Ophthalmic lens wafers and receiver for registering such wafers

Abstract

Ophthalmic lens wafers for forming a composite lens are provided wherein each front lens wafer has a front registration pattern formed on its peripheral edge, and each back lens wafer has a back registration pattern formed on its peripheral edge which is different than the front registration pattern. If the ophthalmic lens wafers include optical axes, such as horizontal axes for multi-focal segments or astigmatism axes, each registration pattern is oriented at a predetermined angle relative to the respective optical axis for facilitating alignment of the optical axes relative to each other when forming a composite lens in accordance with a particular prescription. Each lens registration pattern may be formed by a pair of notches on the peripheral edge of the wafers, or by a pair of lobes on the peripheral edge of the wafers. A receiver is also provided for holding and registering the ophthalmic lens wafers when laminating or otherwise forming a composite lens. The receiver defines a stepped recess formed by a plurality of circular-shaped steps, and each step includes at least one registration pattern which matches the registration pattern of either a front or back lens wafer, but not both. The registration patterns of the receiver may be formed by key pairs which are shaped and positioned relative to each other to mesh with a respective lens registration pattern. The key pairs may likewise be retractable for generating different registration patterns to receive different wafer types on the same step of the receiver. Alternatively, the registration pattern of the receiver may be formed by recessed surface areas for receiving corresponding lobes on the lens wafers. The recessed surface areas may likewise be formed by retractable surface sections for generating different registration patterns to receive different wafer types on the same step of the receiver.