Ophthalmic lenses with induced apertures

Abstract

Multifocal and single focus lenses are defined by nonconical aspheric optical surfaces. Various alternative surface shapes provide one or more vision regions bounded by optical steps. Each optical step has rapidly and smoothly changing power in the radial direction which creates an induced aperture through which the cortical elements of the human vision system are induced to concentrate. The induced aperture results in increased clarity and enhanced vision. In various configurations, the induced aperture decreases spherical aberration to further enhance vision. To increase correction intensity at one or more powers, redundant power regions are provided in repeated optical steps or annular apertures. In several embodiments, the redundant power regions create multiple induced apertures at one or more optical powers directed at one or more vision distances.

I claim:  
     
         1 . An ophthalmic lens comprising: 
 an apex and apical power at the apex;    at least one annular vision region, each of the at least one annular vision regions having a respective local maximum or minimum power; and each annular vision region bounded by optical steps having rapidly changing power; and    an optical surface creating a power distribution that varies smoothly from the apical power and through all annular vision regions.    
     
     
         2 . An ophthalmic lens according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the apical power is a distance sight corrective power; and    the at least one annular vision region has a near sight corrective power greater than the distance sight corrective power.    
     
     
         3 . An ophthalmic lens according to  claim 1;  wherein: 
 the at least one annular vision region comprises a first annular aperture having a distance power less than the apical power.  
 
     
     
         4 . An ophthalmic lens according to  claim 3 , wherein: 
 the apical power is sufficiently high to prevent the human cortical vision system from resolving an image from any plane-of-regard passing through the apex.    
     
     
         5 . An ophthalmic lens according to  claim 4 , wherein: 
 the apical power more than 3.0 diopters greater than the distance power.    
     
     
         6 . An ophthalmic lens according to  claim 3 , wherein: 
 the at least one annular vision region further comprises at least one second annular aperture having an intermediate power that is less than the apical power and greater than the distance power.    
     
     
         7 . An ophthalmic lens comprising: 
 at least one optical surface creating a symmetric smooth radial power distribution, the power distribution having at least one local maximum and at least one local minimum, each maximum and minimum bounded by optical steps;    the power distribution changing sufficiently rapidly in each optical step to induce a user receiving images from a plane-of-regard associated with the respective maximum and minimum to view the portion of the image passing through optical surface at the respective maximum or minimum.    
     
     
         8 . An ophthalmic lens according to  claim 7 , wherein: 
 all local minimums have equal power.    
     
     
         9 . An ophthalmic lens according to  claim 7 , wherein: 
 all local minimums have distinct powers.    
     
     
         10 . An ophthalmic lens according to  claim 7 , wherein: 
 all local maximums have distinct powers.    
     
     
         11 . An ophthalmic lens according to  claim 7 , wherein: 
 all local maximums have equal power.    
     
     
         12 . An ophthalmic lens according to  claim 7 , wherein: 
 all maximums and minimums have mutually distinct powers.    
     
     
         13 . An ophthalmic lens according to  claim 8;  wherein: 
 the power at each minimum is a distance sight power; and  
 at least one local maximum comprising at least one near sight region having a near sight power no more than 3.0 diopters greater than the distance sight power.  
 
     
     
         14 . An ophthalmic lens according to  claim 13 , wherein: 
 the at least one near sight region comprises an apical region.    
     
     
         15 . An ophthalmic lens according to  claim 14 , wherein: 
 at least one local maximum further comprising an annular aperture having an intermediate power less than the near sight power and greater than the distance power.    
     
     
         16 . An ophthalmic lens according to  claim 7 , wherein: 
 the power distribution is defined by at least one cyclic function.    
     
     
         17 . An ophthalmic lens according to  claim 7 , wherein: 
 the at least one optical surface comprises the surface of a human cornea.    
     
     
         18 . An ophthalmic lens according to  claim 7 , wherein: 
 the at least one optical surface is a anterior surface of a contact lens; and    a posterior surface of the lens has a reverse geometry such that a centering force is created on the lens when fitted to an eye.    
     
     
         19 . An ophthalmic lens comprising: 
 a contact lens body having an optical surface having a symmetric radial power distribution;    the power distribution having at least one annular induced aperture, each aperture having a respective local maximum or minimum power and each aperture bounded by optical steps; and    each optical step having smoothly and rapidly changing power such that a user receiving images passing through the lens is induced to selectively accept the portions of the image passing through the induced apertures.    
     
     
         20 . An ophthalmic lens according to  claim 19 , wherein; 
 the power distribution is smooth from an apex to the extents of a lens mesopic pupillary region;