JP2001311916A - Contac lens and method for manufacturing the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a contact lens which prevents unexpected loss while meeting many and diversified living styles and simplifies maintenance and control. SOLUTION: The contact lens is discretely provided with color parts of a color different from the color possessed by the material of the lens, by which the contact lens, when placed in natural objects, is distinctly identifiable from these natural objects and is easily discriminatable, by which the casual loss thereof may be prevented. The colored parts which are specific in terms of discretenes can impart many and diversified impressions to persons when the lens is worn. The additive value as an ornament meeting the living having a much variety is generated. More particularly if the colored parts are artificial shapes, the discrimination from the natural objects is easier and the effect of preventing the loss is more remarkable. The misunderstanding of the colored parts occurring in the diseases of the iris, the cornea, etc., may be averted. If the colored parts are formed to vary with a pair of the contact lenses to be wfcorn at the right and left eyes, the discrimination of the right and left lenses is easier.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a contact lens used by being directly attached to a cornea.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a contact lens having a color different from the color of a lens material has been known. These color contact lenses are used for medical treatments to deal with iris abnormalities such as iris loss or iris resection, for shaping to deal with corneal white spots, etc., and for eyeglasses that conform to regular use from everyday use glasses It is used for grooming similar to replacement.

Therefore, conventional color contact lenses are:
These demands have been met by applying a pattern or a single color similar to a general iris viewed through the cornea to the entire contact lens or the entire annular portion excluding the pupil.

[0004]

However, conventional contact lenses have been developed with an emphasis on medical care and cosmetics, and therefore have insufficient functions for grooming and daily life. They could not respond to diversified lifestyles and personal preferences. That is, the conventional contact lens imitates the color and pattern of a general iris including a personal appearance, and has a very natural color and pattern. For this reason, when the contact lens is accidentally dropped during intense exercise or attachment / detachment, it is difficult to distinguish the contact lens from surrounding natural objects, and the contact lens is easily lost. In addition, those who use contact lenses due to refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, presbyopia, etc., generally wear contact lenses for both eyes, but both eyes are exactly the same. Is rarely abnormal. For this reason,
Many users of contact lenses are forced to maintain and manage a pair of contact lenses that are exactly the same in appearance and require the same maintenance to correct left and right vision, and that they must be separately maintained and managed. I was

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and provides a contact lens which is adapted to a variety of lifestyles, prevents unexpected loss, and is easy to maintain and manage. It is an object.

[0006]

Means for Solving the Problems and Their Functions and Effects In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the contact lens of the present invention discretely includes a plurality of colored portions different in color from the color of the lens material. It is characterized by. Such contact lenses are easy to distinguish from natural objects when placed in natural objects due to their discrete coloring. Therefore, the determination can be made easily, and unexpected loss can be prevented. In addition, the discrete colored portion, which is discrete, can give a variety of impressions to a person at the time of wearing, and generates added value as a decorative article suitable for a varied life.

Here, the material of the contact lens is
Various known materials are available, such as oxygen-impermeable hard contact lenses MMA (metal methacrylate), oxygen-permeable hard contact lenses SMA (siloxanyl methacrylate) and FMA (fluoromethacrylate), and hydrous soft contacts. HEMA of lens
(Hydroxyethyl methacrylate), N-VP (N
-Vinyl pyrrolidone), DMAA (dimethyl acrylamide), GMA (glycerol methacrylate), silicone rubber, butyl acrylate, dimethyl siloxane for non-water-containing soft contact lenses, collagen for biocompatible contact lenses, amino acid copolymer, etc. .

In addition, as a polymerizable monomer for a contact lens, a commonly used radically polymerizable compound is conceivable. For example, at least one vinyl group, allyl group, acrylic group or methacryl group may be present in the molecule. Any of the compounds that are commonly used as hard contact lens or soft contact lens materials can be used. Specifically, alkyl acrylate, siloxanyl acrylate, fluoroalkyl acrylate, hydroxyalkyl acrylate,
Acrylic esters such as polyethylene glycol acrylate and vinyl acrylate, derivatives of styrene, N
Vinyl compounds such as vinyl lactams and (poly) vinyl carboxylate; More specifically,
For example, styrene, acrylic acid, methyl acrylate,
Ethyl acrylate, n-butyl acrylate, phenyl acrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate,
2-hydroxypropyl acrylate, methacrylic acid,
Methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, n-butyl methacrylate, 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate, isobornyl methacrylate, benzyl methacrylate, phenyl methacrylate, 2-methacryloyloxyethyl succinic acid, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, 2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate, 2-hydroxy Butyl methacrylate, fumaric acid and their esters, methacrylonitrile, N, N-dimethylacrylamide, N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone and the like can be used.

Further, as crosslinking agents, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, diethylene glycol diacrylate, triethylene glycol diacrylate, propylene glycol diacrylate, trimethylolpropane triacrylate, pentaerythritol triacrylate, 1,4-butanediol diacrylate, ,
Polyfunctional monomers such as 6-hexanediol diacrylate, glycerin diacrylate, divinylbenzene diallyl phthalate, and diethylene glycol bisallyl carbonate can be used.

[0010] The contact lens of the present invention having the above configuration can also adopt the following modes. First, the colored portion can be of a geometric shape. Here, the geometrical shape means a well-known shape such as a heart shape, a star shape, a circle, a square, a triangle, a hound's-tooth check, an ideographic character, a phonogram, a musical note, a traffic sign, and other predetermined ideas. It is a shape devised by a human, such as a sign to be made. Such geometric shapes are designed to abstract the shapes existing in nature by human ideas and to convey specific wills and meanings, and are different from shapes existing in nature. . Therefore, it is easy to distinguish from natural objects, and the effect of preventing loss is remarkable. In addition, the colored portion of the contact lens does not cause a misunderstanding that the colored portion is caused by a disease such as an iris or a cornea.

The plurality of colored portions may have the same shape or may have different shapes. In the former case, the production of the colored portion becomes easier, and in the latter case, the identification becomes easier. In addition, the contact lens can be classified into upper, lower, left and right.

The plurality of colored portions may be arranged symmetrically or asymmetrically. In the former case, the symmetry may foster the easiness of identification, and in the latter case, the contact lens can be distinguished vertically and horizontally. Although the symmetry can be considered for a set of a plurality of colored portions, it is also possible to consider the symmetry (concentricity) with respect to the lens shape of a normally round contact lens. As a result, a configuration in which a plurality of colored portions are symmetrically arranged as a set of the colored portions and non-concentrically arranged with respect to the lens can be considered.

The contact lens in which the colored portions are discretely arranged can be formed in a specific shape in which the positional relationship with the eyeball becomes a predetermined position by interaction with the eyeball and / or eyelid. Contact lenses that are generally used to correct refractive errors have a complex refractive effect due to the interaction between the contact lens and the tear fluid interposed between the cornea and the positional relationship with the pupil and the rotational position. Is not a problem. On the other hand, the contact lens of the present invention, in which colored portions are discretely present, expresses a difference from a natural object as described above by the shape of the colored portion or the discrete arrangement of the colored portions. Such expressions by colored parts are meaningless depending on how they are viewed, such as being upside down or left and right, such as inverted hearts, tone symbols, lose their original meaning, can not be transmitted, On the contrary, some are even humorous. Therefore, if the above-described colored portion is provided in the contact lens specified so that the positional relationship with the eyeball becomes a predetermined position by the interaction with the eyeball and / or the eyelid, the effect sought for the colored portion is reliably achieved. be able to. A contact lens having such a positional relationship with an eyeball as a predetermined position is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 57-210.
The present invention is not limited to the technology disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 319, etc., and any technology may be used.

Further, the colored portion may be made of a material that responds to light of a specific wavelength. Here, the light having the specific wavelength is light such as ultraviolet light, infrared light, or visible light, and is more preferably light that can be easily handled in daily life. Further, the reaction is a change such as emission or discoloration of the colored portion due to the light of the specific wavelength. The colored portion made of such a material can be easily recognized by being irradiated with light of a specific wavelength. For this reason, it is possible to easily recognize the presence of the contact lens in the eyeball, and to easily find the contact lens by irradiating light of a specific wavelength when the contact lens is lost. In addition, by providing a colored portion having a different reaction to a set of a plurality of contact lenses, light of a specific wavelength is irradiated to a contact lens which cannot be determined to be worn on the left or right in a natural state. In this way, it can also be used as an identification display for distinguishing which one is to be mounted on the left or right. In addition, it is possible to use such a special ink only for a part of the colored portion, and to cause the ink to emit fluorescence only when a black light or the like is applied. As such an ink (dye), a material such as florescein is known.

The contact lens set of the present invention is a contact lens set comprising a plurality of contact lenses, wherein a plurality of colored portions having a color different from the color of the lens material are discretely formed on the lens surface. The gist is that at least one of the color, the shape, and the discrete arrangement state of the colored portion is different in the contact lens in the set.

According to such a configuration, even if the left and right contact lenses and the plurality of contact lenses for one eye are maintained and managed in the same manner, the set of contacts can be easily identified. , Can be handled easily.
The difference in one or more of the color, the shape, and the discrete arrangement state is a concept including, for example, a case in which only one of the contact lenses has no colored portion.

According to the invention of a method of manufacturing a contact lens for manufacturing a contact lens exhibiting the above-described excellent effects, an ink is manufactured by mixing a predetermined dye with the same or different monomer as the material of the contact lens. The ink is filled into a plurality of discretely arranged concave portions having a predetermined shape, and the ink in the concave portions is collected by a pad and transferred to a contact lens mold, and the contact lens is transferred to the contact lens mold by the transferred mold. Characterized in that at least one surface is molded.

According to such a manufacturing method, an ink in which a predetermined dye is mixed with a monomer which is the same as or different from the material of the contact lens is filled in a predetermined shape in a predetermined discretely arranged concave portion, and the ink in the concave portion is filled. Is collected on a pad and printed on a contact lens mold, and at least one surface of the contact lens is molded using the printed mold. Therefore, according to this manufacturing method, it is easy to discretely provide a plurality of colored portions on the contact lens. As a method of manufacturing a contact lens using such a mold, there are a spin casting method in which a monomer as a contact lens material is injected into a rotating mold, and this is spread and polymerized by centrifugal force. A molding method in which a mold is poured and a convex shape is formed and molded is known. In recent years, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,555,372, a manufacturing method in which the front surface is formed by a mold and the rear surface is lace cut, and conversely, the rear surface is formed by a mold and the front surface is lace-cut. Cutting methods and the like have been proposed, and any of these methods can be adopted as the method of manufacturing the contact lens of the present invention.

Here, iron oxide, Tita
nium dioxide, Phthalocyanine green, Phthalocyanine
blue, Reactive Red11, Reactive Yellow86, Reactive
Black5 or the like can be used alone or appropriately compounded. Further, as the concave portion into which the ink is injected, a metal plate which can be easily finely processed can be used, and a copper plate is particularly suitable. As a pad for collecting the ink, a material such as a soft polymer having physical properties that are scientifically stable with respect to the monomer is suitable, and silicon is particularly preferable. As a mold for printing ink, polyvinyl resin is suitable, but a metal mold or the like can also be used. The contact lens manufactured in this manner does not require significant addition or modification of the manufacturing process in manufacturing the colored portion. Further, if the formed colored portion is formed from the same monomer as the contact lens, the optical characteristics are the same and the contact portion can be used as a contact lens for correcting refractive error. If different monomers are used, the characteristics of the monomers can be used for the colored portion. In such a configuration, since the pigment used for coloring is mixed with the monomer, the colored portion is completely integrated with the contact lens, and even if the pigment component alone has a property of being deteriorated by tears or the like, it should be used. Can be.

As a method of manufacturing a contact lens, in addition to the above-described method involving molding, the front surface (the surface that light rays from the outside contact first) and the rear surface (the surface that contacts the cornea) are cut from a polymer. There is a race cut method to put out. When this manufacturing method is adopted, the contact lens of the present invention can be obtained by shaving a contact lens having a desired shape in advance, and thereafter disposing the colored portion in a ring shape. In this case, the arrangement of the colored part is as follows: after shaving the front or rear side of the lens, transfer the ink to this surface,
The polymerization may be performed using a method of polymerizing the ink, polishing the surface, and then cutting the opposite surface.

[0021]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In order to further clarify the structure and operation of the present invention described above, embodiments of the contact lens of the present invention will be described below. FIG.
1 is a front view of a contact lens 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the contact lens 10 of the present embodiment is
Is a general contact lens having a circular outer shape, being entirely colorless and transparent, and having desired optical characteristics. An imaginary line shown by a dotted line in the figure is a boundary line between the optical part 12 having the optical effect of the contact lens 10 and a bevel 14 located on the outer periphery thereof. The bevel 14 has four star-shaped colored parts 16. They are arranged at regular intervals, that is, discretely at every 90 degrees. Therefore, the colored portion 16 functions only as a mark without affecting the optical characteristics of the contact lens 10 at all.

The contact lens 10 constructed as described above
When attached to the cornea, it can give a wide variety of impressions to human beings, resulting in added value as a decorative article adapted to a varied life. Moreover, when detached from the cornea intentionally or carelessly, the discrete colored portions 16 can be clearly distinguished from surrounding natural objects. Therefore, its existence can be easily recognized, and unexpected loss or the like can be prevented. In addition, since the colored portion 16 has a very artificial shape such as a star, it is easier to distinguish it from natural objects, and the colored portion 16 is intentionally made to prevent diseases such as the iris and cornea. There is no misunderstanding of the cause.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The contact lens according to the second embodiment includes the contact lens 10 shown in FIG. 1 and the contact lens 20 shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a front view of the other contact lens 20 of the pair of contact lenses used simultaneously with the contact lens 10. This contact lens 2
On the bevel 24 located on the outer periphery of the optical portion 22 having the optical effect of 0, four crescent-shaped colored portions 26 are discretely arranged at every 90 degrees. Therefore, the colored portion 26 also functions only as a mark without affecting the optical characteristics of the contact lens 20 at all. Such a contact lens 20 paired with the contact lens 10 not only exhibits the effect of the contact lens 10 described above, but also has a shape of the colored portion 26 different from that of the colored portion 16 of the contact lens 10. Even if the contact lenses 10 and 20 are simultaneously subjected to maintenance such as cleaning and sterilization, or even if they are managed in the same place, it is possible to easily determine which of the right and left eyes is appropriate. Moreover, since the shapes of the colored portions 16 and 26 of the pair of contact lenses 10 and 20 are mutually complementary shapes reminiscent of a celestial body such as a star shape and a crescent shape, the impression given to an interpersonal as a synergistic effect is deepened. Artificial and intentional expressions are possible.

Contact lenses 10 and 20 as described above
Can be easily manufactured by a molding method. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view in which the contact lenses 10 and 20 are molded using a plastic mold 30 used for manufacturing. FIG. 4 shows a manufacturing process. As shown, the manufacturing process is roughly divided into a preparation process PROV, a contact lens molding process MOLD, and a subsequent process SUF. First, in the preparation step PROV, the production of a plastic mold 30 for molding, the production of a copper plate for pattern transfer, and the preparation of ink are performed.

In the manufacture of the plastic mold 30 in the preparation step PROV (step S100), the concave female mold 32 and the convex male mold 34 shown in FIG. 3 are manufactured by a mold manufacturing machine. This is performed by injecting a polyvinyl resin into a mold manufacturing apparatus having cavities of the female mold 32 and the male mold 34. As a result, a female mold 32 and a male mold 34 for molding are obtained. The surface of the female mold 32 is shaped to be the basis of the front curve of the completed contact lens, while the convex part of the male mold 34 is a uniform and smooth surface (base curve BC) because it is the contact part with the cornea. It has been. In order to further smooth the surfaces of the female mold 32 and the male mold 34, plasma processing or the like may be performed.

The production of the copper plate in the preparation step PROV (step S110) is performed by engraving a pattern with a score line on the surface of the copper plate. The same design as that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is engraved on the copper plate of the embodiment. As will be described later, ink is applied to this symbol and remains, and is used for transfer. This is a method similar to dry point in prints. The engraving of the score line on the copper plate may be performed manually or by an automated machine tool such as NC.

The remaining work of the preparation step PROV is a step of preparing ink (step S120). The ink uses Reactive Red 11 as a pigment, and is mixed with the same monomer as hema, which is the main material of the contact lenses 10 and 20. Here, a red pigment is used, but if the pigments to be mixed are appropriately selected, the ink can be prepared in various colors. Each of the above steps (Step S10
From 0 to 120), the preparation for the production of contact lenses is completed.

Next, a molding process MOLD for a contact lens
Make a statement about The ink prepared in the preparation step PROV is applied to a copper plate (step S200), and thereafter, the ink on the surface of the copper plate is wiped off (step S210). As a result, the ink remains on the copper plate only in the concave portion of the score line. Next, a pad made of silicon is pressed against the surface of the copper plate (step S220). Since the silicon pad is highly elastic, it is deformed by pressing, and the ink inside the marking line is collected on the surface of the pad. Then, the silicon pad is pressed against the convex portion of the male mold 34 shown in FIG. 3 (step S230). As a result, the ink on the pad surface is transferred to the convex surface. Furthermore, this male mold 34
Is placed in a state of 50 to 60 degrees C, and the ink is dried (step S240).

On the other hand, a monomer to be a contact lens is prepared (step S250), and molding is performed by this. In this embodiment, Hydroxyethyl Mathacrylate (commonly referred to as "hea") is used as a material that will eventually become the contact lenses 10 and 20. After adjusting the components, an appropriate amount of this monomer is put into the concave portion of the female mold 32 (Step S260), and Step S2
According to 00 to 240, the male mold 34 with the ink printed on the surface is mounted and fixed as shown in FIG. 3 (Step S270). And the fixed plastic mold 3
0 is placed in an oven and heated at 70-80 degrees (step 280). By heating, the monomer is polymerized and the rough shape of the contact lenses 10 and 20 is formed. At this time, the ink of the pattern in which the dye is prepared is also polymerized and integrated with the contact lens. Female mold 32 after molding
Is removed (step 290), the male mold 34 is obtained with the contact lenses 10, 20 having the colored portions 16, 26 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 fixed thereto. This completes the contact lens molding step MOLD.

As the polymerizable monomer for forming a contact lens, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate 97
Parts by weight, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate 2 parts by weight, azobis (2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile) 0.
A mixture obtained by thoroughly mixing 3 parts by weight, degassing the mixture, and replacing with nitrogen can also be used. The mixture is filled into the female mold 32 and the male mold 34, and the mixture is put into a hot-air circulation type thermostat, and heated at 40 ° C. for 8 hours and at 80 ° C. for about 5 hours. The molding is completed.

The contact lens 1 thus completed in molding
After removing the female mold 32 for 0 and 20, the male mold 34 is removed.
Is mounted on a lathe to perform a cutting process such as a front curve (FC) that determines the optical characteristics of the contact lenses 10 and 20 and a cutting of the peripheral portion, and a polishing of the front and peripheral edges (step S300). A bevel is provided on the contact lens by polishing the peripheral portion or the like. The contact lens 10 whose outer shape has been adjusted in this manner,
20, after swelling and washing in pure water, immersing in a physiological saline to absorb a predetermined amount of water (step S310). In this way, the contact lens is completed. However, in order to handle the product as a product, the product is further inspected and then put into a prestar container or a vial bottle and sterilized to obtain a finished product (Step S).
320).

According to the above-described manufacturing method, the above-described excellent effects can be obtained by adding only a few manufacturing steps such as the production of ink and the transfer to the male mold 34 as compared with the usual one-side molding / single-side cutting method. Contact lenses 10, 20
Can be manufactured. In addition, contact lens 1
The colored portions 16 and 26 formed at 0 and 20 are made of exactly the same members as the contact lenses 10 and 20. Therefore, although the light transmittance is different, the other optical characteristics such as the refractive index are the same, and it can be used as a contact lens for correcting a refractive error. Moreover, since the pigment used for coloring is mixed with the monomer, the colored portion is completely integrated with the contact lens, and even if the pigment component alone has a property of being deteriorated by tears or the like, it can be used. .

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist of the present invention. Of course. For example, the discrete symbol is not limited to a star shape or a crescent shape, but various shapes such as a clover or a heart shape can be adopted. In addition, these figures may be formed by a method of coloring the front curve surface after the completion of the contact lens. If it is not colored, it is also possible to provide a pattern by forming an irregular reflection surface on the surface with a laser or the like. In addition, as a dye that forms a pattern, a dye that emits light of another wavelength when irradiated with light of a specific wavelength, such as a fluorescent material, can also be used.
The use of such a dye can produce an effect that the color of the contact lens changes depending on the environment and the lighting device. In addition, when a contact lens is lost, it can be easily found by using a light or the like that emits light of a specific wavelength. By using a combination of a black light and a dye that emits fluorescent light, it is possible to illuminate only a pupil in a specific color in a dark room, or to make a specific design emerge there.

Further, in the above embodiment, the method of manufacturing the contact lenses 10 and 20 is a method of single-sided molding and single-sided cutting.
A contact lens having a discrete colored portion can be manufactured by a manufacturing method such as a casting method or a spin casting method in which both surfaces of 0 are completed by molding.
As the polymerization of the monomer, a polymerization method other than the heat polymerization, for example, polymerization by light irradiation can be used.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a contact lens 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a contact lens 20 paired with the contact lens 10. FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory sectional view of a plastic mold 30 for manufacturing the contact lenses 10 and 20 by a molding method.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a manufacturing process of the contact lens.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10, 20 contact lens 12, 22 optical part 14, 24 bevel 16, 26 colored part 30 plastic type 32 female type 34 male type

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A contact lens in which a plurality of colored portions of a color different from the color of a lens material are discretely arranged on a lens surface. 2. The contact lens according to claim 1, wherein the colored portion has a geometric shape. 3. The contact lens according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of colored portions have the same shape. 4. The contact lens according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of colored portions have different shapes. 5. The contact lens according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of colored portions are symmetrically arranged. 6. The contact lens according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of colored portions are asymmetrically arranged. 7. The contact lens according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of colored portions are symmetrically arranged as a set of the colored portions, and are arranged non-concentrically with respect to the lens. 8. The contact lens in which the colored portions are discretely arranged is formed in a specific shape such that the positional relationship with the eyeball becomes a predetermined position by interaction with the eyeball and / or eyelid. 7. The contact lens according to 7. 9. The contact lens according to claim 1, wherein the colored portion is made of a material that responds to light of a specific wavelength. 10. The contact lens according to claim 1, wherein the colored portion is made of a material responsive to light having a predetermined intensity or higher. 11. A contact lens set including at least a plurality of contact lenses, wherein a plurality of colored portions having a color different from a color of a lens material are discretely arranged on a lens surface, and A contact lens set in which at least one of the color, shape, and discrete arrangement state of the colored portion is different in the contact lens set. 12. A method of manufacturing a contact lens, comprising mixing a predetermined dye with a monomer which is the same as or different from the material of the contact lens to manufacture an ink, and arranging the ink in a plurality and discretely of a predetermined shape. A method of manufacturing a contact lens, wherein the ink is injected into the recessed portion, the ink in the recessed portion is collected by a pad, and transferred to a mold for contact lens, and at least one surface of the contact lens is molded using the transferred mold. .