member blank 16, an ophthalmic lens produced using the apparatus and a batch of such lenses are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods and an apparatus for producing contact lenses, such as silicone hydrogel contact lenses, and further relates to methods and an apparatus for producing silicone hydrogel contact lens mold assemblies, methods and apparatus for producing silicone hydrogel contact lenses using such mold assemblies, and silicone hydrogel contact lenses and lens member bodies produced using such methods and apparatus.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a membrane (140) suitable for forming at least part of a contact lens (500) by bonding to a bulk lens portion (540). The membrane has a central axis (168). The membrane comprises: a first face (142); a second face (144); and a peripheral edge (160). In a cross-sectional plane passing through and parallel to the central axis of the membrane, the thickness (148) of the membrane is at least 10 microns at a distance of 60 microns from the peripheral edge. The present disclosure also relates to a contact lens (500). The contact lens comprises a membrane (140), a bulk lens portion (540), and a bonding interface (510) between at least part of the membrane and at least part of the bulk lens portion. The present disclosure also relates to a method of manufacturing a contact lens.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a contact lens (100) including a diffractive optical element (101), an optical filter (103), and an optic axis (109) passing through the optical filter and the diffractive optical element. The diffractive optical element (101) is configured to focus visible light. The optical filter (103) is configured to filter out light with a wavelength of 450 nm to 495 nm. The optical filter (103) may allow through light with a wavelength of 500 nm to 750 nm. The optical filter (103) may include one or more colorants. The present disclosure also relates to a method (600) of manufacturing a contact lens. The present disclosure also relates to a method (700) of correcting the vision of a user.

Abstract: A contact lens assembly 100 is disclosed. The contact lens assembly 100 comprises a second lens member 104 located between first and third lens members 102, 106. A structured anterior surface region 110 of the first lens member 102 that defines a diffractive optical element and a posterior surface region 115A of the second lens member 104 together define a first cavity. A structured posterior surface region 112 of the third lens member 106 that defines a diffractive optical element and an anterior surface region 113A of the second lens member 104 together define a second cavity. The posterior and anterior surface regions 115A, 113A of the second lens member 104 do not include a diffractive optical element.

Abstract: A contact lens assembly 100 is disclosed. The contact lens assembly 100 comprises a second lens member 104 located between first and third lens members 102, 106. A structured anterior surface region 110 of the first lens member 102 that defines a diffractive optical element and a posterior surface region 115A of the second lens member 104 together define a first cavity. A structured posterior surface region 112 of the third lens member 106 that defines a diffractive optical element and an anterior surface region 113A of the second lens member 104 together define a second cavity. The posterior and anterior surface regions 115A, 113A of the second lens member 104 do not include a diffractive optical element.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a contact lens assembly is disclosed. The method comprises bonding an anterior surface of a first lens member to a posterior surface of a second lens member; and then machining an anterior surface of the second lens member and a posterior surface of the first lens member. Lens members are machined to produce datum surfaces on both sides of the member, the datum surfaces defining between them a reference thickness. A contact lens assembly, and contact lens members manufactured using said method are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a contact lens (100) including a diffractive optical element (101), an optical filter (103), and an optic axis (109) passing through the optical filter and the diffractive optical element. The diffractive optical element (101) is configured to focus visible light. The optical filter (103) is configured to filter out light with a wavelength of 450 nm to 495 nm. The optical filter (103) may allow through light with a wavelength of 500 nm to 750 nm. The optical filter (103) may include one or more colorants. The present disclosure also relates to a method (600) of manufacturing a contact lens. The present disclosure also relates to a method (700) of correcting the vision of a user.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods and an apparatus for producing contact lenses, such as silicone hydrogel contact lenses, and further relates to methods and an apparatus for producing silicone hydrogel contact lens mold assemblies, methods and apparatus for producing silicone hydrogel contact lenses using such mold assemblies, and silicone hydrogel contact lenses and lens member bodies produced using such methods and apparatus.

Abstract: A method of producing an ophthalmic lens member is disclosed. The method comprises mounting an ophthalmic lens member blank 16 on a mandrel 1 for machining. The mandrel 1 has a front surface 6 comprising a planar surface region 10, a curved surface region 8 and a tool trench 12 located between the curved surface region 8 and the planar surface region 10. The method comprises mounting the mandrel 1 on a machine tool; and then severing a portion of the ophthalmic lens member blank 16 by passing a cutting tool 70 through the ophthalmic lens member blank 16 until a portion of the cutting tool 70 is received in the tool trench 12. A mandrel 1 suitable for use in the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Electrically-switchable flexible ophthalmic lenses for conforming to the eye of a user are provided. The lenses comprise: a liquid crystal cell for changing an optical characteristic of the ophthalmic lens, and having a cell gap thickness between a first inner surface and a second inner surface with liquid crystal therebetween, the flexible liquid crystal cell having a chord radius, w, and comprising: a plurality of support members, each support member is arranged to maintain the cell gap thickness by providing support at one or more support locations within the cell, and the support members are arranged such that the support locations form two rings concentric with a centre of the liquid crystal cell, the first ring located a chord measurement of 0.26-0.34 w from the centre of the liquid crystal cell and the second ring located a chord measurement of 0.52-0.70 w from the centre of the liquid crystal cell.

Abstract: An electrically-switchable flexible contact lens for conforming to an eye of a user is provided. The lens comprises a liquid crystal cell for changing a focal power of the contact lens, and the liquid crystal cell has a cell gap thickness between a first inner surface and a second inner surface, the liquid crystal cell comprising a diffractive optical element for correcting the vision of a user, wherein the diffractive optical element is arranged to maintain the cell gap thickness by providing support at one or more locations within the cell.

Abstract: An electrically-switchable flexible contact lens for conforming to an eye of a user is provided. The lens comprises a liquid crystal cell for changing a focal power of the contact lens, and the liquid crystal cell has a cell gap thickness between a first inner surface and a second inner surface, the liquid crystal cell comprising a diffractive optical element for correcting the vision of a user, wherein the diffractive optical element is arranged to maintain the cell gap thickness by providing support at one or more locations within the cell.

Abstract: A method of designing a fluid-filled contact lens (103) is described. The method involves generating a computational model that includes a fluid-filled lens (103) and the shape of a cornea causes deformation of an internal structure of the fluid-filled lens (103) to generate a deformed, fluid-filled lens (103) with altered optical properties. The method also includes modelling (5) the optical properties of the deformed, fluid-filled lens (103). The shape of the fluid-filled lens (103) is then adjusted (7) to reduce the effects of the deformation on the optical properties. This is referred to as an adjusted fluid-filled lens (103). A corresponding off-eye lens design is generated (110 based on the adjusted fluid-filled lens design.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a membrane (140) suitable for forming at least part of a contact lens (500) by bonding to a bulk lens portion (540). The membrane has a central axis (168). The membrane comprises: a first face (142); a second face (144); and a peripheral edge (160). In a cross-sectional plane passing through and parallel to the central axis of the membrane, the thickness (148) of the membrane is at least 10 microns at a distance of 60 microns from the peripheral edge. The present disclosure also relates to a contact lens (500). The contact lens comprises a membrane (140), a bulk lens portion (540), and a bonding interface (510) between at least part of the membrane and at least part of the bulk lens portion. The present disclosure also relates to a method of manufacturing a contact lens.

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns a tuneable ophthalmic lens 200. The tuneable ophthalmic lens comprises an activated state and a deactivated state. The ophthalmic lens further comprises a central chamber 206b. The ophthalmic lens also comprises a fluid reservoir, the fluid reservoir being in fluid communication with the central chamber. The fluid reservoir comprises a pump for pumping fluid between the fluid reservoir and the central chamber. In the deactivated state the central chamber is substantially empty of fluid 208a. In the activated state the central chamber is not substantially empty of fluid.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for making lens assemblies that can be placed on an eye of a person and that include at least one component are described. Generally, a first lens member (100) and a second lens member (200) are formed. The second lens member (200) is transferred to a compliant stage (210). At least one component is placed in contact with one of the lens members (100, 200). The second lens member (200) is placed in contact with the first lens member (100) such that the compliant stage (210) can provide compression to the first and second lens members (100, 200). The second lens member (200) and the first lens member (100) are coupled together to form a lens assembly (10) with the at least one component located between the two lens members (100, 200).

Abstract: An electrically-switchable flexible contact lens for conforming to an eye of a user is provided. The lens comprises a liquid crystal cell for changing a focal power of the contact lens, and the liquid crystal cell has a cell gap thickness between a first inner surface and a second inner surface, the liquid crystal cell comprising a diffractive optical element for correcting the vision of a user, wherein the diffractive optical element is arranged to maintain the cell gap thickness by providing support at one or more locations within the cell.

Abstract: Multilayer contact lenses and methods of making the same are described. A contact lens (100) includes a lens assembly (103). The lens assembly (103) includes a plurality of flexible lens layers. A first layer (101) has a uniform or smooth anterior surface (106), and a second layer (102) has a structured posterior surface that includes one or more recesses (105). The anterior surface (106) of the first layer (101) and the structured posterior surface of the second layer (102) define a first cavity (107) for containing one or more components.