Multifocal lens design and method for preventing and/or slowing myopia progression

Abstract

Contact lenses incorporate multifocal power profiles that at least one of slow, retard or preventing myopia progression. The lens includes a first zone at a center of the ophthalmic lens and at least one peripheral zone surrounding the first zone. The at least one peripheral zone has a different width and dioptric power than the first zone. The first zone and at least one peripheral zone are stepped or discontinuous. The multifocal power profile has substantially equivalent foveal vision correction to a single vision lens and has a depth of focus and reduced retinal image quality sensitivity that slows, retards, or prevents myopia progression.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An ophthalmic lens for at least one of slowing, retarding or preventing myopia progression, the ophthalmic lens comprising:
 a central zone at a center of the ophthalmic lens; and   at least two peripheral zones surrounding the central zone, said at least two peripheral zones having different widths and dioptric powers than said central zone,   wherein the central zone and at least two peripheral zones are stepped or discontinuous, thereby providing a multifocal lens power profile having equivalent foveal vision correction to a single vision lens, and having a depth of focus and reduced retinal image quality sensitivity that slows, retards, or prevents myopia progression, wherein the power is equal to 0.26 D for a radial range of between 0 mm to less than 1.15 mm, equal to −0.32 D for a radial range of greater than or equal to 1.15 mm to less than 2.19 mm, and equal to −0.95 D for a radial range of greater than or equal to 2.19 mm to less than 3.43 mm.   
     
     
         2 . The ophthalmic lens according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one peripheral zone comprises two zones. 
     
     
         3 . The ophthalmic lens according to  claim 1 , wherein the multifocal power profiles are adjustable based upon pupil size to achieve a balance between foveal vision correction and an effective depth of focus and reduced retinal image quality sensitivity for treating myopia progression. 
     
     
         4 . The ophthalmic lens according to  claim 1 , wherein the central zone comprises a width in the range from about 0.5 mm to about 1.2 mm. 
     
     
         5 . The ophthalmic lens according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one peripheral zone comprises a width in the range from about 0.5 mm to about 1.6 mm.