Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02C—SPECTACLES; SUNGLASSES OR GOGGLES INSOFAR AS THEY HAVE THE SAME FEATURES AS SPECTACLES; CONTACT LENSES
  • G02C7/00—Optical parts
  • G02C7/02—Lenses; Lens systems ; Methods of designing lenses
  • G02C7/08—Auxiliary lenses; Arrangements for varying focal length
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02C—SPECTACLES; SUNGLASSES OR GOGGLES INSOFAR AS THEY HAVE THE SAME FEATURES AS SPECTACLES; CONTACT LENSES
  • G02C3/00—Special supporting arrangements for lens assemblies or monocles
  • G02C3/003—Arrangements for fitting and securing to the head in the position of use
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02C—SPECTACLES; SUNGLASSES OR GOGGLES INSOFAR AS THEY HAVE THE SAME FEATURES AS SPECTACLES; CONTACT LENSES
  • G02C7/00—Optical parts
  • G02C7/02—Lenses; Lens systems ; Methods of designing lenses

Definitions

• This invention relates to a novel inethod of and telescopic spectacles for improving the visual acuity of persons who have greatly impair- ed vision.
• the invention proposes the use of a form of the Galilean telescope greatly to increase visual acuity, without restricting the field of view of persons with extrecnely poor vision such as those suffering from macular or retineal degeneration, or nystagmus, but whose corneas, lenses, and humours remain transparent.
• a contact lens of thirty or twenty diopters negative power is used in tandem with a positive objective lens of relatively high power and large diameter supported about thirty millimeters in front of the patient's cornea.
• the modified telescope was fitted on one patient who, despite repeated efforts by eye specialists, had never been able to see more sharply than 20/70 in one eye and 20/200 in the other, and whose field of view was restric ted to an angle of about 7° by other, previously available telescopic visual aids.
• the patient's vision in one eye tested at 20/30, and in the other eye at 20/40, and her field of view was measured at about 140°.
• Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the spectacle system according to the invention.
• Figure 2 is a perspective view of a pair of spectacles according to the invention as worn by a patient.
• Figure 3 is a perspective wiew of an alternative arrangement for supporting the objective lens portions of the spectacles.
• the spectacle system of the invention includes a contact lens 10 for application in the usual way to the patient's cornea. If the patient retains his natural crystalline lens, I.e. if the eye is phakic, the power of the contact lens 10 is about thirty diopters. If the eye is aphakic, a power of about twenty diopters is adequate.
• An objective lens 12 is optically aligned with the contact lens 10 spaced about thirty millimeters in front of it. The objective lens 12 is between about fifteen diopters and thirty diopters in power. It is also of relatively large diameter, preferably about eighty millimeters.
• the combination of the two lenses 10 and 12 constitutes a modified Galilean telescope that serves greatly to improve the vision of the patient without restricting his angular field of view.
• the objective lenses 12 are held in a frameless arrangement supported on hangers 18 from a headband 20 and spaced to the front by a brow rest 22.
• a pair of tanples 24 serve to enhance lateral stability.
• FIG. 3 An alternative support arrangement is shwon in Figure 3.
• the objective lenses are integrally molded in a curved, transparent visor 28 which is pivoted on a headband 30 at points adjacent to the wearer's ears, much like the visor co-monly seen on motorcycle helmets.
• the visor may be pivoted between a position atop the wearer's head and its operative position in front of the wearer's face.
• the operative position is optimized by adjusting a front support strap connected between the headband 30 and top of the visor 28.
• the nature of the structural arrangement for supporting the objective lenses 12 or 26 in front of the eyes is not regarded as an essential element of the invention, but may be varied in accordance the designer's choice. It Is important, however, that the lenses be of relatively high power, at least about fifteen diopters, and, to avoid restricting the patient's angular field of view, that they be of relatively large diameter, say at least 70 mm. , and preferably about 80 mm. It is also highly desirable to minimize the scope of any peripheral structure such as the temples 24 and to use a transparent frame, or a frameless arrangement, so as to minimize obstructions in the peripheral field.

Landscapes

• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Ophthalmology & Optometry (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Optics & Photonics (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Eyeglasses (AREA)
• Lenses (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=23435494

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (4)

Families Citing this family (6)

Family Cites Families (4)

• 1983
  • 1983-01-31 EP EP19830901001 patent/EP0105292A4/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 1983-01-31 WO PCT/US1983/000136 patent/WO1983003481A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1983-01-31 JP JP58501120A patent/JPS59500586A/ja active Pending
  • 1983-03-31 IT IT67359/83A patent/IT1165742B/it active

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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