Contact lens utilizing Stiles-Crawford effect

Abstract

The present apparatus comprises a lens body of conventional soft contact lens composition, having a generally spherical concave back surface adapted to fit the cornea of the eye, and a generally convex front surface. The lens preferably includes a prism ballast to ensure correct orientation. The lens of the present invention is made of opaque or other substances which generally do not transmit light. In the process, the eye is mapped with a conventional field test to determine the diseased portion of the eye and those portions of the eye having optical perception. Through the lens surface, circular channels or “pinholes” which traverse the entire thickness of the lens are placed in an area which maps and therefore corresponds to the portion of the retina having optical perception. Light incident on the underlying portion of the retina having optical perception through the pinholes provides improved vision. These pinholes can be made in the form of channels. Such channels further increase tear distribution under the lens with improved comfort to the wearer. The channels additionally provide increased oxygen flow to the cornea and lens, thereby diminishing the physiological burden occasioned by standard soft contact lens.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A contact lens for an eye having a diseased retina with a first potion of the retina having light perception and a second portion of the retina having insufficient light perception of the contact lens comprising: 
       a convex anterior surface and a concave posterior surface for fitting to the eye of the wearer;  
       means for biasing the contact lens in rotational alignment with respect to the eye;  
       means for rendering the contact lens opaque for blocking light to the retina of the eye; and,  
       an array of pinholes overlying the first portion of the retina having light perception only to produce light entrance apertures through the opaque layer to the retina of the eye.  
     
     
       2. A contact lens according to  claim 1  including: 
       an opaque layer over the contact lens.  
     
     
       3. A contact lens according to  claim 1  including: 
       the pinholes constitute through holes in the contact lens.  
     
     
       4. A contact lens according to  claim 1  including: 
       the means for basing the contact lens in rotational alignment includes a prism.  
     
     
       5. A contact lens according to  claim 1  including: 
       said contact lens is a hard contact lens.  
     
     
       6. A contact lens according to  claim 1  including: said contact lens is a soft contact lens. 
     
     
       7. A contact lens comprising: 
       
         a convex anterior surface;  
       
       
         a concave posterior surface;  
       
       
         a plurality of apertures passing from said anterior surface towards said posterior surface;  
       
       
         said plurality of apertures positioned to direct light to a predetermined portion of a retina. 
       
     
     
       8. The lens of  claim 7 , wherein said lens is opaque. 
     
     
       9. The contact lens of  claim 7  wherein said apertures formed in a portion of said lens such that said apertures improve visual acuity and perceived brightness. 
     
     
       10. The lens of  claim 7 , wherein said lens is constructed to maintain a desired axial orientation relative to said retina. 
     
     
       11. A lens comprising: 
       
         a posterior surface;  
       
       
         an anterior surface;  
       
       
         a portion of said lens adapted to increase the perpendicularity of light striking preselected healthy photo receptors. 
       
     
     
       12. The lens of  claim 11 , wherein said orientation is caused by holes passing from said posterior surface to said anterior surface in a predetermined pattern. 
     
     
       13. The lens of  claim 11 , wherein a portion of said lens blocks passage of light. 
     
     
       14. The lens of  claim 11 , wherein a portion of said lens is opaque. 
     
     
       15. The lens of  claim 11  wherein said increased perpendicularity is caused by a plurality of light manipulating structures within said lens such that the addition of said structures improves visual acuity. 
     
     
       16. The lens of  claim 11  wherein said increased perpendicularity is caused by a plurality or light manipulating structures within said lens such that the addition of said structures improves brightness perception. 
     
     
       17. The lens of  claim 11  additionally comprising a structure that maintains the axial orientation of said lens with said preselected healthy photo receptors.