PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63/005,400, filed on April 5, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference and relied upon.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure provides a semi-rigid and/or flexible, stackable optical film having predetermined optical attributes configured to progressively and permanently and/or semi permanently adjust the prescription strength (e.g., diopter) of an optical lens, such as a glasses lens.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are many different types of vision problems, with myopia (nearsightedness) and hyperopia (farsightedness) being the two most common examples. People who have myopia have difficulty seeing distant objects but can see objects that are near clearly, whereas people with hyperopia have difficulty seeing close objects but can see objects that are distant clearly. To mitigate the effects of such common conditions, many individuals use vision correction devices, with approximately 75% of adults using some type of vision correction globally.

From a consumer standpoint, the American Optometric Association recommends that eye exams be done at least once every year for individuals between the ages of 3-25 and 45-65, and every two years between the ages of 26-45. This means that many consumers update their prescription eyewear every year, even if their eyesight only gets slightly worse from year to year. In fact, many young glasses users between the ages of 7 and 16 must replace their glasses lenses multiple times a year as their prescription changes. Up-to-date prescription is important in preventing negative health effects, such as frequent headaches, unnecessary eye strain, and eyesight worsening even more quickly. Furthermore, some estimates place the number of people who need glasses but can’t access or afford them at over two billion. Such a lack of access to proper vision correction then leads to negative rippling effects in the educational opportunities, economies, and public health of entire countries. As a result, there exists a need for a more affordable and/or accessible method of vision correction. Prescription glasses can alter the effective focal length of an optical lens, mitigating conditions like myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism (irregularly shaped cornea or lens resulting in a distorted image), and presbyopia (when the natural lens in the eye gets less flexible). However, prescription glasses can often be quite costly for consumers. Other alternatives like contact lenses and LAS IK exist, but can come with added risk of damage to the eye due to unhygienic usage, contact with the actual eye, and raised risks for total blindness. Even without these risks, both contacts and LAS IK remain extremely expensive, with contacts often costing hundreds annually and LASIK often costing thousands of dollars per eye.

Accordingly, an inexpensive corrective optical lens enabling convenient adjustments to eyeglasses’ original prescription remains sorely needed, especially as currently alternative vision corrective devices fail to provide all the following benefits: the ability to make both permanent and semi permanent prescription adjustments without relying solely on temporary, tactile, and/or electrostatic adhesion methods; the ability to progressively update prescription of an existing prescription glasses lens through an additive stacking process; and the ability to be produced by curvature parameters substantially determined by the Lens-Maker's Formula for adhesion to the outwardly facing surface of an existing corrective lens, rather than solely the rear lateral. Any attempts to adjust prescription lens strength using Fresnel lens technology can suffer from optical aberrations and poor functionality, especially when adhered to the curved surface of an optical lens, such as glasses lenses. As a result, a need still exists for an effective solution for inexpensive, commercially feasible, and long-term (e.g., semi-permanent or permanent) lens prescription correction. The present disclosure provides an inexpensive and stackable corrective optical lens that capable of progressively correcting the optical prescription strength (e.g., diopter) of an existing corrective lens.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In light of the limitations of current methods of prescription correction and the lack of permanent prescription correction functionality provided by prior corrective lenses, a general object of the present invention is to substantially alleviate the aforementioned issues. The present invention offers a full-coverage, stackable corrective optical lens that allows users to semi-permanently and/or permanently adjust the optical power of their existing glasses lens multiple times without needing to completely replace the entire base lens. The present disclosure comprises a stackable corrective lens with an adhesive for adhering the transparent optical corrective lens to an existing optical lens, such as a corrective glasses lens.

The present disclosure also provides mechanisms to allow users to stack multiple corrective lenses upon each other for increased prescription correction. This stacking technology makes use of the progressively increasing inner and outer curvatures of each corrective optical film. Similarly, stacking lenses can allow for progressively decreased curvatures and/or prescriptions. The lens is composed of a semi-rigid (and thus previously shaped to a particular curvature as substantially determined by the Lens-Maker’ s Formula) and/or flexible, lens-conforming polymer with a high index of refraction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Embodiments of the present disclosure are hereinafter described along with the following figures to help facilitate understanding of the present disclosure and explain the principles of the invention. The figures schematically illustrate and specify one or more of the embodiments of the invention and are represented with numerical annotations throughout the descriptions. The drawings are not made to scale.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a corrective optical lens that adheres to the outer curvature of an existing eyeglass lens consistent with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows a side perspective view of the corrective optical lens of FIG. 1, adhered to the outer curvature of an existing eyeglass lens.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic front perspective view of the corrective lens of FIG. 1 when cut to the shape and size of existing glasses lenses.

FIG. 4A shows a schematic side perspective view of an existing glasses lens with an increase in prescription after a corrective optical lens consistent with the present disclosure is adhered to the existing glasses lens.

FIG. 4B shows a schematic side perspective view of an existing glasses lens with a decrease in overall prescription after a corrective optical lens consistent with the present disclosure is adhered to the existing glasses lens. FIG. 5 shows a dimensional side perspective of multiple corrective optical lenses stacked upon each other upon an existing glasses lens for progressive prescription updates consistent with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic side perspective of progressively increasing curvatures enabled by stacking multiple corrective optical lenses consistent with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic rear view of a peel-off backing on the rear surface of a corrective optical lens, removed to expose the adhesive backing of the corrective optical lens consistent with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 shows a cross sectional view of a corrective optical lens with both an adhesive directly attached to the lens and a peel-off backing on the other lateral of the backing consistent with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9A shows a schematic side perspective view of an eye, wherein the focal point of the rays of light entering an original glasses lens and the lens of the eye is before the retina of the eye.

FIG. 9B shows a schematic side perspective view of an eye, wherein the focal point of the rays of light entering an original glasses lens coupled with a corrective optical lens and the lens of the eye, is at the retina of the eye consistent with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure provides a new corrective optical device intended to be used for allowing users to increase, decrease, or otherwise change the prescription of their glasses. The following detailed description is intended to provide an explanation of this device, its construction, and potential uses of the embodiments of the disclosure. It is not intended to not limit other applications or modifications to the device described herein.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of the corrective optical lens 101 in relation to the location it would be adhered to the original lens 103 of prescription glasses 104. The corrective optical lens 101 consists of, consists essentially of, or comprises a transparent polymer plastic (e.g., polycarbonate, polyglycerol, trivex, aspheric, photochromic, and/or polyurethane) and has a different inner curvature 105 and outer curvature 102. The inner curvature 105 is substantially the same as (e.g., the same as, approximately the same as, significantly similar to, or similar to) the outer curvature of the glasses lens 103, such that the corrective optical lens 101 will conform to the glasses lens 103. The outer curvature 102 of the corrective optical lens 101 is responsible for making changes in prescription, whether those changes ultimately increase prescription or decrease prescription of the original prescription glasses 104. This illustration shows the corrective optical lens 101 being applied only on to one of the two original glasses lenses 103 of prescription glasses 104, but a corrective optical lens 101 with the same outer curvature 102 or with a different outer curvature 102 can be applied to both lenses of prescription glasses 104 if required.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of the prescription glasses 104 shown from a schematic side perspective view. The corrective optical lens 101 is being applied to the original glasses lens 103 of the prescription glasses 104. As in FIG. 1, the inner curvature 105 of the corrective optical lens 101 substantially matches (e.g., matches or conforms to) the outer curvature of the original glasses lens 103, such that an adhesive can correctly bind them together. In some embodiments, the outer curvature of the original glasses lens 103 is not curved (e.g., is flat, substantially flat, or optically non-corrective), and the inner curvature 105 of the corrective optical lens 101 is also not curved (e.g., is flat, substantially flat, or optically non-corrective) to correspond to the flat outer surface of the original glasses lens 103 for purposes including but not limited to increased efficiency of standard glasses lens production and/or reduced usage of materials comprising the original glasses lens 103.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of the corrective optical lens 106 and corrective optical lens 107, which are embodiments of corrective optical lens 101, as shown from a schematic front perspective. The corrective optical lens 106 on the left increases the prescription of a lens to which it is applied due to the corrective optical lens 106 having an outer curvature 112 that is greater than (e.g., has a larger diopter value than) the outer curvature of the lens to which it is applied (e.g., is greater than the curvature or diopter value of the inner curvature 113). When applied to a glasses lens, this means that the corrective optical lens 106 will increase the overall outer curvature (increased diopter measurement) and increase the thickness at the center of the combined lens system. The corrective optical lens 107 on the right decreases the prescription of a lens to which it is applied due to the corrective optical lens 107 having an outer curvature 114 that is shallower than (e.g., has a smaller diopter value than) the outer curvature of the lens to which it is applied (e.g., is smaller than the curvature or diopter value of the inner curvature 115). When applied to a glasses lens, this means that the corrective optical lens 107 will decrease the overall outer curvature (decreased diopter measurement) and decrease the thickness at the center of the lens of the combined lens system.

FIG. 4A is an illustration of the corrective optical lens 106 from FIG. 3 shown from a schematic side perspective, in relation to a standard base glasses lens 110 that would be found in normal prescription glasses. Most glasses lenses that correct prescription in a normal range, including the glasses lens 110 depicted, have a standard outer curvature 116. Corrective optical lens 106, an embodiment of corrective optical lens 101 from FIG. 1, has an inner curvature 117 that substantially matches (e.g., matches or conforms to) the standard outer curvature 116 of the base glasses lens 110. As in FIG. 3, the corrective optical lens 106 increases the prescription strength (e.g., diopter value) of the original glasses lens 110 due to the increased outer curvature 118 of the corrective optical lens 106. For example, in one instance, a glasses lens 110 that has a diopter value of +3.00 may be adjusted to a diopter value of +4.00 by adhering a corrective optical lens 106 to the outer surface 116 of the glasses lens 110 that has an outer curvature 118 that is greater than (e.g., +1.00 diopter) than the diopter value of the glasses lens 110.

FIG. 4B is an illustration of the corrective optical lens 107 from FIG. 3 shown from a schematic side perspective, in relation to a standard base glasses lens 110 that would be found in normal corrective prescription glasses. Corrective optical lens 107, an embodiment of corrective optical lens 101 from FIG. 1, has an inner curvature 119 that substantially matches (e.g., matches or conforms to) the standard outer curvature 116 of the base glasses lens 110. As in FIG. 3, the corrective optical lens 107 decreases the prescription strength (e.g., diopter value) of the original glasses lens 110 due to the decreased outer curvature 120 of the corrective optical lens 107. For example, in one instance, a glasses lens 110 that has a diopter value of +3.00 may be adjusted to a diopter value of +2.00 by adhering a corrective optical lens 107 to the outer surface 116 of the glasses lens 110 that has an outer curvature 120 that is less than (e.g., -1.00 diopter) than the diopter value of the glasses lens 110.

FIG. 5 is an illustration demonstrating how multiple embodiments of corrective optical lens 101 can be stacked on top of each other to progressively update the prescription of the original glasses lens 103 of prescription glasses 104. In this illustration, shown from a schematic side view, a first corrective optical lens 101 is applied to the original glasses lens 103, where the inner curvature 105 of corrective optical lens 101 substantially matches (e.g., matches or conforms to) the outer curve of the glasses lens 103. A second corrective optical lens 108, an embodiment of corrective optical lens 101, is then applied on top of the first corrective optical lens 101. In this instance, the inner curvature 122 of the second corrective optical lens 108 substantially matches (e.g., matches or conforms to) the outer curvature 102 of the first corrective optical lens 101. This illustration depicts only two corrective optical lens 101/108 being stacked onto an initial glasses lens 103, but more could be applied and stacked on top of each other if the user chose to do so. By stacking multiple lenses, it is possible for the prescription to be updated multiple times by the user, over a short or long period of time. This technique allows for multiple embodiments of the corrective optical lens 101 to be used on a single pair of prescription glasses 104 to adjust the prescription strength (e.g., diopter value) over time without requiring manufacture or obtaining new glasses lenses each time an adjustment is required.

FIG. 6 is an illustration demonstrating progressively increasing curvatures of multiple embodiments of the corrective optical lens 101, intended to be used so that the stacking process described in FIG. 5 is made possible. This illustration shows a schematic side view of corrective optical lenses 101/108/109 being applied sequentially on top of the standard base glasses lens 110. As seen in the diagram, the inner curvature 105/122/123 of each corrective optical lens 101/108/109 matches up with the outer curvature 116/102/121 of the adjacent lens 110/101/108. These progressively increasing curvatures allow the user to progressively increase their prescription as needed without obtaining replacement glasses lenses each time. The final outer curvature 124 of the last applied corrective optical lens 109 determines the final diopter value. A similar design with progressively decreasing curvatures (e.g., corrective optical lens 107) would enable progressively decreasing prescriptions of a standard base glasses lens 110.

FIG. 7 is an illustration that shows a schematic rear view of a peel off backing 111 (e.g., a plastic sheet backing) being removed from a corrective optical lens 101. By removing this backing 111, the adhesive 130 present on the back of the corrective optical lens 101 is exposed, such that the corrective optical lens 101 can then be adhered onto an existing glasses lens to modify the prescription strength (e.g., diopter value) of the glasses lens. In some embodiments, the adhesive 130 is an optically transparent adhesive (e.g., the adhesive layer does not substantially distort light passing therethrough after the corrective optical lens 101 has been adhered to a glasses lens or to a second corrective optical lens 101). In some embodiments, the adhesive 130 comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of silicone, epoxy, polyurethane, and/or LOCA glue. FIG. 8 is a schematic side perspective of the adhesive 130 outlined in FIG. 7, with a corrective optical lens 101 with an adhesive 130 applied directly to it with a peel off backing 111 directly attached to the other side of the adhesive 130. The figure demonstrates a cross sectional view of a complete corrective optical lens 101 to which a user would simply peel off the backing 111 and apply the corrective optical lens 101 to an existing glasses lens 103 by using the adhesive 130 on the rear side of the corrective optical lens 101. In some embodiments, the adhesive 130 is optically transparent or substantially optically transparent, such as a liquid optically clear adhesive (“LOCA”). In some embodiments, the adhesive 130 comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of an optically transparent pressure-sensitive adhesive, such as a silicone -based adhesive, reactive adhesive and/or a spray adhesive. In some embodiments, the adhesive 130 cures in response to application of ultraviolet light. In some embodiments, the adhesive 130 comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of adhesives including, but not limited to, optically transparent cyanoacrylate, polyvinyl acetate (PVA), model cement, epoxy, and/or other transparent adhesive alternatives. In some embodiments, the adhesive 130 is not present as a layer of the corrective optical lens 101, but instead is applied to the corrective optical lens 101 before placing the corrective optical lens 101 against the original glasses lens 103.

FIG. 9A is an illustration showing the effect of the original lens 103 of prescription glasses, shown from a schematic side perspective view, on the focal point 132. In this particular embodiment, the original lens 103 does not fully correct the prescription for the eye 135. As a result, when the rays of light 134 pass through the lens 131in the eye 135, they do not converge at the retina 136. Because the focal point 132 is before the retina 136, the image the person sees will not be clear.

FIG. 9B is an illustration showing the effect of the original lens 103 of prescription glasses after a corrective optical lens 101 consistent with the present disclosure has been applied on top of the original lens 103, shown from a schematic side perspective view. In this scenario, the original lens 103 and the corrective optical lens 101 work together to adjust the focal point 133. As a result, when the rays of light 134 pass through the lens in the eye 131, they do properly converge at the retina 136. Because the focal point 133 is no longer before the retina 136 (e.g., the focal point 133 is at or substantially at the retina 136), the image the person sees will now be clear. In this embodiment, the corrective optical lens 101 enhances the optical power (e.g., diopter) of the original lens 103, so that a person can see clearly when the prescription of original lens 103 is not substantially the same as (e.g., the same as, approximately the same as, significantly similar to, or similar to) that required by the eye 135.

In some embodiments, the corrective optical lens 101 has a diopter value of -9.00 to -0.25, for example -9.00, -8.75, -8.50, -8.25, -8.00, -7.75, -7.50, -7.25, -7.00, -6.75, -6.50, -6.25,

-6.00, -5.75, -5.50, -5.25, -5.00, -4.75, -4.50, -4.25, -4.00, -3.75, -3.50, -3.25, -3.00, -2.75, -2.50, -2.25, -2.00, -1.75, -1.50, -1.25, -1.00, -0.75, -0.50, or -0.25. In other embodiments, the corrective optical lens 101 has a diopter value of +0.25 to +9.00, for example +0.25, +0.50, +0.75, +1.00, +1.25, +1.50, +1.75, +2.00, +2.25, +2.50, +2.75, +3.00, +3.25, +3.50, +3.75, +4.00, +4.25, +4.50, +4.75, +5.00, +5.25, +5.50, +5.75, +6.00, +6.25, +6.50, +6.75, +7.00, +7.25, +7.50, +7.75, +8.00, +8.25, +8.50, +8.75, or +9.00.

One distinguishing feature of the present disclosure is its permanence. The corrective optical lenses 101/108/109/110 presented in the present disclosure can be used as a permanent or a semi permanent solution: they remain attached to the original glasses for many months or even multiple years, making it a much more permanent corrective tool. In some embodiments, the corrective optical lens 101/108/109/110 remains adhered to a lens 103 for at least 3 months, for example at least 3 months, at least 4 months, at least 5 months, at least 6 months, at least 7 months, at least 8 months, at least 9 months, at least 10 months, at least 11 months, at least 1 year, at least 2 years, at least 3 years, at least 4 years, at least 5 years, at least 6 years, at least 7 years, at least 8 years, at least 9 years, at least 10 years, or more than 10 years. In some embodiments, the corrective optical lens 101/108/109/110 can be removed from the lens 103, for example by peeling the corrective optical lens 101/108/109/110 from the surface of the lens 103.

Fresnel Prism-based corrective lens technologies create visible optical aberrations on the surface of the corrective lens, unlike corrective optical lenses 101/108/109/110 the present disclosure, which maintain optical clarity (e.g., substantial optical clarity, complete optical clarity, or improved optical clarity compared to a comparable Fresnel prism-based corrective lens system).

In other embodiments, the corrective optical lens 101 corrects astigmatism, is attached to create bifocals (e.g., includes more than one outer curvature 102), or corrects for other eyesight related problems including but not limited to double vision. In some embodiments, the corrective optical lens 101 includes, but is not limited to, a UV-protective layer, an anti-glare coating, and/or an anti scratch coating. In some embodiments, the corrective optical lens adheres to an existing glasses lens 103 that already includes, but is not limited to, UV-protective coating, anti-glare coating, and/or anti-scratch coating. The corrective optical lens 101 can be shaped to fit the exact shape and size of the existing glasses lens 103, such that it covers the entire surface and makes modifications equally across the entire surface of the lens, or it can be shaped to cover only a partial region of the original glasses lens 103.

In still other embodiments, the corrective optical lens 101 is sized and shaped to adhere to a cell phone screen, a cell phone camera, binocular optics, a mirror, or any other device that includes a plastic, glass, or a lens for reflecting, refracting, or magnifying purposes. In other embodiments, the corrective optical lens 101 is adhered to an existing glasses lens 103 or a subsequent corrective optical lens (e.g., the second corrective optical lens 108) by the means of methods and/or objects including but not limited to heat, cutters, scissors, clamps, and/or other machine-based techniques to prevent formation of air bubbles between the inner curvature 105 of corrective optical lens 101 and the outer curve of the existing glasses lens 103 or a subsequent corrective optical lens (e.g., the second corrective optical lens 108).

In still other embodiments, the present disclosure can be produced using techniques, including but not limited to: milling, CNC machining, injection molding, cutting, 3D printing, glass fusing with heat, surfacing, thermoforming, compression molding, polymer casting, rotational molding, vacuum forming, extrusion, blow molding, or reaction injection molding. In still other embodiments, the present disclosure is shaped substantially the same as (e.g., the same as, approximately the same as, significantly similar to, or similar to) the shape of the initial glasses lens 103 of prescription glasses 104 by means including, but not limited to, manually cutting the corrective optical lens 101, utilizing laser cutting machinery to develop a perforated lens, developing a pre-shaped lens in line with the virtual, 3D tracing of the shape of a user’s initial glasses lens 103, and/or utilizing a stamping tool to cut the lens to shape of the product user’s initial glasses lens 103.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure is semi-rigid or slightly flexible without creases. Its curvature measurements will be calculated and substantially based upon a set scale of known diopter measurements in accordance with the Lens-Maker’s Formula for thin lens and other optics formulas. In the Lens-Maker’s Formula, the parameters of some embodiments of the present disclosure can be calculated, including the inner curvature 105/122/123 and outer curvature 116/102/121 of the present disclosure.

EXAMPLES

Example 1. A stackable corrective optical lens comprising: an inner surface having a first curvature; an outer surface having a second, different curvature; and an optically transparent adhesive disposed on the inner surface, wherein the corrective optical lens has a diopter value of -9.00 to -0.25 or a diopter value of +0.25 to +9.00.

Example 2. The stackable corrective optical lens of Example 1 further comprising a removable backing sheet disposed on the optically transparent, non-tactile adhesive.

Example 3. The stackable corrective optical lens of Example 1 or Example 2, wherein the corrective optical lens has a diopter value less than zero.

Example 4. The stackable corrective optical lens of Example 1 or Example 2, wherein the corrective optical lens has a diopter value greater than zero.

Example 5. The stackable corrective optical lens of any one preceding Example, wherein the corrective optical lens is configured to alter a diopter value of a second, existing optical lens, such as a glasses lens upon adhesion of the inner surface of the corrective optical lens to an outer surface of the second lens.

Example 6. The stackable corrective optical lens of any one preceding Example, wherein the first curvature is significantly similar to a curvature of an outer surface of a glass or plastic optical lens that has a diopter rating of +0.25 to +9.00.

Example 7. The stackable corrective optical lens of any one of Examples 1-6, wherein the first curvature is significantly similar to a curvature of an outer surface of a glass or plastic optical lens that has a diopter rating of -0.25 to -9.00. Example 8. A method of altering a prescription strength (e.g., diopter value) of an optical lens, the method comprising the progressive application of the stackable, corrective optical lens of any one of Examples 1-7 to an outer surface of the optical lens, such that it covers the full surface or the substantial majority of the surface of the lens for continued prescription updates.

Example 9. The method of Example 8, wherein the stackable corrective optical lens is a first corrective optical lens, wherein the method further comprises applying a second stackable corrective optical lens to the outer surface of the first corrective optical lens, and wherein the second corrective optical lens has a diopter value that is different from the diopter value of the first corrective optical lens.

Example 10. The method of Example 9, wherein the multiple additional stackable corrective optical lenses can be adhered atop the second corrective optical lens, such that prescription is progressively increased or decreased with addition of each successive stackable corrective optical lens.