Diffractive Ocular Implant With Enlarged Near Vision

Abstract

The present invention relates to a diffractive ocular implant with correct distance vision and enlarged near vision, which is charaterised, in particular, in that it has a phase-transfer curve as a function of thte viewing distance (abbreviated as PTFF-TF) with an absence of discontinuity over a depth of field of at least 1.3D in corneal plane, advantageously greater than 1.45D, said absence of discontinuity being located between intermediate vision and near vision, i.e. between 0.5D and 4D for spatial frequencies from 0 to 100 cycles/mm, for a pupil with a diameter of at least 3 mm.

Claims

1. A diffractive ocular implant with correct distance vision, i.e., a vision such that the modulation transfer function (MTF) of said implant is greater than 20% to 50% cycles/mm in a pupil of 3 mm, and with enlarged near vision, i.e., an absence of discontinuity of its phase transfer curve as a function of viewing distance, wherein said implant: has a phase transfer curve as a function of the viewing distance (PTF-TF) with an absence of discontinuity over a depth of field of at least 1.3 D in the corneal plane, i.e., over an area of additions in the corneal plane of at least 1.3 D, the addition in the corneal plane being understood as the inverse of the distance between the object viewed and the cornea, advantageously greater than 1.45 D, which absence of discontinuity is located between intermediate vision and near vision, i.e. between 0.5 D and 4 D for spatial frequencies from 0 to 100 cycles/mm for a pupil of at least 3 mm in diameter; comprises a body with at least one optical surface having an optical axis and a plurality of diffractive zones arranged concentrically around said optical axis, said diffractive zones each having at least one radius r and being distributed between a central region and a peripheral region, at least one central region or peripheral region (RP) of said diffractive zones having a profile of N successive echelettes, the successive r.sub.N of which, as one moves away from said optical axis, respond to the relation:
r.sub.N=√{square root over (2Nλf.sub.p+2.Math.λ.Math.F2(N).Math.Δ.sub.f)} relation wherein: N is a whole number greater than 1; λ is the conception wavelength; f.sub.p is the focal length corresponding to the addition for near vision; Δ.sub.f is the focal length variation, which is not zero, positive or negative, and whose absolute value is less than 10,000; F2(N) is a polynomial of the variable N of order comprised between 3 and 5, which is expressed as follows:
F2(N)=cte+a.Math.N+b.Math.N.sup.2+c.Math.N.sup.3+d.Math.N.sup.4+ . . . and wherein the maximum height of said successive echelettes i.e., diffractive steps, namely the difference between two successive echelettes, is given by the relation: $h=\alpha \frac{\lambda }{\Delta n}$ relation wherein: Δn is the refractive index variation, i.e., the difference between the refractive index of the implant material and that of the aqueous humor of the eye or the surrounding environment; α is the height factor of the echelette, comprised between 0.25 and 1.75.

2. The implant according to claim 1, wherein “cte” is a real number comprised between −5 and +5.

3. The implant according to claim 1, wherein a, b, c, d etc. are real numbers comprised between −5 and +5.

4. The implant according to claim 1, wherein said diffractive zones have a circular contour.

5. The implant according to claim 1, wherein said diffractive zones have an elliptical contour of which r.sub.N is the small radius.

6. The implant according to claim 1, wherein said diffractive zones are made up by alternating full zones of index “nmat” and empty zones of index “n0”, said empty zones especially consisting of slits or of holes.

7. The implant according to claim 1, wherein said curve has no discontinuity from 0.8 D in the corneal plane.

8. The implant according to claim 1, wherein said curve has no discontinuity from 2 D in the corneal plane.

9. The implant according to claim 1, wherein said region is a central region which has a radius of at least one millimeter and which is surrounded by a peripheral region which is refractive or diffractive, monofocal or multifocal, for example with a bifocal equation: r.sub.N=√{square root over (2Nλ.Math.f.sub.p)}.

10. The implant according to claim 1, wherein said region is a peripheral region, which surrounds a central region, the latter having a radius of at least one millimeter and being refractive or diffractive, monofocal or multifocal, for example with a bifocal equation: r.sub.N=√{square root over (2Nλ.Math.f.sub.p)}.

11. The implant according to claim 1, wherein function F2(N) is a polynomial of the variable N of order 3.

12. The implant according to claim 1, wherein it is chosen in the following group: intracorneal implant, anterior chamber (phakic or pseudophakic), posterior intraocular chamber or sulcus implant.

13. The implant according to claim 1, wherein it has an aspherical surface.

14. The implant according to claim 1, which has an apodized profile, i.e., the height of said echelettes decreases as one moves away from said optical axis, in order to limit the halo phenomenon in night vision.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0060] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear upon reading the following description of embodiments of the invention. This description is made in reference to the attached drawings in which:

[0061] FIG. 1 is an MTF-TF curve of a commercial trifocal implant;

[0062] FIG. 2 is an MTF-TF curve of a commercial bifocal implant;

[0063] FIG. 3 is an MTF-TF curve of an implant according to the invention;

[0064] FIG. 4 is a half-profile view of an implant according to the invention, it being understood that in this figure, the variability of the echelettes represented is due to an apodization;

[0065] FIG. 5 is a half-profile view of an implant according to the invention, it being understood that in this figure, the variability of the echelettes represented is due to an apodization;

[0066] FIG. 6 is an MTF-TF curve of an implant according to the invention;

[0067] FIG. 7 is an MTF-TF curve of an implant according to the invention;

[0068] FIG. 8 is an MTF-TF curve of an implant according to the invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0069] Throughout the following, unless otherwise stated, addition is indicated in the corneal plane.

Concept of Phase Transfer Function (PTF)

[0070] Any optical system can be represented by its point spread function (PSF). PSF is the spatial distribution of light intensity in the image plane of an optical system, formed from a point source object. The more punctual the PSF, the better the optical quality. This PSF, which is in the spatial domain, is very important because converted into the frequency domain it is then the optical transfer function (OTF) which makes it possible to simulate the image of any object seen through the lens of the system studied.

[0071] It is expressed as follows:

[00002]$\begin{array}{c}\mathrm{OTF}\left({\omega }_x,{\omega }_y\right)=\int {\int }_{-\infty }^{+\infty }\mathrm{PSF}\left(x,y\right)e^{i\left(x{\omega }_x+y{\omega }_y\right)}\mathrm{dx}\mathrm{dy}\\ =\mathrm{Re}\left(\mathrm{OTF}\left({\omega }_x,{\omega }_y\right)\right)+i\mathrm{Im}\left(\mathrm{OTF}\left({\omega }_x,{\omega }_y\right)\right)\end{array}$

[0072] Where ω.sub.x,ω.sub.y represents the spatial frequencies in Fourier space, x, y the spatial dimensions in real space and Re and Im the real and imaginary parts of a complex number, i being the square root of −1 in complex number space.

[0073] The modulation transfer function is the modulus of the optical transfer function, i.e., the square root of its real and imaginary parts to the power of 2.

[0074] It is expressed as follows:

MTF(ω.sub.x,ω.sub.y)=√{square root over (Re(OTF(ω.sub.x,ω.sub.y)).sup.2+Im(OTF(ω.sub.x,ω.sub.y)).sup.2)}

[0075] The phase transfer function PTF is the argument of the optical transfer function. It is expressed as follows:

OTF(ω.sub.x,ω.sub.y)=MTF(ω.sub.x,ω.sub.y)e.sup.−iPTF(ω.sup.x.sup.,ω.sup.y.sup.)

[0076] To have vision comfort without discontinuity over a wide depth of field, it is useful to think in terms of “phase” and “phase inversion”. Indeed, when the MTF-TF becomes null after a peak then has a new peak, this often corresponds to a phase inversion, which means that for a given spatial frequency (100/cycles/mm in the case of an MTF-TF curve at 100/cycles/mm, the perceptible signal is inverted. Thus, for example, a black test pattern on a white background becomes white on a black background.

[0077] In the case of IOLs, one can have a phase inversion for high frequencies, but also as a function of defocusing. Thus, for commercial trifocal implants, between intermediate vision and near vision, the implant is no longer sufficiently focused and there is a phase inversion.

[0078] This is the case for FIG. 1 in which we are dealing with a commercial trifocal implant.

[0079] In this figure, the x-axis shows addition (from 0 to 3 D in the corneal plane) and the y-axis shows the MTF (left) and the phase (right).

[0080] The following curves are plotted: [0081] curve A: MTF curve; [0082] curve B: real part of the OTF curve; [0083] curve C: imaginary part of the OTF curve; [0084] curve D: phase transfer curve.

[0085] Unless expressly stated, the figures below repeat the same parameters. A phase inversion is actually observed around addition 1.5 D (in the corneal plane). This implant therefore does not allow sharp and continuous vision with no phase inversion between intermediate vision and near vision.

Definition of the Parameters Referred to in the Present Invention

[0086] The MTF-TF (or TFMTF=“through focus modulation transfer function”) represent the optical quality (in % or ratio between 0 and 1) of contrast of the image for a starting object having a contrast of 100%) as a function of the viewing distance (described by addition in dioptres: 0 D=distance vision/+1 to +2 D=intermediate addition/3 D=near addition in the corneal plane).

[0087] These are curves simulated with optical simulation software such as that known by the brand name Zemax for intraocular implants placed in an average eye model.

[0088] An MTF-TF curve is established for a given spatial frequency. Usually, for multifocal implants, we are interested in the MTF-TF at 50 cycles/mm. MTF-TF at 25 cycles/mm (larger objects) and 100 cycles/mm (smaller objects) are also interesting.

[0089] An MTF-TF curve at 50 cycles/mm (for example) of a given optical profile depends on the pupil of the optical system and the wavelength of the light used.

[0090] Thus, we are preferably interested in a green wavelength (546 nm) but it can also be interesting to plot the photopic MTF-TF corresponding to the integral of the wavelengths of daylight, as well as scotopic MTF-TF (night vision).

[0091] Likewise, we are preferably interested in a pupil of 3 mm diameter (corresponding to a well-lit vision (reading in day vision), but the continuity of MTF-TF can be interesting for pupils of 2 to 6 mm.

[0092] An MTF value greater than 0.15 is considered as providing a satisfactory near vision to the wearer.

[0093] Near vision, NV, is typically equal to +3 D (in corneal plane addition), but can be comprised between +2 D and +4 D.

[0094] Intermediate vision, IV, is typically equal to +1.5 D (in corneal plane addition), but can be comprised between +1 D and +2 D.

Implants According to the Invention

[0095] The enlarged near vision implants at constant phase according to the invention can be defined as follows:

[0096] These are diffractive implants possessing distance vision and near vision whose optical transfer function phase is constant over an enlarged intermediate to near vision zone, i.e., with no phase inversion up to a spatial frequency of 100 cycles/mm, this optical transfer function being constant over an addition value range which is at least 30% (and preferably 45%) larger than that of a conventional bifocal implant, such as the one named ARtis PL M, sold by the present applicant.

[0097] FIG. 2 attached shows the phase transfer function at 100 cycles/mm according to the addition for a conventional bifocal implant of addition +3 D.

[0098] Note that the phase is constant (curve D) over the 1.35 D to 2.35 D zone, or a depth of 1 D in the corneal plane.

[0099] An example of enlarged near vision profile at constant phase of an implant according to the invention is shown in FIG. 3.

[0100] Note that the phase is constant over the 0.6 D to 2.05 D zone, or a depth of 1.45D in the corneal plane.

[0101] Such curves can be obtained from different diffractive optical implants, which will be described below.

[0102] It is obviously considered that an implant of this type comprises a body with at least one optical surface having an optical axis and a plurality of diffractive zones arranged concentrically around this optical axis, these concentric zones each having at least one radius r.

[0103] For a bifocal implant, the radii of successive rings have for radius rN such that:

r.sub.N=√{square root over (2Nλ.Math.f.sub.p)}

[0104] relation wherein: [0105] N is the ring number (counting from the centre); [0106] f.sub.p is the focal length corresponding to the addition for near vision [0107] λ is the design wavelength (typically 546 nm).

[0108] Height h of the diffractive steps (echelettes) of the zones equals:

[00003]$h=\alpha \frac{\lambda }{\Delta n}$

[0109] relation wherein: [0110] Δn is the refractive index variation (i.e., the difference between the refractive index of the implant material and that of the aqueous humor of the eye or the surrounding environment when it is a question of an intracorneal implant); [0111] α is the height factor of the profile.

[0112] If α=0.5, then the relative energy distribution is 50% for distance vision and 50% for near vision.

[0113] The shape of the diffractive echelettes of each zone is called “kinoform” and is described by a parabola on each echelette such that:

[00004]$\mathrm{Profile}\left(x\right)=\propto .Math.\frac{\lambda }{\Delta n}.Math.\frac{r_N^2-x^2}{r_N^2-r_{N-1}^2}$

[0114] Where x is tne radial position.

[0115] According to the invention, an implant having a continuous phase profile between near vision and intermediate vision is created by making use of diffractive profiles giving an extended depth of field.

[0116] The central area of such an implant is defined by a profile for which the radius of successive rings rN is fixed by an equation of the type:

r.sub.N=√{square root over (2Nλf.sub.p+2.Math.λ.Math.F2(N).Math.Δf)}

[0117] expression in which F2(N) is a polynomial of the variable N of minimum order 3. F2(N) can have as expression

F2(N)=cte+a.Math.N+b.Math.N2+c.Math.N3+d.Math.N4+ . . .

[0118] where: [0119] N is a whole number greater than 1; [0120] λ is the conception wavelength; [0121] f.sub.p is the focal length corresponding to the addition for near vision [0122] Δ.sub.f is the focal length variation; [0123] cte is a constant consisting of a real number comprised between −5 and +5, [0124] a, b, c, and d are real numbers comprised between −5 and +5,

[0125] Note that F2(N) can be a function whose limited development or Taylor is equivalent to the polynomial expressed above. The term “equivalent” means that the limited development or Taylor of said function gives the same results as the F2(N) function expressed above.

[0126] Purely by way of indication, these implants can comprise a central region (for example of diameter 1.5 to 6 mm) with an extended depth of field and optionally a “peripheral” zone region that can be described as conventional (for example, from 2 to 6 mm diameter).

[0127] FIG. 4 shows the “half” profile of an implant I1 according to the present invention.

[0128] “Half” profile means the fact that the y-axis, which reflects the height of the echelettes of these implants in micrometers, coincides with their optical axis AO and that only the profile which extends on one side of this axis has been shown.

[0129] In this figure, said central and peripheral regions are respectively referenced RC and RP.

[0130] Note here that the profile of the fourth echelette visible in this figure has been cut, due to the start of the peripheral region RP.

[0131] Although “kinoform”, the echelettes may have a different shape (sine or cosine, for example), this different shape not drastically modifying the present invention.

[0132] In the case presented here, the different refractive zones have a circular contour. However, according to alternative embodiments, not shown here, these diffractive zones have an elliptical contour of which rN is the small radius.

[0133] Still according to the embodiment presented here, the central region RC has an extended depth of field, has a radius of at least one millimeter and is surrounded by a peripheral region RP which is refractive or diffractive, monofocal or multifocal, for example with a bifocal equation:

r.sub.N=√{square root over (2Nλ.Math.f.sub.p)},

[0134] Conversely, this could be the reverse, so that it would be the central region RC, having a radius of at least one millimeter, which would be refractive or diffractive, monofocal or multifocal, for example with a bifocal equation:

r.sub.N=√{square root over (2Nλ.Math.f.sub.p)}

[0135] FIG. 5 shows the “half-profile” of another implant I2 according to the present invention.

[0136] The main parameters for implants according to the invention are given below.

Example 1

[0137] Function F(N) of order 4 (which corresponds to the profile of FIG. 5 and to the curves of FIG. 6):

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Central region: f.sub.p1 1000/3.05 rings 1 to 4 ∝.sub.1 0.5 Δ.sub.f 800 Peripheral region: f.sub.p2 1000/2.77 rings 6 to 12 ∝.sub.2 0.5 [0138] Central region:

[00005]$r{1}_N=\sqrt{2\lambda .Math.N.Math.f_{p1}+2\lambda .Math.\left(N.Math.{\left(\frac{N-1}{5}\right)}^3\right).Math.{\Delta }_f}{\mathrm{Profile}}_1\left(x\right)={\propto }_1.Math.\frac{\lambda }{\Delta n}.Math.\frac{r{1}_N^2-x^2}{r{1}_N^2-r{1}_{N-1}^2}$ [0139] Peripheral region:

[00006]$r{2}_N=\sqrt{2\left(N\right)\lambda .Math.\left(f_{p2}\right)}{\mathrm{Profile}}_2\left(x\right)={\propto }_2.Math.\frac{\lambda }{\Delta n}.Math.\frac{r{2}_N^2-x^2}{r{2}_N^2-r{2}_{N-1}^2}$

[0140] Thus it is observed in FIG. 6 that the phase is constant over the 0.5 D to 2.05 D zone, or a depth of 1.55 D in the corneal plane.

Example 2 (Which Corresponds to the Profile of FIG. 4 and to the Curves of FIG. 7)

[0141] Function F(N) of order 5:

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Central region: f.sub.p1 1000/3.05 rings 1 to 4 ∝.sub.1 0.5 Δ.sub.f 1400 Peripheral region f.sub.p2 1000/2.77 rings 6 to 12 ∝.sub.2 0.5 [0142] central region:

[00007]$r{1}_N=\sqrt{2\lambda .Math.N.Math.f_{p1}+2\lambda .Math.\left(N.Math.{\left(\frac{N-1}{5}\right)}^3\right).Math.{\Delta }_f}{\mathrm{Profile}}_1\left(x\right)={\propto }_1.Math.\frac{\lambda }{\Delta n}.Math.\frac{r{1}_N^2-x^2}{r{1}_N^2-r{1}_{N-1}^2}$ [0143] peripheral region:

[00008]$r{2}_N=\sqrt{2\left(N\right)\lambda .Math.\left(f_{p2}\right)}{\mathrm{Profile}}_2\left(x\right)={\propto }_2.Math.\frac{\lambda }{\Delta n}.Math.\frac{r{2}_N^2-x^2}{r{2}_N^2-r{2}_{N-1}^2}$

[0144] Thus it is observed in FIG. 7 that the phase is constant over the 0.5 D to 2.14 D zone, or a depth of 1.64 D in the corneal plane.

[0145] Finally, in the embodiment of FIG. 8, the phase is constant over the 1.1 D to 3.3 D zone, or a depth of 2.2 in the corneal plane.

[0146] As indicated above, the diffractive profiles (also called steps or echelettes) of the implants according to the invention can be apodized (i.e., we are dealing with a reduction in the height of the steps between the centre and the periphery) as a function of the radius (which constitutes variable x), according to the following equation:

Apodized Profile(x)=Profile(x)*Apodization(x)

[0147] The “apodization (x)” function is a decreasing function such that, for 0<abs(x)<r max (r max=maximum radius of the diffractive profile), then 0 <Apodization (x)≤1.

[0148] For example, this function can take the following form: Apodization(x)=(1−abs(a.Math.x/b){circumflex over ( )}c) with a, b and c consisting of real numbers.

[0149] The diffraction profile can be composed of concentric, circular or oval diffractive steps (echelettes). In other embodiments, the diffractive effect can be obtained by alternating full zones and empty zones (holes, slits), which modifies the local refractive index by zones and generates diffraction in the same way as the echelettes.

[0150] Expressed differently, this diffractive profile can be defined not by a geometric shape, but by a variation of refractive indices of the material(s) that compose it and which will create the same effect. The modification of the refractive index, for example, can be obtained by alternating full zones “n mat” and empty zones “n0” (made up of holes or slits), which modifies the local refractive index by zones and generates diffraction in the same way as the echelettes.

[0151] The implants according to the invention make it possible to correct presbyopia. They can also correct other ametropias (myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism).

[0152] These may be intracorneal implants (lenticles), anterior chamber (phakic or pseudophakic), or posterior intraocular chamber or sulcus implants).