Stabilized Thin Lens

Abstract

A thin ophthalmic lens stabilized through incorporation of flange around all or a portion of a perimeter of the thin lens.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A stabilized ophthalmic thin lens comprising:
 a thin lens having a perimeter; and   a flange extending from the perimeter.   
     
     
         2 . The stabilized thin lens of  claim 1  wherein the thin lens has a thickness of 0.8 to 2.5 millimeters. 
     
     
         3 . The stabilized thin lens of  claim 1  wherein the thin lens substrate comprises a dye. 
     
     
         4 . The stabilized thin lens of  claim 1  wherein the thin lens comprises a functional film. 
     
     
         5 . The stabilized thin lens of  claim 1  wherein the flange has a width of 5 to 15 millimeters. 
     
     
         6 . The stabilized thin lens of  claim 1  wherein a thickness of the thin less is greater than a thickness of the flange. 
     
     
         7 . The stabilized thin lens of  claim 1  wherein the flange is formed symmetrically about the thin lens. 
     
     
         8 . A stabilized ophthalmic thin lens comprising:
 a round, unfinished thin lens; and   a round flange extending out ward from a perimeter of the thin lens.   
     
     
         9 . The stabilized thin lens of  claim 8  wherein the thin lens has a thickness of 0.8 to 2.5 millimeters. 
     
     
         10 . The stabilized thin lens of  claim 8  wherein a best fit plane formed through the thin lens is parallel to a plane defined by the flange. 
     
     
         11 . The stabilized thin lens of  claim 8  wherein the thin lens comprises a functional film. 
     
     
         12 . The stabilized thin lens of  claim 8  wherein the thin lens comprises a dye. 
     
     
         13 . The stabilized thin lens of  claim 8  wherein a thickness of the thin lens is greater than a thickness of the flange. 
     
     
         14 . The stabilized thin lens of  claim 8  wherein the flange is formed symmetrically about the thin lens. 
     
     
         15 . A method for stabilizing a thin lens comprising:
 forming a thin lens having a perimeter; and   forming a flange extending from the perimeter.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the step of forming a thin lens having a perimeter comprises forming a thin lens by injection molding. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the step of forming a thin lens having a perimeter comprises forming a thin lens that has a thickness of 0.8 to 2.5 millimeters. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the step of forming a thin lens having a perimeter comprises forming a thin lens comprising a functional laminate. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the step of forming a flange extending from the perimeter comprises forming a flange having a thickness that is less than a thickness of the thin lens. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the step of forming a flange extending from the perimeter comprises forming a flange having a width of 5 to 15 millimeters.