Optically correct and clear eyeshields

Abstract

An apparatus for shielding a human eye of a patient while allowing the human eye contact with the air. A lens of the apparatus is fashioned to one or both of the eyes and is optically clear and optically correct in that it does not distort the patient's vision. The optically correct aspect of the lens is achieved by either polishing a mold for the lens or alternatively, by die-cutting the lens from an optically correct material. The lens may be held in place by an adjustable strap. A plurality of vents to allow the eye contact with the air are a plurality of apertures in the lens or a plurality of spaces or holes in a cushioning structure, where the cushioning structure is coupled to the perimeter of the surface of the lens facing the eye.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for shielding a patient's eye while allowing the patient's eye contact with air, the apparatus comprising: 
 a. an eyeshield having an optically correct viewing area; and    b. a plurality of vents surrounding the optically correct viewing area for allowing air to circulate through the eyeshield.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising openings in the eyeshield for coupling a strap to the eyeshield.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the length of the strap is adjustable for holding the eyeshield in front of the human eye.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the eyeshield is substantially circular in shape and has a nose bridge protrusion extending from the substantially circular shape that is configured such that the nose bridge protrusion rests on and above the patient's nose and maintains close proximity to the patient's nose and eyebrow.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the plurality of vents are a plurality of apertures through the lens.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the plurality of apertures through the lens do not distort vision.  
     
     
         7 . An apparatus for shielding a patient's eye while allowing the patient's eye contact with air, the apparatus comprising: 
 a. an eyeshield having an optically correct viewing area; and    b. a cushioning structure affixed to the perimeter of a first surface of the eyeshield wherein the cushioning structure includes a plurality of vents for allowing air to circulate behind the eyeshield.    
     
     
         8 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 7  further comprising openings in the eyeshield for coupling a strap to the eyeshield.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the length of the strap is adjustable for holding the eyeshield in front of the human eye.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the plurality of vents do not distort vision.  
     
     
         11 . A medical eyeshield for shielding a patient's eye while allowing the patient's eye contact with air, the medical eyeshield comprising: 
 a. means for shielding a human eye said shielding means being optically correct;    b. means for securing the shielding means;    c. means for coupling the securing means with the shielding means; and    d. means for circulating air between the human eye and the shielding means while preserving the optically correct nature of the shielding means.    
     
     
         12 . The medical eyeshield as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the securing means is an adjustable strap.  
     
     
         13 . The medical eyeshield as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the circulating means does not distort vision.  
     
     
         14 . A method of manufacturing an eyeshield comprising the steps of: 
 a. producing a mold that will fashion an eyeshield wherein the eyeshield is optically clear; and    b. polishing the surface of the mold to facilitate the eyeshield being optically correct.    
     
     
         15 . The method as claimed in  claim 14  further comprising coupling an adjustable strap with the eyeshield.  
     
     
         16 . The method as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the mold fashions the eyeshield including a plurality of vents.  
     
     
         17 . The method as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the plurality of vents are configured as to not distort vision.  
     
     
         18 . A method of manufacturing an eyeshield comprising the steps of: 
 a. cutting an eyeshield from an optically clear and optically correct material;    b. affixing a cushioning structure having a plurality of vents to the perimeter of one surface of the eyeshield; and    c. coupling an adjustable strap with the eyeshield.