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
  • G02C7/10—Filters, e.g. for facilitating adaptation of the eyes to the dark; Sunglasses
  • G02C7/107—Interference colour filters
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
  • G02B1/00—Optical elements characterised by the material of which they are made; Optical coatings for optical elements
  • G02B1/10—Optical coatings produced by application to, or surface treatment of, optical elements
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
  • G02B1/00—Optical elements characterised by the material of which they are made; Optical coatings for optical elements
  • G02B1/10—Optical coatings produced by application to, or surface treatment of, optical elements
  • G02B1/11—Anti-reflection coatings
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
  • G02B5/00—Optical elements other than lenses
  • G02B5/20—Filters
  • G02B5/28—Interference filters
  • G02B5/283—Interference filters designed for the ultraviolet
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02C—SPECTACLES; SUNGLASSES OR GOGGLES INSOFAR AS THEY HAVE THE SAME FEATURES AS SPECTACLES; CONTACT LENSES
  • G02C7/00—Optical parts
  • G02C7/10—Filters, e.g. for facilitating adaptation of the eyes to the dark; Sunglasses
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02C—SPECTACLES; SUNGLASSES OR GOGGLES INSOFAR AS THEY HAVE THE SAME FEATURES AS SPECTACLES; CONTACT LENSES
  • G02C7/00—Optical parts
  • G02C7/10—Filters, e.g. for facilitating adaptation of the eyes to the dark; Sunglasses
  • G02C7/104—Filters, e.g. for facilitating adaptation of the eyes to the dark; Sunglasses having spectral characteristics for purposes other than sun-protection
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02C—SPECTACLES; SUNGLASSES OR GOGGLES INSOFAR AS THEY HAVE THE SAME FEATURES AS SPECTACLES; CONTACT LENSES
  • G02C7/00—Optical parts
  • G02C7/10—Filters, e.g. for facilitating adaptation of the eyes to the dark; Sunglasses
  • G02C7/105—Filters, e.g. for facilitating adaptation of the eyes to the dark; Sunglasses having inhomogeneously distributed colouring
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02C—SPECTACLES; SUNGLASSES OR GOGGLES INSOFAR AS THEY HAVE THE SAME FEATURES AS SPECTACLES; CONTACT LENSES
  • G02C7/00—Optical parts
  • G02C7/10—Filters, e.g. for facilitating adaptation of the eyes to the dark; Sunglasses
  • G02C7/108—Colouring materials
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02C—SPECTACLES; SUNGLASSES OR GOGGLES INSOFAR AS THEY HAVE THE SAME FEATURES AS SPECTACLES; CONTACT LENSES
  • G02C2202/00—Generic optical aspects applicable to one or more of the subgroups of G02C7/00
  • G02C2202/16—Laminated or compound lenses

Definitions

• the present invention relates to ophthalmic lens systems and, in particular, to ophthalmic lenses that attenuate the transmission of high energy visible light.
• UV light ranges in wavelength from about 100 nm to about 400 nm, and is subdivided into 3 regions -- UVC (100 nm to 280 nm), UVB (280 nm to 320 nm), and UVA (320nm to 400 nm).
• HEV light ranges in wavelength from about 400 nm to about 500nm, and generally corresponds to the blue (or blue- violet) region of the visible spectrum. The last region that is of consequence to the human eye is low energy visible light, which ranges in wavelength from about 500 nm to about 700 nm.
• UV light is harmful to the eye.
• UVC is completely blocked by the ozone layer, which also blocks most of UVB. Consequently, about 95% of the UV light from the sun consists of UVA.
• HEV light from 400 nm to 500 nm can cause damage to the eye and in particular the retina.
• the lens and cornea of the human eye blocks UVB and most of UVA, virtually all of the HEV light can penetrate the lens and impact the retina at the back of the eye.
• HEV light affects the eye in multiple ways. HEV light has been implicated in
• AMD Age related Macular Degeneration
• RPE retinal pigment epithelium
• HEV light is also thought to contribute to eyestrain and to reduced visual acuity under certain conditions.
• the short, high energy wavelengths associated with HEV light may cause blue light to flicker and create glare more easily than longer, lower energy wavelengths.
• prolonged exposure to HEV light e.g., from computer screens and energy efficient lighting
• the axial (longitudinal) chromatic abberation of light through the crystalline lens of the eye can create a "blue light blur”.
• Figure 1 shows light of different wavelengths 4, 5, 6 passing through the lens 3 of an eye 2. The different wavelengths are refracted differently and focus at different distances from the lens.
• Blue light refracts more than the other wavelengths, resulting in a focal point 7 of blue light in front of and not on the retina 8. This effect may be observed as a blue haze around objects in bright light (e.g., sun and snow), and also in foggy conditions where blue light is strongly reflected.
• fluorescent lamps and LED lighting e.g., automobile headlights
• the growing ubiquity of blue light from computer displays and other electronic devices, modern lighting, and other sources makes the management of HEV light a matter of growing importance.
• a thin film coating for an ophthalmic lens that a comprises alternating layers of high and low index materials.
• the thin film coating attenuates the transmission of light and has a spectral reflectance curve comprising a reflectance of at least about 90% in a range from about 320 nm to about 420 nm, between about 45% to about 55% at about 440 nm, and about 20% or less in a range from about 460 nm to about 700 nm, and wherein the spectral reflectance curve is monotonically decreasing between about 420 nm to about 460 nm.
• the thin film coating is applied to the front surface of an optical lens.
• the thin film coating has a spectral reflectance curve that comprises first and second regions.
• the first region comprises a reflectance of at least about 90% in the range of wavelength from about 320 nm to about 420 nm, a reflectance between about 45% to about 55% at a wavelength of about 440 nm, and a reflectance of about 5% or less at a wavelength of about 460 nm, and wherein the spectral reflectance curve is monotonically decreasing between about 420 nm to about 460 nm.
• the second region comprises a peak of reflectance between about 5% to about 15% at a wavelength of about 490 nm. In a preferred embodiment, the peak of reflectance in the second region has a full width at half maximum of about 55 nm.
• Figure 1 is a vertical section view of an eye, showing the refraction of different wavelengths of light
• Figure 2 is an exploded section view of an ophthalmic lens system
• Figure 3 is a data plot of the reflectance and wavelength of an ophthalmic lens system
• Figure 4 is a data plot of the reflectance and wavelength of an alternative embodiment of an ophthalmic lens system
• Figure 5 is a data plot of the reflectance and wavelength of another embodiment of an ophthalmic lens system
• Figure 6 is a data plot of the reflectance and wavelength of yet another embodiment of an ophthalmic lens system.
• FIG. 2 illustrates an ophthalmic lens system 10, that comprises an optical lens 12 having a (object side) front surface 14 and a (eye side) back surface 16.
• Optical lenses used in ophthalmic systems are typically produced with a convex front surface 14 and concave back surface 16.
• a thin film coating 18 that attenuates transmission of HEV light is applied to front surface 14.
• An optional anti-reflective thin film coating 22 may be applied to back surface 16.
• thin film coating 18 attenuates light in a range of about 420 nm to about 460 nm, which reduces the transmission of HEV light while avoiding significant interference with the circadian response.
• the transmission of light is attenuated by at least about 90% at about 420 nm and decreases to about 5% or less at about 460 nm. Within this range, the transmission of light is preferably attenuated between about 45% to about 55% at a wavelength of about 440 nm, and more preferably by about 50% at a wavelength of about 440 nm.
• the attenuation of light decreases rapidly above about 440 nm, to minimize interference with the circadian response after blocking unwanted HEV and UV wavelengths.
• the attenuation of HEV light between about 420 nm and about 460 nm has a curve that is monotonically decreasing— i.e. is either decreasing or nonincreasing over the range from 420 nm to 460 nm. More preferably, the attenuation of HEV light between about 420 nm and about 460 nm has a curve that is strictly decreasing— i.e. is continuously decreasing without a plateau.
• the attenuation of light comprises a spectral reflectance curve that is strictly decreasing between about 420 nm and about 460 nm, and has a slope of about -0.70 at about 440 nm.
• Thin film coating 18 may also assist in blocking transmission of UV light by attenuating light in a range of wavelengths less than about 420 nm.
• thin film coating 18 may further attenuate light by about 90% or more in a region from about 320 nm to about 420 nm.
• the attenuation of visible light above about 460 nm is ideally minimized.
• the attenuation of light in a range of about 460 nm to about 700 nm is attenuated by about 20% or less, and more preferably by about 15% or less.
• Thin film coatings that are designed to attenuate light below about 460 nm may give the ophthalmic lens system an undesirable purple or dark blue reflection. It has been found that this effect may be reduced by the attenuation of transmitted light in a secondary region that comprises a peak of attenuation between about 5 to 15%, at a wavelength between about 480 nm to about 490 nm.
• the secondary region comprises a peak of attenuation between about 5% to about 15%, at about 490 nm, with a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of about 55 nm.
• the secondary region has a peak of attenuation of about 12%. Less than 5% attenuation does not significantly reduce the purple or dark blue reflectance.
• Thin film coating 18 comprises multiple layers of alternating high and low index materials, such as metal oxides, metal fluorides and other materials known in the art.
• High index materials have an index of refraction greater than about 1.90, and include, but are not limited to: Ti0 2 , Zr0 2 , Hf0 2 , and commercially available materials such as Dralo (Umicore Thin Film Products - Buffalo, RI).
• the low index materials have an index of refraction of less than about 1.8 and include but are not limited to: Si0 2 , MgF 2 , A1 2 0 3 . In a preferred embodiment, the low index material has an index of refraction of about 1.50 or less.
• thin film coating 18 comprises at least eight layers of alternating high and low index materials, and preferably comprises ten layers.
• thin film coating comprises ten layers of alternating high and low index materials, and most preferably ten layers of alternating Ti0 2 and Si0 2 . Although more than ten alternating layers are possible, the benefits provided by the additional layers may be outweighed by the increased manufacturing time.
• the layers of alternating high and low index materials that comprise thin film coating 18 may be applied to the front surface 14 of the substrate optical lens 12 by various methods known in the art, including chemical vapor deposition, and physical vapor deposition such as sputtering and electron beam evaporation.
• high index layers of Ti0 2 may be applied by vapor deposition of a T1 3 O 5 starting material, as is known in the art.
• Optical lens 12 may be formed of a variety of different plastic materials that are known in the art.
• the lens material is a high refractive index material such as a urethane-based polymer.
• the lens material does not significantly attenuate the transmission of light.
• Conventional UV/blue blocking lenses involve dyes that can give the lens an undesirable yellowish to red tint. These conventional lenses may also generally reduce the transmission of light across a large portion of the visible spectrum, thereby reducing their effectiveness to daytime wear only.
• the attenuation and light transmission curve of the ophthalmic lens system may be substantially determined by thin film coating 18, which allows optical lens 12 to be colorless.
• optical lens 12 may contain in-mass dyes or other additives.
• optical lens 12 may contain a dye or pigment that gives the lens an aesthetically desirable tint or coloring.
• optical lens 12 may contain an in-mass, UV absorbing additive that supplements the UV blocking properties of thin film coating 18.
• UV/blue absorbing dyes and additives are commercially available, and include BPI Melanin Therapeutic Tint, Diamond Dye 550, UV Blue Filter Vision 450 (Brain Power Inc. - Miami, FL), and C200-95 Opti-Safe Lens Dye (Phantom Research Laboratories Inc. - Miami, FL).
• Other UV absorbing additives known in the art include polyamides, benzophenones,
• the UV absorbing additive attenuates the transmission of light by at least about 95% in a wavelength range from about 280 nm to about 400 nm and more preferably, attenuates transmission by at least 99% in a range from about 320 nm to about 400 nm.
• the addition of a UV absorbing additive may give optical lens 12 a pronounced yellow to red tint.
• Ophthalmic lens system 10 optionally includes, but does not require an anti- reflective coating 22 applied to back surface 16 of optical lens 12.
• Anti-reflective coating 22 reduces the unwanted reflection of UV and HEV light from back surface 16 back toward the wearer's eye.
• anti-reflective coating 22 has a transmission of at least about 99.25% in the range of wavelengths from about 280 nm to about 700 nm.
• anti-reflective coating 22 reflects less than about 1.5% of light in a range from about 300 nm to about 460 nm.
• Such anti-reflective coatings and methods of applying them to optical lenses are well known in the art.
• a thin film coating comprising ten layers of alternating high index (Ti0 2 ) and low index (Si0 2 ) materials was developed as shown in Table 1.
• Layer 1 represents the layer positioned closest to optical lens 12, with Ti0 2 being the first, innermost material in the thin film coating.
• Layer 10 represents the layer positioned farthest from optical lens 12, with Si0 2 being the last, outermost material in the thin film coating. The thickness of the materials in each layer is shown in Table 1.
• the spectral reflectance curve of the thin film coating at wavelengths ranging from 300 nm to 700 nm is shown in Fig. 3.
• Reflectance is at least about 90% from about 320 nm to about 420 nm, at least about 95% at about 400 nm, is strictly decreasing from about 90% at 420 nm to about 5% or less at 460 nm, and is about 20% or less from about 460 nm to about 700 nm.
• a secondary reflection region 32 is present having a peak of reflectance of about 15% at about 490 nm, with an FWHM of about 55. Reflectance decreases on either side of the peak to about 2% or less at 460 nm and 540 nm.
• the secondary reflection region reduces the purple or dark blue reflection discussed above and provides some attenuation of HEV light in the range of about 480 nm to about 490 nm, while providing sufficient transmission of light above 460 nm to avoid impairment of the circadian response.
• Attenuation of transmission decreases at wavelengths less than about 320 nm.
• the UV blocking characteristics of ophthalmic lens system 10 may be supplemented by adding an in-mass UV absorbing additive to optical lens 12, such that attenuation of transmission is at least about 95% from about 320 nm to about 400 nm.
• Example 2
• a thin film coating comprising ten layers of alternating high index (Ti0 2 ) and low index (Si0 2 ) materials was developed as described in Example 1, except that the thickness of the materials in each layer was as shown in Table 2.
• Table 2 - Example 2 Thin Film Coating Composition
• the spectral reflectance curve of the thin film coating at wavelengths ranging from 300 nm to 700 nm is shown in Fig. 4.
• a secondary reflection region 42 is present having a peak of reflectance of about 10% at about 490 nm, with an FWHM of about 53. Reflectance decreases on either side of the peak to a reflectance of about 2% or less at 460 nm and 540 nm.
• a thin film coating comprising ten layers of alternating high index (Ti0 2 ) and low index (Si0 2 ) materials was developed as described in Example 1, except that the thickness of the materials in each layer was as shown in Table 3.
• the spectral reflectance curve of the thin film coating at wavelengths ranging from 300 nm to 700 nm is shown in Fig. 5.
• a secondary reflection region 52 is present having a peak attenuation of about 5% at about 490 nm, with an FWHM of about 56. Reflectance decreases on either side of the peak to about 2% or less at 460 nm and 540 nm.
• the spectral reflectance curve of the thin film coating at wavelengths ranging from 300 nm to 700 nm is shown in Fig. 6.
• Reflectance is at least about 90% from about 340 nm to about 440 nm, at least about 95% at about 420 nm, is strictly decreasing from about 90% at 440 nm to about 5% or less at 480 nm, and is about 20% or less from about 480 nm to about 700 nm.
• a secondary reflection region 62 is present having a peak of reflectance of about 15% at about 510 nm, with an FWHM of about 56. Reflectance decreases on either side of the peak to about 2% or less at 480 nm and 560 nm.
• the primary reflection region attenuates transmission of a wider range of HEV light, but overlaps significantly with the range of from about 460 nm to about 500 nm which is believed to be important for the circadian response.
• the ophthalmic lens system 10 in accordance with the embodiments described herein provides attenuation of damaging and fatigue-inducing UV and HEV light.
• the thin film coating 18 particularly minimizes transmission of the portions of HEV light that cause glare and blue light blur such that visual acuity is improved in viewing computer and electronic device displays, and under modern lighting conditions such as fluorescent and LED lamps.
• the ophthalmic lens system 10 allow significant transmission of light in the wavelength range associated with the circadian cycle of the body to reach the eye.
• thin film coating 18 is described as applied to the front surface of an ophthalmic lens system 10, those of skill in the art will appreciate that thin film coating 18 may also be applied to the back surface of an ophthalmic lens system. In addition, other types of coatings known in the art may be incorporated into thin film coating 18. For example, thin film coating 18 may also incorporate an anti- static coating, a scratch resistant coating, a
• hydrophobic/oleophobic coating and/or an anti-reflective coating as are known in the art.

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• Ophthalmology & Optometry (AREA)
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• Optics & Photonics (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Spectroscopy & Molecular Physics (AREA)
• Eyeglasses (AREA)
• Optical Filters (AREA)
• Surface Treatment Of Optical Elements (AREA)

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