Refractive corrector incorporating a continuous central phase zone and peripheral phase discontinuities

Abstract

Described refractive correctors, include, but are not limited to, intraocular lenses (IOLs), contact lenses, corneal inlays, and other optical components or devices, incorporating a continuous central phase zone and peripheral phase discontinuities. Further embodiments are directed to a method for using a laser to modify the refractive properties of refractive correctors to form such continuous central phase zone and peripheral phase discontinuities, and other applications. The refractive corrector and methods adapt a Fresnel lens structure to include continuous phase retarding regions having a wavefront height of greater than one design wavelength in a central zone of a refractive corrector to improve human vision applications, while maintaining benefits of phase wrapping in the peripheral region.