Scientific Optics, Inc.

Other

Hoffmann-la Roche Inc.

Burlington Industries, Inc.

Scientific Optics, Inc. C/o Avalon Ventures

David M Lieberman

Jonathan Grierson

Jonathon Grierson

Jon Grierson

Walter H Imboden

Johnathan Grierson

'Universal improvement' of vision is achieved by effectively changing the shape of the anterior refracting surface of the cornea to an ideal 'turtleback' shape, on which is imposed the necessary curvature adjustment to achieve correction of distance vision. In accordance with one embodiment, the cornea is actually formed to the turtleback shape through corneal surgery, preferably laser ablation surgery. In accordance with a second embodiment, a contact lens with the desired distance corrected ideal turtleback shape on its anterior surface is positioned over the cornea.

Method and apparatus for universal improvement of vision

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for causing the optical center of the eye to align 'HIGH point' of the anterior surface of the cornea. In accordance with one aspect of the invention relating to corneal ablation procedures, the HIGH point of the eye is used as the pole of a spherical surface which is fitted approximately to a portion of the anterior surface of the cornea within a 'bounded region.' For corneal ablation procedures, the &#x201c;bounded region&#x201d; comprises a generally inverted-cup shaped region of the anterior surface of the eye bounded at its periphery by a plane which is substantially perpendicular to a local z-axis. During the operation local high points which project above the spherical surface are ablated. According to another aspect of the invention relating to radial keratotomy procedures, a pair of incisions in the plane of a &#x201c;great circle&#x201d; are formed in the cornea to weaken and flatten it. As used herein, a &#x201c;great circle&#x201d; is formed by a plane containing the HIGH point and parallel to the local z-axis. The &#x201c;bounded region&#x201d; for radial keratotomy procedures is defined absolutely in terms of a circle projected onto the corneal surface which is centered about an axis passing through the HIGH point and parallel to the z-axis.

Method and apparatus for improving vision

Certain disorders of the cornea exhibit unique characteristics in a surface model of the cornea. Through various manipulations of the characteristics of the surface model of a patient's cornea, certain 'markers' that are associated with disorders of the eye may be revealed.

Diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the eye

Eye measurements taken on a patient being fitted for contact lens will include a refraction test and an additional measurement representing corneal depth variation on the surface of an imaginary cylinder having the same diameter as the lens. This information then used during lens manufacture to produce lens in which the perimeter is not circular and does not lie in a plane, but which drops backwards towards the eye at appropriate points to produce a saddle-shaped perimeter.

Contact lens with shaped periphery

Methods, and apparatus are disclosed for performing corneal ablation procedures of the eye ( ) in a manner which does not interfere with the natural shape of the cornea or its orientation relative to the remainder of the eye, but which changes its surface curvature appropriately to achieve the required correction of vision. Three preferred embodiments are described, which model the cornea to different degrees of accuracy. Once the model of the cornea is obtained ( ), surface curvature is modified ( ) to achieve the degree of correction in refraction that is necessary, as determined by an eye test of the patient. The modified model of the cornea is then utilized to control the removal of material from the surface of the cornea in a corneal ablation operation.

Method for diagnosing and improving vision

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for causing the optical center of the eye to align &ldquo;HIGH point&rdquo; of the anterior surface of the cornea. In accordance with one aspect of the invention relating to corneal ablation procedures, the HIGH point of the eye is used as the pole of a spherical surface which is fitted approximately to a portion of the anterior surface of the cornea within a &ldquo;bounded region.&rdquo; For corneal ablation procedures, the &ldquo;bounded region&rdquo; comprises a generally inverted-cup shaped region of the anterior surface of the eye bounded at its periphery by a plane which is substantially perpendicular to a local z-axis. During the operation local high points which project above the spherical surface are ablated. According to another aspect of the invention relating to radial keratotomy procedures, a pair of incisions in the plane of a &ldquo;great circle&rdquo; are formed in the cornea to weaken and flatten it. As used herein, a &ldquo;great circle&rdquo; is formed by a plane containing the HIGH point and parallel to the local z-axis. The &ldquo;bounded region&rdquo; for radial keratotomy procedures is defined absolutely in terms of a circle projected onto the corneal surface which is centered about an axis passing through the HIGH point and parallel to the z-axis.

Method for improving vision

A contact lens that reduces power distortion and lens contact with the corneal surface resulting from lens flexure. The contact lens ( ) is designed to include a central optical portion, a scleral skirt ( ), and a transition portion ( ) therebetween, overlying the cornea, the posterior surface of which is conformed to the local geometry of the underlying portion of the cornea, including corneal tilt and distortion. In an alternative embodiment representing a less expensive lens, the transition portion is designed to conform to a statistically average cornea. The central optical portion may have a posterior surface which is customized, is toric or spherical, depending on whether a custom or inexpensive soft lens is being designed.

Soft contact lens

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for causing the optical center of the eye to align 'HIGH point' of the anterior surface of the cornea. In accordance with one aspect of the invention relating to corneal ablation procedures, the HIGH point of the eye is used as the pole of a spherical surface which is fitted approximately to a portion of the anterior surface of the cornea within a 'bounded region.' For corneal ablation procedures, the 'bounded region' comprises a generally inverted-cup shaped region of the anterior surface of the eye bounded at its periphery by a plane which is substantially perpendicular to a local z-axis. During the operation local high points which project above the spherical surface are ablated. According to another aspect of the invention relating to radial keratotomy procedures, a pair of incisions in the plane of a 'great circle' are formed in the cornea to weaken and flatten it. As used herein, a 'great circle' is formed by a plane containing the HIGH point and parallel to the local z-axis. The 'bounded region' for radial keratotomy procedures is defined absolutely in terms of a circle projected onto the corneal surface which is centered about an axis passing through the HIGH point and parallel to the z-axis.

A contact lens for use with an asymmetric aspherical cornea. The lens includes an anterior surface, a posterior surface and a base. The posterior and anterior surfaces each include a center optical portion and an outer peripheral corneal portion. The posterior surface is divided into a plurality of local surface segments by a plurality of radially extending boundaries that originate from a common center point on the posterior surface of the lens. Each of the local surface segments conforms to the shape of a corresponding local surface portion of the cornea that lies under the respective lens local surface segment when the lens is worn on the eye.

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New York, NY, United States of America

David M Lieberman