KR960006370B1 - Low vision eye glasses - Google Patents

Abstract

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Description

Low vision glasses

1 is a plan view of a lens frame assembly for using the lens of the present invention,

2 is a rear view of the lens frame assembly of FIG.

3 is a bottom view of the lens frame assembly of FIG. 1 showing the hinge action of the assembly,

4 is a cross-sectional view of one form of the inventive lens assembly,

5 is a plan view of the invention block lens forming part of the present invention.

The present invention relates to improved glasses for use by persons with macular (retinal) degeneration, optic nerve damage, or similar low vision problems, the lens assembly itself used in such glasses, and methods of improving the vision of users of such glasses and lenses. .

Various types of devices are designed for people with vision problems. The main commonality of these devices is that they focus on the macular retina on the back of the eye.

Inadequate focusing is not uncommon and usually results from improper focusing by the cornea and lens of the eye. If the cornea and lens do not function properly to bend or refract the incident light along the image, these rays do not focus properly on the macular retina, so that the optic nerve cannot deliver the right information to the brain, resulting in proper vision. You can't import it. Many of these problems are caused by aspherical eyes. Usually, artificial lenses can correct this type of vision problem. Such artificial lenses can be in the form of contact lenses, eyeglasses and the like and have been used for many years.

However, if the defect is due to degeneration of all or part of the macular retina on the back or inside of the eye, or weakening of the optic nerve, which usually transfers the image from the macular retina to the brain, the standard lens usually provides adequate vision to the suffering patient. Insufficient to recover.

Various commercially available devices for overcoming the low vision problem have been limitedly available. One of these devices is the Finebloom System. The finebloom system consists of a tubular device consisting of a mirror attached to conventional glasses. The device allows a patient using such a system to focus on the subject at one particular distance.

The mirror of the tube increases or decreases the focused light to allow the deformed macular retina or its denatured part or weakened optic nerve to function again, thereby restoring some vision. However, to focus at different distances, different tubes must be used. In addition, such a system restricts the user from aiming or aiming properly correctly.

Another low vision aid is the Qpticon System. The system further consists of a sub-magnification diverging contact lens used in optical cooperation with a conventional magnification-converging lens. The positive lens should be moved toward or away from the contact lens and the user's eyes in order to focus in a manner similar to a telescope. Patients using these systems will have a wider field of view than with fine bloom systems, but magnification is a problem. The distance from the peak or sub-magnification contact lens to the front of the forward magnification lens creates a much larger telescope image than normal size. This causes a problem of depth perception for the user. Therefore, the object being seen appears much closer than it actually is. Also, as a practical matter, most of the users of this form system are older and face the problem of wearing or removing contact lenses.

Various prior art specifications describe lens arrays made of combinations with limited structural similarity to the lens arrays of the present invention. For example, Galileo's original telescope used an optical combination of a negative lens near the user's eye and a magnification lens supported by a tube at a fixed distance from the negative lens. Most telescopes now allow relative movement between lenses that can be focused at different distances. Moreover, the telescope is designed for magnification rather than achieving effective one-to-one focusing, the goal of normal eyeglasses users.

Other lens arrangements using combination lenses of positive and / or negative characteristics are found in US Patent No. 2,474,837 to Glacie and US Patent No. 3,511,558 to Uberhagen. These specifications relate to devices for use as magnifiers in telescopes or cameras, a completely different function from the present invention, which seeks to retain one-to-one imaging with increased illumination over field of view to correct low vision problems.

Although structural similarities exist between the present invention and these seed devices, their structural differences make it impossible to use conventional devices for the purposes of the present invention.

Meanwhile, another prior art specification describing lens arrays for eyeglasses is described in US Pat. No. 968,693 to Lor; US Pat. No. 2,092,789 to Tillier; US Pat. No. 3,702,2l8 to Manhaier; and US Pat. No. 3B77,978 to Tolar.

In this prior art specification, the lens assembly is shaped and magnified to correct the problem of focusing the beam on the macular retina, such as with the cornea and lens acting as inadequate rather than focusing on a specially selected area of the retina. It relates to a combination of the lens with the changed. Prior art lens arrays do not provide intensifying ability to assist patients with low vision problems due to macular degeneration, optic nerve damage, and the like. In most cases, these prior patents describe lens arrays that combine their positive and / or negative lenses together into a single lens. Thus they function as a single lens only for the purpose of improving the patient's ability to focus. Further, as described above, although structural similarities may exist between the present invention and these prior art devices, they cannot be used for prior art devices due to their structural differences.

Although many lenses and various combinations of other optics have been redesigned in the past to overcome a wide range of optical problems, they have lenses with full magnification and sub-magnification, separated by a fixed air space, and their purpose and object. And the use of the present invention eyeglasses with prisms for the benefit of overcoming macular degeneration, optic nerve damage and similar low vision problems cannot be derived from anything. The present invention overcomes the problems of the prior art and achieves the objects and advantages with the minimum number of functional parts and the lowest cost.

In addition, the present invention eliminates the need for the patient to be directed or precisely aimed and eliminates the need for heavy equipment or devices that require constant manufacturing outside of focusing. It is to be understood that these objects and advantages are just a few examples of the salient features and uses of the present invention. Many other beneficial results can be achieved by applying the disclosed invention to other methods or by modifying the invention within the scope of the specification. Accordingly, the objects and advantages of the present invention, as well as a full understanding of the present invention, are referred to the detailed description of the invention which describes the preferred embodiments of the invention as well as the scope of the invention as recited in the claims in connection with the summary of the invention and the accompanying drawings. Can be understood.

The invention is defined by the appended claims in respect of the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

In summary, the present invention is as follows. The present invention is inherently one-to-one consisting of a first lens of positive optical characteristics, a second lens of negative optical characteristics having a prism, and a means for fixing the first lens and the second lens to each other. Glasses for projecting light rays at magnification. A space is formed between the lenses at least in their central region.

The first lens has at least one convex surface and preferably two wrong target surfaces. The space between the lenses is between about 1.2 mm and 1.5 mm. The first lens has an edge thickness between about 0.5 mm and about 1.5 mm.

The side of the first lens close to the second lens has a convex surface having a curvature between about 2.13 diopters and 476 diopters. The second lens has a center head system between about 1.2 mm and about 1.6 mm. The side of the second lens close to the first lens has a mistarget surface having a curvature of about 4.29 diopters to 6.72 diopters. In another embodiment of the invention, the bifocal lens is formed as part of the first lens. The invention also includes improved glasses for use by people with low vision problems such as macular degeneration, optic nerve damage, and the like.

The improved glasses support the lens assembly and lens assembly having a magnified lens that converges the received light and a reduced lens that emits the received light at a distance from the user's eye, and form a space between them along the optical axis of the lens. A frame for supporting the lens in a predetermined direction with respect to each other. The space between the lenses is between about 1.2 mm and about 5.0 mm. The edge of the magnifying lens has a thickness between about 0.5 mm and about 1.5 mm. The size of the magnifying lens adjacent to the space has a convex surface having a curvature between about 2.13 diopters and 4.76 diopters. The reduction lens has a center thickness between about 1.2 mm and about 1.6 mm. The side of the reduction lens adjacent to the space has a concave surface having a curvature between about 4.29 diopters and 6.72 diopters.

In another form of the invention, the eyeglasses may further comprise a bifocal lens formed as part of the magnifying lens.

The present invention can also be thought of as consisting of eyeglasses that improve vision in people with macular degeneration, optic nerve damage or similar low vision problems. Such glasses include two lens assemblies. Each assembly has a magnifying lens having two convex surfaces and an edge thickness between about 0.5 mm to about 1.5 mm. Each assembly also has a reduction lens having two false target surfaces and a central thickness between about 1.2 mm and about 1.6 mm. The lenses of each assembly are arranged in a straight line along their optical axis.

Such glasses also include a frame that supports each lens of each assembly at a distance from the user's eyes and supports the lenses of the assembly in a predetermined direction with respect to each other. The lenses of each assembly have a space between them of at least about 1.2 mm to about 5.0 mm along their optical axis.

For each assembly, the side of the magnifying lens adjacent the space has a surface with a convex curvature between about 2.13 diopters and about 4.76 diopters. For each assembly, the side of the reduction lens adjacent the space has a surface having a concave curvature between 4.29 diopters and 6.72 diopters.

The present invention also includes methods for improving vision in patients suffering from low vision problems such as macular degeneration, optic nerve damage, and the like.

The method of the present invention consists of converging light rays carrying an image from a visible object through the relens and projecting the light rays toward the eyes of such a patient.

The method also includes emitting, through the second lens, the projected light beam and projecting the emitted light beam at a predetermined position within the eye of such a patient.

The method of the invention also includes directing additional ambient light onto the retina to improve the sensitivity of the image.

As a result, the method includes positioning the first lens at an angle with respect to the second lens such that the image is selectively focused on the human retina, the second lens being independent of the distance to the object being viewed. It is kept at a distance from the eye of such a patient.

The foregoing has outlined rather more relevant and important features of the invention and is intended to provide a better understanding of the following detailed description of the invention in order that the contribution of the invention to the art may be more fully appreciated.

Further details of the invention will be described later, which form the subject matter of the claims of the invention. The concepts and embodiments described herein may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes as the invention. This equivalent structure does not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS For a more complete understanding of the features, objects, and advantages of the present invention, it is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1, 2 and 3 illustrate a form of spectacle frame assembly 10 that supports the lens assembly invented and improves vision of a patient with pointing problems such as macular degeneration, optic nerve damage, and the like. The frame assembly includes a standard lens support frame or frame 12 that firmly supports the magnifying lens in the proper direction with respect to the eye of such a stable user.

The agent (12) is preferably made of plastic so as to have a low weight while providing a thick support. The inner surface of the rim 12 is provided with a groove in a manner known in the art that is hinged with an insert shelf made to receive the edge of the lens to hold the lens in the desired position.

The frame assembly also has side stems 14 and 16 with endless bent arms that can be positioned behind the user's ears to secure the glasses to the user's head to maintain the frame and lens assembly in the proper orientation relative to the user's eyes. ).

Hinges 18 and 20 are preferably provided at the front end of the stem adjacent the rim so that the parts of the glasses can be folded in a compact arrangement when not in use. The bridge 22 connects two lens holes 24 and 26 across the user's nose.

In this way, the optical axis of the lens held in the frame assembly 10 coincides with the optical axis of the user's eye so that the object, usually seen in the desired direction, for proper vision is aligned.

The lens assembly 10 also includes an inner frame 28 that holds the second lens pair at a predetermined position relative to the lens held in the frame 12. The inner frame 28 is also of the type known in the art and preferably consists of a low weight wire frame so that the combined size of the frames 12 and 18 is kept relatively small.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, frame 12 is hinged to frame 28 by hinges 30 and 32 to allow frame 12 to pivot 5 mm relative to frame 28. 3 shows the pivoted frame.

As is evident from the following description, one of the innovative features of this system is the combination of prismatic effects on the inventive lens so that a particular area of the retinal retina can be focused.

In some patients, such as diabetics, the focal portion of the retina that responds to light may vary daily. By slightly adjusting the relative positions of the frames 12 and 28, the position of the focused image can be changed.

As long as the optical center of the lens is not affected, the image is not damaged. The inner frame 28 also includes nose rests 34 and 36 that support the frame assembly 10 to a user's nose in a known manner.

One form of the lens assembly is shown in cross section in FIG. The first lens (external lens) 38, i.e. the lens farthest from the user's eye 40, is a lens of constant magnification (positive optical properties) and acts as an enlarged lens in the optical system. This lens will act to converge the light rays received from the object 42 shown.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the lens is formed of two convex surfaces, one of which is the outer surface (front) 44 and one of which is the inner surface (back) 46.

Usually, for positive lenses, at least one side of the lens should be convex. The lens is between about 0.5mm and about 1.5mm thick and is large enough to perform proper imaging.

The inner surface 46, which is closer to the user's eye, preferably has a convex surface having a curvature between about 2.13 diopters and about 4.76 diopters. Here, the diopter is a unit of measurement of the refractive power of a lens whose inverse of the focal length measured in meters.

The second lens 48 of each optical system is a lens of sub-magnification (negative optical characteristics) and functions to reduce the image seen by emitting the received light rays. This lens is preferably formed of two wrong target surfaces, one of which is formed on its outer surface (front) 52 and one of which is formed on its inner surface (back) 54.

Preferably this lens is a slightly larger diameter lens than lens 38 and has a center thickness between about 1.2 mm and about 1.6 mm. The curvature of the first or outer surface 52 of the second lens 48 is preferably between 4.29 diopters and 6.72 diopters.

Various lenses of the optical assembly are preferably formed of glass or plastic having the quality and performance characteristics of commercial lenses. Such materials are known in the art and are readily available on the market and are fully described in the literature.

The space 50 between the lenses along the optical axis 62 of the lens is usually between about 1.2 mm and 1.5 mm. The light rays carrying the image from the object being viewed are converged by the first lens 38 and passed through the space 50 and then emitted by a passage through the second lens 48.

The lens assemblies, ie lenses 38 and 48, are designed and configured to produce the requisite magnification necessary for use of spectacles. The space between the lenses 38 and 40 can be varied by the hinged frame assembly. In the bifocal region, the lens can be moved away by 75 mm. This additional separation may provide additional magnification in the bifocal region.

The above description is mainly directed to a system having a lens assembly or a constant lens and a space therebetween for improving the low vision problem of the user, but the present invention also relates to the lens of each assembly in a proper direction with respect to each other and also to the eyes of the user. It is to be construed as including a spectacle frame which supports these two assemblies in combination with a lens assembly having the proper orientation with respect.

4 illustrates a bifocal lens 64 in addition to the first lens 38, preferably added on its outer surface or front surface 58. The bifocal lens is designed according to appropriate regulations and is positioned or placed on the bottom of the front of the first lens adjacent to the front of the frame. It occupies a small range of the lens surface. This bifocal lens has a normal function as a standard bifocal lens that allows a user to see a long distance through the main part of the lens and a short distance through the bifocal lens part. Methods and uses of bifocal lenses are well known in the art.

In addition to the usual bifocal function, glasses having a bifocal lens constructed in accordance with the present invention provide image magnification for people with low vision problems as described above.

5 is a front view of the inner lens 48 according to the present invention. The outer line 74 represents the edge where the outer wrong target surface 52 starts. The inner line 76 indicates the edge where the inner wrong target surface 54 starts. The positions of lines 76 and 74 have been exaggerated for clarity.

The prism ring (prism face) or the annular refracting face 78 which actually forms the reflective surface 80 (see Fig. 4) is formed by the relative difference between the diameters of the outer and inner wrong target surfaces 52 and 54. .

The prism face 78 enhances the light collection capability of the lens 48 and brightens the image toward the eye. By moving the relative positions of the surfaces 52 and 54 and varying the relative sizes, the image can be concentrated in the area of the retina 70 that is active or intact.

That is, the optical center of lens 48 may be moved to change to the focal region of the eye. Preferably, the diameter of the inner wrong target surface 54 is kept constant, while the diameter of the outer wrong target surface 52 can be changed as necessary. Typically, the surface 54 will have a diameter of 35 mm while the diameter of the surface 52 will vary between 38 and 50 mm. A variation of 1 mm in the size of the defined prism face will shift the angle of 5 ° with respect to the optical axis of the lens. From the above, it will be clearly appreciated that the lens system provides two distinctive functions.

The first function is to direct the image to the optically reactive portion of the user's retina. The second function is to act as a light collector to increase the amount of light directed towards the retina.

It is believed that the light collection function is a more important function than the orientation function of the phase.

For example, it has been found that very little improved vision can be measured in some tests of visual sensitivity that put a patient in the dark room and observe the image on the screen. However, when the same patient was placed in a well-lit room, there was a significant improvement in visual sensitivity. This light collection function is believed to be due to the prism face 78 which is recognized as effective for directing light to the retina. It is to be noted that the prism face 78 is not thought to reorient the image shown, but merely increases the amount of light entering the eye, making the eye more sensitive to information about the image.

The prism ring (prism face) or annular refracting face 78 may also have a different width and the angle of the surface 80 may be different in diameter and curvature of the outer wrong target surface 52 in relation to the diameter and radius of curvature of the internal wrong target surface 54. Note that it may also vary as a function of radius.

As the angle of the surface 80 changes, the angle at which light is reflected towards the optical center of the lens 48 will vary depending on the amount of light projected onto the retina. Other variations, such as lens material, concentration of the outer curvature radius with respect to the inner curvature radius, will also affect the focal region of the light refracted by the prism ring. Each of these elements can be adjusted to direct illumination onto the best retina portion.

In fitting the lenses of the system constructed in accordance with the present invention, a standard primary or magnification lens 38 and a standard second or diverging lens 48 are designed for the imaging needs of the user.

A detailed description of an apparatus and method for selecting lenses is disclosed in US Patent Application No. 226,791, filed Aug. 1, 1988. The first lens can be moved forward and backward to effectively focus the image according to the patient's needs in a manner similar to the zoom lens of the camera. When the image shown is focused for the needs of a particular patient and the subject is clearly visible, this information is used to manufacture the lens assembly.

By calculating the distance from the first lens 38 to the second lens 48, the ratio of the first lens of multiply correct magnification and lens curvature, both lenses are fixed relative to each other to form a final lens system or as shown in FIGS. It may be located in a frame assembly as shown in FIG.

It should be understood that for some conditions the optical axis of the patient's lens may be slightly off the optical axis of the patient's eye for proper installation. This can happen when the light reflecting portion of the patient's retina is off the optical axis of the eye.

In addition to the devices described above, the present invention also includes methods for improving vision in patients with macular degeneration, optic nerve damage, and low vision problems.

The method of the present invention includes the step of focusing the image viewed as well as increasing the focused light on the macular retina, which has the effect of effectively restoring vision to the user.

The method of the present invention comprises first converging the light with the image using the magnification lianz 38 to magnify the image as the light with the image is projected from the object 42 shown first.

In the second lens 48, the received light rays are emitted through the sub-magnification of the second lens 48 and these rays are subsequently focused on the photoreactive portion of the user's retina. The second lens 48 also serves to increase the light collection capability of the lens system and direct additional light to the user's retina.

The method also includes maintaining the positive and negative lenses in a space fixed to each other with a suitable space therebetween by holding in the dual frame assembly 10.

The method also includes maintaining each lens at a fixed predetermined distance from the eye 40 of the indwelling user, regardless of the distance to the object 42 being viewed.

The present specification includes not only the above description but also information contained in the accompanying drawings. Although the present invention has been described in terms of preferred forms or examples of specificity, the description of the preferred forms is by way of example only, and many variations in details of construction, manufacture and use, including combinations and arrangements of parts and steps, are given. Can be classified without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (19)

Glasses comprising a positive lens and a negative lens having an optical center and a prism, the glasses for focusing the increased light seen from the object source on an optically semi-dmd portion of the macular retina disposed partially along the inner surface of the eye. In the manufacturing method of the present invention, forming a positive lens and a negative lens, so as to pass the ambient light entering the negative lens toward the retina by placing the center of the negative lens at a predetermined position, the prism of the negative lens during the negative lens manufacturing Integrally forming; Assembling the positive lens and the secondary lens at a predetermined position with respect to each other; And arranging the optical center at a predetermined position in the assembling step so that the image orientation can be adjusted to focus the image on the optically reactive part of the retina as the converging light passes through the positive lens from the target source in the assembling step. ; Method for producing glasses consisting of. The method of claim 1, wherein the assembling includes providing a frame to support the lens in a predetermined position, and for focusing the image on another selected area of the retina having a relatively adjustable lens support. Adjusting the relative position of the lens. A method of improving visual sensitivity in a person with severe visual impairment due to the loss of the photoresponse due to the loss of the photoresponse in a part of the human retina, wherein the image is taken from the visible subject to form a coordinated image of the subject. Converging the beam of light; diverging the magnified image to fix the magnification, focusing the divergent image on the optically reactive portion of the human retina; And illuminating additional ambient light on the human retina to enhance the response to the phase; Method comprising the. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein illuminating the light comprises: providing a diverging lens; And forming a prism ring positioned to illuminate ambient light toward the retina of the person and surrounding the surface of the diverging lens; 5. The method of claim 4, wherein focusing includes positioning the converging lens at a predetermined angle relative to the diverging lens to selectively position the primitive on the human retina. In the eyeglasses for improving the visual sensitivity of a person whose vision is impaired due to the loss of photoreaction in a part of the human retina, the external positive lens for converging the light received from the subject, spaced apart from the positive lens An inner sub lens positioned between the inner lens and cooperating with the outer lens to illuminate light from an object in the optically reactive portion of the human retina, surrounding the inner lens and returning ambient light on the human retina Glasses comprising a prism ring having a protruding direction. 7. The spectacles according to claim 6, wherein the prism ring is located on an inner surface of the inner lens. The spectacle rim according to claim 6, wherein the inner lens has a prism rim formed by a difference in the radius of the double concave in which the radius of the concave portion of the outer surface of the lens is larger than the radius of the concave portion of the inner surface. 9. The inner lens of claim 8, wherein the inner lens comprises a surface surrounding an outer portion cut to form an angle between an inner surface recess and an outer edge of the inner lens in a reflection direction, wherein the cut surface is formed of a retina. Glasses characterized by forming an annular refractive surface for refracting the light to be directed. An ophthalmic optics system for focusing increased light received from an object on an optically reactive portion of a partially deformed macular retina located along the inner surface of the eye, the outer optic for converging light received from the object source. Positive lens; An internal sub-magnification lens spaced apart from the external positive lens and positioned between the external lens and the eye, wherein the internal lens adjusts the image orientation to focus the image on the optically reactive portion of the retina, The lens further comprises: an inner sub-magnification lens having an outer wrong target surface of a first diameter facing the outer lens and an inner wrong target surface of a second diameter smaller than the first diameter facing away from the outer lens; And an annular prism ring which is oriented so as to refract light entering the lens while surrounding the inner lens and navigating the optical center of the inner lens. Optical system comprising a. The optical system according to claim 10, wherein the prism includes a refractive surface formed along the inner lens because the diameter of the outer wrong target surface is set larger than the inner wrong target surface. The optical system of claim 10, wherein the external lens has two convex surfaces. The optical system of claim 10, wherein the space between the lenses is between about 1.2 mm and 1.5 mm. The optical system of claim 10, wherein the external lens has an edge thickness between about 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm. 12. The optical system of claim 11, wherein the inner lens has a center head between about 1.2 mm and 1.6 mm. 12. The optical system of claim 11, further comprising a bifocal lens formed as part of said external lens. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the inner and outer lenses are supported at a predetermined distance from the user's eyes, and the lenses form a space therebetween along the optical side of the lens to emit light beams projected between the inner and outer lenses. And a frame for supporting the inner and outer lenses in a predetermined direction with respect to each other. 18. The optical system of claim 17, wherein the space between the lenses is between about 1.2 mm and 1.5 mm. 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the frame comprises a first frame member for supporting the outer lens and a second frame member for supporting the inner lens, wherein the first and second frame members have relative pivotal movements. Optical system, characterized in that attached as possible.

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