A hybrid diffractive and refractive contact lens, and methods of treatment of optical conditions using such a lens. A first lens portion is formed from a first lens material having a first index of refraction and includes at least one diffractive optical element. A second lens portion is formed from a second lens material having a second index of refraction different from the first index of refraction. The diffractive optical element may be embedded within the second lens portion to provide comfort, tear film stability, and optical performance.

A multifocal ophthalmic lens includes an ophthalmic lens and a diffractive element. The ophthalmic lens has a base curvature corresponding to a base power. The diffractive element produces constructive interference in at least four consecutive diffractive orders corresponding a range of vision between near and distance vision. The constructive interference produces a near focus, a distance focus corresponding to the base power of the ophthalmic lens, and an intermediate focus between the near focus and the distance focus. A diffraction efficiency of at least one of the diffractive orders is suppressed to less than ten percent.

The invention relates to a multifocal lens (1) with a refractive focus (F.sub.r) and with a diffractive structure (5) which, in the radial direction (r) of the lens (1), plotted across the squared radius (r.sup.2), has a periodic profile (6, 7, 8, 9), wherein the profile (6, 7, 8, 9) per period has four adjoining portions (6, 7, 8, 9) which are not differentiable at their connection sites (10, 11, 12, 13), wherein a first portion (9) has a monotonically falling function and the three further portions (6, 7, 8) have a monotonically rising function or vice versa, and wherein the further portion (7), which does not adjoin the first portion (9), has a greater pitch than the other further portions (6, 8).

A method and system provide a multifocal ophthalmic device. The ophthalmic lens has an anterior surface, a posterior surface and at least one diffractive structure including a plurality of echelettes. The echelettes have at least one step height of at least one wavelength and not more than two wavelengths in optical path length. The diffractive structure(s) reside on at least one of the anterior surface and the posterior surface. The diffractive structure(s) provide a plurality of focal lengths for the ophthalmic lens.

A multifocal ophthalmic lens includes an ophthalmic lens and a diffractive element. The ophthalmic lens has a base curvature corresponding to a base power. The diffractive element produces constructive interference in at least four consecutive diffractive orders corresponding a range of vision between near and distance vision. The constructive interference produces a near focus, a distance focus corresponding to the base power of the ophthalmic lens, and an intermediate focus between the near focus and the distance focus.

An ophthalmic lens comprising: at least one first optical zone with a first axis, the at least one first optical zone being configured such that, in use with an eye, at least a portion of light passing through the at least one first optical zone is refracted to a first focal point on the first axis; and at least one second optical zone configured such that, in use with the eye, at least a portion of light passing through the at least one second optical zone is refracted to one or more focal points positioned off-axis relative to the first focal point and on at least one focal plane different than a focal plane corresponding to the first focal point; wherein the at least one second optical zone is configured such that the light extending beyond the one or more focal points provides extended depth of focus.

An ophthalmic lens comprising: at least one first optical zone with a first axis, the at least one first optical zone being configured such that, in use with an eye, at least a portion of light passing through the at least one first optical zone is refracted to a first focal point on the first axis; and at least one second optical zone configured such that, in use with the eye, at least a portion of light passing through the at least one second optical zone is refracted to one or more focal points positioned off-axis relative to the first focal point and on at least one focal plane different than a focal plane corresponding to the first focal point; wherein the at least one second optical zone is configured such that the light extending beyond the one or more focal points provides extended depth of focus.

A ophthalmic lens for inhibiting progression of myopia includes a central zone and an annular zone. The annular zone includes subsurface optical elements formed via laser-induced changes in refractive index of a material forming the annular zone. The subsurface optical elements are configured to modify distribution of light to the peripheral retina of a user so as to inhibit progression of myopia.

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.

The embodiments disclosed herein include improved toric lenses and other ophthalmic apparatuses (including, for example, contact lens, intraocular lenses (IOLs), and the like) and associated method for their design and use. The apparatus includes one or more optical zones, including an optical zone defined by a polynomial-based surface coincident at a plurality of meridians having distinct cylinder powers, wherein light incident to a given region of each of the plurality of meridians, and respective regions nearby, is directed to a given point of focus such that the regions nearby to the given region direct light to the given point of focus when the given meridian is rotationally offset from the given region, thereby establishing an extended band of operation, and wherein each of the plurality of meridians is uniformly arranged on the optical zone for a same given added power (in diopters) up to 1.0D (diopters).