GB2550679A

GB2550679A - Optical occluder

Info

Publication number: GB2550679A
Application number: GB1706536.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Elizabeth Harrison Rebecca
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-04-28
Filing date: 2017-04-25
Publication date: 2017-11-29
Also published as: GB201706536D0; GB201607400D0

Abstract

An optical occluder 10 is in the form of a sleeve 16 formed of a polymer material. The occluder comprises an inner 22 and outer 18 side, the inner side 22 of the sleeve comprises an opening (36, Fig. 6). The sleeve 16 is configured to receive a lens 12 of a pair of glasses (14, Fig. 1) such that in use the lens is at least partially covered by the sleeve and the user's vision in one eye is at least partially occluded. The inner 22 and outer 18 sides of the sleeve may be connected at a top end by an upper part (28, Fig. 4) and bottom end by a lower part (34, Fig. 4), said upper and lower parts may be configured to receive a lens or spectacle frame. The occulder may comprise a side section (48, Fig. 6) attached to the occulder by a hinge (50, Fig. 6). The occluder may be retained on the glasses via anti-slip properties of the material, gravity or a combination thereof. The occulder may be made from an antimicrobial silicone elastomer. The occulder may vary in thickness from 0.1-2mm. The occluder may be used to treat amblyopia (lazy eye syndrome) or aid in sporting practice.

Description

Optical Occluder

Embodiments of the present invention relate to an optical occluder, and in particular an optical occluder for at least partially covering a lens of a pair of glasses.

There is sometimes a requirement to at least partially occlude an eye. In some instances, a damaged or impaired eye may be partially occluded to aid recovery of the eye, and to alleviate symptoms associated with double vision which may result from conflicting information received from the damaged eye. Partial occlusion of one eye may also be used in the treatment of amblyopia (lazy eye). In this case, the good eye is occluded to encourage use of the lazy eye. Partial occlusion of one eye is also practised to improve performance in sports such as archery and shooting. A known partial optical occluder is an adhesive patch which is cut to the required size and shape and adhered to the outside of a lens. A disadvantage of this type of occluder is that a user is inconvenienced by having to cut the patch to the required size and shape. Furthermore, if a user has several pairs of glasses of different dimensions, a separate patch must be cut for each pair of glasses. Still further, a user may be required to repeatedly remove and reapply the patch as eye occlusion may only be required during certain intervals. The adhesiveness of such patches is lost by repeatedly removing and reapplying the patch to the lens. Accordingly, such patches may frequently require replacement. It may also be the case that such patches leave a residue on the lens. A further known partial optical occluder is a clip-on patch which clips to the frame which supports the lens. A disadvantage of this type of occluder is that the occluder is difficult to keep clean, and particularly the clip part. Furthermore, the clip part is rigid and thus has the potential to injure the user’s eye. Furthermore, if a user has several pairs of glasses of different dimensions, a separate patch would be required for each pair of glasses. Some users, and particularly the elderly, may find it difficult to clip the patch into position on the frame as this requires a high degree of manual dexterity.

It is also known to use strips of fabric which wrap around a lens, but these can be difficult to keep clean and dry. Furthermore, such fabric strips in use are often bulky, and thus could contact a user’s eye which may increase the risk of infection and injury.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an optical occluder in the form of a sleeve formed of a polymer material, wherein the sleeve is configured to receive a lens of a pair of glasses therein such that in use the lens is at least partially covered by the sleeve and the user’s vision in one eye is at least partially occluded, the sleeve including an inner side configured in use to at least partially cover the inner surface of the lens, and an outer side configured in use to a least partially cover the outer surface of the lens, wherein an opening is provided in the inner side of the sleeve.

The sleeve may be configured so as to be retained in use on the lens of a pair of glasses. The sleeve may be retained on the lens by the anti-slip properties of the material of the sleeve, and may be retained on the lens in part by the anti-slip properties of the material of the sleeve, and in part by gravity. The sleeve may be deformable to accommodate a lens which is larger than the internal dimensions of the sleeve, such that the sleeve is retained in place by friction.

The polymer may include an elastomer, which may be a silicone elastomer. The sleeve may be formed of a silicone elastomer. The polymer may be an antimicrobial polymer.

The inner and outer sides may be interconnected at first respective ends by an upper part which is dimensioned to receive an upper part of a frame which supports the lens, or to directly receive the top rim of the lens where the lens is not supported by a frame.

The inner and outer sides may be interconnected at second respective ends by a lower part which is dimensioned to receive a lower part of a frame which supports the lens, or to directly receive the bottom rim of the lens where the lens is not supported by a frame.

The opening may be of a size to overlie and extend beyond a user’s eye such that in use a user’s eye does not contact the sleeve. The opening may be substantially oval, or may be substantially circular, or may be substantially square.

The inner side may include a frame which extends around the opening.

The sleeve may have a thickness of 0.1 to 4 mm, and may have a thickness of 0.5 to 3 mm, and more particularly may have a thickness of 1 to 2 mm. The sleeve may have a thickness of 1 mm. The sleeve may have a thickness of 2 mm.

The inner side may include a first part and a second part, the first and second parts being separated by a hinge, wherein the second part is moveable relative to the first part about the hinge.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an eye correcting assembly, the assembly including a pair of glasses and an optical occluder in the form of a sleeve formed of a polymer material according to any of the preceding eight paragraphs, wherein the sleeve is configured to receive a lens of a pair of glasses therein such that in use the lens is at least partially covered by the sleeve and the user’s vision in one eye is at least partially occluded.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Fig. 1 is a front view of a first optical occluder according to the invention located on a lens of a pair of glasses;

Fig. 2 is a rear view of the optical occluder shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a rear view of the optical occluder shown in Fig. 1 in the process of being positioned on a lens of a pair of glasses;

Fig. 4 is a cross section view along the line A to A of Fig. 2, but not showing the lens;

Fig. 5 is a perspective side view of a second optical occluder according to the invention located on a lens of a pair of glasses;

Fig. 6 is a perspective rear view of the optical occluder illustrated in

Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a perspective front view of the optical occluder illustrated in

Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a perspective top view of the optical occluder illustrated in Fig. 5; and

Fig. 9 is a rear view of the optical occluder illustrated in Fig. 5.

Figures 1 to 4 illustrate a first optical occluder 10 according to the invention in the form of a sleeve 16 formed of a polymer material. As shown in figures 1 and 2, the sleeve 16 is configured to receive a lens 12 of a pair of glasses 14 therein such that in use the lens 12 is at least partially covered by the sleeve 16 and a user’s vision in one eye is at least partially occluded.

In one example of the present invention, the sleeve 16 is formed of silicone. In use, the sleeve 16 extends around the lens 12. As shown in Fig. 4, in cross section along the line A to A of Fig. 2, the sleeve 16 is a closed loop.

In one example, the sleeve has a thickness of 1 mm. In other examples the sleeve has a thickness of 2 mm.

The sleeve 16 includes an inner side 22 configured in use to at least partially cover the inner surface 24 of the lens 12, and a outer side 18 configured in use to a least partially cover the outer surface 20 of the lens 12. The inner side 22 in use extends generally parallel to the outer side 18.

The inner and outer sides 22, 18 are interconnected at first respective ends 26 by an upper part 28 which is dimensioned to receive an upper part 42 of a frame 30 which supports the lens 12, or to directly receive the top rim 38 of the lens 12 where the lens 12 is not supported by a frame 30.

The inner and outer sides 22, 18 are interconnected at second respective ends 32 by a lower part 34 which is dimensioned to receive a lower part 44 of a frame 30 which supports the lens 12, or to directly receive the bottom rim 40 of the lens 12 where the lens 12 is not supported by a frame 30.

The inner side 22 includes a substantially square opening 36 which is of a size to overlie and extend beyond a user’s eye such that in use a user’s eye does not contact the sleeve 16. A frame 38 extends around the opening 36.

The sleeve 16 may be shaped to fit around a nose pad (not shown in the drawings) of a pair of glasses. For instance, the lower part 34 of the sleeve 16, which in use is in close proximity to the nose pad, may be rounded or angled away from the nose pad.

In the present example the inner and outer sides 22, 18 of the sleeve 16 are black in colour. In this example, the sleeve 16 is opaque such that light cannot pass therethough.

The sleeve 16 is configured so as to be retained in use on the lens 12 of a pair of glasses 14. In cases where a lens 12 is smaller than the internal dimensions of the sleeve 16, the sleeve 16 is retained on the lens by the antislip properties of the polymer material of the sleeve 16, and also possibly in part by gravity. It has been found that a sleeve 16 formed of silicone has excellent anti-slip properties. In cases where a lens 12 is larger than the internal dimensions of the sleeve 16, the sleeve 16 deforms by stretching to accommodate the lens 12 such that the sleeve 16 is retained in place on the lens 12 by friction.

Figs. 5 to 9 illustrate a second optical occluder 100 according to the invention. Many features of the second optical occluder 100 are similar to those previously described, and where features are the same or similar the same reference numerals have been used and these features will not be described again for the sake of brevity.

The second optical occluder 100 includes a sleeve 16 in which the inner side 22 includes a first part 46 and a second part 48 separated by a hinge 50. The first part 46 includes the opening 36 which is of a size to overlie and extend beyond a user’s eye such that in use a user’s eye does not contact the sleeve 16. The opening 36 in this example has a substantially oval shape. The second part 48 extends outwardly from the first part 46. The second part 48 is moveable relative to the first part 46 about the hinge 50.

The second part 48 is moveable about the hinge 50 such that second part 48 may be arranged at a right angle to the first part 46. The second part 48 may be rotatably moveable relative to the first part 46. As illustrated in Fig. 5, in use the second part 48 may be arranged to extend along the inner surface of the arm of the pair of glasses to at least partially occlude the user’s eye from a side direction, and also to protect the user’s eye from side impact from objects or air flow from a side direction.

The first and second parts 46, 48 may be moveable about the hinge 50 substantially through 180 degrees such that the second part 48 may be arranged to overlie the first part 46 and extend substantially parallel thereto. This may allow the arms of the pair of glasses to be folded inwards without having to remove the optical occluder.

As best illustrated in Fig. 8, the hinge 50 may be defined by an area 52 of the inner side 22 which has a reduced thickness relative to the remainder of the inner side 22. The Inner side 22 may have increased flexibility at the area 52 of reduced thickness. The area 52 of reduced thickness may include a rounded cut out portion 54 flanked on either side by smaller rounded cut out portions 56.

The outer side 18 may have a substantially oval shape, and may include a portion 58 which extends on one side beyond the inner side 22.

There is thus described an optical occluder 10, 100 in the form of a sleeve 16 formed of a polymer material with a number of advantages. The sleeve 16 can accommodate lenses 12 of different sizes and shapes. The sleeve 16 is dimensioned such that it can be used interchangeably on either lens 12 of a pair of glasses 14. The polymer material of the sleeve 16 is soft and so does not scratch the lens 12. This is particularly the case when the sleeve is formed of silicone. The sleeve 16 is easily cleaned as it does not include any concealed or hard to access parts. It also dries quickly because it is formed of a polymer material. The sleeve 16 is made from a durable polymer material and is therefore reusable. The sleeve 16 can be easily slid on and off the lens 12 by threading an arm of the pair of glasses through the sleeve. This is facilitated by the softness and flexibility of the polymer material. It is also possible to deform the sleeve by compressing opposing edges to facilitate movement over the arm.

The configuration of the sleeve 16, and particularly the opening 36 in the inner side 22, ensures the sleeve 16 does not contact the user’s eye thus increasing the user’s comfort and reducing the likelihood of injury and infection. The sleeve is also of a thickness which ensures it is not bulky and therefore does not contact a user’s eye.

The sleeve 16 may be translucent instead of opaque, such that some light may pass therethrough.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in the preceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should be appreciated that modifications to the examples given can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed.

For example, the opening 36 in the inner side 22 can be any shape. The sleeve 16 could be any colour, and the inner side may have a different colour to the outer side. The sleeve 16 could be of any thickness, and may have a variable thickness. For instance, the outer side 18 may have a greater thickness than the inner side 22.

The sleeve could be provided in a number of different sizes, and may be provided in a size suitable to receive a lens of a standard small pair of adult glasses, a standard large pair of adult glasses, and a standard pair of children’s glasses. The sleeve may therefore be provided in three different sizes.

Features described in the preceding description may be used in combinations other than the combinations explicitly described.

Although functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions may be performable by other features whether described or not.

Although features have been described with reference to certain embodiments, those features may also be present in other embodiments whether described or not.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

1. An optical occluder in the form of a sleeve formed of a polymer material, wherein the sleeve is configured to receive a lens of a pair of glasses therein such that in use the lens is at least partially covered by the sleeve and the user’s vision in one eye is at least partially occluded, the sleeve including an inner side configured in use to at least partially cover the inner surface of the lens, and an outer side configured in use to a least partially cover the outer surface of the lens, wherein an opening is provided in the inner side of the sleeve.

2. An optical occluder according to claim 1, in which the sleeve is configured so as to be retained in use on the lens of a pair of glasses.

3. An optical occluder according to claim 2, in which the sleeve is retained on the lens by the anti-slip properties of the material of the sleeve.

4. An optical occluder according to claim 3, in which the sleeve is retained on the lens in part by the anti-slip properties of the material of the sleeve, and in part by gravity.

5. An optical occluder according to any of the preceding claims, in which the sleeve is deformable to accommodate a lens which is larger than the internal dimensions of the sleeve, such that the sleeve is retained in place by friction.

6. An optical occluder according to any of the preceding claims, in which the polymer includes an elastomer.

7. An optical occluder according to claim 6, in which the elastomer is a silicone elastomer.

8. An optical occluder according to any of the preceding claims, in which the sleeve is formed of a silicone elastomer.

9. An optical occluder according to any of the preceding claims, in which the polymer is an antimicrobial polymer.

10. An optical occluder according to any of the preceding claims, in which the inner and outer sides are interconnected at first respective ends by an upper part which is dimensioned to receive an upper part of a frame which supports the lens, or to directly receive the top rim of the lens where the lens is not supported by a frame.

11 .An optical occluder according to claim 10, in which the inner and outer sides are interconnected at second respective ends by a lower part which is dimensioned to receive a lower part of a frame which supports the lens, or to directly receive the bottom rim of the lens where the lens is not supported by a frame.

12. An optical occluder according to any of the preceding claims, in which the opening is of a size to overlie and extend beyond a user’s eye such that in use a user’s eye does not contact the sleeve.

13. An optical occluder according to any of the preceding claims, in which the opening is substantially oval, substantially circular, or substantially square.

14. An optical occluder according to any of the preceding claims, in which the inner side includes a frame which extends around the opening.

15. An optical occluder according to any of the preceding claims, in which the sleeve has a thickness of 0.1 to 4 mm.

16. An optical occluder according to any of the preceding claims, in which the sleeve has a thickness of 0.5 to 3 mm,

17. An optical occluder according to any of the preceding claims, in which the sleeve has a thickness of 1 to 2 mm.

18. An optical occluder according to any of the preceding claims, in which the sleeve has a thickness of 1 mm.

19. An optical occluder according to any of claims 1 to 19, in which the sleeve has a thickness of 2 mm.

20. An optical occluder according to any of the preceding claims, in which the inner side includes a first part and a second part, the first and second parts being separated by a hinge, wherein the second part is moveable relative to the first part about the hinge.

21. An eye correcting assembly, the assembly including a pair of glasses and an optical occluder in the form of a sleeve formed of a polymer material according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the sleeve is configured to receive a lens of a pair of glasses therein such that in use the lens is at least partially covered by the sleeve and the user’s vision in one eye is at least partially occluded.

22. An optical occluder substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

23. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.