Abstract: In accordance with exemplary embodiments, the present invention provides scleral lenses comprising a central zone and at least one peripheral zone defined by an angle. In an exemplary embodiment, a peripheral zone is curved in either a concave or convex direction or is uncurved. In an exemplary embodiment, the angle for a plurality of semi-meridians or transverse sections can be varied to create a transverse undulation of a peripheral zone. In accordance with exemplary embodiments, the present invention provides scleral lenses that do not demonstrate excessive pressure on the sclera and that allow for post lens tear exchange. The present invention also provides kits of scleral lenses.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward the design of lenses to incorporate elevation features in at least one annular zone on the posterior surface of the lens that engage the elevation differences of the eye while allowing the central zone of the lens to have conventional spherical, aspheric, multifocal or toric geometry. In various embodiments, lenses according to the present invention are rotationally stable, free of flexure and well centered over the pupil.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a contact lens design and methods of manufacturing, fitting and using such lenses. The contact lens may be designed for use in a corneal refractive therapy (CRT) program. The lens provides a design which allows proper fitting of a patient, whether for corrective contact lenses or for a CRT program. Due to the rational design of the lenses according to the present invention, a minimal number of lens parameter increments can be identified to cover the range of common corneas. It is therefore possible to provide pre-formed lens buttons or blanks which are easily formed into a final design, thereby simplifying and speeding up the treatment process. Further, any adjustment of the lens design which may be required based upon trial fitting or the like, is easily envisioned and implemented by the fitter.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a contact lens design and methods of manufacturing, fitting and using such lenses. The contact lens may be designed for use in a corneal refractive therapy (CRT) program. The lens provides a design which allows proper fitting of a patient, whether for corrective contact lenses or for a CRT program. Due to the rational design of the lenses according to the present invention, a minimal number of lens parameter increments can be identified to cover the range of common corneas. It is therefore possible to provide pre-formed lens buttons or blanks which are easily formed into a final design, thereby simplifying and speeding up the treatment process. Further, any adjustment of the lens design which may be required based upon trial fitting or the like, is easily envisioned and implemented by the fitter.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a contact lens design and methods of manufacturing, fitting and using such lenses. The contact lens may be designed for use in a corneal refractive therapy (CRT) program. The lens provides a design which allows proper fitting of a patient, whether for corrective contact lenses or for a CRT program. Due to the rational design of the lenses according to the present invention, a minimal number of lens parameter increments can be identified to cover the range of common corneas. It is therefore possible to provide preformed lens buttons or blanks which are easily formed into a final design, thereby simplifying and speeding up the treatment process. Further, any adjustment of the lens design which may be required based upon trial fitting or the like, is easily envisioned and implemented by the fitter.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of shaping the anterior surface of the eye for controlling the progression of refractive error of the eye, in particular, myopia. The method employs the fitting of orthokeratology lenses having a precisely shaped posterior surface adapted to accurately shape the peripheral region of the eye. The method includes the steps of assessing central and peripheral refractive error parameters for the eye, determining the optimal anterior surface profile for the eye, including at both the optical centre of the cornea and at a selected optical periphery of the cornea, which would result in a desired refractive correction to achieve good vision for the eye and the desired peripheral refraction (curvature of field) for the eye for controlling progression of myopia.

Abstract: A system and method for treating and preventing loss of visual acuity. The system comprises a vision correcting lens, such as a contact lens, having a material with a regular pattern of orientation of polarizable molecular bonds, so as to create a birefringent effect. Off-axis light rays are refracted through the contact lens so as to focus in front of the retina, whereas on-axis light rays pass through the contact lens without refraction, such that their focal point on the fovea is unaltered. In an exemplary embodiment, a contact lens of the present invention is capable of independently altering the refractive state of the eye in relation to fovea and peripheral retina so as to simultaneously correcting visual acuity while minimizing the signal for axial growth and hence myopic progression.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a contact lens design and methods of manufacturing, fitting and using such lenses. The contact lens may be designed for use in a corneal refractive therapy (CRT) program. The lens provides a design which allows proper fitting of a patient, whether for corrective contact lenses or for a CRT program. Due to the rational design of the lenses according to the present invention, a minimal number of lens parameter increments can be identified to cover the range of common corneas. It is therefore possible to provide pre-formed lens buttons or blanks which are easily formed into a final design, thereby simplifying and speeding up the treatment process. Further, any adjustment of the lens design which may be required based upon trial fitting or the like, is easily envisioned and implemented by the fitter.

Abstract: An LED lamp may be made with a heat sink optic. The lamp has a base having a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact for receiving current. At least one LED is mounted on a thermally conductive support; that supports electrical connections for the LED and provides thermal conduction of heat from the LED to the optic. The LED support mounted in the base and electrically coupled through the first electrical contact to electrical current. The light transmissive, and heat diffusing optic has an external an internal wall defining a cavity with the LED positioned in the cavity. The optic is in thermal contact with the LED support and mechanically coupled to the base. The snap together structure enables rapid manufacture while allowing numerous variations.

Abstract: A new high refractive index, oxygen permeable contact lens material and method for making the same. The material comprises an alkyl acrylate, a fluoro acrylate, a silicone acrylate, a polymerizable vinyl monomer having a substituted aromatic ring and/or heterocyclic ring structure, a multifunctional acrylate, and a polymerizable vinyl monomer having a heterocyclic ring structure.

Abstract: A solid-state light source (10) comprising a plurality of LED units (12) arrayed to emit light generally about an axis (14). Each of the LED units (12) can comprise a number of LEDs, for example, up to five. They may all emit in a single color or multiple colors can be combined for a specific effect. A light transmissive light guide (16) is associated with the LED units (12) and has a plurality of input widows (18). Each LED unit (12) faces a respective input window (18) and each window (18) transversely intercepts the axis (14) and receives light from the LED units (12). The input windows (18) lead to a common output window (20) that is axially aligned with the input windows (18). The light guide (16) has smooth sidewalls (22) that extend between the input windows (18) and the output window (20).

Abstract: An LED lamp may be made with a heat sink optic. The lamp has a base having a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact for receiving current. At least one LED is mounted on a thermally conductive support; that supports electrical connections for the LED and provides thermal conduction of heat from the LED to the optic. The LED support mounted in the base and electrically coupled through the first electrical contact to electrical current. The light transmissive, and heat diffusing optic has an external an internal wall defining a cavity with the LED positioned in the cavity. The optic is in thermal contact with the LED support and mechanically coupled to the base. The snap together structure enables rapid manufacture while allowing numerous variations.

Abstract: A hybrid contact lens includes a substantially rigid center portion and a substantially flexible skirt portion connected to the center portion. The skirt portion is formed using xerogels compatible with diluents comprising at least one selected from polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, lactide, glycolide, a polyacetal, a cyclic acetal, a polyketal, a cyclic ketal, a polyorthoester, a cyclic orthoester, di-t-butyl-dicarbonate, tris(trimethylsilyl)amine, and 2,2,2-trifluoroacetamide. These diluents are formulated to function as a stand-in for water in the xerogel polymer, allowing the xerogel to form and bond to the rigid center portion in its fully expanded state. Upon hydration of the hybrid lens, substantially little dimensional change, and thus substantially little distortion, is obtained in the skirt portion.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a discernable marking within a contact lens including forming a marking section substantially simultaneously with the formation of a bulk section of said lens. The marking section may be formed entirely during formation of the bulk section or may include preformed elements and may be extruded, inlaid, embedded, injected, or dyed within the bulk section. The bulk section may be formed as a rod, a sheet, or as an injection molded lens. The marking section extends substantially from the front to back surfaces of the lens.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a contact lens design and methods of manufacturing, fitting and using such lenses. The contact lens may be designed for use in a corneal refractive therapy (CRT) program. The lens provides a design which allows proper fitting of a patient, whether for corrective contact lenses or for a CRT program. Due to the rational design of the lenses according to the present invention, a minimal number of lens parameter increments can be identified to cover the range of common corneas. It is therefore possible to provide pre-formed lens buttons or blanks which are easily formed into a final design, thereby simplifying and speeding up the treatment process. Further, any adjustment of the lens design which may be required based upon trial fitting or the like, is easily envisioned and implemented by the fitter.

Abstract: A hybrid contact lens includes a substantially rigid center portion having a flexural deformation of about 10% at an applied load of at least about 50 grams and a Dk of at least about 30×10?11 (cm2/sec) (mL O2)/(mL mm Hg). The hybrid contact lens also includes a substantially flexible skirt portion connected to the center portion. A method of designing a hybrid contact lens includes determining the applied load that results in a selected flexural deformation.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a contact lens design and methods of manufacturing, fitting and using such lenses. The contact lens may be designed for use in a corneal refractive therapy (CRT) program. The lens provides a design which allows proper fitting of a patient, whether for corrective contact lenses or for a CRT program. Due to the rational design of the lenses according to the present invention, a minimal number of lens parameter increments can be identified to cover the range of common corneas. It is therefore possible to provide pre-formed lens buttons or blanks which are easily formed into a final design, thereby simplifying and speeding up the treatment process. Further, any adjustment of the lens design which may be required based upon trial fitting or the like, is easily envisioned and implemented by the fitter.

Abstract: The present invention includes systems and methods for improving vision by reshaping the cornea of an eye. The systems and methods include two or more contact lenses configured to be at least temporarily worn on the cornea at the same time, and to exert force on the cornea to change its shape. After the shape of the cornea has been appropriately changed, a contact lens with the appropriate configuration may be worn as needed to maintain the new shape of the cornea.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a contact lens design and methods of manufacturing, fitting and using such lenses. As an example, the contact lens may be designed to be used in an orthokeratology treatment program. The contact lens according to the invention overcomes the deficiencies of the prior art, and provides a design which allows proper fitting of a patient, whether for corrective contact lenses or for use in an orthokeratology treatment program. The ability to properly fit a patient will alleviate, at least to a great degree, corneal abrasions from poorly distributed bearing, corneal warpage from decentered lenses, edema from tight fitting lenses and discomfort. The design allows a great deal of flexibility to the fitter to enhance the functionality of the lens. The lens of the present invention includes a central zone and first annular zone located adjacent to and concentrically around the central zone.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a contact lens design and methods of manufacturing, fitting and using such lenses. The contact lens may be designed for use in a corneal refractive therapy (CRT) program. The lens provides a design which allows proper fitting of a patient, whether for corrective contact lenses or for a CRT program. Due to the rational design of the lenses according to the present invention, a minimal number of lens parameter increments can be identified to cover the range of common corneas. It is therefore possible to provide pre-formed lens buttons or blanks which are easily formed into a final design, thereby simplifying and speeding up the treatment process. Further, any adjustment of the lens design which may be required based upon trial fitting or the like, is easily envisioned and implemented by the fitter.