阅读说明：本技术 用于减少近视发展的具有动态光学性质的眼科镜片 (Ophthalmic lens with dynamic optical properties for reducing myopia progression ) 是由 彼得·霍内斯 小托马斯·W·沙尔伯格 于 2020-04-22 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种眼科镜片包括对应于眼科镜片的光学表面的第一区的第一区域以及对应于该眼科镜片的光学表面的不同于第一区的第二区的第二区域。该第二区域具有光学能切换部件,其可在第一光学状态与不同于第一光学状态的第二光学状态之间切换。在第一光学状态下,第二区域部分地散射或散焦入射于该第二区的光。(An ophthalmic lens includes a first area corresponding to a first zone of an optical surface of the ophthalmic lens and a second area corresponding to a second zone of the optical surface of the ophthalmic lens different from the first zone. The second region has an optical energy switching member that is switchable between a first optical state and a second optical state different from the first optical state. In the first optical state, the second region partially scatters or defocuses light incident on the second region.)

1. An ophthalmic lens, comprising:

a first zone corresponding to a first zone of an optical surface of the ophthalmic lens; and

a second zone corresponding to a second zone of the optical surface of the ophthalmic lens different from the first zone, the second zone comprising an optical switchable component switchable between a first optical state and a second optical state different from the first optical state, wherein in the first optical state the second zone partially scatters or defocuses light incident on the second zone.

2. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, wherein in at least one optical state, the first zone is a substantially transparent zone.

3. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, wherein the first zone has a maximum dimension in a range from about 2mm to about 10 mm.

4. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, wherein the first zone is a circular zone.

5. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, wherein the first zone contains the optical switchable component and is switchable between a clear optical state and a partially scattering optical state.

6. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, wherein the second zone surrounds the first zone.

7. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, wherein in the second optical state, the second zone is substantially transparent.

8. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, wherein in the second optical state, the second zone partially scatters light incident on the second zone by an amount different from the first optical state.

9. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, wherein the optical switchable component is switchable between more than two optical states.

10. The ophthalmic lens of claim 9, wherein the optical switchable component is continuously adjustable between different optical states.

11. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, wherein the first zone intersects an optical axis of the ophthalmic lens.

12. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, wherein the first zone corresponds to a foveal field of a user for distance viewing.

13. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, wherein the second zone is switchable between different optical powers.

14. The ophthalmic lens of claim 13, wherein the second zone is switchable between a first optical power corresponding to the optical power of the first zone and a second optical power at which the second zone introduces near vision defocus to light passing through the ophthalmic lens.

15. The ophthalmic lens of claim 14, wherein the second zone corresponds to one or more lenslets.

16. The ophthalmic lens of claim 14, wherein the second zone corresponds to one or more annular zones.

17. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, wherein the optically switchable member comprises an electro-optic material.

18. The ophthalmic lens of claim 17, wherein the electro-optic material comprises a liquid crystal material.

19. The ophthalmic lens of claim 18, wherein the electro-optic material is a Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal (PDLC) material.

20. The ophthalmic lens of claim 17, wherein the electro-optic material is disposed in a layer between two transparent substrates.

21. The ophthalmic lens of claim 20, wherein at least one substrate supports an electrode layer.

22. The ophthalmic lens of claim 21, wherein the electrode layer is formed of a transparent conductive material.

23. The ophthalmic lens of claim 22, wherein each of the substrates supports an electrode layer, and at least one of the electrode layers is a patterned electrode layer comprising a first electrode corresponding to the first area and a second electrode corresponding to the second electrode.

24. The ophthalmic lens of claim 23, wherein the electrode layer is patterned to provide a pixelated electrode structure.

25. The ophthalmic lens of claim 24, wherein the electrodes are passively addressable electrodes.

26. The ophthalmic lens of claim 24, wherein the electrodes are actively addressable electrodes.

27. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, wherein the lens is a flat lens, a single vision lens, or a multi-vision lens.

28. The ophthalmic lens of claim 1, wherein the lens is a spectacle lens or a contact lens.

29. A system, comprising:

an eyewear device comprising a pair of ophthalmic lenses, each ophthalmic lens being switchable between at least two different optical states, wherein in a first of the two different optical states a zone of one or both of the ophthalmic lenses, the system reduces the contrast of an image viewed through a first zone of the respective ophthalmic lens compared to an image viewed through a second zone of the respective ophthalmic lens;

a power source arranged to provide power to the pair of ophthalmic lenses to switch each ophthalmic lens between the two different optical states; and

an electronic controller in communication with the power source and the ophthalmic lenses and programmed to control the transfer of the electrical power from the power source to each of the ophthalmic lenses.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein the system reduces the contrast of an image viewed by a wearer of the eyewear apparatus by increasing the amount of scattering of incident light on a region of the lens corresponding to the first region.

31. The system of claim 29, wherein the system reduces the contrast of the image by adding light to the image viewed through the region of the lens corresponding to the first area.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein the eyewear device includes a projection display module that directs light to the user's eyes, and the system uses the projection display module to add light to an image viewed through the region of the lens corresponding to the first area.

33. The system of claim 29, further comprising one or more sensors in communication with the electronic controller, at least one of the sensors being an eye tracking sensor that provides information to the electronic controller regarding movement of a user's eye.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein the electronic controller is programmed to change a zone of the at least one ophthalmic lens corresponding to the second zone in response to the information about the movement of the user's eye.

35. The system of claim 34, wherein the electronic controller is programmed to alter the zone corresponding to the second region so that it coincides with the user's gaze axis.

36. The system of claim 29, further comprising one or more sensors in communication with the electronic controller, at least one of the sensors being an environmental sensor that provides information about the user environment to the electronic controller.

37. The system of claim 36, wherein the environmental sensor is a proximity sensor and the electronic controller is programmed to change the optical state of the ophthalmic lens based on the information from the proximity sensor.

38. The system of claim 37, wherein the electronic controller is programmed to change an optical state of the ophthalmic lens based on the information from the environmental sensor.

39. The system of claim 38, wherein the electronic controller changes the optical state by changing a position of a region of the respective ophthalmic lens corresponding to the first zone.

40. The system of claim 29, wherein the ophthalmic lenses are each switchable between more than two different optical states, each optical state corresponding to a different level of contrast reduction of an image viewed through the first zone of the respective ophthalmic lens.

41. The system of claim 29, wherein the power source comprises a battery.

42. The system of claim 40, wherein the battery is rechargeable.

43. The system of claim 29, wherein the eyewear apparatus includes an eyewear frame housing the power source and the electronic controller.

44. The system of claim 29, further comprising a headset comprising the eyewear device, a power source, and the electronic controller.

45. The system of claim 44, wherein the headset is an Augmented Reality (AR) headset.

46. A method for reducing contrast of an image formed in peripheral vision of a person, comprising:

using an optical switchable material in an ophthalmic lens used by the person to change the amount of scattering in a region of the lens.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein the altering comprises altering a region of the lens that scatters incident light and altering a region of the lens that is transparent.

48. The method of claim 47, wherein the changing the region comprises changing a size of the region.

49. The method of claim 47, wherein the changing the region comprises changing a position of the region.

50. The method of claim 46, wherein the amount of scattering varies based on a visual task of the person.

51. The method of claim 46, wherein the amount of scattering changes based on eye movement of the person.

52. The method of claim 51, wherein the amount of scattering is varied to align a transparent region of the lens with a central visual axis of the person and a scattering area with a peripheral visual field of the person.

53. A method for reducing contrast of an image formed in peripheral vision of a person, comprising:

using a head-mounted light projection module, directing light onto the person's eye such that light is projected onto the person's retina at a location corresponding to the person's peripheral field of view and not projected onto the person's retina at a location corresponding to the person's central field of view.

54. The method of claim 53, further comprising varying the light based on eye movement of the person.

55. The method of claim 53, further comprising varying the light based on an ambient light level.

56. The method of claim 53, comprising a contrast sensor located behind the lens measuring image contrast through the lens and electronic circuitry to maintain the image contrast of the periphery approximately constant.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to ophthalmic lenses with dynamic optical properties, and more particularly, to ophthalmic lenses with dynamic optical properties for reducing myopia progression.

Background

The eye is an optical sensor, and light from an external light source is focused through the lens to the surface of the retina, which is an array of wavelength-dependent photosensors. Each of the various shapes that the ocular lens may take is associated with a focal length at which the external light rays are optimally or near optimally focused to produce an inverted image on the retinal surface that corresponds to the external image viewed by the eye. In each of the various shapes that an ocular lens may take, the ocular lens optimally or near-optimally focuses light emitted or reflected by external objects located within a range of distances from the eye, while less optimally focusing or failing to focus objects located outside the range of distances.

For normal-sighted persons, the axial length of the eye, or the distance from the lens to the retinal surface, corresponds to a focal length near optimal focus for distant objects. The eye of a person with normal vision focuses on distant objects without neural input to muscles that exert forces to change the shape of the eye's lens, a process known as "accommodation". Closer, nearby objects are focused by normal persons, which is the result of the adjustment.

However, many people suffer from diseases related to eye length, such as myopia ("nearsightedness"). In myopic people, the axial length of the eye is longer than the axial length required to focus distant objects without accommodation. Thus, a person with myopia may clearly view nearby objects, but distant objects are blurred. While myopic people are generally able to adjust, they are able to focus objects at shorter average distances than normal-sighted people.

Typically, infants are naturally hyperopic, with eye lengths shorter than that required to best or near-best focus distant objects without accommodation. During normal development of the eye, which is referred to as "emmetropization," the axial length of the eye is increased relative to other dimensions of the eye to a length that provides near-optimal focusing of distant objects without accommodation. Ideally, when the eye grows to the final adult size, the biological process maintains a near-optimal relative ratio of eye length to eye size. However, for myopic people, the axial length of the eye relative to the overall eye size continues to increase during development beyond that which provides near-optimal focus for distant objects, resulting in more and more pronounced myopia.

Myopia is thought to be affected by both behavioral and genetic factors. Thus, myopia can be reduced by therapeutic devices that address the behavioral factors. Therapeutic devices for treating eye-length related diseases, including myopia, are described, for example, in U.S. publication 2011/0313058a 1.

Disclosure of Invention

In general, in a first aspect, the invention features an ophthalmic lens, including: a first zone corresponding to a first zone of an optical surface of an ophthalmic lens; and a second zone corresponding to a second region of the optical surface of the ophthalmic lens different from the first region, the second zone having an optical energy switching member switchable between a first optical state and a second optical state different from the first optical state, wherein in the first optical state the second zone partially scatters or defocuses light incident on the second zone.

Embodiments of the ophthalmic lens may include one or more of the following features and/or features of other aspects. For example, in at least one optical state, the first region is a substantially transparent region.

The first zone may have a largest dimension (e.g., diameter) from about 2mm to about 10 mm.

The first zone may be a circular zone.

The first region may include an optical energy-switching component and may be switchable between a transparent optical state and a partially scattering optical state.

The second region may surround the first region.

In the second optical state, the second region may be substantially transparent (e.g., having a transparency similar to CR-39 or polycarbonate).

In the second optical state, the second region may partially scatter light incident on the second region by an amount different from the first optical state.

The optical energy switching member is switchable between more than two optical states. For example, the optical energy switching member may be continuously adjustable between different optical states.

The first zone may intersect the optical axis of the ophthalmic lens.

The first zone may correspond to a foveal (foveal) field of view of the user for distance viewing.

The second region may be switchable between different optical powers. For example, the second zone may be switched between a first optical power corresponding to the optical power of the first zone and a second optical power at which the second zone introduces near vision defocus to the light passing through the ophthalmic lens. The second region may correspond to one or more lenslets. The second zone may correspond to one or more annular regions.

The optical energy switching component may comprise an electro-optic material, such as a material comprising a liquid crystal material. In some embodiments, the electro-optic material is a Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal (PDLC) material. The electro-optic material may be arranged in a layer between two transparent substrates. At least one substrate may support the electrode layer. The electrode layer may be formed of a transparent conductive material (e.g., indium tin oxide). Each of the substrates may support an electrode layer, and at least one of the electrode layers may be a patterned electrode layer including a first electrode corresponding to the first region and a second electrode corresponding to the second electrode. The electrode layer may be patterned to provide a pixelated electrode structure. The electrodes may be passively addressable electrodes or actively addressable electrodes.

The lenses may be flat lenses, single vision lenses or multi-vision lenses.

The lens may be a spectacle lens or a contact lens.

In general, in another aspect, the invention features a system that includes: eyewear apparatus comprising a pair of ophthalmic lenses, each ophthalmic lens being switchable between at least two different optical states, wherein in a first of the two different optical states, a zone of one or both of the ophthalmic lenses, the system reduces the contrast of an image viewed through a first zone of the respective ophthalmic lens compared to an image viewed through a second zone of the respective ophthalmic lens; a power source arranged to provide power to the pair of ophthalmic lenses to switch each ophthalmic lens between two different optical states; and an electronic controller in communication with the power source and the ophthalmic lenses and programmed to control the transfer of power from the power source to each of the ophthalmic lenses.

Embodiments of the system may include one or more of the following features and/or features of other aspects. For example, the system may reduce the contrast of an image viewed by a wearer of the eyeglass apparatus by increasing the amount of scattering of incident light on a region of the lens corresponding to the first region.

The system may reduce the contrast of the image by adding light to the image viewed through the region of the lens corresponding to the first area. The eyewear apparatus may include a projection display module that directs light to an eye of a user, and the system uses the projection display module to add light to an image viewed through the region of the lens corresponding to the first area.

The system may include one or more sensors in communication with the electronic controller, at least one of the sensors being an eye tracking sensor that provides information to the electronic controller regarding the user's eye movement. The electronic controller is programmed to change a zone of the at least one ophthalmic lens corresponding to the second zone in response to the information about the movement of the user's eye. The electronic controller may be programmed to alter the zone corresponding to the second region so that it coincides with the user's gaze axis.

The system may include one or more sensors in communication with the electronic controller, at least one of the sensors being an environmental sensor that provides information about the user's environment to the electronic controller. The environmental sensor may be a proximity sensor and the electronic controller may be programmed to change the optical state of the ophthalmic lens based on information from the proximity sensor. The electronic controller may be programmed to change the optical state of the ophthalmic lens based on information from the environmental sensor. The electronic controller may change the optical state by changing the position of a zone of the respective ophthalmic lens corresponding to the first zone.

The ophthalmic lenses are each switchable between more than two different optical states, each optical state corresponding to a different level of contrast reduction of an image viewed through the first zone of the respective ophthalmic lens.

The power source may include a battery, such as a rechargeable battery.

The eyewear apparatus may include an eyewear frame that houses a power source and an electronic controller.

The system may include a headset including an eyewear apparatus, a power source, and an electronic controller. The headset may be an Augmented Reality (AR) headset.

In general, in another aspect, the invention features a method for reducing contrast in an image formed in peripheral vision of a person, comprising: optical switchable materials in ophthalmic lenses for use by a user to alter the amount of scattering in a zone of the lens.

Implementations of the method may include one or more of the following features and/or features of other aspects. For example, the altering can include altering a region of the lens that scatters incident light and altering a region of the lens that is transparent.

Changing the region may include changing a size of the region. Changing the region may include changing a location of the region.

The amount of scatter may vary based on the person's visual task (e.g., reading, viewing the screen).

The amount of scatter may vary based on the eye movement of the person. The amount of scattering can be varied to align the transparent region of the lens with the central visual axis of the person and to align the scattering area with the peripheral visual field of the person.

In general, in another aspect, the invention features a method for reducing contrast in an image formed in peripheral vision of a person, comprising: using a head-mounted light projection module, light is directed toward a person's eye such that the light is projected onto the person's retina at a location corresponding to the person's peripheral field of view and not projected onto the person's retina at a location corresponding to the person's central field of view.

Implementations of the method may include one or more of the following features and/or features of other aspects. For example, the method may include changing light based on eye movement of the person.

The method may include changing the light based on the ambient light level.

The method can include measuring image contrast through the lens and the electronic circuitry (e.g., providing a feedback loop) by a contrast sensor located behind the lens to keep the peripheral image contrast approximately constant (e.g., changing by no more than 40%, no more than 30%, no more than 20%, no more than 10%).

Among other advantages, the disclosed embodiments may mitigate myopia progression in a person (e.g., a child) while providing an environmentally and otherwise stimulating visual experience.

Drawings

Fig. 1A is a plan view of a dynamic lens embodiment.

FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the dynamic lens shown in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of the dynamic lens of FIG. 1A depicting use.

Fig. 2B is a perspective view of a pair of eyeglasses incorporating the pair of dynamic lenses shown in fig. 1A and 1B.

Fig. 3A and 3B are a plan view and a cross-sectional view, respectively, of an embodiment of a dynamic mirror plate featuring a pixel in a first operational state.

Fig. 3C and 3D are plan and cross-sectional views, respectively, of the dynamic lens shown in fig. 3A and 3B in a second operational state.

Fig. 4A is a perspective view of an Augmented Reality (AR) headset.

Fig. 4B is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a projection display module for use in the AR headset shown in fig. 4A.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a pair of eyeglasses for reduced contrast of the wearer's peripheral vision.

Fig. 6A is a plan view of another embodiment of a dynamic lens.

Fig. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the dynamic lens shown in fig. 6A.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of another example of a dynamic lens.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

Detailed Description

Referring to fig. 1A and 1B, an ophthalmic lens 100 includes two zones that can be switched between different optical states independently of each other. In particular, the lens 100 includes an on-axis region 102 (i.e., the optical axis of the lens 100 intersects the region 102) and a peripheral region 104 surrounding the on-axis region 102, each region being switchable between a state in which the region partially scatters incident light and another state in which the region is transparent. The lens 100 has a multilayer structure consisting of electro-optical cells laminated between two layers 110a and 110b having optical power. The electro-optic cell is constituted by a layer 124 of electro-optic material sandwiched between two opposing transparent substrates 108a and 108 b. Transparent electrode layers 106a and 106b are provided on facing surfaces of the substrates 108a and 108b, respectively, adjacent to the electro-optic material.

The top lens layer 110a is a plano-convex layer with its flat surface attached (e.g., via a clear adhesive) to the top surface of the substrate 108 a. The bottom lens layer is a flat concave layer with its flat surface attached to the bottom surface of substrate 108 b. Thus, the lens 100 is a meniscus lens, with a top convex surface provided by the convex surface of the top lens layer 110a and a bottom concave surface provided by the concave surface of the bottom lens layer 110 b. In general, by judicious selection of the curvatures of the convex and concave surfaces of the layers, the overall power of the lens 100 can be set to a desired value. For example, the lens 100 may have a positive spherical power or a negative spherical power. Astigmatism and/or correction of multifocal (e.g. progressive) lenses are also possible.

The electrode layers 106a and 106b each include two electrically isolated regions corresponding to the regions 102 and 104. This allows the electro-optic material corresponding to each region to be electrically switched separately from each other. The electrode connector tabs 112a and 112b extend beyond the periphery of the lens 100, providing electrical connection points for connecting the electrode layers 106a and 106b to a power source. The electrical isolation lines allow the inner electrode regions of each electrode layer corresponding to region 102 to be connected to power supply 122 via tabs 112a and 112 b. The electrode layers 106a and 106b are formed of a transparent conductive material, for example, a transparent conductive oxide such as indium tin oxide, a conductive polymer, a metal mesh, a carbon nanotube, graphene, a nanowire mesh, an ultra-thin metal film.

Layer 124 is comprised of an electro-optic material, such as a Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal (PDLC), in which a liquid crystal material (e.g., nematic LC) is dispersed or dissolved in a liquid polymer that then solidifies or cures to form a dispersion of liquid crystal droplets in a polymer matrix. In general, the refractive index of the polymer and the refractive index of the LC are selected such that alignment of the LC with an applied electric field results in a state of index matching between the LC droplets and the polymer, resulting in layer 124 being substantially transparent light incident on the lens. In the absence of an electric field, the orientation of the LC director is randomized and the incident light is at least partially scattered. The amount of scattering can be controlled by the strength of the applied electric field. Thus, intermediate scattering states (between transparency and maximum scattering) are possible.

Other electro-optic materials may also be used. For example, in some embodiments, the electro-optic material is composed of an electrochromic material, such as tungsten oxide and/or phosphodecaline (e.g., a material that changes color depending on the applied electric field, thereby blocking and/or absorbing light).

In some embodiments, the electro-optic material of layer 124 is comprised of a suspended particle device, typically formed of rod-shaped nanoparticles suspended in a liquid. The suspended particles are free floating between the electrodes. In the absence of an electric field, the suspended particles organize randomly, scattering light. In the presence of an electrical potential, the suspended particles align and let light pass through.

The electrode layers 106a and 106b are formed on transparent substrates 108a and 108b, on top and bottom of the substrates 108a and 108b, and may be made of glass, plastic, or other suitable transparent substrate material. The material of the electrode layer may be formed on the substrate using various processes including, for example, a coating or physical deposition process (e.g., sputtering).

Other electrode geometries are also possible, such as interdigitated electrodes (e.g., on a single-surface adjacent layer 124).

Top and bottom lens layers 110a and 110b are attached to the outer surfaces of the top and bottom of substrates 108a and 108b, respectively, and are also formed of a transparent material, such as glass or a transparent polymer (e.g., polycarbonate, Trivex), or other suitable transparent lens material. A clear adhesive may be used to adhere the lens layer to the corresponding substrate surface.

In some embodiments, the outer surfaces of the top lens layer 110a and the bottom lens layer 110b can include one or more layers of other materials, which can include, but are not limited to, a scratch resistant mirror coating, a polarizing film, an ultraviolet coating, a scratch resistant coating, and an anti-reflective coating.

In some embodiments, the flat surfaces of the top and bottom lens layers provide surfaces on which to form electrodes, and separate substrate layers are not required.

Furthermore, although layer 124 is depicted as a homogenous layer, i.e., the composition is the same in region 102 and region 104, other implementations are possible. For example, layer 124 may be comprised of regions having different compositions. For example, in region 102, layer 124 may have a different composition than region 104. For example, layer 124 may be composed of a transparent material (e.g., a transparent polymer) in region 102 and an optical energy switching material (e.g., PDLC) in region 104.

Referring to fig. 2A, the size and location of the zones 102 and 104 are such that when the user's gaze axis 116 of the ophthalmic lens is substantially aligned with the optical axis of the lens (e.g., when the user looks straight ahead through the glasses containing the lens), the zone 102 is in line with their foveal vision and the zone 104 is in line with their peripheral vision 116. Thus, the lens 100 can provide different amounts of light scattering for the peripheral image, controlling the amount of image contrast reduction in that area of the user's visual system.

For example, for a lens using an electro-optic material such as PDLC, the lens 100 is switched between two or more different optical states by applying an electric field of appropriate strength across the layer 124. An electric field is applied by applying a potential difference between the electrode layers 106a and 106 b.

When in the "off" or unenergized state (e.g., no electric field across layer 124), the electro-optic material of layer 124 scatters incident light and provides a reduced contrast image. When in the "on" or energized state (e.g., when an electric field of sufficient strength is applied), the electro-optic material of layer 124 becomes transparent. In some embodiments, an intermediate scattering state is provided in which the electrodes are energized, but the voltage intensity is insufficient to eliminate all light scattering from layer 124. Layer 124 becomes more and more distinct as the strength of the potential increases.

Thus, both the on-axis region 102 and the peripheral region 104 may be switched between one or more scattering states and transparent states that are independent of each other. In many applications, the on-axis region is maintained in a transparent state while the amount of scattering provided by region 104 is varied.

The size and shape of the on-axis region 102 may vary. Generally, the on-axis region 102 provides the user with a viewing cone for which their visual acuity may be optimally corrected (e.g., to 20/15 or 20/20). In some embodiments, the maximum dimension of the on-axis region 102 is in the range of about 0.2mm (e.g., about 0.3mm or greater, 0.4mm or greater, 0.5mm or greater, 0.6mm or greater, 0.7mm or greater, 0.8mm or greater, 0.9mm or greater) to about 1.5cm (e.g., about 1.4cm or less, about 1.3cm or less, about 1.2cm or less, about 1.1cm or less, about 1cm or less). The on-axis region 102 may be circular (as shown in fig. 1A) or non-circular (e.g., elliptical, polygonal, or irregular).

The on-axis region 102 may subtend a solid angle of about 20 degrees or less (e.g., about 15 degrees or less, about 12 degrees or less, about 10 degrees or less, about 9 degrees or less, about 8 degrees or less, about 7 degrees or less, about 6 degrees or less, about 5 degrees or less, about 4 degrees or less, about 3 degrees or less) in the user field of view 118. The subtended solid angles in the horizontal and vertical viewing planes may be the same or different.

The area 104 corresponds to the peripheral vision of the user. The peripheral region 104 may extend to the edge of the lens (as shown in fig. 1A) or may extend to less than the perimeter of the lens. In general, where zone 104 does not extend to the edge of the lens, it can have various shapes, such as circular, elliptical, polygonal, or other shapes. Typically, the region 104 is large enough to provide reduced contrast of the user's peripheral vision over a large portion of the user's field of view, even when not viewed directly through the on-axis region 102. The peripheral region 104 may have a diameter (or maximum dimension, for non-circular areas) of 30mm or greater (e.g., 40mm or greater, 50mm or greater, 60mm or greater, 70mm or greater, 80mm or greater, e.g., 100mm or less, 90mm or less, 80mm or less, 70mm or less, 60mm or less). Referring to fig. 2B, a pair of glasses 200 for reducing the progression of myopia includes two optical switchable lenses 100 in a frame 210. The frame 210 also houses the sensor 142, the electronic controller 114, and the power source 112. The controller 114 provides an electrical signal to the electrodes of the lens causing the zones 102 and/or 104 to switch between different optical states. In some embodiments, the eyewear includes a user interface (e.g., an on/off switch or other manual control) through which a user can manually modify the optical properties of the lenses. For example, if the wearer engages in an activity known to cause high contrast retinal stimulation in the wearer's peripheral field of vision, they may turn on or increase the amount of light scattering in region 104. Conversely, if the wearer is engaged in an activity that requires maximum visual acuity for the wearer's entire field of view, they may turn off the scatter in the area 104 so that the entire area of the lens 100 is transparent.

The sensors 142 monitor one or more aspects related to the wearer's environment and provide corresponding data to the controller 114, allowing the controller to modify the optical properties of one or both lenses depending on information about the wearer's environment. The sensor 142 may include, for example, an ambient light sensor, a proximity sensor, and/or an image sensor.

Generally, during operation, the eyewear 200 detects environmental conditions corresponding to situations where the wearer may be subjected to high contrast images in their peripheral field of view, and increases or decreases the amount of scattering in the region 104 of each lens accordingly. For example, using the images or proximity data from the sensor 142, the eyewear 200 may detect when the wearer is doing close reading work (e.g., reading a book or newspaper, or reading content on a mobile device) and may increase the amount of scattering in the region 104 compared to when, for example, the user is not reading. Alternatively or additionally, the eyewear 200 may determine a low light environment, for example, using an ambient light sensor, and may reduce the amount of light scattering in the region 104.

In some embodiments, one or more sensors in the peripheral zone of the eyewear measure the contrast behind the lens (i.e., after light is transmitted by the lens). A feedback loop in the control unit uses the measurement to adjust the light scattering of the electro-optical cell. As a result, the peripheral contrast through the peripheral lens can be maintained at a constant level regardless of the contrast of the image being viewed.

In an embodiment, in the scattering state, the optically switchable material may provide sufficient scattering to reduce the contrast of the image of the object in the peripheral vision of the wearer without significantly reducing the visual acuity of the viewer in that region. Here, peripheral vision refers to a field of view other than that corresponding to the region 102. The image contrast in region 104 may be reduced by 40% or more (e.g., 45% or more, 50% or more, 60% or more, 70% or more, 80% or more) relative to the image contrast viewed through region 102. The contrast reduction can be set as per the needs of each individual case. It is believed that a typical contrast reduction will be in the range of about 50% to 55%. Contrast reductions below 50% may be used in very mild cases, while more susceptible subjects may require contrast reductions above 55%. Peripheral visual acuity may be corrected to 20/30 or better (e.g., 20/25 or better, 20/20 or better), as determined by subjective refraction, while still achieving meaningful contrast reduction.

Here, contrast refers to a difference in brightness between two objects within the same field of view. Therefore, the contrast reduction refers to a change in the difference.

Contrast and contrast reduction can be measured in a number of ways. In some embodiments, contrast can be measured based on the difference in brightness between different portions of a standard pattern, such as a checkerboard of black and white squares, obtained under controlled conditions through areas of the lens in the clear state and areas in the diffuse state.

Alternatively or additionally, the contrast reduction may be determined based on the Optical Transfer Function (OTF) of the lens (see, e.g., http:// www.montana.edu/jshaw/documents/18% 20EELE582_ S15_ OTFMTF. pdf). For OTF, contrast is specified for the delivery of stimulation, where the bright and dark areas are sinusoidally modulated at different "spatial frequencies". These stimuli appear as alternating light and dark stripes, with the spacing between the stripes varying over a range. For all optical systems, the transmission of contrast is lowest for the sinusoidally varying stimulus with the highest spatial frequency. The relationship describing contrast transmission for all spatial frequencies is OTF. The OTF may be obtained by fourier transforming a point spread function. The point spread function can be obtained by imaging a point source of light through a lens onto a detector array and determining how the light from the point is distributed over the detector.

In the event of a collision measurement, OTF technology is preferred.

In some embodiments, the eyewear 200 may receive information from other sources, which may be used to control the optical properties of the lenses. For example, the eyeglasses 200 may include a wireless transceiver (e.g., for Wi-Fi or bluetooth data transmission) that facilitates the transfer of data between another device (such as a mobile phone) and the controller 114. For example, the glasses may receive information about the user's location (e.g., based on GPS or cellular tower data), user motion (e.g., whether the user is walking or driving), and/or user activity (e.g., using the device to view video content, read or play video games), and increase or decrease ambient light scatter accordingly.

Although the lens 100 features segmented electrodes corresponding to two different areas of the lens (areas 102 and 104), other implementations are possible. For example, in some embodiments, the lens may be segmented into more than two zones. For example, the region 104 may be further segmented into a plurality of regions (e.g., concentric regions) that may be independently varied between different optical states.

In particular embodiments, the dynamic mirror may include an array of independently addressable pixels. For example, referring to fig. 3A, an ophthalmic lens 300 includes an array of pixels 310, each of which can be independently switched between different optical states (e.g., transparent and scattering).

Referring to fig. 3B, lens 300 has a similar structure to lens 100 described previously, except that electrode layers 306a and 306B are patterned and structured to provide pixel array 310. In addition, the electrode connection tabs 312 provide electrical connection terminals suitable for the electrode drive scheme employed.

In general, the pixels in the mirror plate 300 can be either actively or passively addressed pixels. For example, actively addressed pixels can each include an integrated circuit (e.g., including one or more transistors) that controls the electric field at the pixel. Passively addressed pixels may be provided by forming columns of conductors on one of the electrode layers 306a/306b and rows of conductors on the other. Active and passive electrode addressing schemes conventionally applied to liquid crystal displays may be used.

The size of each pixel 310 may vary as desired. In certain embodiments, a pixel may have a maximum dimension of 1mm or less (e.g., 0.5mm or less, 0.3mm or less, 0.2mm or less, 0.1mm or less, 0.05mm or less).

The pixelated lens not only allows fine spatial adjustment of the scattering properties of the lens, but also allows the position and/or shape of the clear area of the lens to be changed. For example, fig. 3A and 3B show an area 302a in the center of the lens. When a user looks directly through the region, the pixels corresponding to the region may be switched to a transparent state, as shown in fig. 3B. In this way, the user's gaze axis 316a passes through the direction of region 302a, providing optimal visual acuity for the user's foveal vision. The pixels corresponding to the remaining part of the zone of the lens (outside the area 302 a) are switched to the scattering state. Thus, the user's peripheral field of view experiences a reduced contrast image due to light scattering in the layer 124.

Referring to fig. 3C and 3D, the lens 300 dynamically adjusts the optical properties of the lens in response to the user's gaze axis being away from the lens center. Here, the user looks down (e.g., when reading) and the lens responds by activating pixels in the off-axis region 302b to provide a clear aperture that coincides with the user-adjusted gaze axis 316 b. In addition, the lens switches the pixels outside of the area 302b to a diffuse state, providing a reduced contrast image to the user's peripheral field of view 318 b.

The eyewear apparatus containing the lenses 300 can include an eye-tracking sensor, and the controller can be programmed to adjust the position of the clear aperture in response to data from the eye-tracking sensor. In general, various suitable eye tracking techniques may be used. Eye tracking may be performed, for example, by using a camera to view the pupil directly or by viewing the pupil's reflection off the back of the lens.

Although the foregoing examples all feature lenses that reduce image contrast in the user's peripheral image field by scattering incident light, other implementations are possible. For example, it is possible to reduce the contrast of an image by adding light to the ambient, image forming light. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the eyewear apparatus may include a light source arranged to deliver light to the user's peripheral field of view. Such implementations include, for example, Augmented Reality (AR) eyewear devices that include, for example, a projection display system for superimposing computer-generated images in a user's field of view.

Referring to fig. 4A, an example of an AR headset 400 includes a frame 410 holding a pair of lenses 420, which may be optically powered or unpowered. The headset 400 also includes a pair of projection display modules 430, each positioned to display an image in the wearer's field of view. The AR headset 450 includes a sensor 442, an eye tracking sensor 444, a controller 414, and a power supply 422.

The sensors 442 provide data regarding the user's environment to the controller 414. The sensors 442 may include, but are not limited to, ambient light sensors, image sensors (e.g., for monitoring the field of view of the user), proximity sensors, accelerometers, and the like. The eye tracking sensor 444 monitors the user's pupil position and provides eye gaze data (e.g., eye gaze direction and duration/intensity), such as the user's eye gaze axis 416 and direction of the field of view 418, to the controller 414.

Controller 414 receives data from sensors 442 and eye tracking sensors 444 and controls projection display module 430 in response to the data.

Referring also to FIG. 4B, the projection display module 430 includes a projection display 434 and a beam splitter 432. The projection display 434 passes the light 426 to the beam splitter 432, which the beam splitter 432 redirects into the user's field of view. Thus, in addition to the ambient light 424 transmitted by the beam splitter 432, the user field of view also receives light 426 from the projection display. The headset 450 modulates the light 426 so that the light from the projection display 434 is limited to the user's peripheral field of view 418 and does not pass light to the region 402 corresponding to the user's central field of view 416. Using data from the eye tracking sensor 444, the projection display module dynamically adjusts the modulation of the projected light field to ensure that the region 402 coincides with the central field of view 416. In this manner, the light 426 from the projection display reduces the contrast of the image formed in the user's peripheral field of view without affecting the image in the central field of view.

Further, for the previously discussed embodiments, the AR headset 400 may adapt the amount of contrast reduction in the user's peripheral field of view in response to environmental changes and/or user actions.

In general, projection display 434 may include a light modulator, such as a MEMS mirror array or an LCD (e.g., LCOS LCD). Projection display 434 may also include one or more light sources, such as one or more Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) that provide light to the light modulators. The projection display 434 may include additional components, such as imaging optics and/or light guides, that shape the light before and/or after modulation by the light modulator to pass the light to the beam splitter 432.

Alternative projection display modules may be used. For example, the projection display module may include a light directing film that passes light from the projection display to the user's eye, rather than a beam splitter.

In general, although the foregoing examples are AR headsets having the form of eyeglasses, more generally, various AR headsets may be used. For example, AR goggles (AR glasses) may be used. Further, while the electronic controller and power supply are depicted as being integrated into the glasses in headset 400, in some embodiments, the control electronics and/or power supply may be separate from the headset and may communicate with components of the headset using a cable and/or wirelessly.

Other implementations are possible. For example, in some embodiments, light emitted by (e.g., one or more LEDs) mounted on the frame of the glasses or headphones may be used to reduce the contrast of the user's visual periphery. Referring to fig. 5, an exemplary system to accomplish this is a pair of eyeglasses 500 comprising a frame 510, lenses 520 (e.g., Rx lenses), and LEDs 530 mounted on the edges of the frame 520 facing the wearer. The wearer may manually control the brightness of the LEDs, for example using a slide switch 540. Alternatively or additionally, the brightness of the LED 530 may be controlled automatically, e.g., using sensors and feedback mechanisms as described above, and/or remotely, e.g., via a wireless connection, using an application on the mobile device.

LED 530 may include one or more optical components (e.g., one or more lenses) to direct emitted light in a particular direction, e.g., such that only the contrast in the user's peripheral image field is significantly reduced while their foveal vision is substantially unaffected.

Further, while the LED 530 is arranged to shine light directly on the retina of the wearer, in some embodiments, light from the LED may be provided indirectly, for example by reflection from the back of the lens 520.

While the foregoing embodiments include implementations that reduce image contrast of images in a user's peripheral field of view by scattering incident light, it is believed that lenses that shift the focal position of the images away from the retina (e.g., by introducing myopic defocus) in features of a non-coaxial lenslet array to be created may also be used to prevent and/or slow the progression of myopia. See, for example, U.S. patent 2016/0377884 and U.S. patent 2017/0131567. Thus, in some embodiments, an ophthalmic lens can be switched between at least two states, wherein in one state the lens functions as a conventional piano lens or Rx lens, without providing optical power or single or multi-focal image correction to the user (i.e., their base state). In at least one other state, the lens includes a plurality of zones that provide non-coaxial myopic defocus. For example, referring to fig. 6A, an ophthalmic lens 600 includes an on-axis zone 602 (e.g., the optical axis of the lens 600 and/or the user's distance axis intersects the zone 602) and a peripheral zone 604 surrounding the on-axis zone 602, each zone being switchable between a myopic defocus state and another state in which the lens provides no optical power or acts as a conventional Rx. In the myopic defocus state, region 604 features a plurality of lenslets 606, each having a different optical power than the rest of the lens. For example, each lenslet 606 may deliver positive focal light in front of the user's retina sufficient to slow the rate of myopia progression.

In general, the amount of optical power provided by the lenslets 606 may vary depending on the implementation. In some embodiments, in the myopic defocus state, the focal power of the lenslets 606 is +0.5D or greater (e.g., +1.0D or greater, +2.0D or greater, +3.0D or greater, +4.0D or greater, +5.0D or greater, +6.0D or greater, +7.0D or greater, +8.0D or greater) than the base focal power of the lens 600. In some embodiments, each lenslet may be switched between a plurality of different states from 0D to a maximum optical power.

The size and/or shape of the lenslets 606 may also vary. For example, the lenslets may be circular in shape (e.g., 0.5mm or greater, 1mm or greater, 1.5mm or greater, 2mm or greater, 4mm or less, 3mm or less) having a diameter in the range of 0.4mm to 5 mm. In some embodiments, the lenslets 606 are elongated in shape (e.g., elliptical) with a largest dimension in a range of 0.4mm to 5mm (e.g., 0.5mm or greater, 1mm or greater, 1.5mm or greater, 2mm or greater, 4mm or less, 3mm or less).

In general, a switchable lenslet array can be provided using a variety of suitable electro-optic techniques. For example, variable focus LC techniques such as those described in us patent 7,218,375 and us patent 8,558,985 may be used.

For example, and referring to fig. 6B, in some embodiments, the lens 600 has a multi-layer structure consisting of electro-optic cells laminated between two layers 610a and 610B having optical power. The electro-optic cell is made up of two layers of Liquid Crystal (LC) material 624a and 624b, separated by a transparent spacer layer 625. Layers 624a and 624b are also sandwiched between two opposing transparent substrates 108a and 108 b. The transparent substrates 624a and 624b each support a transparent electrode adjacent to the corresponding LC layer. Both sides of the transparent separation layer 625 also support the transparent electrode layer. The electrodes may be electrically contacted via tabs 612, the tabs 612 providing electrical connections for connecting the electrode layer to a signal generator. The electro-optical cell is thus constituted by two independently switchable LC cells, each LC cell being constituted by a layer of LC material between two transparent electrode layers. The electrode layer may be a patterned electrode layer, such as those described above, and may comprise actively or passively addressed pixels. Each LC cell may also include an alignment layer (e.g., a polished polymer layer) formed on top of the electrode layer. The alignment layer ensures a preferred alignment direction of the LC material adjacent to the electrodes. The alignment direction of the LC material in layer 624a may be orthogonal to the alignment direction in layer 624b, ensuring a change in refractive index for orthogonal polarization states propagating through the cell.

The top lens layer 610a is a plano-convex layer with its flat surface attached (e.g., via a clear adhesive) to the top surface of the substrate 608 a. The bottom lens layer is a flat concave layer with its flat surface attached to the bottom surface of substrate 608 b. Thus, the lens 600 is a meniscus lens, with a top convex surface provided by the convex surface of the top lens layer 610a and a bottom concave surface provided by the concave surface of the bottom lens layer 610 b. In general, the base power of the lens 600 can be set to a desired value by judicious selection of the curvatures of the convex and concave surfaces of the layers. For example, the lens 600 may have a positive spherical power or a negative spherical power. Astigmatism and/or correction of multifocal (e.g. progressive) lenses are also possible.

Other switchable lens technologies may also be deployed. For example, variable focus lenses employing optical fluids and/or electroactive polymers may be used. See, for example, U.S. patent 8,000,022. Further, although lens 600 features a lenslet array, other implementations are possible. For example, more generally, the region providing myopic defocus may be shaped into shapes other than lenslet arrays. In some embodiments, the optical power of the entire peripheral region may be adjusted to have a power sufficient to provide myopic defocus, while the central region provides hyperopic defocus. In another example, switchable annular regions of different optical power around the aperture may be employed (see, for example, the exemplary structure in U.S. patent 7,506,983). An example of such a lens is lens 700 shown in fig. 7. Here, the lens 700 includes an on-axis zone 702 (e.g., including distance vision correction) and a series of annular zones 705a-705e, each zone having a different optical power relative to adjacent zones. The optical power of each field can be controlled separately from the other zones and can be varied to have different optical powers. At least in some states, one or more of the domains may have an optical power that introduces near vision defocus into the image.

The term "electronic controller" refers to data processing hardware and encompasses various devices, apparatus and machines for processing data, including, for example, programmable processors. The controller may also be, or include in addition, special purpose logic circuitry, e.g., an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit). The controller can optionally include, in addition to hardware, code that creates an execution environment for the computer program, e.g., code that constitutes processor firmware, a protocol stack, a database management system, an operating system, or a combination of one or more of them.

A computer program (which may also be referred to or described as a program, software application, module, software module, script, or code) can be written in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, or declarative or procedural languages; and they may be deployed in any form, including as stand-alone programs or as modules, components, subroutines, or other units suitable for use in a computing environment. A program may (but need not) correspond to a file in a file system. A program can be stored in a portion of a file that holds other programs or data (e.g., one or more scripts stored in a markup language document), in a single file dedicated to the program in question, or in multiple coordinated files (e.g., files that store one or more modules, sub programs, or portions of code). A computer program can be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiple computers at one site or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by a data communication network.

The processes and logic flows described in this specification can be performed by one or more programmable computers executing one or more computer programs to perform functions by operating on input data and generating output. The processes and logic flows can also be performed by, and in combination with, special purpose logic circuitry, e.g., an FPGA or an ASIC.

Computer-readable media suitable for storing computer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, media and memory devices, including by way of example: semiconductor memory devices, such as EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, such as internal hard disks or removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD ROM and DVD-ROM disks.

A number of embodiments have been described. Other embodiments are within the following claims.