WO2018042218A1

WO2018042218A1 - Filtering ocular device and method using such a device

Info

Publication number: WO2018042218A1
Application number: PCT/IB2016/055139
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eugène DUVILLARD
Original assignee: Duvillard Eugene
Priority date: 2016-08-29
Filing date: 2016-08-29
Publication date: 2018-03-08

Abstract

The invention relates to a filtering ocular device comprising a light filtering surface which allows attenuation of the transmission of a range of wavelengths between 400 and 580 nm. The device is advantageously tinted with a yellow/orange colour.

Description

Ocular filtration device and method using such a device

Technical area

The present invention relates to an ocular device for selective filtration of a wavelength or a range of wavelengths. The invention also includes a method for regulating the life cycle by filtering a wavelength or range of wavelengths.

STATE OF THE ART Exposure to artificial light during the night, and in particular to that emitted by low energy light bulbs, computer screens, consoles, tablets, or mobile phones, leads to biological disturbances. Disorders related to the production of melatonin are among the most frequently mentioned. Melatonin helps to regulate sleep cycles. The production of melatonin is directly related to the exposure or non-exposure of the retina to certain wavelengths of light, and is disturbed when using certain light devices during the night hours. This results in difficulties of falling asleep, disturbances of sleep, see disturbances of metabolism. In front of the generalization of the use of luminous devices during the nocturnal periods, it appears necessary to remedy these disturbances. Patent applications US 2014277292 and WO2015123690 relate to similar optical filtration devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to remedy malfunctions due to the exposure of the retina to certain wavelengths, in particular those between 400 and 560 nm.

The present invention therefore includes an ocular device for filtering a certain category of wavelengths. The ocular device comprises a filtration surface, also called filtering surface, which can be flat or curved, which is disposed between the retina and the light source, so as to specifically limit the exposure to this category of wavelengths.

In order to improve the comfort of the user, the filtration surface of the ocular device is preferably tinted a yellow / orange color. The material used for the filtration surface may be selected from materials commonly used for optical devices, such as glass, a rigid polymer such as polycarbonate, a flexible polymer, a silicone derivative, and a rigid or deformable plastic.

The filtration surface may have a homogeneous or variable thickness, and may additionally or alternatively have a given refractive index, or have several refractive indices at different locations on the surface.

A second object of the invention is a method for rectifying or restoring the production cycles of melatonin and / or other organic compounds regulated by brightness, or aimed at preventing drifts of the circadian cycle. Dopamine is one of the substances whose production is regulated by light exposure.

A method according to the present invention may be curative or preventive.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is to remedy malfunctions due to the exposure of the retina to certain wavelengths, in particular those between 400 and 560 nm. A second aspect is to correct the malfunctions due to the exposure of the retina to certain wavelengths, in particular those between 400 and 560 nm. A third aspect of the invention is to prevent malfunctions due to the exposure of the retina to certain wavelengths, in particular those between 400 and 560 nm.

To do this, an ocular device for filtering a certain category of wavelengths is the subject of the invention. The ocular device comprises a filtration surface, or a filtering surface, which may be flat or curved, which is disposed between the retina and the light source, so as to specifically limit the exposure to this category of wavelengths.

A wavelength category here denotes a set of wavelengths spread over a range or several ranges of given wavelengths. The filtered wavelengths are preferably between 400 and 560 nm, more preferably between 460 and 520 nm. The most advantageously filtered wavelength range is between 470 and 490 nm.

According to one aspect of the invention, the wavelengths are filtered so as to limit their transmission slightly, that is to say to limit their transmission by a value between 5% and approximately 60% or between 5% and 60%. % and 80%, but preferably between 10% and 50%, and even more advantageously between 15% and 30%.

According to another aspect of the invention, the wavelengths are filtered so as to significantly limit their transmission, that is to say to limit their transmission by a value between 80% and 98%, or between 85% and 95%.

According to another aspect of the invention, the wavelengths are filtered so as to totally or substantially limit their transmission, that is to say to limit their transmission by a value greater than 98%.

According to one aspect of the invention, a narrow spectrum of wavelength is totally filtered. In particular, a restricted wavelength range of from about 470 to about 490 nm is filtered to completely or substantially limit their transmission. In other words, the invention makes it possible to filter a range of wavelengths between about 470 and about 490 nm so as to limit their transmission by a value greater than 98%. According to another aspect of the present invention, a wide range of wavelengths is filtered weakly or significantly. In particular, a wavelength range between about 400 or 420 nm, and about 580 nm is filtered so as to limit the transmission by a value between 5% and 60%, or between about 10% and about 50%, or from about 15% to about 30%, or from about 80% to 98%. The value of the lowering of the transmission can be homogeneous over the whole wavelength range considered, or vary within the limits of the range within this range, between 5% and 60%, between 10% and 50%, or between 15% and 30%, or between 80% and 98%. According to another aspect of the invention, a restricted range of wavelength length is completely filtered or substantially completely filtered, and an extended range of wavelength is weakly or significantly filtered. In this case, the device according to the invention can be optimized to filter a range of wavelengths between 470 and 490 nm so as to limit their transmission by a value greater than 98%, and to filter the lengths of waves outside this range and between 420 and 580 nm so as to limit their transmission by a value between about 5% and about 60%, or a value between about 10% and about 50%, or between about 15% and 30%, or between 80% and 98%. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the transmission of wavelengths between 470 and 490 nm is limited to a value between 70% and 80%, and the transmission of the other wavelengths, provided that they are between 420 and 580 nm is limited to a value between 15% and -30%.

Throughout the text, the terms "limit transmission" should be understood as "lower transmission" or "mitigate transmission". The value of the limitation is in reference to a total transmission of 100%. Thus, limiting the transmission by a value of 70% means that 30% of the wavelength considered is transmitted through the device of the present invention.

The ocular device can take any suitable form such as a pair of spectacles, eye lenses or a panoramic visor. The ocular device is preferably positioned or positionable in front of the user's eyes, or directly on the retina. In a particular mode of operation, it is envisaged that the device may be grafted into the cornea or under the cornea.

The ocular device may alternatively take the form of a screen, which is available in front of the light source and remote from the user. Such a screen can for example be fixed directly on the light source. The filtration surface may be a film that is available on another surface, such as a computer screen or TV, or on a window. The film can be flexible and adhere to another surface through electrostatic interactions. The film may be more rigid so that it can be held in contact with another surface.

Whether flexible or rigid, the film can alternatively be glued to another surface. Alternatively, the device may take the form of a window, such as a vehicle or dwelling window, or any other positionable surface at a variable distance from the light source to protect one or more users.

The filtration surface of the ocular device can therefore take all dimensions and have a variable thickness. The thickness of the filtration surface is preferably between 0.1 mm and more than 1 cm, preferably between 0.3 mm and 0.8 mm. The filtration surface may have a homogeneous or variable thickness. The thickness may in particular be greater on the central part than on the edges, or less important. The variation in thickness of the filtration surface may be progressive or non-progressive. The filtration surface may for example take the form of a spectacle lens with a thickness of between 0.2 and 0.4 mm on its peripheral part, and a thickness of between 0.4 and 0.6 mm on its part. central, and where the thickness variation between its peripheral portion and its central portion is progressive. The relief of the filtration surface may be adaptable to particular uses, in particular for optical corrections of any kind. The filtration surface may additionally or alternatively have a given refractive index, or have several refractive indices at different locations on the surface. This includes any gradient of reflection indexes. Thus, the filtration surface of the present invention may have the advantage of an optical defect correction such as presbyopia, myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, in combination with the selective filtration of certain wavelengths . Alternatively, the device according to the invention can be used in combination with another optical device such as eyeglasses, or contact lenses.

In order to improve the comfort of the user, the filtration surface of the ocular device is preferably tinted a yellow / orange color. The coloration of the filtering surface makes it possible in this case to limit glare from artificial light sources, in particular in a nocturnal environment, where the contrast between the light source and the environment is increased. This is particularly the case when the use of a light device, such as a computer or a mobile phone, in a dark room. The coloring is preferably included in the material of the filtering surface, so as to limit its sensitivity to wear and scratches.

The material used for the filtration surface may be selected from materials commonly used for optical devices. The filtration surface may in particular be made of glass, a rigid polymer such as polycarbonate, a flexible polymer, a silicone derivative, a rigid or deformable plastic. The filtration surface may alternatively consist of several materials selected from glass, a rigid polymer such as polycarbonate, a flexible polymer, a silicone derivative, a rigid or deformable plastic. The materials composing the filtration surface may be juxtaposed, so as to confer variable properties depending on the considered location of the filtration surface. For example, the filtration surface may have a rigid central portion, and a flexible peripheral portion, or vice versa. The materials composing the filtration surface can be superimposed in successive layers. The filtration surface can then contain several layers, where at least one of these layers of materials can selectively filter the wavelengths concerned.

The device may have a plurality of filtration surfaces, one of which is placed between the light source and the retina. The additional filtering surface (s) may be arranged laterally, so as to filter the indirect or residual light emissions or in the case of several light emissions.

A second object of the present invention is a curative method for rectifying or restoring the cycles of production of melatonin and / or other organic compounds regulated by exposure to light. A curative method according to the present invention comprises in particular the sequential port of the ocular filtration device for a predetermined duration, and at a predetermined frequency. The predetermined duration can be constant throughout the period of use, or variable between the beginning and the end of the period of sequential use. It can be for example between 15 minutes and 5 hours. The frequency of use can also be regular or variable. A regular frequency may for example be 24, or 48 hours. A variable frequency may for example be between 24 hours and 72 hours, between the start of use and the end of use. The curative method according to the present invention may further comprise several phases, each phase of use having a duration and a natural frequency.

An exemplary curative method according to the present invention comprises a first phase of use where the duration and the frequency of use are constant, a second phase of use where one or the other of the duration and the frequency varies gradually , and a third phase of use where frequency and duration of use are again constant.

The curative use of the ocular filtration device according to the method of the present invention may for example be the following: - A first phase of use, where the user wears the filtration device for three hours each evening two hours before bedtime, for a week,

- A second phase of use, where the user wears the filter device for a period that decreases by a given value every third night. The value of the decrease can be half an hour, or a time, or any intermediate value. The user will wear the device for 2h30 three nights in a row two hours before the usual bedtime, then for 2h the following three nights, up to a given limit of duration of use, which may be for example d 'one o'clock.

- A final phase of use, where the user wears the ocular filtration device for one hour, at a constant frequency of 48 hours, for a week.

The curative method according to the present invention can for example be applied for chronic sleep disorders, or for a better recovery of the circadian rhythm after a long trip causing a jet lag.

In a particular mode of operation, once the circadian rhythm is restored, the user retains the benefit without it being necessary to use the present device. This is particularly the case during curative use.

The method according to the present invention can also be used for preventive purposes. The user can in this case wear the device at a fixed time each day, or during exposure to harmful wavelengths. The method according to the invention can be used to regulate metabolisms directly or indirectly related to the production or inhibition of melatonin. The present method thus makes it possible to lower the heart rate and / or the body temperature. The method according to the invention can be used to regulate metabolisms directly or indirectly related to the production or inhibition of dopamine. The use of the filtering eye device according to a method of the invention thus makes it possible to influence the evolution of myopia, and in particular to slow the evolution of myopia. The use of the ocular filtration device according to a method of the invention also makes it possible to influence the evolution of astigmatism, and in particular to slow down the evolution of astigmatism.

The ocular filtration device can be used during nocturnal periods or diurnal periods, or a combination of both.

Claims

claims

1. An ocular filtration device comprising a light filtering surface characterized in that said filtering surface attenuates or eliminates transmission from a wavelength range of 400 to 580 nm, and that said surface is tinted with a yellow-orange color.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the filtration surface is made of a material or a combination of materials selected from a polymer, glass, or a plastic.

3. Device according to either of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coloration of the filtration surface is included in the material of said filtration surface.

4. Device according to one or other of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filtered wavelengths are between 420 and 580 nm, and in that the light transmission is attenuated by a value between % and 30%

5. Device according to one or other of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filtered wavelengths are between 470 and 490 nm, and in that the transmission of light is attenuated by a value of between 70 % and 90%.

6. Device according to either of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filtration surface is selected from a spectacle lens, a lens, a visor.

7. Circadian rhythm regulation method, characterized by the selective filtration of a certain range of wavelengths by the use of the filter device according to one or more of claims 1 to 6.

8. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that said method comprises a phase of use of the device according to one or other of the Claims 1 to 6, wherein at least one or other of the duration and frequency of use of the device is variable.

The method of claim 8, further comprising a phase of use of the device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the duration and frequency of use are constant.

The method of claim 7 or 8, comprising:

- A first phase of use of the device as described in claims 1 to 6, wherein the duration and frequency of use are constant and predetermined;

- A second phase of use of the device as described in claims 1 to 6, wherein at least one or other of the duration and frequency of use is variable,

- A third use of the device as described in claims 1 to 6, wherein the duration and frequency of use are constant and predetermined.