WO2025150384A1 - Ophthalmic lens and ophthmalic transmission-type optical orthosis - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To be able to improve visibility for a wearer. [Solution] An ophthalmic transmission-type optical orthosis has an ophthalmic lens having a polarizing film, and a frame for supporting the ophthalmic lens. A transmission direction, which is the direction of a transmission axis of the polarizing film in a state where the ophthalmic lens is supported by the frame, is set in a direction offset by a prescribed angle from the vertical direction.

Description

Ophthalmic lenses and transparent optical devices for the eye

This disclosure relates to ophthalmic lenses and transmissive optical devices for the eye.

It is known that polarizing films are formed on ophthalmic lenses for the purpose of anti-glare. The transmission axis of the polarizing film used in ophthalmic lenses is set vertically. When the transmission axis is set vertically, reflected light from the glossy surface is blocked, leaving room for improvement in terms of visibility.

JP 2013-238634 A

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a transmissive ophthalmic optical device comprising an ophthalmic lens having a polarizing film and a frame supporting the ophthalmic lens, the transmission axis of the polarizing film being set in a direction shifted by a predetermined angle from the vertical direction when the ophthalmic lens is supported by the frame.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an ophthalmic lens having a polarizing film, in which a mark is formed for determining the transmission direction, which is the direction of the transmission axis of the polarizing film, and the transmission direction determined by the mark is set in a direction shifted by a predetermined angle from the vertical direction.

1 is a schematic diagram of an ocular transmission type optical device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 1 is a schematic diagram of an ophthalmic lens 12 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a polarization direction (θ=0°) according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a polarization direction (θ=5°) according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a polarization direction (θ=10°) according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a polarization direction (θ=15°) according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an example of an ophthalmic lens before edging according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an example of an ophthalmic lens before edging according to the present embodiment.

The present invention will be described below through embodiments of the invention, but the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Furthermore, not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention.

In the following description, front, back, top, bottom, right, and left refer to the front, back, top, bottom, right, and left directions as seen by the wearer when the wearer is wearing the ocular transmissive optical device 1. The front-to-back direction is the direction facing the wearer. The left-to-right direction is the direction perpendicular to the front-to-back direction and the vertical direction.

The ocular transmissive optical device 1 is eyewear having an anti-glare function. The ocular transmissive optical device 1 is, for example, spectacles or goggles. The ocular transmissive optical device 1 may be prescription spectacles or non-prescription spectacles (so-called sunglasses). The ocular transmissive optical device 1 may be worn on both ears, or on the head or only one ear. The ocular transmissive optical device 1 may be for one eye, rather than for both eyes. In the following, an example will be described in which the ocular transmissive optical device 1 is non-prescription spectacles.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an ocular transmissive optical device according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the ocular transmissive optical device 1 includes a frame 11 and a pair of ocular lenses 12.

The frame 11 has a front 20, a pair of temples 21, and a pair of end pieces 22.

The front 20 holds a pair of left and right ophthalmic lenses 12. The front 20 includes a pair of rims 30 and a bridge 31. The rim 30 holds the ophthalmic lenses 12. The rim 30 is formed, for example, in a ring shape, and the ophthalmic lens 12 is fitted into the inner circumference of the ring. Note that the rim 30 is not limited to a ring shape as long as it has a shape capable of holding the ophthalmic lens 12. The ophthalmic lens 12 may be held by a member other than the rim 30. In this case, the frame 11 does not need to include a rim 30. The bridge 31 connects the pair of rims 30.

The temples 21 are connected to the left and right ends of the front 20. Two temples 21 form a left-right pair and are connected to the front 20. The temples 21 are members that extend in the front-to-rear direction. Each temple 21 is connected to the front 20 via, for example, a hinge (not shown). This allows the temples 21 to rotate relative to the front 20.

The end pieces 22 are provided at the rear end of each temple 21 and are hooked over the wearer's ears. The two end pieces 22 are a pair on the left and right, and are formed, for example, as ear hooks that are curved downward to engage with the wearer's ears. The end pieces 22 may be formed integrally with the temples 21, or may be formed separately. When the ocular transmissive optical device 1 is worn, the pair of left and right temples 21 hold the wearer's sides of the head, and the end pieces 22 are hooked over the wearer's ears, supporting the frame 11.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the ophthalmic lens 12 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the ophthalmic lens 12 is a lens having a polarizing film 50. In other words, the ophthalmic lens 12 is a polarized lens. The ophthalmic lens 12 has two substrates 40 and a polarizing film 50.

The substrate 40 is a lens that has optical transparency. The substrate 40 is formed, for example, from colored or colorless transparent glass or plastic. Either or both of the two substrates 40 may be a lens with or without prescription.

The substrate 40 has an object-side surface and an eyeball-side surface. The object-side surface is the surface that is located opposite the eyeball side when the ocular transmissive optical device 1 is worn by a wearer. Hereinafter, the object-side surface may be referred to as the "outer surface." The eyeball-side surface is the surface that is located on the eyeball side when the ocular transmissive optical device 1 is worn by a wearer. Hereinafter, the eyeball-side surface may be referred to as the "inner surface."

The substrate 40 may be a so-called meniscus lens, with one outer surface being convex and the other being concave. The substrate 40 may also be a plano lens with zero refractive power, or a finished lens with a refractive power for vision correction.

The two substrates 40 are arranged so that they overlap side by side in the optical axis direction. The optical axis direction is the thickness direction of the ophthalmic lens 12, which is the front-to-rear direction mentioned above.

The polarizing film 50 is provided between the two substrates 40. The polarizing film 50 selectively transmits light of a specific polarization direction. The polarizing film 50 of this embodiment transmits some or all of the lateral light, i.e., light polarized in the horizontal direction. Most of the light reflected from the water surface or road surface is light polarized in the horizontal direction, which is the direction parallel to the water surface or road surface. The polarizing film 50 of this embodiment is positioned so as to transmit some or all of the horizontally polarized light, rather than completely blocking it.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the ophthalmic transmission type optical device 1 as viewed from the front. As shown in FIG. 3, when the ophthalmic lens 12 is supported by the front 20, the transmission axis PA of the polarizing film 50 is shifted from the vertical direction by a predetermined angle. The transmission axis PA is the axis that represents the direction in which light is polarized after being transmitted through the polarizing film 50. The transmission axis PA is also called the polarization axis, and is perpendicular to the absorption axis.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, the transmission axis PA of the polarizing film 50 is set in the horizontal direction. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 3, the angle θ between the direction of the transmission axis PA (hereinafter referred to as the "transmission direction") and the horizontal direction is 0°. Note that the transmission direction of the polarizing film 50 does not need to be perfectly aligned with the horizontal direction and may include a margin of error. In other words, the transmission direction is not limited to the horizontal direction, and may be shifted from the vertical direction by a predetermined angle. In other words, the transmission direction does not have to be vertical.

For example, when the ophthalmic lens 12 is supported by the front 20, the transmission direction may be set to a position shifted by +5° from the horizontal direction as shown in FIG. 4. Note that in the example shown in FIG. 4, the transmission direction is set to a position shifted by +5° from the horizontal direction, but it may also be set to a position shifted by -5° from the horizontal direction. In other words, the angle θ may be ±5°.

For example, when the ophthalmic lens 12 is supported by the front 20, the transmission direction may be set to a position shifted by +10° from the horizontal direction as shown in FIG. 5. Note that in the example shown in FIG. 5, the transmission direction is set to a position shifted by +10° from the horizontal direction, but it may also be set to a position shifted by -10° from the horizontal direction. In other words, the angle θ may be ±10°.

For example, when the ophthalmic lens 12 is supported by the front 20, the transmission direction may be set to a position shifted by +15° from the horizontal direction as shown in FIG. 6. Note that in the example shown in FIG. 6, the transmission direction is set to a position shifted by +15° from the horizontal direction, but it may also be set to a position shifted by -15° from the horizontal direction. In other words, the angle θ may be ±15°.

The smaller the angle θ, the more light (mainly horizontally linearly polarized light) reflected from glossy surfaces such as water surfaces and road surfaces is allowed to pass through the polarizing film 50. Therefore, the smaller the angle θ, the greater the contrast between the glossy surface and its surroundings, making it easier for the wearer to see puddles and slippery road surfaces. As an example, the angle θ is within ±15°, more preferably the angle θ is within ±10°, and even more preferably the angle θ is within ±5°.

However, if the angle θ is too small, the contrast may be too strong for the wearer. In such a case, the angle θ may be set to any angle in the range of 0° to 90° (0<θ<90°), such as a value other than 90° or 0°, for example 10° or 15°. This configuration ensures a contrast that is suitable for the wearer, and further improves visibility of puddles and slippery road surfaces. For example, a number of ophthalmic lenses 12 with angles θ in 5° increments in the range of 0<θ≦90° are prepared in advance at an eyeglass store, and the wearer may select an eye lens 12 that suits him or her at the eyeglass store.

Here, for example, a spectacle lens manufacturer provides (including sales) the above-mentioned ophthalmic lens 12 to an eyeglass store or a wearer. The ophthalmic lens 12 sold by the spectacle lens manufacturer may be a lens (hereinafter referred to as a "shape lens") whose periphery has been cut to match the shape of the front 20 (hereinafter referred to as "edging"), or it may be a lens before edging. For example, if edging is performed by the spectacle lens manufacturer, the shape lens, which is the lens after edging, is provided by the spectacle lens manufacturer to the eyeglass store. If edging is performed by the eyeglass store, the ophthalmic lens 12 before edging is provided by the spectacle lens manufacturer to the eyeglass store.

The ophthalmic lens 12 provided by the eyeglass lens manufacturer has a mark M formed thereon to determine the transmission direction. At least the ophthalmic lens 12 before the edging process has the mark M formed thereon. The mark M is, for example, an alignment reference mark. The alignment reference mark indicates, for example, the horizontal direction (horizontal reference) of the ophthalmic lens 12.

Below, an example will be described in which mark M is an alignment reference mark. When performing beading, the worker uses mark M to level the ophthalmic lens 12. After leveling the ophthalmic lens 12, the worker performs beading using a beading machine.

The transmission direction of the ophthalmic lens 12 determined by the mark M is a direction shifted by a predetermined angle from the vertical direction perpendicular to the horizontal direction indicated by the mark M. The transmission direction may be set to the horizontal direction indicated by the mark M. The transmission direction is, for example, within a range of ±15° from the horizontal direction indicated by the mark M, more preferably within a range of ±10°, and even more preferably within a range of ±5°.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an ophthalmic lens 12 before beading. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another example of an ophthalmic lens 12 before beading. The ophthalmic lens 12 before beading is formed in a circular shape in a plan view. For example, only two marks M are formed on the ophthalmic lens 12 before beading. The line connecting these two marks M indicates the horizontal direction. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the marks M are notches or marks formed on the outer circumference of the ophthalmic lens 12 before beading. Note that in the example shown in FIG. 7, the marks M do not remain on the ophthalmic lens 12 after beading. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the marks M are formed as hidden marks. Note that in the example shown in FIG. 8, the marks M remain on the ophthalmic lens 12 after beading.

<Example>
Two types of polarized lenses were prepared as test lenses: a conventional polarized lens and a polarized lens according to the present disclosure. The conventional polarized lens is a polarized lens whose transmission direction is vertical. The polarized lens according to the present disclosure is a polarized lens whose transmission direction is horizontal. Both the conventional polarized lens and the polarized lens according to the present disclosure are gray in color and have a refractive index of 1.60.

In a room lit by white LED lights, a sheet of food wrap (approximately 22 cm wide and 60 cm long) was placed on the floor to create a glossy surface simulating a puddle. Six subjects, wearing the test lenses, observed this glossy surface from a distance of approximately 2 m. As a result, all six subjects judged that the glossy surface was easier to see with the polarized lenses of the present disclosure than with conventional polarized lenses.

When driving or walking, there is a demand for eye lenses that can reduce glare from sunlight and other sources while at the same time ensuring the visibility of shiny road conditions and objects from a safety standpoint. Conventional eye lenses have a polarizing film with a vertical transmission direction. In such cases, reflected light from road conditions and objects is blocked, making it impossible to ensure the visibility of road conditions and objects.

The ophthalmic lens 12 of this embodiment is a polarized lens having a polarizing film 50, and the direction of the transmission axis PA of the polarizing film 50 when the ophthalmic lens is supported by the frame 11 is set to a direction shifted by a predetermined angle from the vertical direction. With this configuration, the ophthalmic lens 12 can transmit some or all of the light reflected from glossy road surfaces and objects. As a result, it is possible to suppress glare from sunlight and the like while ensuring visibility of road surface conditions and objects.

In the ophthalmic lens 12 illustrated in FIG. 2, the polarizing film 50 is sandwiched between two substrates 40, but this is not limiting. For example, the ophthalmic lens 12 may have only one substrate 40, with the polarizing film formed on the outer or inner surface of the substrate 40.

The manufacturing method and materials for the polarizing film 50 can be made using known techniques. In other words, the polarizing film 50 of this embodiment only needs to have a transmission direction that is not vertical, but is set in a direction shifted from the vertical direction (including the horizontal direction), and there are no particular limitations on the manufacturing method or materials.

The order of execution of each process, such as the operations, procedures, steps, and stages in the devices, systems, programs, and methods shown in the claims, specifications, and drawings, is not specifically stated as "before," "prior to," or the like. It should also be noted that the order of execution of each process may be any order, as long as the output of a previous process is not used in a subsequent process. Even if the operational flow in the claims, specifications, and drawings is explained using "first," "next," or the like for convenience, this does not mean that it is essential to carry out the process in this order. In addition, to the extent permitted by law, the disclosure of Japanese patent application No. 2024-001877 and all documents cited in this specification are incorporated by reference and made part of the description in this text.

1: Eye-transmitting optical device, 11: Frame, 12: Eye lens, 40: Substrate, 50: Polarizing film, M: Mark, PA: Transmission axis

Claims (6)

An ophthalmic lens having a polarizing film;
a frame for supporting the ophthalmic lens;
A transmission type optical device for eyes, wherein a transmission direction, which is a direction of a transmission axis of the polarizing film when the ophthalmic lens is supported by the frame, is set to a direction shifted by a predetermined angle from a vertical direction. The transmission direction is set within a range of ±15° from the horizontal direction.
The ophthalmic transmissive optical device according to claim 1 . The transmission direction is set to the horizontal direction.
The ophthalmic transmissive optical device according to claim 2 . An ophthalmic lens having a polarizing film,
A mark is formed to determine the transmission direction, which is the direction of the transmission axis of the polarizing film,
An ophthalmic lens, wherein the transmission direction determined by the mark is set to a direction shifted from the vertical direction by a predetermined angle. the mark is an alignment reference mark indicating a horizontal direction of the ophthalmic lens,
the transmission direction is set to a direction shifted by a predetermined angle from a vertical direction perpendicular to the horizontal direction indicated by the alignment reference mark;
5. The ophthalmic lens according to claim 4. the transmission direction is set within a range of ±15° from the horizontal direction indicated by the alignment reference mark;
6. An ophthalmic lens according to claim 5.