The University of Arizona

James T Schwiegerling

Gholam A Peyman

Nasser N Peyghambarian

Nickolaos Savidis

Edward Allen DeHoog

Michael W Kudenov

Kazuhiko Oka

Joseph Marion Miller

William F Coyer

Eustace Dereniak

Edward Anthony Lavilla

Pouria Valley

Haitao Luo

Provided are systems (e.g., a modified fundus camera system) and methods for measuring ocular distortion, the methods comprising projecting an image of a known target pattern having characteristic features onto an area of a retinal plane/surface to provide a distorted retinal image of the target pattern across the area of the retinal surface, recording the distorted retinal image of the target pattern using an image sensor to provide a captured distorted retinal image of the target pattern across the area of the retinal surface, identifying the characteristic features of the captured distorted retinal image, and comparing the identified characteristic features of the captured distorted retinal image of the target pattern across the area of the retinal surface to corresponding characteristic features of the known target pattern to provide a map of ocular distortion across the area of the retinal surface. Also provided are systems and methods for measuring retinal shape.

Identification and control of myopic progression using distortion

A diffractive multifocal lens is disclosed, comprising an optical element having at least one diffractive surface, the surface profile comprising a plurality of annular concentric zones. The optical thickness of the surface profile changes monotonically with radius within each zone, while a distinct step in optical thickness at the junction between adjacent zones defines a step height. The step heights for respective zones may differ from one zone to another periodically so as to tailor diffraction order efficiencies of the optical element. In one example of a trifocal lens, step heights alternate between two values, the even-numbered step heights being lower than the odd-numbered step heights. By plotting a topographical representation of the diffraction efficiencies resulting from such a surface profile, step heights may be optimized to direct a desired level of light power into the diffraction orders corresponding to near, intermediate, and distance vision, thereby optimizing the lens performance.

Diffractive trifocal lens

A diffractive multifocal lens is disclosed, comprising an optical element having at least one diffractive surface, the surface profile comprising a plurality of annular concentric zones. The optical thickness of the surface profile changes monotonically with radius within each zone, while a distinct step in optical thickness at the junction between adjacent zones defines a step height. The step heights for respective zones may differ from one zone to another periodically so as to tailor diffraction order efficiencies of the optical element. In one example of a trifocal lens, step heights alternate between two values, the even-numbered step heights being lower than the odd-numbered step heights. By plotting a topographical representation of the diffraction efficiencies resulting from such a surface profile, step heights may be optimized to direct a desired level of light power into the diffraction orders corresponding to near, intermediate, and distance vision, thereby optimizing the performance of the multifocal lens.

A diffractive multifocal lens is disclosed, comprising an optical element having at least one diffractive surface, the surface profile comprising a plurality of annular concentric zones. The optical thickness of the surface profile changes monotonically with radius within each zone, while a distinct step in optical thickness at the junction between adjacent zones defines a step height. The step heights for respective zones may differ from one zone to another periodically so as to tailor diffraction order efficiencies of the optical element, in one example of a trifocal lens, step heights alternate between two values, the even-numbered step heights being lower than the odd-numbered step heights. By plotting a topographical representation of the diffraction efficiencies resulting from such a surface profile, step heights may be optimized to direct a desired level of light power into the diffraction orders corresponding to near, intermediate, and distance vision, thereby optimizing the performance of the multifocal lens.

A phoropter having a line of sight for a viewer to see through comprises a lens system in the line of sight, wherein a shape or focal length of at least one lens in the lens system is controllable by means of an electrical signal, electrical field or current. Wavefront sensors of the phoropter detect local tilts of light wavefronts emerging from the eye and generate output signals that are used for controlling the shape or focal length of the at least one lens. Holographic or diffractive elements are used to collect light scattered from an eye of the viewer and image the scattered light to the wavefront sensors. Preferably one or more of the holographic or diffractive elements are away from the line of sight of the viewer. To use the phoropter, light is passed to the lens system, and light scattered by the eye is collected by the holographic or diffractive elements and imaged onto the wavefront sensors.

Holographic adaptive see-through phoropter

A diffractive multifocal lens is disclosed, comprising an optical element having at least one diffractive surface, the surface profile comprising a plurality of annular concentric zones. The optical thickness of the surface profile changes monotonically with radius within each zone, while a distinct step in optical thickness at the junction between adjacent zones defines a step height. The step heights for respective zones may differ from one zone to another periodically so as to tailor diffraction order efficiencies of the optical element. In one example of a trifocal lens, step heights alternate between two values, the even-numbered step heights being lower than the odd-numbered step heights. By plotting a topographical representation of the diffraction efficiencies resulting from such a surface profile, step heights may be optimized to direct a desired level oflight power into the diffraction orders corresponding to near, intermediate, and distance vision, thereby optimizing the performance of the multifocal lens.

A variable focal length achromatic lens includes a flat liquid crystal diffractive lens and a pressure-controlled fluidic refractive lens. The diffractive lens is composed of a flat binary Fresnel zone structure and a thin liquid crystal layer, producing high efficiency and millisecond switching times while applying a low ac voltage input. The focusing power of the diffractive lens is adjusted by electrically modifying the sub-zones and re-establishing phase wrapping points. The refractive lens includes a fluid chamber with a flat glass surface and an opposing elastic polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membrane surface. Inserting fluid volume through a pump system into the clear aperture region alters the membrane curvature and adjusts the refractive lens' focal position. Primary chromatic aberration is remarkably reduced through the coupling of the fluidic and diffractive lenses at a number of selected focal lengths. Potential applications include miniature color imaging systems, medical and ophthalmic devices, or any design that utilizes variable focal length achromats.

Variable focal length achromatic lens system comprising a diffractive lens and a refractive lens

An imaging polarimeter optics unit comprising: a first polarization-sensitive beam-splitter optic, a retarder, a second polarization-sensitive beam-splitter optic, and an analyzer, through which input light passes in sequence, wherein the retarder and polarization-sensitive beam-splitters cause the input light to have optical components that provide different information about the state of polarization of the input beam is provided.

Compact snapshot polarimetry camera

An imaging system and method for imaging an object, where an objective lens directs light to the object, a coupling lens receives light reflected from a surface of the object and transmitted through the objective lens, and focuses the reflected light as an image of the object, and an annular light emitter arranged concentrically with an optical axis of the objective lens and the coupling lens emits to the objective lens the light directed to the object.

Imaging lens and illumination system

A system and a method for modifying an original image to simulate a painting effect, wherein an irregularly translucent diffusion element is configured to be overlayed with an original image such as a photograph or picture and a scanner or photocopier is configured to scan an imaging area adjacent the original image overlayed with the diffusion element and produce image data representative of the original image modified by the diffusion element. Alternatively, the painting effect can be simulated in software to produce shifts in pixels of original image data and display a distorted image with painting effect based on the shifts in pixel values.

Growing community of inventors

Tucson, AZ, United States of America

James T Schwiegerling