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Patent 2756668 Summary

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(12) Patent Application: (11) CA 2756668
(54) English Title: PHOTOCHROMIC OPHTHALMIC SYSTEMS THAT SELECTIVELY FILTER SPECIFIC BLUE LIGHT WAVELENGTHS
(54) French Title: SYSTEMES OPHTALMIQUES PHOTOCHROMIQUES QUI FILTRENT SELECTIVEMENT LES LONGUEURS D'ONDE DE LUMIERE BLEUE SPECIFIQUE
Status: Deemed Abandoned and Beyond the Period of Reinstatement - Pending Response to Notice of Disregarded Communication
Bibliographic Data
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):
  • G02C 07/10 (2006.01)
(72) Inventors :
  • ISHAK, ANDREW W. (United States of America)
  • HADDOCK, JOSHUA N. (United States of America)
  • KOKONASKI, WILLIAM (United States of America)
  • DUSTON, DWIGHT P. (United States of America)
  • IYER, VENKATRAMANI S. (United States of America)
  • BLUM, RONALD D. (United States of America)
  • MCGINNIS, SEAN P. (United States of America)
  • PACKARD, MICHAEL B. (United States of America)
(73) Owners :
  • HIGH PERFORMANCE OPTICS, INC.
(71) Applicants :
  • HIGH PERFORMANCE OPTICS, INC. (United States of America)
(74) Agent: MACRAE & CO.
(74) Associate agent:
(45) Issued:
(86) PCT Filing Date: 2010-03-25
(87) Open to Public Inspection: 2010-09-30
Examination requested: 2014-12-12
Availability of licence: N/A
Dedicated to the Public: N/A
(25) Language of filing: English

Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT): Yes
(86) PCT Filing Number: PCT/US2010/028680
(87) International Publication Number: US2010028680
(85) National Entry: 2011-09-23

(30) Application Priority Data:
Application No. Country/Territory Date
61/163,227 (United States of America) 2009-03-25

Abstracts

English Abstract


Ophthalmic systems are provided that include
both a photochromic component and a blue-blocking
component.


French Abstract

La présente invention concerne des systèmes ophtalmiques qui comprennent à la fois un composant photochromique et un composant bloquant le bleu.

Claims

Note: Claims are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.


WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. An ophthalmic system comprising: at least one blue-blocking
component and at least one photochromic component,
wherein the blue-blocking component continuously and selectively filters a
selected range of blue light wavelengths including a wavelength at about 430
nm, and
wherein the photochromic component, when activated, filters visible light
including wavelengths outside the selected range of blue light wavelengths.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the average transmission across the
visible spectrum in the activated system is at least 20% less than the average
transmission
across the visible spectrum in the inactive system.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the average transmission of the
selected range of blue light wavelengths in the activated system is less than
the average
transmission of the selected range of blue light wavelengths in the inactive
system.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the average transmission of the
selected range of blue light wavelengths in the activated system is within 20%
of the average
transmission of the selected range of blue light wavelengths in the inactive
system.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein the average transmission of the
selected range of blue light wavelengths in the activated system is within 5%
of the average
transmission of the selected range of blue light wavelengths in the inactive
system.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the blue-blocking component is not
photochromic.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the blue-blocking component
selectively filters at least 20% of light in the selected range of blue light
wavelengths.
8. The system of claim 7, wherein the blue-blocking component
selectively filters at least 50% of light in the selected range of blue light
wavelengths.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein the selected range of blue light
wavelengths includes wavelengths from about 420 nm to about 440 nm.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein the selected range of blue light
wavelengths includes wavelengths from about 410 nm to about 450 nm.
51

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the selected range of blue light
wavelengths includes wavelengths from about 400 nm to about 460 nm.
12. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one additional blue-
blocking component that selectively filters a selected range of wavelengths
including a
chromophore other than A2E.
13. The system of claim 1, wherein the system increases contrast
sensitivity by at least 1 point on a sine wave grating test.
14. The system of claim 1, wherein the inactive and/or activated system
has a yellowness index of less than 8.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein the inactive and/or activated system
has a yellowness index of less than 5.
16. The system of claim 1, wherein white light has CIE (x,y) coordinates
of (0.33~0.05, 0.33~0.05) when transmitted through the inactive and/or
activated system.
17. The system of claim 1, wherein the blue-blocking component
comprises at least one of perylene, porphyrin, coumarin, acridine, and
derivatives thereof.
18. The system of claim 17, wherein the blue-blocking component
comprises perylene or a derivative thereof.
19. The system of claim 17, wherein the blue-blocking component
comprises porphyrin or a derivative thereof.
20. The system of claim 19, wherein the blue-blocking component
comprises magnesium tetramesitylporphyrin.
21. The system of claim 1, wherein the blue-blocking component
comprises a blue-blocking dye at a concentration of about 1 ppm to about 50
ppm.
22. The system of claim 21, wherein the blue-blocking component
comprises a blue-blocking dye at a concentration of about 2 ppm to about 10
ppm.
23. The system of claim 1, wherein the photochromic component is
activated by at least one of UVB, UVA, blue light, visible light, and infrared
wavelengths.
52

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the photochromic component is
activated by at least one of UVB, UVA, and infrared wavelengths.
25. The system of claim 23, wherein the photochromic component is
activated by light having a wavelength of about 380 nm to about 410 nm.
26. The system of claim 1, further comprising a UV filter.
27. The system of claim 26, wherein the UV filter is positioned posterior
to the photochromic component.
28. The system of claim 26, wherein the UV filter does not filter the
wavelengths that activate the photochromic component to a degree that prevents
activation.
29. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is an ophthalmic lens,
spectacle lens, contact lens, intra-ocular lens, corneal inlay, corneal onlay,
corneal graft,
electro-active lens, windshield, or window.
30. The system of claim 29, wherein the system is a spectacle lens.
31. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the photochromic
component and the blue-blocking component is present throughout the system.
32. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the photochromic
component and the blue-blocking component is localized in the system.
33. The system of claim 1, wherein the blue-blocking component
comprises a blue-blocking layer and/or the photochromic component comprises a
photochromic layer.
34. The system of claim 1, wherein the blue-blocking component is
anterior to the photochromic component.
35. The system of claim 1, wherein the blue-blocking component is
posterior to the photochromic component.
36. The system of claim 1, wherein the blue-blocking component is not in
physical contact with the photochromic component.
53

37. The system of claim 1, wherein the blue-blocking component and the
photochromic component are intermixed.
54

Description

Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.


WO 2010/111499 PCT/US2010/028680
PHOTOCHROMIC OPHTHALMIC SYSTEMS THAT SELECTIVELY
FILTER SPECIFIC BLUE LIGHT WAVELENGTHS
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application
61/163,227 filed
March 25, 2009. This application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent
Application
11/933,069 filed October 31, 2007, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
Patent Application
11/761,892 filed June 12, 2007, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent
Application
11/378,317 filed March 20, 2006 and which claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application
60/812,628 filed June 12, 2006. U.S. Patent Application 11/933,069 is also a
continuation-
in-part of U.S. Patent Application 11/892,460 filed August 23, 2007, which
claims priority to
U.S. Provisional Application 60/839,432 filed August 23, 2006, U.S.
Provisional Application
60/841,502 filed September 1, 2006, and U.S. Provisional Application
60/861,247 filed
November 28, 2006. U.S. Patent Application 11/933,069 also claims priority to
U.S.
Provisional Application 60/978,175 filed October 8, 2007. All of these
applications are
entirely incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Electromagnetic radiation from the sun continuously bombards the
Earth's
atmosphere. Light is made up of electromagnetic radiation that travels in
waves. The
electromagnetic spectrum includes radio waves, millimeter waves, microwaves,
infiared,
visible light, ultra-violet (UVA and UVB), x-rays, and gamma rays. The visible
light
spectrum includes the longest visible light wavelength of approximately 700 nm
and the
shortest of approximately 400 nm (nanometers or 10-9 meters). Blue light
wavelengths fall in
the approximate range of 400 nm to 500 nm. For the ultra-violet bands, UVB
wavelengths
are from 290 nm to 320 nm, and UVA wavelengths are from 320 nm to 400 nm.
Gamma and
x-rays make up the higher frequencies of this spectrum and are absorbed by the
atmosphere.
The wavelength spectrum of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is 100-400 rim. Most
UVR
wavelengths are absorbed by the atmosphere, except where there are areas of
stratospheric
ozone depletion. Over the last 20 years, there has been documented depletion
of the ozone
layer primarily due to industrial pollution. Increased exposure to UVR has
broad public
health implications as an increased burden of UVR ocular and skin disease is
to be expected.
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WO 2010/111499 PCT/US2010/028680
[0003] The ozone layer absorbs wavelengths up to 286 nm, thus shielding living
beings
from exposure to radiation with the highest energy. However, we are exposed to
wavelengths
above 286 nm, most of which falls within the human visual spectrum (400-700
nm). The
human retina responds only to the visible light portion of the electromagnetic
spectrum. The
shorter wavelengths pose the greatest hazard because they inversely contain
more energy.
Blue light has been shown to be the portion of the visible spectrum that
produces the most
photochemical damage to animal retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells.
Exposure to these
wavelengths has been called the blue light hazard because these wavelengths
are perceived as
blue by the human eye.
[0004] Cataracts and macular degeneration are widely thought to result from
photochemical damage to the intraocular lens and retina, respectively. Blue
light exposure
has also been shown to accelerate proliferation of uveal melanoma cells. The
most energetic
photons in the visible spectrum have wavelengths between 380 and 500 nm and
are perceived
as violet or blue. The wavelength dependence of phototoxicity summed over all
mechanisms
is often represented as an action spectrum, such as is described in Mainster
and Sparrow,
"How Much Blue Light Should an IOL Transmit?" Br. J. Ophthalmol., 2003, v. 87,
pp. 1523-
29 and Fig. 6. In eyes without an intraocular lens (aphakic eyes), light with
wavelengths
shorter than 400 nm can cause damage. In phakic eyes, this light is absorbed
by the
intraocular lens and therefore does not contribute to retinal phototoxicity;
however it can
cause optical degradation of the lens or cataracts.
[0005] The pupil of the eye responds to the photopic retinal illuminance, in
trolands, which
is the product of the incident flux with the wavelength-dependent sensitivity
of the retina and
the projected area of the pupil. This sensitivity is described in Wyszecki and
Stiles, Color
Science: Concepts and Methods, Quantitative Data and Formulae (Wiley: New
York) 1982,
esp. pages 102-107.
[0006] Current research strongly supports the premise that short wavelength
visible light
(blue light) having a wavelength of approximately 400 nm - 500 nm could be a
contributing
cause of AMD (age related macular degeneration). It is believed that the
highest level of blue
light absorption occurs in a region around 430 nm, such as 400 nm - 460 nm.
Research
further suggests that blue light worsens other causative factors in AMD, such
as heredity,
tobacco smoke, and excessive alcohol consumption.
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WO 2010/111499 PCT/US2010/028680
[00071 The human retina includes multiple layers. These layers listed in order
from the
first exposed to any light entering the eye to the deepest include:
1) Nerve Fiber Layer
2) Ganglion Cells
3) Inner Plexiform Layer
4) Bipolar and Horizontal Cells
5) Outer Plexiform Layer
6) Photoreceptors (Rods and Cones)
7) Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE)
8) Bruch's Membrane
9) Choroid
[00081 When light is absorbed by the eye's photoreceptor cells, (rods and
cones) the cells
bleach and become unreceptive until they recover. This recovery process is a
metabolic
process and is called the "visual cycle." Absorption of blue light has been
shown to reverse
this process prematurely. This premature reversal increases the risk of
oxidative damage and
is believed to lead to the buildup of the pigment lipofuscin in the retina.
This build up occurs
in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) layer. It is believed that aggregates
of extra-cellular
materials called drusen are formed due to the excessive amounts of lipofuscin.
[00091 Current research indicates that over the course of one's life,
beginning with that of
an infant, metabolic waste byproducts accumulate within the pigment epithelium
layer of the
retina, due to light interactions with the retina. This metabolic waste
product is characterized
by certain fluorophores, one of the most prominent being lipofuscin
constituent A2E. In
vitro studies by Sparrow indicate that lipofuscin chromophore A2E found within
the RPE is
maximally excited by 430 nm light. It is theorized that a tipping point is
reached when a
combination of a build-up of this metabolic waste (specifically the lipofuscin
fluorophore)
has achieved a certain level of accumulation, the human body's physiological
ability to
metabolize within the retina certain of this waste has diminished as one
reaches a certain age
threshold, and a blue light stimulus of the proper wavelength causes drusen to
be formed in
the RPE layer. It is believed that the drusen then further interfere with the
normal
physiology/metabolic activity which allows for the proper nutrients to get to
the
photoreceptors thus contributing to age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
AMD is the
leading cause of irreversible severe visual acuity loss in the United States
and Western
World. The burden of AMD is expected to increase dramatically in the next 20
years because
3

WO 2010/111499 PCT/US2010/028680
of the projected shift in population and the overall increase in the number of
ageing
individuals.
[0010] Drusen hinder or block the RPE layer from providing the proper
nutrients to the
photoreceptors, which leads to damage or even death of these cells. To further
complicate
this process, it appears that when lipofuscin absorbs blue light in high
quantities it becomes
toxic, causing further damage and/or death of the RPE cells. It is believed
that the lipofuscin
constituent A2E is at least partly responsible for the short-wavelength
sensitivity of RPE
cells. A2E has been shown to be maximally excited by blue light; the
photochemical events
resulting from such excitation can lead to.cell death. See, for example, Janet
R. Sparrow et
al., "Blue light-absorbing intraocular lens and retinal pigment epithelium
protection in vitro,"
J. Cataract Refract. Surg. 2004, vol. 30, pp. 873-78.
[0011] From a theoretical perspective, the following appears to take place:
1) Waste buildup. occurs within the pigment epithelial level starting from
infancy through out life.
2) Retinal metabolic activity and ability to deal with this waste typically
diminish with age.
3) The macula pigment typically decreases as one ages, thus filtering out less
blue light.
4) Blue light causes the lipofuscin to become toxic. The resulting toxicity
damages pigment epithelial cells.
[0012] The lighting and vision care industries have standards as to human
vision exposure
to UVA and UVB radiation Surprisingly, no such standard is in place with
regard to blue
light. For example, in the common fluorescent tubes available today, the glass
envelope
mostly blocks ultra-violet light but blue light is transmitted with little
attenuation. In some
cases, the envelope is designed to have enhanced transmission in the blue
region of the
spectrum. Such artificial sources of light hazard may also cause eye damage.
[0013] Laboratory evidence by Sparrow at Columbia University has shown that if
about
50% of the blue light within the wavelength range of 430 30 nm is blocked, RPE
cell death
caused by the blue light may be reduced by up to 80%. External eyewear such as
sunglasses,
spectacles, goggles, and contact lenses that block blue light in an attempt to
improve eye
health are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 6,955,430 to Pratt.
Other ophthalmic
devices whose object is to protect the retina from this phototoxic light
include intraocular and
4

WO 2010/111499 PCT/US2010/028680
contact lenses. These ophthalmic devices are positioned in the optical path
between
environmental light and the retina and generally contain or are coated with
dyes that
selectively absorb blue and violet light.
[0014] Other lenses are known that attempt to decrease chromatic aberration by
blocking
blue light. Chromatic aberration is caused by optical dispersion of ocular
media including the
cornea, intraocular lens, aqueous humour, and vitreous humour. This dispersion
focuses blue
light at a different image plane than light at longer wavelengths, leading to
defocus of the full
color image. Conventional blue blocking lenses are described in U.S. Patent
No. 6,158,862
to Patel et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,662,707 to Jinkerson, U.S. Patent No.
5,400,175 to Johansen,
and U.S. Patent No. 4,878,748 to Johansen.
[0015] Conventional methods for reducing blue light exposure of ocular media
typically
completely occlude light below a threshold wavelength, while also reducing
light exposure at
longer wavelengths. For example, the lenses described in U.S. Patent No.
6,955,430 to Pratt
transmit less than 40% of the incident light at wavelengths as long as 650 nm,
as shown in
Fig. 6 of Pratt'430. The blue-light blocking lens disclosed by Johansen and
Diffendaffer in
U.S. Patent No. 5,400,175 similarly attenuates light by more than 60%
throughout the visible
spectrum, as illustrated in Fig. 3 of the '175 patent.
[0016] Balancing the range and amount of blocked blue light may be difficult,
as blocking
and/or inhibiting blue light affects color balance, color vision if one looks
through the optical
device, and the color in which the optical device is perceived. For example,
shooting glasses
appear bright yellow and block blue light. The shooting glasses often cause
certain colors to
become more apparent when one is looking into a blue sky, allowing for the
shooter to see
the object being targeted sooner and more accurately. While this works well
for shooting
glasses, it would be unacceptable for many ophthalmic applications. In
particular, such
ophthalmic systems may be cosmetically unappealing because of a yellow or
amber tint that
is produced in lenses by blue blocking. More specifically, one common
technique for blue
blocking involves tinting or dyeing lenses with a blue blocking tint, such as
BPI Filter Vision
450 or BPI Diamond Dye 500. The tinting may be accomplished, for example, by
immersing
the lens in a heated tint pot containing a blue blocking dye solution for some
predetermined
period of time. Typically, the dye solution has a yellow or amber color and
thus imparts a
yellow or amber tint to the lens. To many people, the appearance of this
yellow or amber tint
may be undesirable cosmetically. Moreover, the tint may interfere with the
normal color
5

WO 2010/111499 PCT/US2010/028680
perception of a lens user, making it difficult, for example, to correctly
perceive the color of a
traffic light or sign.
[0017] Efforts have been made to compensate for the yellowing effect of
conventional blue
blocking filters. For example, blue blocking lenses have been treated with
additional dyes,
such as blue, red or green dyes, to offset the yellowing effect. The treatment
causes the
additional dyes to become intermixed with the original blue blocking dyes.
However, while
this technique may reduce yellow in a blue blocked lens, intermixing of the
dyes may reduce
the effectiveness of the blue blocking by allowing more of the blue light
spectrum through.
Moreover, these conventional techniques undesirably reduce the overall
transmission of light
wavelengths other than blue light wavelengths. This unwanted reduction may in
turn result
in reduced visual acuity for a lens user.
[0018] It has been found that conventional blue-blocking reduces visible
transmission,
which in turn stimulates dilation of the pupil. Dilation of the pupil
increases the flux of light
to the internal eye structures including the intraocular lens and retina.
Since the radiant flux
to these structures increases as the square of the pupil diameter, a lens that
blocks half of the
blue light but, with reduced visible transmission, relaxes the pupil from 2mm
to 3mm
diameter, will actually increase the dose of blue photons to the retina by
12.5%. Protection of
the retina from phototoxic light depends on the amount of this light that
impinges on the
retina, which depends on the transmission properties of the ocular media and
also on the
dynamic aperture of the pupil. Previous work to date has been silent on the
contribution of
the pupil to prophylaxis of phototoxic blue light.
[0019] Another problem with conventional blue-blocking is that it can degrade
night
vision. Blue light is more important for low-light level or scotopic vision
than for bright light
or photopic vision, a result which is expressed quantitatively in the luminous
sensitivity
spectra for scotopic and photopic vision. Photochemical and oxidative
reactions cause the
absorption of 400 to 450 rim light by intraocular lens tissue to increase
naturally with age.
Although the number of rod photoreceptors on the retina that are responsible
for low-light
vision also decreases with age, the increased absorption by the intraocular
lens is important to
degrading night vision. For example, scotopic visual sensitivity is reduced by
33% in a 53
year-old intraocular lens and 75% in a 75 year-old lens. The tension between
retinal
protection and scotopic sensitivity is further described in Mainster and
Sparrow, "How Much
Light Should and IOL Transmit?" Br. J. Ophthalmol., 2003, v. 87, pp. 1523-29.
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WO 2010/111499 PCT/US2010/028680
[0020] Conventional approaches to blue blocking also may include cutoff or
high-pass
filters to reduce the transmission below a specified blue or violet wavelength
to zero. For
example, all light below a threshold wavelength may be blocked completely or
almost
completely. For example, U.S. Pub. Patent Application No. 2005/0243272 to
Mainster and
Mainster, "Intraocular Lenses Should Block UV Radiation and Violet but not
Blue Light,"
Arch. Ophthal., v. 123, p. 550 (2005) describe the blocking of all light below
a threshold
wavelength between 400 and 450 nm. Such blocking may be undesirable, since as
the edge of
the long-pass filter is shifted to longer wavelengths, dilation of the pupil
acts to increase the
total flux. As previously described, this can degrade scotopic sensitivity and
increase color
distortion.
[0021] Recently there has been debate in the field of intraocular lenses
(IOLs) regarding
appropriate UV and blue light blocking while maintaining acceptable photopic
vision,
scotopic vision, color vision, and circadian rhythms.
[0022] In view of the foregoing, there is a need for an ophthalmic system that
can provide
one or more of the following:
1) Blue blocking with an acceptable level of blue light protection
2) Acceptable color cosmetics, i.e., it is perceived as mostly color neutral
by
someone observing the ophthalmic system when worn by a wearer.
3) Acceptable color perception for a user. In particular, there is a need for
an
ophthalmic system that will not impair the wearer's color vision and further
that reflections
from the back surface of the system into the eye of the wearer be at a level
of not being
objectionable to the wearer.
4) Acceptable level of light transmission for wavelengths other than blue
light
wavelengths. In particular, there is a need for an ophthalmic system that
allows for selective
blockage of wavelengths of blue light while at the same time transmitting in
excess of 80% of
visible light.
5) Acceptable photopic vision, scotopic vision, color vision, and/or circadian
rhythms.
[0023] This need exists as more and more data is pointing to blue light as one
of the
possible contributory factors in macula degeneration (the leading cause of
blindness in the
industrialized world) and also other retinal diseases.
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WO 2010/111499 PCT/US2010/028680
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0024] Ophthalmic systems are provided that include both a photochromic
component and
a blue-blocking component.
[0025] In one embodiment, an ophthalmic system comprises at least one blue-
blocking
component and at least one photochromic component, wherein the blue-blocking
component
continuously and selectively filters a selected range of blue light
wavelengths including a
wavelength at about 430 nm, and wherein the photochromic component, when
activated,
filters visible light including wavelengths outside the selected range of blue
light
wavelengths.
[0026] In one embodiment, the average transmission across the visible spectrum
in the
activated system is at least 20% less than the average transmission across the
visible spectrum
in the inactive system.
[0027] In another embodiment, the average transmission of the selected range
of blue light
wavelengths in the activated system is less than the average transmission of
the selected
range of blue light wavelengths in the inactive system.
[0028] In another embodiment, the average transmission of the selected range
of blue light
wavelengths in the activated system is within 20%, or within 5%, of the
average transmission
of the selected range of blue light wavelengths in the inactive system.
[0029] In one embodiment, the blue-blocking component is not photochromic.
[0030] In one embodiment, the blue-blocking component selectively filters at
least 20%, or
at least 50%, of light in the selected range of blue light wavelengths.
[0031] In one embodiment, the selected range of blue light wavelengths
includes
wavelengths from about 420 nm to about 440 nm, about 410 nm to about 450 nm,
or about
400 nm to about 460 nm.
[0032] In another embodiment, the system further comprises at least one
additional blue-
blocking component that selectively filters a selected range of wavelengths
including a
chromophore other than A2E.
[0033] In yet another embodiment, the system increases contrast sensitivity by
at least 1
point on at least 1 point on a sine wave grating test (e.g., FACTrh).
8

WO 2010/111499 PCT/US2010/028680
[00341 In another embodiment, the inactive and/or activated system has a
yellowness index
of less than 8, or less than 5.
[00351 In one embodiment, white light has CIE (x,y) coordinates of (0.33 0.05,
0.33 0.05)
when transmitted through the inactive and/or activated system.
[00361 In one embodiment, the blue-blocking component comprises at least one
of
perylene, porphyrin, coumarin, acridine, and derivatives thereof. In some
embodiments, the
blue-blocking component comprises perylene or a derivative thereof, porphyrin
or a
derivative thereof, or magnesium tetramesitylporphyrin.
[00371 In another embodiment, the blue-blocking component comprises a blue-
blocking
dye at a concentration of about 1 ppm to about 50 ppm, or about 2 ppm to about
10 ppm.
[00381 In one embodiment, the photochromic component is activated by at least
one of
UVB, UVA, blue light, visible light, and infrared wavelengths. In another
embodiment, the
photochromic component is activated by at least one of UVB, UVA, and infrared
wavelengths. In yet another embodiment, the photochromic component is
activated by light
having a wavelength of about 380 nm to about 410 nm.
[00391 In one embodiment, the system further comprises a UV filter. In one
embodiment,
the UV filter is positioned posterior to the photochromic component. In
another embodiment,
the UV filter does not filter the wavelengths that activate the photochromic
component to a
degree that prevents activation.
[00401 In one embodiment, the system is an ophthalmic lens, spectacle lens,
contact lens,
intra-ocular lens, comeal inlay, comeal onlay, corneal graft, electro-active
lens, windshield,
or window. In one embodiment, the system is a spectacle lens.
[00411 In one embodiment, at least one of the photochromic component and the
blue-
blocking component is present throughout the system. In another embodiment, at
least one of
the photochromic component and the blue-blocking component is localized in the
system.
[0042) In one embodiment, the blue-blocking component comprises a blue-
blocking layer
and/or the photochromic component comprises a photochromic layer.
[00431 In one embodiment, the blue-blocking component is anterior to the
photochromic
component. In another embodiment, the blue-blocking component is posterior to
the
photochromic component. In one embodiment, the blue-blocking component is not
in
9

WO 2010/111499 PCT/US2010/028680
physical contact with the photochromic component. In another embodiment, the
blue-
blocking component and the photochromic component are intermixed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0044] FIGS. IA and 1B show examples of an ophthalmic system including a
posterior
blue blocking component and an anterior color balancing component.
[0045] FIG. 2 shows an example of using a dye resist to form an ophthalmic
system.
[0046] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary system with a blue blocking component
and a color
balancing component integrated into a clear or mostly clear ophthalmic lens.
[0047] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary ophthalmic system formed using an in-
mold coating.
[0048] FIG. 5 illustrates the bonding of two ophthalmic components.
[0049] FIG. 6 illustrates exemplary ophthalmic systems using anti-reflective
coatings.
[0050] FIGS. 7A-7C illustrate various exemplary combinations of a blue
blocking
component, a color balancing component, and an ophthalmic component.
[0051] FIGS. 8A and 8B show examples of an ophthalmic system including a multi-
functional blue blocking and color-balancing component.
[0052] FIG. 9 shows a reference of observed colors that correspond to various
CIE
coordinates.
[0053] FIG. 10 shows the transmission of the GENTEX E465 absorbing dye.
[0054] FIG. 11 shows the absorbance of the GENTEX E465 absorbing dye.
[0055] FIG. 12 shows the transmittance of a polycarbonate substrate with a dye
concentration suitable for absorbing in the 430nm range.
[0056] FIG. 13 shows the transmittance as a function of wavelength of a
polycarbonate
substrate with an antireflective coating.
[0057] FIG. 14 shows the color plot of a polycarbonate substrate with an
antireflective
coating.
[0058] FIG. 15 shows the transmittance as a function of wavelength of an
uncoated
polycarbonate substrate and a polycarbonate substrate with an antireflective
coating on both
surfaces.

WO 2010/111499 PCT/US2010/028680
[0059] FIG. 16 shows the spectral transmittance of a 106 rim layer of Ti02 on
a
polycarbonate substrate.
[0060] FIG. 17 shows the color plot of a 106 rim layer of Ti02 on a
polycarbonate
substrate.
[0061] FIG. 18 shows the spectral transmittance of a 134 rim layer of Ti02 on
a
polycarbonate substrate.
[0062] FIG. 19 shows the color plot of a 134 rim layer of Ti02 on a
polycarbonate
substrate.
[0063] FIG. 20 shows the spectral transmittance of a modified AR coating
suitable for
color balancing a substrate having a blue absorbing dye.
[0064] FIG. 21 shows the color plot of a modified AR coating suitable for
color balancing a
substrate having a blue absorbing dye.
[0065] FIG. 22 shows the spectral transmittance of a substrate having a blue
absorbing dye.
[0066] FIG. 23 shows the color plot of a substrate having a blue absorbing
dye.
[0067] FIG. 24 shows the spectral transmittance of a substrate having a blue
absorbing dye
and a rear AR coating.
[0068] FIG. 25 shows the color plot of a substrate having a blue absorbing dye
and a rear
AR coating.
[0069] FIG. 26 shows the spectral transmittance of a substrate having a blue
absorbing dye
and AR coatings on the front and rear surfaces.
[0070] FIG. 27 shows the color plot of a substrate having a blue absorbing dye
and AR
coatings on the front and rear surfaces.
[0071] FIG. 28 shows the spectral transmittance of a substrate having a blue
absorbing dye
and a color balancing AR coating.
[0072] FIG. 29 shows the color plot of a substrate having a blue absorbing dye
and a color
balancing AR coating.
[0073] FIG. 30 shows an exemplary ophthalmic device comprising a film.
[0074] FIG. 31 shows the optical transmission characteristic of an exemplary
film.
11

WO 2010/111499 PCT/US2010/028680
[0075] FIG. 32 shows an exemplary ophthalmic system comprising a film.
[0076] FIG. 33 shows an exemplary system comprising a film.
[0077] FIG. 34A and B show pupil diameter and pupil area, respectively, as a
function of
field illuminance.
[0078] FIG. 35 shows the transmission spectrum of a film that is doped with
perylene dye
where the product of concentration and path length yield about 33%
transmission at about
437 nm.
[0079] FIG. 36 shows the transmission spectrum of a film according to the
present
invention with a perylene concentration about 2.27 times higher than that
illustrated in the
previous figure.
[0080] FIG. 37 shows an exemplary transmission spectrum for a six-layer stack
of SiO2 and
Zr02.
[0081] FIG. 38 shows reference color coordinates corresponding to Munsell
tiles
illuminated by a prescribed illuminant in (L*, a*, b*) color space.
[0082] FIG. 39A shows a histogram of the color shifts for Munsell color tiles
for a related
filter. FIG. 39B shows a color shift induced by a related blue-blocking
filter.
[0083] FIG. 40 shows a histogram of color shifts for a perylene-dyed substrate
according to
the present invention.
[0084] FIG. 41 shows the transmission spectrum of a system according to the
present
invention.
[0085] FIG. 42 shows a histogram summarizing color distortion of a device
according to
the present invention for Munsell tiles in daylight.
[0086] FIGS. 43A and B show representative series of skin reflectance spectra
from
subjects of different races.
[0087] FIG. 44 shows an exemplary skin reflectance spectrum for a Caucasian
subject.
[0088] FIG. 45 shows transmission spectra for various lenses.
[0089] FIG. 46 shows exemplary dyes.
[0090] FIG. 47 shows an ophthalmic system having a hard coat.
12

WO 2010/111499 PCT/US2010/028680
[0091] FIG. 48 shows the transmittance as a function of wavelength for a
selective filter
with strong absorption band around 430 nm.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0092] Embodiments of the present invention relate to an ophthalmic system
that performs
effective blue blocking while at the same time providing a cosmetically
attractive product,
normal or acceptable color perception for a user, and a high level of
transmitted light for
good visual acuity. An ophthalmic system is provided that can provide an
average
transmission of 80% or better transmission of visible light, inhibit selective
wavelengths of
blue light ("blue blocking"), allow for the wearer's proper color vision
performance, and
provide a mostly color neutral appearance to an observer looking at the wearer
wearing such
a lens or lens system. As used herein, the "average transmission" of a system
refers to the
average transmission at wavelengths in a range, such as the visible spectrum.
A system also
may be characterized by the "luminous transmission" of the system, which
refers to an
average in a wavelength range, that is weighted according to the sensitivity
of the eye at each
wavelength. Systems described herein may use various optical coatings, films,
materials, and
absorbing dyes to produce the desired effect.
[0093] More specifically, embodiments of the invention may provide effective
blue
blocking in combination with color balancing. "Color balancing" or "color
balanced" as used
herein means that the yellow or amber color, or other unwanted effect of blue
blocking is
reduced, offset, neutralized or otherwise compensated for so as to produce a
cosmetically
acceptable result, without at the same time reducing the effectiveness of the
blue blocking.
For example, wavelengths at or near 400 mu - 460 nm may be blocked or reduced
in
intensity. In particular, for example, wavelengths at or near 420 - 440 nm may
be blocked or
reduced in intensity. Furthermore, transmission of unblocked wavelengths may
remain at a
high level, for example at least 80%. Additionally, to an external viewer, the
ophthalmic
system may look clear or mostly clear. For a system user, color perception may
be normal or
acceptable.
[0094] An "ophthalmic system" as used here includes prescription or non-
prescription
ophthalmic lenses used, e.g., for clear or tinted glasses (or spectacles),
sunglasses, contact
lenses with and without visibility and/or cosmetic tinting, intra-ocular
lenses (IOLs), corneal
grafts, corneal inlays, corneal on-lays, and electro-active ophthalmic devices
and may be
treated or processed or combined with other components to provide desired
functionalities
13

WO 2010/111499 PCT/US2010/028680
described in further detail herein. The invention can be formulated so as to
allow being
applied directly into corneal tissue.
[00951 As used herein, an "ophthalmic material" is one commonly used to
fabricate an
ophthalmic system, such as a corrective lens. Exemplary ophthalmic materials
include glass,
plastics such as CR-39, Trivex, and polycarbonate materials, though other
materials may be
used and are known for various ophthalmic systems.
[0096] An ophthalmic system may include one or more blue blocking components.
In one
embodiment, a blue blocking component is posterior to a color-balancing
component. Either
of the blue blocking component or the color balancing component may be, or
form part of, an
.10 ophthalmic component such as a lens. The posterior blue blocking component
and anterior
color balancing component may be distinct layers on or adjacent to or near a
surface or
surfaces of an ophthalmic lens. One or more color-balancing components are
provided to
reduce or neutralize a yellow or amber tint of the posterior blue blocking
component, to
produce a cosmetically acceptable appearance. For example, to an external
viewer, the
ophthalmic system may look clear or mostly clear. For a system user, color
perception may
be normal or acceptable. Further, because the blue blocking and color
balancing tints are not
intermixed, wavelengths in the blue light spectrum may be blocked or reduced
in intensity
and the transmitted intensity of incident light in the ophthalmic system may
be at least 80%
for unblocked wavelengths.
[00971 As discussed previously, techniques for blue blocking are known. The
known
techniques to block blue light wavelengths include absorption, reflection,
interference, or any
combination thereof. As discussed earlier, according to one technique, a lens
may be
tinted/dyed with a blue blocking tint, such as BPI Filter Vision 450 or BPI
Diamond Dye 500,
in a suitable proportion or concentration. The tinting may be accomplished,
for example, by
immersing the lens in a heated tint pot containing a blue blocking dye
solution for some
predetermined period of time. According to another technique, a filter is used
for blue
blocking. The filter could include, for example, organic or inorganic
compounds exhibiting
absorption and/or reflection of and/or interference with blue light
wavelengths. The filter
could comprise multiple thin layers or coatings of organic and/or inorganic
substances. Each
layer may have properties, which, either individually or in combination with
other layers,
absorbs, reflects or interferes with light having blue light wavelengths.
Rugate notch filters
are one example of blue blocking filters. Rugate filters are single thin films
of inorganic
14

WO 2010/111499 PCT/US2010/028680
dielectrics in which the refractive index oscillates continuously between high
and low values.
Fabricated by the co-deposition of two materials of different refractive index
(e.g. SiO2 and
TiO2), rugate filters are known to have very well defined stop-bands for
wavelength blocking,
with very little attenuation outside the band. The construction parameters of
the filter
(oscillation period, refractive index modulation, number of refractive index
oscillations)
determine the performance parameters of the filter (center of the stop-band,
width of the stop
band, transmission within the band). Rugate filters are disclosed in more
detail in, for
example, U.S. Patent Nos. 6,984,038 and 7,066,596, each of which is by
reference in its
entirety. Another technique for blue blocking is the use of multi-layer
dielectric stacks.
Multi-layer dielectric stacks are fabricated by depositing discrete layers of
alternating high
and low refractive index materials. Similarly to rugate filters, design
parameters such as
individual layer thickness, individual layer refractive index, and number of
layer repetitions
determine the performance parameters for multi-layer dielectric stacks.
[00981 Color balancing may comprise imparting, for example, a suitable
proportion or
concentration of blue tinting/dye, or a suitable combination of red and green
tinting/dyes to
the color-balancing component, such that when viewed by an external observer,
the
ophthalmic system as a whole has a cosmetically acceptable appearance. For
example, the
ophthalmic system as a whole may look clear or mostly clear.
[00991 FIG. 1A shows an ophthalmic system including a posterior blue blocking
component 101 and an anterior color-balancing component 102. Each component
has a
concave posterior side or surface 110, 115 and a convex anterior side or
surface 120, 125. In
system 100, the posterior blue blocking component 101 may be or include an
ophthalmic
component, such as a single vision lens, wafer or optical pre-form. The single
vision lens,
wafer or optical pre-form may be tinted or dyed to perform blue blocking. The
anterior
color-balancing component 102 may comprise a surface cast layer, applied to
the single
vision lens, wafer or optical pre-form according to known techniques. For
example, the
surface cast layer may be affixed or bonded to the single vision lens, wafer
or optical pre-
form using visible or UV light, or a combination of the two.
[01001 The surface cast layer may be formed on the convex side of the single
vision lens,
wafer or optical pre-form. Since the single vision lens, wafer or optical pre-
form has been
tinted or dyed to perform blue blocking, it may have a yellow or amber color
that is
undesirable cosmetically. Accordingly, the surface cast layer may, for
example, be tinted

WO 2010/111499 PCT/US2010/028680
with a suitable proportion of blue tinting/dye, or a suitable combination of
red and green
tinting/dyes.
[0101] The surface cast layer may be treated with color balancing additives
after it is
applied to the single vision lens, wafer or optical pre-form that has already
been processed to
make it blue blocking. For example, the blue blocking single vision lens,
wafer or optical
pre-form with the surface cast layer on its convex surface may be immersed in
a heated tint
pot which has the appropriate proportions and concentrations of color
balancing dyes in a
solution. The surface cast layer will take up the color balancing dyes from
the solution. To
prevent the blue blocking single vision lens, wafer or optical pre-form from
absorbing any of
the color balancing dyes, its concave surface may be masked or sealed off with
a dye resist,
e.g. tape or wax or other coating. This is illustrated in FIG. 2, which shows
an ophthalmic
system 100 with a dye resist 201 on the concave surface of the single vision
lens, wafer or
optical pre-form 101. The edges of the single vision lens, wafer or optical
pre-form may be
left uncoated to allow them to become cosmetically color adjusted. This may be
important
for negative focal lenses having thick edges.
[0102] FIG. 113 shows another ophthalmic system 150 in which the anterior
color-
balancing component 104 may be or include an ophthalmic component, such as a
single
vision or multi-focal lens, wafer or optical pre-form. The posterior blue
blocking component
103 may be a surface cast layer. To make this combination, the convex surface
of the color
balancing single vision lens, wafer or optical pre-form may be masked with a
dye resist as
described above, to prevent it taking up blue blocking dyes when the
combination is
immersed in a heated tint pot containing a blue blocking dye solution.
Meanwhile, the
exposed surface cast layer will take up the blue blocking dyes.
[0103] It should be understood that the surface cast layer could be used in
combination
with a multi-focal, rather than a single vision, lens, wafer or optical pre-
form. In addition, the
surface cast layer could be used to add power to a single vision lens, wafer
or optical pre-
form, including multi-focal power, thus converting the single vision lens,
wafer or optical
pre-form to a multi-focal lens, with either a lined or progressive type
addition. Of course, the
surface cast layer could also be designed to add little or no power to the
single vision lens,
wafer or optical pre-form.
[0104] FIG. 3 shows blue blocking and color balancing functionality integrated
into an
ophthalmic component. More specifically, in ophthalmic lens 300, a portion 303
16

WO 2010/111499 PCT/US2010/028680
corresponding to a depth of tint penetration into an otherwise clear or mostly
clear
ophthalmic component 301 at a posterior region thereof may be blue blocking.
Further, a
portion 302, corresponding to a depth of tint penetration into the otherwise
clear or mostly
clear ophthalmic component 301 at a frontal or anterior region thereof may be
color
balancing. The system illustrated in FIG. 3 may be produced as follows. The
ophthalmic
component 301 may, for example, initially be a clear or mostly clear single
vision or multi-
focal lens, wafer or optical pre-form. The clear or mostly clear single vision
or multi-focal
lens, wafer or optical pre-form may be tinted with a blue blocking tint while
its front convex
surface is rendered non-absorptive, e.g., by masking or coating with a dye
resist as described
previously. As a result, a portion 303, beginning at the posterior concave
surface of the clear
or mostly clear single vision or multi-focal lens, wafer or optical pre-form
301 and extending
inwardly, and having blue blocking functionality, may be created by tint
penetration. Then,
the anti-absorbing coating of the front convex surface may be removed. An anti-
absorbing
coating may then be applied to the concave surface, and the front convex
surface and
peripheral edges of the single vision or multi-focal lens, wafer or optical
pre-form may be
tinted (e.g. by immersion in a heated tint pot) for color balancing. The color
balancing dyes
will be absorbed by the peripheral edges and a portion 302 beginning at the
front convex
surface and extending inwardly, that was left untinted due to the earlier
coating. The order of
the foregoing process could be reversed, i.e., the concave surface could first
be masked while
the remaining portion was tinted for color balancing. Then, the coating could
be removed
and a depth or thickness at the concave region left untinted by the masking
could be tinted for
blue blocking.
[01051 Referring now to FIG. 4, an ophthalmic system 400 may be formed using
an in-
mold coating. More specifically, an ophthalmic component 401 such as a single
vision or
multi-focal lens, wafer or optical pre-form which has been dyed/tinted with a
suitable blue
blocking tint, dye or other additive may be color balanced via surface casting
using a tinted
in-mold coating 403. The in-mold coating 403, comprising a suitable level
and/or mixtures
of color balancing dyes, may be applied to the convex surface mold (i.e., a
mold, not shown,
for applying the coating 403 to the convex surface of the ophthalmic component
401). A
colorless monomer 402 may be filled in and cured between the coating 403 and
ophthalmic
component 401. The process of curing the monomer 402 will cause the color
balancing in-
mold coating to transfer itself to the convex surface of the ophthalmic
component 401. The
17

WO 2010/111499 PCT/US2010/028680
result is a blue blocking ophthalmic system with a color balancing surface
coating. The in-
mold coating could be, for example, an anti-reflective coating or a
conventional hard coating.
[0106] Referring now to FIG. 5, an ophthalmic system 500 may comprise two
ophthalmic
components, one blue blocking and the other color balancing. For example, a
first
ophthalmic component 501 could be a back single vision or concave surface
multi-focal lens,
wafer or optical pre-form, dyed/tinted with the appropriate blue blocking tint
to achieve the
desired level of blue blocking. A second ophthalmic component 503 could be a
front single
vision or convex surface multi-focal lens, wafer or optical pre-form, bonded
or affixed to the
back single vision or concave surface multi-focal lens, wafer or optical pre-
form, for example
using a UV or visible curable adhesive 502. The front single vision or convex
surface multi-
focal lens, wafer or optical pre-form could be rendered color balancing either
before or after
it was bonded with the back single vision or concave surface multi-focal lens,
wafer or
optical pre-form. If after, the front single vision or convex surface multi-
focal lens, wafer or
optical pre-form could be rendered color balancing, for example, by techniques
described
above. For example, the back single vision or concave surface multi-focal
lens, wafer or
optical pre-form may be masked or coated with a dye resist to prevent it
taking up color
balancing dyes. Then, the bonded back and front portions may be together
placed in a heated
tint pot containing a suitable solution of color balancing dyes, allowing the
front portion to
take up color balancing dyes.
[0107] Any of the above-described embodiments systems, may be combined with
one or
more anti-reflective (AR) components. This is shown in FIG. 6, by way of
example, for the
ophthalmic lenses 100 and 150 shown in FIGs. IA and 1B. In FIG. 6, a first AR
component
601, e.g. a coating, is applied to the concave surface of posterior blue
blocking element 101,
and a second AR component 602 is applied to the convex surface of color
balancing
component 102. Similarly, a first AR component 601 is applied to the concave
surface of
posterior blue blocking component 103, and a second AR component 602 is
applied to the
convex surface of color balancing component 104.
[0108] FIGS. 7A-7C show further exemplary systems including a blue blocking
component
and a color-balancing component. In FIG. 7A, an ophthalmic system 700 includes
a blue
blocking component 703 and a color balancing component 704 that are formed as
adjacent,
but distinct, coatings or layers on or adjacent to the anterior surface of a
clear or mostly clear
ophthalmic lens 702. The blue blocking component 703 is posterior to the color-
balancing
18

WO 2010/111499 PCT/US2010/028680
component 704. On or adjacent to the posterior surface of the clear or mostly
clear
ophthalmic lens, an AR coating or other layer 701 may be formed. Another AR
coating or
layer 705 may be formed on or adjacent to the anterior surface of the color-
balancing layer
704.
[01091 In FIG. 7B, the blue blocking component 703 and color-balancing
component 704
are arranged on or adjacent to the posterior surface of the clear or mostly
clear ophthalmic
lens 702. Again, the blue blocking component 703 is posterior to the color-
balancing
component 704. An AR component 701 may be formed on or adjacent to the
posterior
surface of the blue blocking component 703. Another AR component 705 may be
formed on
or adjacent to the anterior surface of the clear or mostly clear ophthalmic
lens 702.
[01101 In FIG. 7C, the blue blocking component 703 and the color-balancing
component
704 are arranged on or adjacent to the posterior and the anterior surfaces,
respectively, of the
clear ophthalmic lens 702. Again, the blue blocking component 703 is posterior
to the color-
balancing component 704. An AR component 701 may be formed on or adjacent to
the
posterior surface of the blue blocking component 703, and another AR component
705 may
be formed on or adjacent to the anterior surface of the color-balancing
component 704.
[01111 FIGs. 8A and 8B show an ophthalmic system 800 in which functionality to
both
block blue light wavelengths and to perform color balancing may be combined in
a single
component 803. For example, the combined functionality component may block
blue light
wavelengths and reflect some green and red wavelengths as well, thus
neutralizing the blue
and eliminating the appearance of a dominant color in the lens. The combined
functionality
component 803 may be arranged on or adjacent to either the anterior or the
posterior surface
of a clear ophthalmic lens 802. The ophthalmic lens 800 may further include an
AR
component 801 on or adjacent to either the anterior or the posterior surface
of the clear
ophthalmic lens 802.
[01121 Although FIGs. 7 and 8 depict configurations of particular embodiments,
one of
ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that the positioning of the blue-
blocking component
and the color-balancing component may vary according to materials,
manufacturing
procedures, and applications. For example, a blue-blocking component can be
anterior to,
posterior two, integral with, or sandwiched between one or more ophthalmic
components,
e.g., an ophthalmic lens or a photochromic component. Similarly, a color-
balancing
component can be anterior to, posterior two, integral with, or sandwiched
between one or
19

WO 2010/111499 PCT/US2010/028680
more ophthalmic components. Also, a blue-blocking component can be positioned
variably
relative to a color-balancing component (although some embodiments specify
that a blue-
blocking component is posterior to a color-balancing component).
[0113] To quantify the effectiveness of a color balancing component, it maybe
useful to
observe light reflected and/or transmitted by a substrate of an ophthalmic
material. The
observed light may be characterized by its CIE (x,y) coordinates to indicate
the color of
observed light; by comparing these coordinates to the CIE coordinates of the
incident light, it
is possible to determine how much the color of the light was shifted due to
the
reflection/transmission. White light is defined to have CIE coordinates of
(0.33, 0.33). Thus,
the closer an observed light's CIE coordinates are to (0.33, 0.33), the "more
white" it will
appear to an observer. To characterize the color shifting or balancing
performed by a lens,
(0.33, 0.33) white light may be directed at the lens, and the CIE of reflected
and transmitted
light observed. If the transmitted light has a CIE of about (0.33, 0.33),
there will be no color
shifting, and items viewed through the lens will have a natural appearance,
i.e., the color will
not be shifted relative to items observed without the lens. Similarly, if the
reflected light has
a CIE of about (0.33, 0.33), the lens will have a natural cosmetic appearance,
i.e., it will not
appear tinted to an observer viewing a user of the lens or ophthalmic system.
Thus, it is
desirable for transmitted and reflected light to have a CIE as close to (0.33,
0.33) as possible.
[0114] FIG. 9 shows a CIE plot indicating the observed colors corresponding to
various
CIE coordinates. A reference point 900 indicates the coordinates (0.33, 0.33).
Although the
central region of the plot typically is designated as "white," some light
having CIE
coordinates in this region can appear slightly tinted to a viewer. For
example, light having
CIE coordinates of (0.4, 0.4) will appear yellow to an observer. Thus, to
achieve a color-
neutral appearance in an ophthalmic system, it is desirable for (0.33, 0.33)
light (i.e., white
light) that is transmitted and/or reflected by the system to have CIE
coordinates as close to
(0.33, 0.33) as possible after the transmission/reflection. The CIE plot shown
in FIG. 9 will
be used herein as a reference to show the color shifts observed with various
systems, though
the labeled regions will be omitted for clarity.
[0115] Absorbing dyes may be included in the substrate material of an
ophthalmic lens by
injection molding the dye into the substrate material to produce lenses with
specific light
transmission and absorption properties. These dye materials can absorb at the
fundamental
peak wavelength of the dye or at shorter resonance wavelengths due to the
presence of a

WO 2010/111499 PCT/US2010/028680
Soret band typically found in porphyrin materials. Exemplary ophthalmic
materials include
various glasses and polymers such as CR-39 , TRIVEX , polycarbonate,
polymethylmethacrylate, silicone, and fluoropolymers, though other materials
may be used
and are known for various ophthalmic systems.
[01161 By way of example only, GENTEX day material E465 transmittance and
absorbance is shown in FIGS. 10-11. The Absorbance (A) is related to the
transmittance (T)
by the equation, A = log1o(II T). In this case, the transmittance is between 0
and 1 (0 < T < 1).
Often transmittance is express as a percentage, i.e., 0% < T < 100%. The E465
dye blocks
those wavelengths less than 465 and is normally provided to block these
wavelengths with
high optical density (OD > 4). Similar products are available to block other
wavelengths. For
example, E420 from GENTEX blocks wavelengths below 420nm. Other exemplary dyes
include porphyrins, perylene, and similar dyes that can absorb at blue
wavelengths.
[01171 The absorbance at shorter wavelengths can be reduced by a reduction of
the dye
concentration. This and other dye materials can achieve a transmittance of -
50% in the
430nm region. FIG. 12 shows the transmittance of a polycarbonate substrate
with a dye
concentration suitable for absorbing in the 430nm range, and with some
absorption in the
range of 420nm - 440nm. This was achieved by reducing the concentration of the
dye and
including the effects of a polycarbonate substrate. The rear surface is at
this point not
antireflection coated.
[01181 The concentration of dye also may affect the appearance and color shift
of an
ophthalmic system. By reducing the concentration, systems with varying degrees
of color
shift may be obtained. A "color shift" as used herein refers to the amount by
which the CIE
coordinates of a reference light change after transmission and/or reflection
of the ophthalmic
system. It also may be useful to characterize a system by the color shift
causes by the system
due to the differences in various types of light typically perceived as white
(e.g., sunlight,
incandescent light, and fluorescent light). It therefore may be useful to
characterize a system
based on the amount by which the CIE coordinates of incident light are shifted
when the'light
is transmitted and/or reflected by the system. For example, a system in which
light with CIE
coordinates of (0.33, 0.33) becomes light with a CIE of (0.30, 0.30) after
transmission may be
described as causing a color shift of (-.03, -.03), or, more generally, (
0.03, 0.03). Thus the
color shift caused by a system indicates how "natural" light and viewed items
appear to a
21

WO 2010/111499 PCT/US2010/028680
wearer of the system. As further described below, systems causing color shifts
of less than
( 0.05, 0.05) to ( 0.02, 0.02) have been achieved.
[01191 A reduction in short-wavelength transmission in an ophthalmic system
may be
useful in reducing cell death due to photoelectric effects in the eye, such as
excitation of A2E.
It has been shown that reducing incident light at 430 30 nm by about 50% can
reduce cell
death by about 80%. See, for example, Janet R Sparrow et al., "Blue light-
absorbing
intraocular lens and retinal pigment epithelium protection in vitro," J.
Cataract Refract. Surg.
2004, vol. 30, pp. 873-78, the disclosure of which is incorporated by
reference in its entirety.
It is further believed that reducing the amount of blue light, such as light
in the 430-460 nm
range, by as little as 5% may similarly reduce cell death and/or degeneration,
and therefore
prevent or reduce the adverse effects of conditions such as atrophic age-
related macular
degeneration.
[01201 Although an absorbing dye may be used to block undesirable wavelengths
of light,
the dye may produce a color tint in the lens as a side effect. For example,
many blue-
blocking ophthalmic lenses have a yellow coloring that is often undesirable
and/or
aesthetically displeasing. To offset this coloring, a color balancing coating
may be applied to
one or both surfaces of a substrate including the absorbing dye therein.
[01211 Antireflection (AR) coatings (which are interference filters) are well-
established
within the commercial ophthalmic coating industry. The coatings typically are
a few layers,
often less than 10, and typically are used to reduce the reflection from the
polycarbonate
surface to less than 1%. An example of such a coating on a polycarbonate
surface is shown
in FIG. 13. The color plot of this coating is shown in FIG. 14 and it is
observed that the color
is quite neutral. The total reflectance was observed to be 0.21%. The
reflected light was
observed to have CIE coordinates of (0.234, 0.075); the transmitted light had
CIE coordinates
of (0.334, 0.336).
[01221 AR coatings may be applied to both surfaces of a lens or other
ophthalmic device to
achieve a higher transmittance. Such a configuration is shown in FIG. 15 where
the darker
line 1510 is the AR coated polycarbonate and the thinner line 1520 is an
uncoated
polycarbonate substrate. This AR coating provides a 10% increase in total
transmitted light.
There is some natural loss of light due to absorption in the polycarbonate
substrate. The
particular polycarbonate substrate used for this example has a transmittance
loss of
22

WO 2010/111499 PCT/US2010/028680
approximately 3%. In the ophthalmic industry AR coatings generally are applied
to both
surfaces to increase the transmittance of the lens.
[0123] In systems according to the present invention, AR coatings or other
color balancing
films may be combined with an absorbing dye to allow for simultaneous
absorption of blue
wavelength light, typically in the 430 nm region, and increased transmittance.
As previously
described, elimination of the light in the 430 nm region alone typically
results in a lens that
has some residual color cast. To spectrally tailor the light to achieve a
color neutral
transmittance, at least one of the AR coatings may be modified to adjust the
overall
transmitted color of the light. In ophthalmic systems according to the
invention, this
adjustment may be performed on the front surface of the lens to create the
following lens
structure:
[0124] Air (farthest from the user's eye) / Front convex lens coating /
Absorbing
ophthalmic lens substrate / rear concave anti-reflection coating /Air (closest
to the user's eye).
[0125] In such a configuration, the front coating may provide spectral
tailoring to offset the
color cast resulting from the absorption in the substrate in addition to the
antireflective
function typically performed in conventional lenses. The lens therefore may
provide an
appropriate color balance for both transmitted and reflected light. In the
case of transmitted
light the color balance allows for proper color vision; in the case reflected
light the color
balance may provide the appropriate lens aesthetics.
[0126] In some cases, a color balancing film may be disposed between two
layers of other
ophthalmic material. For example, a filter, AR film, or other film may be
disposed within an
ophthalmic material. For example, the following configuration may be used:
[0127] Air (farthest from the user's eye) / ophthalmic material / film
/ophthalmic material/
air (closest to user's eye).
[0128] The color balancing film also may be a coating, such as a hardcoat,
applied to the
outer and/or inner surface of a lens. Other configurations are possible. For
example,
referring to FIG. 3, an ophthalmic system may include an ophthalmic material
301 doped
with a blue-absorbing dye and one or more color balancing layers 302, 303. In
another
configuration, an inner layer 301 may be a color balancing layer surrounded by
ophthalmic
material 302, 303 doped with a blue-absorbing dye. Additional layers and/or
coatings, such
as AR coatings, may be disposed on one or more surfaces of the system. It will
be
23

WO 2010/111499 PCT/US2010/028680
understood how similar materials and configurations may be used, for example
in the systems
described with respect to FIGS. 4-8B.
[0129] Thus, optical films and/or coatings such as AR coatings may be used to
fine-tune
the overall spectral response of a lens having an absorbing dye. Transmission
variation
across the visible spectrum is well known and varies as a function of the
thickness and
number of layers in the optical coating. In the invention one or more layers
can be used to
provide the needed adjustment of the spectral properties.
[0130] In an exemplary system, color variation is produced by a single layer
of Ti02 (a
common AR coating material). FIG. 16 shows the spectral transmittance of a
106nm thick
single layer of Ti02. The color plot of this same layer is shown in FIG. 17.
The CIE color
coordinates (x, y) 1710 shown for the transmitted light are (0.331, 0.345).
The reflected light
had CIE coordinates of (0.353, 0.251) 1720, resulting in a purplish-pink
color.
[0131] Changing the thickness of the Ti02 layer changes the color of the
transmitted light
as shown in the transmitted spectra and color plot for a 134 nm layer, shown
in FIGS. 18 and
19 respectively. In this system, the transmitted light exhibited CIE
coordinates of (0.362,
0.368) 1910, and the reflected light had CIE coordinates of (0.209, 0.229)
1920. The
transmission properties of various AR coatings and the prediction or
estimation thereof are
known in the art. For example, the transmission effects of an AR coating
formed of a known
thickness of an AR material may be calculated and predicted using various
computer
programs. Exemplary, non-limiting programs include Essential Macleod Thin
Films
Software available from Thin Film Center, Inc., TFCa1c available from Software
Spectra,
Inc., and FilmStar Optical Thin Film Software available from FTG Software
Associates.
Other methods may be used to predict the behavior of an AR coating or other
similar coating
or film.
[0132] In systems according to the present invention, a blue-absorbing dye may
be
combined with a coating or other film to provide a blue blocking, color
balanced system. The
coating may be an AR coating on the front surface that is modified to correct
the color of the
transmitted and/or reflected light. The transmittance and color plot of an
exemplary AR
coating are shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, respectively. FIGS. 22 and 23 show the
transmittance
and color plot, respectively, for a polycarbonate substrate having a blue
absorbing dye
without an AR coating. The dyed substrate absorbs most strongly in the 430 nm
region,
including some absorption in the 420 - 440 nm region. The dyed substrate may
be combined
24

WO 2010/111499 PCT/US2010/028680
with an appropriate AR coating as illustrated in FIGS. 20-21 to increase the
overall
transmittance of the system. The transmittance and color plot for a dyed
substrate having a
rear AR coating are shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, respectively.
[0133] An AR coating also may be applied to the front of an ophthalmic system
(i.e., the
surface farthest from the eye of a wearer of the system), resulting in the
transmittance and
color plot shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, respectively. Although the system
exhibits a high
transmission and transmitted light is relatively neutral, the reflected light
has a CIE of (0.249,
0.090). Therefore, to more completely color balance the effects of the blue
absorbing dye,
the front AR coating may be modified to achieve the necessary color balance to
produce a
color neutral configuration. The transmittance and the color plot of this
configuration are
shown in FIGS. 28 and 29 respectively. In this configuration, both the
transmitted and
reflected light may be optimized to achieve color neutrality. It may be
preferred for the
interior reflected light to be about 6%. Should the reflectivity level be
annoying to the wearer
of the system, the reflection can be further reduced by way of adding an
additional different
absorbing dye into the lens substrate that would absorb a different wavelength
of visible light.
However, the design of this configuration achieves remarkable performance and
satisfies the
need for a blue blocking, color balanced ophthalmic system as described
herein. The total
transmittance is over 90% and both the transmitted and reflected colors are
quite close to the
color neutral white point. As shown in FIG. 27, the reflected light has a CIE
of (0.334,
0.334), and the transmitted light has a CIE of (0.341, 0.345), indicating
little or no color
shifting.
[0134] In some configurations, the front modified anti-reflection coating can
be designed to
block 100% of the blue light wave length to be inhibited. However, this may
result in a back
reflection of about 9% to 10% for the wearer. This level of reflectivity can
be annoying to
the wearer. Thus by combining an absorbing dye into the lens substrate this
reflection with
the front modified anti-reflection coating the desired effect can be achieved
along with a
reduction of the reflectivity to a level that is well accepted by the wearer.
The reflected light
observed by a wearer of a system including one or more AR coatings may be
reduced to 8%
or less, or more preferably 3% or less.
[0135] The combination of a front and rear AR coating may be referred to as a
dielectric
stack, and various materials and thicknesses may be used to further alter the
transmissive and
reflective characteristics of an ophthalmic system. For example, the front AR
coating and/or

WO 2010/111499 PCT/US2010/028680
the rear AR coating may be made of different thicknesses and/or materials to
achieve a
particular color balancing effect. In some cases, the materials used to create
the dielectric
stack may not be materials traditionally used to create antireflective
coatings. That is, the
color balancing coatings may correct the color shift caused by a blue
absorbing dye in the
substrate without performing an antireflective function.
[0136] As discussed previously, filters are another technique for blue
blocking.
Accordingly, any of the blue blocking components discussed could be or include
or be
combined with blue blocking filters. Such filters may include rugate filters,
interference
filters, band-pass filters, band-block filters, notch filters or dichroic
filters.
[0137] In embodiments of the invention, one or more of the above-disclosed
blue-blocking
techniques may be used in conjunction with other blue-blocking techniques. By
way of
example only, a lens or lens component may utilize both a dye/tint and a
rugate notch filter to
effectively block blue light.
[0138] Any of the above-disclosed structures and techniques may be employed in
an
ophthalmic system according to the present invention to perform blocking of
blue light
wavelengths at or near 400-460 nm. For example, in embodiments the wavelengths
of blue
light blocked may be within a predetermined range. In embodiments, the range
may be 430
nm 30 nm. In other embodiments, the range may be 430 nm 20 nm. In still
other
embodiments, the range may be 430 nm 10 run. In embodiments, the ophthalmic
system
may limit transmission of blue wavelengths within the above-defined ranges to
substantially
90% of incident wavelengths. In other embodiments, the ophthalmic system may
limit
transmission of the blue wavelengths within the above-defined ranges to
substantially 80% of
incident wavelengths. In other embodiments, the ophthalmic system may limit
transmission
of the blue wavelengths within the above-defined ranges to substantially 70%
of incident
wavelengths. In other embodiments, the ophthalmic system may limit
transmission of the
blue wavelengths within the above-defined ranges to substantially 60% of
incident
wavelengths. In other embodiments, the ophthalmic system may limit
transmission of the
blue wavelengths within the above-defined ranges to substantially 50% of
incident
wavelengths. In other embodiments, the ophthalmic system may limit
transmission of the
blue wavelengths within the above-defined ranges to substantially 40% of
incident
wavelengths. In still other embodiments, the ophthalmic system may limit
transmission of
the blue wavelengths within the above-defined ranges to substantially 30% of
incident
26

WO 2010/111499 PCT/US2010/028680
wavelengths. In still other embodiments, the ophthalmic system may limit
transmission of
the blue wavelengths within the above-defined ranges to substantially 20% of
incident
wavelengths. In still other embodiments, the ophthalmic system may limit
transmission of
the blue wavelengths within the above-defined ranges to substantially 10% of
incident
wavelengths. In still other embodiments, the ophthalmic system may limit
transmission of
the blue wavelengths within the above-defined ranges to substantially 5% of
incident
wavelengths. In still other embodiments, the ophthalmic system may limit
transmission of
the blue wavelengths within the above-defined ranges to substantially I% of
incident
wavelengths. In still other embodiments, the ophthalmic system may limit
transmission of
the blue wavelengths within the above-defined ranges to substantially 0% of
incident
wavelengths. Stated otherwise, attenuation by the ophthalmic system of the
electromagnetic
spectrum at wavelengths in the above-specified ranges may be at least 10%; or
at least 20%;
or at least 30%; or at least 40%; or at least 50%; or at least 60%; or at
least 70%; or at least
80%; or at least 90%; or at least 95%; or at least 99%; or substantially 100%.
[0139] In some cases it may be particularly desirable to filter a relatively
small portion of
the blue spectrum, such as the 400 nm - 460 nm region. For example, it has
been found that
blocking too much of the blue spectrum can interfere with scotopic vision and
circadian
rhythms. Conventional blue blocking ophthalmic lenses typically block a much
larger
amount of a wide range of the blue spectrum, which can adversely affect the
wearer's
"biological clock" and have other adverse effects. Thus, it may be desirable
to block a
relatively narrow range of the blue spectrum as described herein. Exemplary
systems that
may filter a relatively small amount of light in a relatively small range
include system that
block or absorb 5-50%, 5-20%, and 5-10% of light having a wavelength of 400 nm
- 460 nm,
410nm-450nm,and 420nm-440nm.
[0140] At the same time as wavelengths of blue light are selectively blocked
as described
above, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, or at least 95% of other
portions of the visual
electromagnetic spectrum may be transmitted by the ophthalmic system. Stated
otherwise,
attenuation by the ophthalmic system of the electromagnetic spectrum at
wavelengths outside
the blue light spectrum, e.g. wavelengths other than those in a range around
430 rim may be
20% or less, 15% or less, 10% or less, and in other embodiments, 5% or less.
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WO 2010/111499 PCT/US2010/028680
[0141] Additionally, embodiments of the present invention may further block
ultra-violet
radiation the UVA and UVB spectral bands as well as infra-red radiation with
wavelengths
greater than 700 run.
[0142] Any of the above-disclosed ophthalmic system may be incorporated into
an article
of eyewear, including externally-wom eyewear such as eyeglasses, sunglasses,
goggles or
contact lenses. In such eyewear, because the blue-blocking component of the
systems is
posterior to the color balancing component, the blue-blocking component will
always be
closer to the eye than the color-balancing component when the eyewear is worn.
The
ophthalmic system may also be used in such articles of manufacture as
surgically implantable
intra-ocular lenses.
[0143] As used herein, a component "selectively inhibits" or "selectively
filters" a
wavelength range if it inhibits at least some transmission within the range,
while having little
or no effect on transmission of visible wavelengths outside the range. For
example, if the
selective filter filters out wavelengths from 400-460 nm, it attenuates only
these wavelengths
and does not attenuate other visible wavelengths. Even though the selective
filter does not
attenuate wavelengths outside the selected range, the filter may be combined
in a system with
one or more other filters, e.g., a UV filter, an IR filter, or another
selective filter directed to a
different (although possibly overlapping) selected range. One embodiment of a
dual filter
system is provided by US 2008/0291392, incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
The attenuation within the selected wavelength range can be substantially
consistent within
the range (as in a rugate filter) or it can vary in attenuation level within
the range (as in a dye
with an absorption peak). Similarly, the "selected range" indicates the
wavelength range that
is attenuated by the selective filter. A "selected range of blue light
wavelengths" refers to a
range of blue light wavelengths within 400-500 run that does not encompass the
entire range
of 400-500 nm. Thus, a selective filter attenuates less than the entire
spectrum of visible light
and preferably less than the entire spectrum of blue light wavelengths (400-
500 nm).
[0144] Several embodiments use a film to block the blue light. The film in an
ophthalmic
or other system may selectively inhibit at least 5%, at least 10%, at least
20%, at least 30%, at
least 40%, and/or at least 50% of blue light within the 400 nm - 460 rum
range. The film
and/or a system incorporating the film may be color balanced to allow for
being perception
by an observer and/or user as colorless. Systems incorporating a film
according to the
present invention may have a scotopic luminous transmission of 85% or better
of visible
28

WO 2010/111499 PCT/US2010/028680
light, and further allow someone looking through the film or system to have
mostly normal
color vision.
[0145] FIG. 30 shows an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. A film
3002
may be disposed between two layers or regions of one or more base materials
3001, 3003.
As further described herein, the film may contain a dye that selectively
inhibits certain
wavelengths of light. The base material or materials may be any material
suitable for a lens,
ophthalmic system, window, or other system in which the film may be disposed.
[0146] The optical transmission characteristic of an exemplary film according
to the
invention is shown in FIG. 31 where about 50% of blue light in the range of
430nm 10 nm
is blocked, while imparting minimal losses on other wavelengths within the
visible spectrum.
The transmission shown in FIG. 31 is exemplary, and it will be understood that
for many
applications it may be desirable to selectively inhibit less than 50% of blue
light, and/or the
specific wavelengths inhibited may vary. It is believed that in many
applications cell death
may be reduced or prevented by blocking less than 50% of blue light. For
example, it may be
preferred to selectively inhibit about 40%, more preferably about 30%, more
preferably about
20%, more preferably about 10%, and more preferably about 5% of light in the
400-460 nm
range. Selectively inhibiting a smaller amount of light may allow for
prevention of damage
due to high-energy light, while being minimal enough that the inhibition does
not adversely
affect scotopic vision and/or circadian cycles in a user of the system.
[0147] FIG. 32 shows a film 3201 incorporated into an ophthalmic lens 3200
according to
the present invention, where it is sandwiched between layers of ophthalmic
material 3202,
3203. The thickness of the front layer of ophthalmic material is, by way of
example only, in
the range of 200 microns to 1,000 microns.
[0148] Similarly, FIG. 33 shows an exemplary system 3300, such as an
automotive
windshield, according to the present invention. A film 3301 may be
incorporated into the
system 3300, where it is sandwiched between layers of base material 3302,
3303. For
example, where the system 3300 is an automotive windshield, the base material
3302, 3303
may be windshield glass as is commonly used. It will be understood that in
various other
systems, including visual, display, ophthalmic, and other systems, different
base materials
may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.
[0149] In an embodiment, a system according to the invention may be operated
in an
environment where the *relevant emitted visible light has a very specific
spectrum. In such a
29

WO 2010/111499 PCT/US2010/028680
regime, it may be desirable to tailor a film's filtering effect to optimize
the light transmitted,
reflected, or emitted by the item. This may be the case, for example, where
the color of the
transmitted, reflected, or emitted light is of primary concern. For example,
when a film
according to the present invention is used in or with a camera flash or flash
filter, it may be
desirable for the perceived color of the image or print to be as close to true
color as possible.
As another example, a film according to the present invention may be used in
instrumentation
for observing the back of a patient's eye for disease. In such a system, it
may be important
for the film not to interfere with the true and observed color of the retina.
As another
example, certain forms of artificial lighting may benefit from a wavelength-
customized filter
utilizing the inventive film.
[0150] In an embodiment, the inventive film may be utilized within a
photochromic,
electro-chromic, or changeable tint ophthalmic lens, window or automotive
windshield. Such
a system may allow for protection from UV light wavelengths, direct sunlight
intensity, and
blue light wavelengths in an environment where the tinting is not active. In
this embodiment
the film's blue light wavelengths protective attributes may be effective
regardless of whether
the tinting is active.
[0151] In an embodiment, a film may allow for selective inhibition of blue
light while
being color balanced and will have an 85% or greater scotopic luminous
transmission of
visible light. Such a film may be useful for lower light transmission uses
such as driving
glasses or sport glasses, and-may provide increased visual performance due to
increased
contrast sensitivity.
[0152] For some applications, it may be desirable for a system according to
the present
invention to selectively inhibit blue light as described herein, and have a
luminous
transmission of less than about 85%, typically about 80-85%, across the
visible spectrum.
This may be the case where, for example, a base material used in the system
inhibits more
light across all visible wavelengths due to its higher index of refraction. As
a specific
example, high index (e.g., 1.7) lenses may reflect more light across
wavelengths leading to a
luminous transmission less than 85%.
[0153] To avoid, reduce, or eliminate problems present in conventional blue-
blocking
systems, it may be desirable to reduce, but not eliminate, transmission of
phototoxic blue
light. The pupil of the eye responds to the photopic retinal illuminance, in
trolands, which is
the product of the incident flux with the wavelength-dependent sensitivity of
the retina and

WO 2010/111499 PCT/US2010/028680
the projected area of the pupil. A filter placed in front of the retina,
whether within the eye,
as in an intraocular lens, attached to the eye, as in a contact lens or
corneal replacement, or
otherwise in the optical path of the eye as in a spectacle lens, may reduce
the total flux of
light to the retina and stimulate dilation of the pupil, and thus compensate
for the reduction in
field illuminance. When exposed to a steady luminance in the field the pupil
diameter
generally fluctuates about a value that increases as the luminance falls.
101541 A functional relationship between pupil area and field illuminance
described by
Moon and Spencer, J. Opt. Soc. Am. v. 33, p. 260 (1944) using the following
equation for
pupil diameter:
d=4.9-3tanh(Log(L)+1) (0.1)
where d is in millimeters and L is the illuminance in cd/m2. FIG. 34A shows
pupil diameter
(mm) as a function of field illuminance (cd/m2). FIG. 34B shows pupil area
(mm2) as a
function of field illuminance.
[01551 The illuminance is defined by the international CIE standards as a
spectrally
weighted integration of visual sensitivity over wavelength:
L = Km f LQ ZVzd2 photopic
(0.2)
Km f La zVzdA scotopic
where Km' is equal to 1700.06 lm/W for scotopic (night) vision, Km= 683.2 lm/W
for
photopic (day) vision and the spectral luminous efficiency functions VA and
V2' define the
standard photopic and scotopic observers. The luminous efficiency functions V2
and VJ' are
illustrated in, e.g., Figure 9 of Michael Kalloniatis and Charles Luu,
"Psychophysics of
Vision," available at http://webvision.med.utah.edu/Phychl.html, last visited
August 8, 2007,
which is incorporated by reference herein.
[01561 Interposition of an absorptive ophthalmic element in the form of an
intraocular,
contact, or spectacle lens reduces the illuminance according to the formula:
L = Km f TL,,, Vdi% photopic = K. f TEL,. VzdA
scotopic (0.3)
where Ta is the wavelength-dependent transmission of the optical element.
Values for the
integrals in equation 1.3 normalized to the unfiltered illuminance values
computed from
equation 1.2 for each of the prior-art blue blocking lenses are shown in Table
I.
31

WO 2010/111499. PCT/US2010/028680
Table I
Reference Figure Photopic Ratio Scotopic Ratio
Unfiltered 1.000 1.000
Pratt '430 0.280 0.164
Mainster 2005/0243272 0.850 0.775
Present System 35 0.996 0.968
Present System 36 (solid line) 0.993 0.947
Present System 37 0.978 0.951
[01571 Referring to Table I, the ophthalmic filter according to Pratt reduces
scotopic
sensitivity by 83.6% of its unfiltered value, an attenuation that will both
degrade night vision
and stimulate pupil dilation according to equation 1.1. The device described
by Mainster
reduces scotopic flux by 22.5%, which is less severe than the Pratt device but
still significant.
[01581 In contrast, a film according to the present invention partially
attenuates violet and
blue light using absorptive or reflective ophthalmic elements while reducing
the scotopic
illuminance by no more than 15% of its unfiltered value. Surprisingly, systems
according to
the present invention were found to selectively inhibit a desired region of
blue light, while
having little to no effect on photopic and scotopic vision.
[01591 In an embodiment, perylene (C20H12, CAS # 198-55-0) is incorporated
into an
ophthalmic device at a concentration and thickness sufficient to absorb about
two thirds of
the light at its absorption maximum of 437 rim. The transmission spectrum of
this device is
shown in FIG. 35. The change in illuminance that results from this filter is
only about 3.2%
for scotopic viewing conditions and about 0.4% under photopic viewing
conditions, as
displayed in Table I. Increasing the concentration or thickness of perylene in
the device
decreases the transmission at each wavelength according to Beer's law. FIG. 36
shows the
transmission spectrum of a device with a perylene concentration 2.27 times
higher than that
for FIG. 6. Although this device selectively blocks more of the phototoxic
blue light than the
device in FIG. 6, it reduces scotopic illuminance by less than 6% and photopic
illuminance
by less than 0.7%. Note that reflection has been removed from the spectra in
FIGS. 35 and
36 to show only the effect of absorption by the dye.
[01601 Dyes other than perylene may have strong absorption in blue or roughly
blue
wavelength ranges and little or no absorbance in other regions of the visible
spectrum.
Examples of such dyes, illustrated in FIG. 46, include porphyrin, coumarin,
and acridine
based molecules which may be used singly or in combination to give
transmission that is
reduced, but not eliminated, at 400 nm - 460 nm. The methods and systems
described herein
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WO 2010/111499 PCT/US2010/028680
therefore may use similar dyes based on other molecular structures at
concentrations that
mimic the transmission spectra of perylene, porphyrin, magnesium
tetramesitylporphyrin
(MgTMP), coumarin, and acridine, or derivatives thereof.
[0161] In one embodiment, a selective filter mimics the transmission spectra
of one or
more of the exemplary dyes provided herein. The dyes provided herein are thus
used as a
reference filter to design similar filters using alternative materials. A
filter can mimic the
transmission spectra of a reference filter by filtering about the same
wavelengths. For
example, a mimic filter can filter about the same wavelength range as the
reference filter 1,
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, or 30 wavelengths on one or both ends
of the range. In
another embodiment, the filter can mimic the transmission spectra of a
reference filter by
filtering selected wavelengths to about the same inhibition level. For
example, the maximum
inhibition (or minimum transmission) of the reference filter and the maximum
inhibition (or
minimum transmission) of the mimic filter can be within about 1, 3, 5, 7, 10,
15, 20, 25, or
30% of one another. In another embodiment, the mimic filter mimics both the
wavelength
range and the inhibition level of the reference filter.
[0162] The insertion of dye into the. optical path according to embodiments of
the present
invention may be accomplished by diverse methods familiar to those practiced
in the art of
optical manufacturing. The dye or dyes may be incorporated directly into the
substrate,
added to a polymeric coating, imbibed into the lens, incorporated in a
laminated structure that
includes a dye-impregnated layer, or as a composite material with dye-
impregnated
microparticles.
[0163] According to another embodiment of the invention a dielectric coating
that is
partially reflective in the violet and blue spectral regions and
antireflective at longer
wavelengths may be applied. Methods for designing appropriate dielectric
optical filters are
summarized in textbooks such as Angus McLeod, Thin Film Optical Filters
(McGraw-
Hill:NY) 1989. An exemplary transmission spectrum for a six-layer stack of
Si02 and Zr02
according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 37. Referring again to
Table I, it is seen
that this optical filter blocks phototoxic blue and violet light while
reducing scotopic
illuminance by less than 5% and photopic illuminance by less than 3%.
[0164] Although many conventional blue blocking technologies attempt to
inhibit as much
blue light as possible, current research suggests that in many applications it
may be desirable
to inhibit a relatively small amount of blue light. For example, to prevent
undesirable effects
33

WO 2010/111499 PCT/US2010/028680
on scotopic vision, it may be desirable for an ophthalmic system according to
the invention to
inhibit only about 30% of blue (i.e., 380-500 nm) wavelength light, or more
preferably only
about 20% of blue light, more preferably about 10%, and more preferably about
5%. It is
believed that cell death may be reduced by inhibiting as little as 5% of blue
light, while this
degree of blue light reduction has little or no effect on scotopic vision
and/or circadian
behavior of those using the system.
[01651 As used herein, a film according to the invention that selectively
inhibits blue light
is described as inhibiting an amount of light measured relative to the base
system
incorporating the film. For example, an ophthalmic system may use a
polycarbonate or other
similar base for a lens. Materials typically used for such a base may inhibit
a various amount
of light at visible wavelengths. If a blue-blocking film according to the
present invention is
added to the system, it may selectively inhibit 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and/or
50% of all
blue wavelengths, as measured relative to the amount of light that would be
transmitted at the
same wavelength(s) in the absence of the film.
[01661 The methods and devices disclosed herein may minimize, and preferably
eliminate,
the shift in color perception that results from blue-blocking. The color
perceived by the
human visual system results from neural processing of light signals that fall
on retinal
pigments with different spectral response characteristics. To describe color
perception
mathematically, a color space is constructed by integrating the product of
three wavelength-
dependent color matching functions with the spectral irradiance. The result is
three numbers
that characterize the perceived color. A uniform (L*, a*, b*) color space,
which has been
established by the Commission Internationale de L'eclairage (CIE), may be used
to
characterize perceived colors, although similar calculations based on
alternative color
standards are familiar to those practiced in the art of color science and may
also be used.
The (L*, a*, b*) color space defines brightness on the L* axis and color
within the plane
defined by the a* and b* axes. A uniform color space such as that defined by
this CIE
standard may be preferred for computational and comparative applications,
since the
Cartesian distances of the space are proportional to the magnitude of
perceived color
difference between two objects. The use of uniform color spaces generally is
recognized in
the art, such as described in Wyszecki and Stiles, Color Science: Concepts and
Methods,
Quantitative Data and Formulae (Wiley: New York) 1982.
34

WO 2010/111499 PCT/US2010/028680
[01671 An optical design according to the methods and systems described herein
may use a
palette of spectra that describe the visual environment. A non-limiting
example of this is the
Munsell matte color palette, which is comprised of 1,269 color tiles that have
been
established by psychophysical experiments to be just noticeably different from
each other.
The spectral irradiance of these tiles is measured under standard illumination
conditions. The
array of color coordinates corresponding to each of these tiles illuminated by
a D65 daylight
illuminant in (L*, a*, b*) color space is the reference for color distortion
and is shown in
FIG. 38. The spectral irradiance of the color tiles is then modulated by a
blue-blocking filter
and a new set of color coordinates is computed. Each tile has a perceived
color that is shifted
by an amount corresponding to the geometric displacement of the (L*, a*, b*)
coordinates.
This calculation has been applied to the blue-blocking filter of Pratt, where
the average color
distortion is 41 just noticeable difference (JND) units in (L*, a*, b*) space.
The minimum
distortion caused by the Pratt filter is 19 JNDs, the maximum is 66, and the
standard
deviation is 7 JNDs. A histogram of the color shifts for all 1,269 color tiles
is shown in FIG.
39A (top).
[01681 Referring now to FIG. 39B, the color shift induced by the Mainster blue-
blocking
filter has a minimum value of 6, an average of 19, a maximum of 34, and a
standard deviation
of 6 JNDs.
[01691 Embodiments of the present invention using perylene dye at two
concentrations or
the reflective filter described above may have substantially smaller color
shifts than
conventional devices whether measured as an average, minimum, or maximum
distortion, as
illustrated in Table II. FIG. 40 shows a histogram of color shifts for a
perylene-dyed
substrate according to the present invention whose transmission spectrum is
shown in FIG.
35. Notably, the shift across all color tiles was observed to be substantially
lower and
narrower than those for conventional devices described by Mainster, Pratt, and
the like. For
example, simulation results showed (L*, a*, b*) shifts as low as 12 and 20
JNDs for films
according to the present invention, with average shifts across all tiles as
low as 7-12 JNDs.

WO 2010/111499 PCT/US2010/028680
Table II
Reference Figure Avg. 8 Min. 8 Max. 8 Std. Deviation 8
(L*,a*,b*) (L*,a*,b*) (L*,a*,b*) (L*,a*,b*)
Pratt 41 19 66 12
Mainster 19 6 34 6
Present System 35 7 2 12 2
Present System 36 12 4 20 3
Present System 37 7 2 12 2
[0170] In an embodiment, a combination of reflective and absorptive elements
may filter
harmful blue photons while maintaining relatively high luminous transmission.
This may
allow a system according to the invention to avoid or reduce pupil dilation,
preserve or
prevent damage to night vision, and reduce color distortion. An example of
this approach
combines the dielectric stacks shown in FIG. 37 with the perylene dye of FIG.
35, resulting in
the transmission spectrum shown in FIG. 41. The device was observed to have a
photopic
transmission of 97.5%, scotopic transmission of 93.2%, and an average color
shift of 11
JNDs. The histogram summarizing color distortion of this device for the
Munsell tiles in
daylight is shown in FIG. 42.
[0171] In another embodiment, an ophthalmic filter is external to the eye, for
example a
spectacle lens, goggle, visor, or the like. When a traditional filter is used,
the color of the
wearer's face when viewed by an external observer may be tinted by the lens,
i.e., the facial
coloration or skin tone typically is shifted by a blue-blocking lens when
viewed by another
person. This yellow discoloration that accompanies blue light absorption is
often not
cosmetically desirable. The procedure for minimizing this color shift is
identical to that
described above for the Munsell tiles, with the reflectance of the wearer's
skin being
substituted for those of the Munsell color tiles. The color of skin is a
function of
pigmentation, blood flow, and the illumination conditions. A representative
series of skin
reflectance spectra from subjects of different races is shown in FIGS. 43A-B.
An exemplary
skin reflectance spectrum for a Caucasian subject is shown in FIG. 44. The
(L*, a*, b*) color
coordinates of this skin in daylight (D65) illumination are (67.1, 18.9,
13.7). Interposition of
the Pratt blue-blocking filter changes these color coordinates to (38.9, 17.2,
44.0), a shift of
69 JND units. The Mainster blue-blocking filter shifts the color coordinates
by 17 JND units
to (62.9,13.1,29.3). By contrast, a perylene filter as described herein causes
a color shift of
only 6 JNDs, or one third that of the Mainster filter. A summary of the
cosmetic color shift
of an exemplary Caucasian skin under daylight illumination using various blue-
blocking
36

WO 2010/111499 PCT/US2010/028680
filters is shown in Table III. The data shown in Table I refer are normalized
to remove any
effect caused by a base material.
Table III
Reference Figure L* a* b* S(L*,a*,b*)
Skin 14-15 67 19 14 0
Pratt 39 17 44 69
Mainster 63 13 29 17
Present System 35 67 17 19 6
Present System 36 67 15 23 10
Present System 37 67 17 19 6
[01721 In an embodiment, an illuminant may be filtered to reduce but not
eliminate the flux
of blue light to the retina. This may be accomplished with absorptive or
reflective elements
between the field of view and the source of illumination using the principles
described herein.
For example, an architectural window may be covered with a film that contains
perylene so
that the transmission spectrum of the window matches that shown in FIG. 35.
Such a filter
typically would not induce pupil dilation when compared to an uncoated window,
nor would
it cause appreciable color shifts when external daylight passes through it.
Blue filters
according to the present invention may be used on artificial illuminants such
as fluorescent,
incandescent, arc, flash, and diode lamps, displays, and the like.
[01731 Various materials may be used in making films according to the
invention. Two
such exemplary materials are Poly Vinyl Alcohol (PVA) and Poly Vinyl Butyral
(PVB). In
the case of PVA film it may be prepared by partial or complete hydrolysis of
polyvinyl
acetate to remove the acetate groups. PVA film may be desirable due to
beneficial film
forming, emulsifying, and adhesive properties. In addition, PVA film has high
tensile
strength, flexibility, high temperature stability, and provides an excellent
oxygen barrier.
[01741 PVB film may be prepared from a reaction of polyvinyl alcohol in
butanal. PVB
may be suitable for applications that require high strength, optical clarity,
flexibility and
toughness. PVB also has excellent film forming and adhesive properties.
[01751 PVA, PVB, and other suitable films may be extruded, cast from a
solution, spin
coated and then cured, or dip coated and then cured. Other manufacturing
methods known in
the art also may be used. There are several ways of integrating the dyes
needed to create the
desired spectral profile of the film. Exemplary dye-integration methods
include vapor
deposition, chemically cross linked within the film, dissolved within small
polymer micro-
37

WO 2010/111499 PCT/US2010/028680
spheres and then integrated within the film. Suitable dyes are commercially
available from
companies including Keystone, BPI & Phantom.
[0176] Most dyeing of spectacle lenses is done after the lens has been shipped
from the
manufacturer. Therefore, it may be desirable to incorporate a blue-absorbing
dye during the
manufacture of the lens itself. To do so, the filtering and color balancing
dyes may be
incorporated into a hard coating and/or an associated primer coating which
promotes
adhesion of the hard coating to the lens material. For example, a primer coat
and associated
hard coat are often added to the top of a spectacle lens or other ophthalmic
system at the end
of the manufacturing process to provide additional durability and scratch
resistance for the
final product. The hard coat typically is an outer-most layer of the system,
and may be
placed on the front, back, or both the front and back surfaces of the system.
[0177] FIG. 47 shows an exemplary system having a hard coating 4703 and its
associated
adhesion-promoting primer coat 4702. Exemplary hard coatings and adhesion
promoting
primer coating are available from manufacturers such as Tokuyama, UltraOptics,
SDC, PPG,
and LTI.
[0178] In systems according to the invention, both a blue blocking dye and a
color-
balancing dye may be included in the primer coating 1802. Both the blue
blocking and color
balancing dyes also may be included in the hard coating 1803. The dyes need
not be included
in the same coating layer. For example, a blue blocking dye may be included in
the hard
coating 1803, and a color balancing dye included in the primer coating 1802.
The color
balancing dye may be included in the hard coating 1803 and the blue blocking
dye in the
primer coating 1802.
[0179] Primer and hard coats according to the invention may be deposited using
methods
known in the art, including spin-coating, dip-coating, spray-coating,
evaporation, sputtering,
and chemical vapor deposition. The blue blocking and/or color balancing dyes
to be included
in each layer may be deposited at the same time as the layer, such as where a
dye is dissolved
in a liquid coating material and the resulting mixture applied to the system.
The dyes also .
may be deposited in a separate process or sub-process, such as where a dye is
sprayed onto a
surface before the coat is cured or dried or applied.
[0180] A hard coat and/or primer coat may perform functions and achieve
benefits
described herein with respect to a film. Specifically, the coat or coats may
selectively inhibit
blue light, while maintaining desirable photopic vision, scotopic vision,
circadian rhythms,
38

WO 2010/111499 PCT/US2010/028680
and phototoxicity levels. Hard coats and/or primer coats as described herein
also may be
used in an ophthalmic system incorporating a film as described herein, in any
and various
combinations. As a specific example, an ophthalmic system may include a film
that
selectively inhibits blue light and a hard coat that provides color
correction.
[0181] The selective filter of the present invention can also provide
increased contrast
sensitivity. Such a system functions to selectively filter harmful invisible
and visible light
while having minimal effect on photopic vision, scotopic vision, color vision,
and/or
circadian rhythms while maintaining acceptable or even improved contrast
sensitivity. The
invention can be formulated such that in certain embodiments the end residual
color of the
device to which the selective filter is applied is mostly colorless, and in
other embodiments
where a mostly clear residual color is not required the residual color can be
yellowish.
Preferably, the yellowness of the selective filter is unobjectionable to the
subjective
individual wearer. Yellowness can be measured quantitatively using a
yellowness index such
as ASTM E313-05. Preferably, the selective filter has a yellowness index that
is no more
than 50, 40, 35, 30, 25, 23, 20, 15, 10, 9, 7, or 5.
[0182] The invention could include selective light wavelength filtering
embodiments such
as: windows, automotive windshields, light bulbs, flash bulbs, fluorescent
lighting, LED
lighting, television, computer monitors, etc. Any light that impacts the
retina can be
selectively filtered by the invention. The invention can be enabled, by way of
example only, a
film comprising a selective filtering dye or pigment, a dye or pigment
component added after
a substrate is fabricated, a dye component that is integral with the
fabrication or formulation
of the substrate material, synthetic or non-synthetic pigment such as melanin,
lutein, or
zeaxanthin, selective filtering dye or pigment provided as a visibility tint
(having one or more
colors) as in a contact lens, selective filtering dye or pigment provided in
an ophthalmic
scratch resistant coating (hard coat), selective filtering dye or pigment
provided in an
ophthalmic anti-reflective coat, selective light wave length filtering dye or
pigment provided
in a hydrophobic coating, an interference filter, selective light wavelength
filter, selective
light wavelength filtering dye or pigment provided in a photochromic lens, or
selective light
wavelength filtering dye or pigment provided in a matrix of a light bulb or
tube. It should be
pointed out that the invention contemplates the selective light wavelength
filter selectively
filtering out one specific range of wavelengths, or multiple specific ranges
of wavelengths,
but never filtering out wavelengths evenly across the visible spectrum.
39

WO 2010/111499 PCT/US2010/028680
[0183] Those skilled in the art will know readily how to provide the selective
light
wavelength filter to the substrate material. By way of example only, the
selective filter can
be: imbibed, injected, impregnated, added to the raw materials of the
substrate, added to the
resin prior to polymerization, layered within in the optical lens by way of a
film comprising
the selective filter dye or pigments.
[0184] The invention may utilize a proper concentration of a dye and or
pigment such as,
by way of example only, perylene, porphyrin or their derivatives. Refer to
Figure 48 to
observe varying concentration of perylene and the functional ability to block
wavelengths of
light at around 430 nm. The transmission level can be controlled by dye
concentration.
Other dye chemistries allow adjustment of the absorption peak positions.
[0185] Perylene with appropriate concentration levels provides balance in
photopic,
scotopic, circadian, and phototoxicity ratios while maintaining a mostly
colorless appearance:
Table IV
Photopic Scotopic Phototoxicity Circadian
Ratio -V,, Ratio - V',, Ratio (B).) Ratio (M'x)
Reference (%) 0/0
Unfiltered 100 100 100 100
olycarbonate - undyed 88 87 86 74
raft 28 16 4 7
ainster 86 78 39 46
ainster (-20 nm shift) 86 83 63 56
4ainster (+20 nm shift) 84 68 15 32
0O dye (2x) 88 81 50 62
WOO dye (x) 88 84 64 63
HIPOO (x/2) 87 84 72 66
0O (x/4) 89 87 79 71
[0186] Increases in contrast sensitivity are observed with appropriate
concentration of
perylene. See Example 2, Table VI. It should be pointed out that the family of
perylene
based dyes or pigments are used, by way of example only, for enabling the
invention. When
such a dye is used, depending upon the embodiment or application, the dye may
be
formulated such that it is bonded molecularly or chemically to the substrate
or a coating that
is applied to the substrate such that the dye does not leach out. By way of
example only,

WO 2010/111499 PCT/US2010/028680
applications of this would be for use with contact lenses, IOLs, corneal in-
lays, corneal on-
lays, etc.
[0187] Selective filters can be combined to hinder other target wavelengths as
science
discovers other visible light wavelength hazards. For example, selective
filters can be
combined to hinder more than one target wavelength range as additional hazards
are
identified. In one embodiment, the system includes 1) a selective filter that
reduces the
hazard associated with the A2E chromophore and 2) one or more additional
filters that reduce
another identified hazard, e.g., a visible light wavelength hazard.
[0188] In one embodiment of the invention, a contact lens is comprised of a
perylene dye
formulated such that it will not leach out of the contact lens material. The
dye is further
formulated such that it provides a tint having a yellow cast. This yellow cast
allows for the
contact lens to have what is known as a handling tint for the wearer. The
perylene dye or
pigment further provides the selective filtering as shown by Figure 48. This
filtering
provides retinal protection and enhanced contrast sensitivity without
compromising in any
meaningful way one's photopic vision, scotopic vision, color vision, or
circadian rhythms.
[0189] In the case of the inventive embodiment of a contact lens the dye or
pigment can be
imparted into the contact lens by way of example only, by imbibing, so that it
is located
within a central 10 mm diameter or less circle of the contact lens, preferably
within 6 - 8 mm
diameter of the center of the contact lens coinciding with the pupil of the
wearer. In this
embodiment the dye or pigment concentration which provides selective light
wavelength
filtering is increased to a level that provides the wearer with an increase in
contrast sensitivity
(as opposed to without wearing the contact lens) and without compromising in
any
meaningful way (one or more, or all of) the wearer's photopic vision, scotopic
vision, color
vision, or circadian rhythms.
[0190] Preferably, an increase in contrast sensitivity is demonstrated by an
increase in the
user's Functional Acuity Contrast Test (FACT' sine-wave grating test) score of
at least
about 0.1, 0.25, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1, 1.25, 1.4, or 1.5. With respect to the
wearer's photopic
vision, scotopic vision, color vision, and/or circadian rhythms, the
ophthalmic system
preferably maintains one or all of these characteristics to within 15%, 10%,
5%, or 1% of the
characteristic levels without the ophthalmic system.
[0191] In another inventive embodiment that utilizes a contact lens the dye or
pigment is
provided that causes a yellowish tint that it is located over the central 5 -
7 mm diameter of
41

WO 2010/111499 PCT/US2010/028680
the contact lens and wherein a second color tint is added peripherally to that
of the central
tint. In this embodiment the dye concentration which provides selective light
wavelength
filtering is increased to a level that provides the wearer very good contrast
sensitivity and
once again without compromising in any meaningful way (one or more, or all of)
the wearer's
photopic vision, scotopic vision, color vision, or circadian rhythms.
[0192] In still another inventive embodiment that utilizes a contact lens the
dye or pigment
is provided such that it is located over the full diameter of the contact lens
from
approximately one edge to the other edge. In this embodiment the dye
concentration which
provides selective light wavelength filtering is increased to a level that
provides the wearer
very good contrast sensitivity and once again without compromising in any
meaningful way
(one or more, or all of) the wearer's photopic vision, scotopic vision, color
vision, or
circadian rhythms.
[0193] When various inventive embodiments are used in or on human or animal
tissue the
dye is formulated in such a way to chemically bond to the inlay substrate
material thus
ensuring it will not leach out in the surrounding corneal tissue. Methods for
providing a
chemical hook that allow for this bonding are well known within the chemical
and polymer
industries.
[0194] In still another inventive embodiment an intraocular lens includes a
selective light
wavelength filter that has a yellowish tint, and that further provides the
wearer improved
contrast sensitivity without compromising in any meaningful way (one or more,
or all of) the
wearer's photopic vision, scotopic vision, color vision, or circadian rhythms.
When the
selective filter is utilized on or within an intra-ocular lens it is possible
to increase the level of
the dye or pigment beyond that of a spectacle lens as the cosmetics of the
intra-ocular lens are
invisible to someone looking at the wearer. This allows for the ability to
increase the
concentration of the dye or pigment and provides even higher levels of
improved contrast
sensitivity without compromising in any meaningful way (one or more, or all
of) the wearer's
photopic vision, scotopic vision, color vision, or circadian rhythms.
[0195] In still another embodiment of the invention, a spectacle lens includes
a selective
light wave length filter comprising a dye having perylene wherein the dye's
formulation
provides a spectacle lens that has a mostly colorless appearance. And
furthermore that
provides the wearer with improved contrast sensitivity without compromising in
any
meaningful way (one or more, or all of) the wearer's photopic vision, scotopic
vision, color
42

WO 2010/111499 PCT/US2010/028680
vision, or circadian rhythms. In this particular embodiment of the invention,
the dye or
pigment is imparted within a film that is located within or on the surface of
the spectacle lens.
[0196] In one embodiment, the system includes both a blue-blocking component
and a
photochromic component. More particularly, the ophthalmic system can include a
blue-
blocking component that selectively filters a selected range of blue light
wavelengths
including a wavelength at about 430 nm, and a photochromic component that,
when
activated, filters visible light including wavelengths outside the selected
range of blue light
wavelengths.
[0197] The component descriptors "photochromic" and "blue-blocking" are not
necessarily
mutually exclusive. For example, the photochromic dye can, but does not
necessarily, block
at least some blue light wavelengths. Likewise, the blue-blocking component
can be
photochromic or non-photochromic. In one embodiment, the blue-blocking
component is
non-photochromic so as to provide continuous blue-blocking functionality,
i.e., blue-blocking
under all or substantially all lighting conditions. Even in embodiments where
the blue-
blocking component may be photochromic, it is still preferred that the blue-
blocking
component is continuously functional under all or substantially all lighting
conditions. Thus,
the blue-blocking component functions independently from the photochromic
component.
[0198] The photochromic blue-blocking system can be, for example, an
ophthalmic lens
(including prescription and non-prescription lenses), spectacle lens, contact
lens, intra-ocular
lens, comeal inlay, comeal onlay, corneal graft, electro-active lens,
windshield, or window.
[0199] The blue-blocking component can be any of the blue-blocking embodiment
described herein. Thus, in one embodiment, the blue-blocking component is at
least one of
perylene, porphyrin, coumarin, acridine, and derivatives thereof. In one
embodiment, the
blue-blocking component includes perylene or a derivative thereof. In another
embodiment,
the blue-blocking component includes porphyrin or a derivative thereof, such
as magnesium
tetramesitylporphyrin (MgTMP). The blue-blocking component can also include a
mixture
of dyes.
[0200] In one embodiment, the blue-blocking component selectively filters at
least 10%,
20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 99%, or about 100% of light in
the
selected range of blue light wavelengths. The selected range of blue light
wavelengths can
include a wavelengths at about 430 nm, e.g., 430 nm 10, 20, or 30 nm. In
another
43

WO 2010/111499 PCT/US2010/028680
embodiment, the selected range of blue light wavelengths includes wavelengths
from about
420 nm to about 440 nm, about 410 nm to about 450 nm, or about 400 nm to about
460 nm.
[02011 Photochromic lenses, such as those manufactured by Transitions Optical,
are well
known in the art. A photochromic component is activated by an activation
stimulus of light
having particular wavelengths. The activated photochromic component reduces
transmission
through the system. In other words, the activated photochromic component
darkens the
system. When the activation stimulus (e.g., the activating wavelengths) is
removed, the
photochromic component can return to the inactive state, which is
characterized by increased
transmission.
[02021 , In one embodiment, the average transmission across the visible
spectrum in the
activated system is at least 20% less than the average transmission across the
visible spectrum
in the inactive system. In other embodiments, activation reduces average
transmission across
the visible spectrum by at least about 10%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, or
70%.
[02031 In one embodiment, the photochromic component responds quickly to
variations in
external lighting conditions, typically the source of the activation stimulus.
Accordingly, in
one embodiment, upon subjecting the inactive photochromic component to the
activation
stimulus, the photochromic component will convert to the activated state in
less than 10, 7, 5,
4, 3, 2, or 1 minute. Similarly, in another embodiment, upon removal of the
activation
stimulus, the activated photochromic component will convert to the inactive
state in less than
10, 7, 5, 4, 3, 2, or 1 minute.
[02041 Exemplary photochromic dyes include, but are not limited to:
triarylmethanes,
stilbenes, azastilbenes, nitrones, fulgides, spiropyrans, naphthopyrans, spiro-
oxazines, and
quinones.
[02051 The selection of the photochromic component may depend, in part, on the
desired
activation stimulus. In one embodiment, the photochromic component is
activated by at least
one of UVB, UVA, blue light, visible light, and infrared wavelengths. In
another
embodiment, the photochromic component is activated by UVB, UVA, or infrared
wavelengths. By selecting UVB or UVA wavelengths as the activation stimulus,
the
photochromic component will advantageously be activated outdoors and
inactivated indoors.
Although the activation stimulus may be blue light or other visible
wavelengths, these
embodiments may darken in indoor settings, which may be undesirable for some
applications.
Alternatively, if the blue-blocking component is also photochromic, it may be
desirable to
44

WO 2010/111499 PCT/US2010/028680
have an activation stimulus that could maintain activation of this component,
and thus retinal
protection, indoors and out.
[0206] In yet another embodiment, the photochromic component is activated by
light
having a wavelength of about 380 nm to about 410 nm. As described in US
7,166,357, this
activation stimulus allows the photochromic component to be activated behind a
UV filter,
such as an automobile windshield. This advantageously provides ophthalmic
lenses that can
maintain photo-responsiveness while worn by a user inside a car.
[0207] The system can further include a UV filter, such as a UVA and/or UVB
filter. In
one embodiment, the UV filter does not prevent the activation of any
photochromic
component. This can be achieved, for example, by positioning the UV filter
behind
(posterior to) the photochromic component such that the UV light is incident
upon the
photochromic component first, but is then filtered by the UV filter before
reaching the
wearer. In another example, the UV filter does not filter wavelengths that
activate the
photochromic component, or at least does not filter them to a degree that
prevents activation.
[0208] By including both a photochromic component and a blue-blocking
component, the
system ideally provides retinal protection of blue light wavelengths at all
times, while also
adjusting transmission of visible light according to external lighting
conditions.
[0209] In one embodiment, the average transmission of the selected range of
blue light
wavelengths in the activated system is less than the average transmission of
the selected
range of blue light wavelengths in the inactive system. Without being bound by
theory, it is
believed that the average transmission of the selected range of blue light
wavelengths
decreases when the system is activated because both the blue-blocking
component and the
photochromic component filter the selected range of blue light wavelengths
creating an
additive effect. This embodiment features enhanced retinal protection,
particularly in the
activated state. Bright light conditions may dilate the pupil, increasing the
opportunity for
retinal damage. With this embodiment, the bright light conditions may also
activate the
system to provide increased blue light protection, thus protecting the wearer
from increased
exposure.
[0210] Other environmental conditions, such as temperature variations,
particularly colder
temperatures, may weaken a photochromic lens's ability to filter blue light
wavelengths.
Thus, a photochromic system also including a blue-blocking component may
compensate for
the diminishment in retinal protection under certain environmental conditions.

WO 2010/111499 PCT/US2010/028680
[0211] In another embodiment, the average transmission of the selected range
of blue light
wavelengths in the activated system is substantially the same as the average
transmission of
the selected range of blue light wavelengths in the same system in the
inactive state. In one
embodiment, the average transmission of the selected range of blue light
wavelengths in the
activated system is within 50%,40%,30%,25%,20%,15%,10%, 5%, 3%, or 1% of the
average transmission of the selected range of blue light wavelengths in the
inactive system.
In yet another embodiment, the average transmission of the selected range of
blue light
wavelengths in the activated system is within 50%, 40%, 30%, 25%, 20%, 15%,
10%, 5%,
3%, or I% of the average transmission across the visible spectrum in the
activated system,
such that the activated system provides substantially uniform filtering across
the visible
spectrum. Without being bound be theory, it is believed that the color balance
(e.g., CIE of
white light transmission and/or Yellowness Index) of a photochromic lens may
be
significantly disturbed by filtering additional blue wavelengths. By
maintaining the average
transmission of the selected range of blue light wavelengths substantially
constant, it is
believed that color balance can be substantially maintained. This embodiment
features
enhanced color balance, while still providing retinal protection regardless of
external lighting
conditions.
[0212] In one embodiment, to provide a photochromic blue-blocking system
having
excellent color balance, a photochromic component and a blue-blocking
component are
selected to achieve an essentially non-additive effect over the selected range
of blue light
wavelengths. This can be achieved by, for example, selecting a photochromic
component
that, when activated, primarily filters wavelengths outside the selected range
of blue light
wavelengths. In this way, the activated photochromic component does not
significantly
impact the average transmission of the selected range of blue light
wavelengths. Exemplary
photochromic dyes suitable for this purpose include those that, when
activated, block
wavelengths greater than about 400 nm, 410 run, 420 nm, 430 nm, 440 nm, 450
nm, or 460
nm. In another embodiment, the photochromic dye selectively blocks wavelengths
greater
than about 430 nm, 440 nm, 450 nm, or 460 nm.
[0213] The photochromic blue-blocking system can also be used to achieve the
beneficial
characteristics described above herein including contrast sensitivity, color
balance, color
vision, photopic vision, scotopic vision, and circadian rhythms. Accordingly,
in one
embodiment, the photochromic blue-blocking system increases contrast
sensitivity by at least
about 0.1, 0.25, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1, 1.25, 1.4, or 1.5 points on the Functional
Acuity Contrast Test
46

WO 2010/111499 PCT/US2010/028680
(FACTIM sine-wave grating test). In another embodiment, the photochromic blue-
blocking
system has a yellowness index of no more than 50, 40, 35, 30, 25, 23, 20, 15,
10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5,
4, 3, 2, or 1. In yet another embodiment, the photochromic blue-blocking
system has a CIE
of (0.33 0.05, 0.33 0.05) or (0.33 0.02, 0.33 0.02) when transmitted through
the inactive
system, the activated system, or both the inactive and activated system.
[0214] The blue-blocking component and the photochromic component can be
prepared
according to any method known in the art including, e.g., coating or
impregnating a dye into
a polymer substrate. Each of the blue-blocking component and the photochromic
component
can be independently present throughout the system or localized in the system,
e.g., in an
annular or peripheral portion. Each component can be present as an independent
layer. The
blue-blocking component can be in physical contact with or isolated from the
photochromic
layer (e.g., by a barrier layer or other intervening ophthalmic component).
The blue-blocking
component can be posterior to the photochromic component, or vice versa. In
another
embodiment, the blue-blocking component and the photochromic component are
intermixed
and incorporated into a single substrate or coating.
[0215] The blue-blocking component can be present at a concentration of about
1 ppm to
about 50 ppm, about 1 ppm to about 20 ppm, about 1 ppm to about 10 ppm, about
1 ppm to
about 5 ppm, about 2 ppm to about 10 ppm, or at a concentration of about 1
ppm, 2 ppm, 3
ppm, 4 ppm, 5 ppm, 6 ppm, 7 ppm, 8 ppm, 9 ppm, 10 ppm, 12 ppm, 15 ppm, 17 ppm,
20
ppm, 25 ppm, 30 ppm, 35 ppm, or 50 ppm. These concentrations are particularly
effective
for perylene and derivatives thereof, but appropriate concentrations can be
adapted for
different blue-blocking dyes by one or ordinary skill in the art.
[0216] The disclosures of all references and publications cited above are
expressly
incorporated by reference in their entireties to the same extent as if each
were incorporated by
reference individually.
[0217] As would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, various
modifications
and variations would be apparent from this disclosure and are intended to be
within the scope
and spirit of the appended claims. Certain embodiments are further described
by the
following non-limiting examples:
EXAMPLES
[0218] Example 1: A polycarbonate lens having an integral film with varying
concentrations of blue-blocking dye was fabricated and the transmission
spectrum of each
47

WO 2010/111499 PCT/US2010/028680
lens was measured as shown in FIG. 45. Perylene concentrations of 35, 15, 7.6,
and 3.8 ppm
(weight basis) at a lens thickness of 2.2 mm were used. Various metrics
calculated for each
lens are shown in Table IV, with references corresponding to the reference
numerals in FIG.
45. Since the selective absorbance of light depends primarily on the product
of the dye
concentration and coating thickness according to Beer's law, it is believed
that comparable
results are achievable using a hard coat and/or primer coat in conjunction
with or instead of a
film.
Table V
Lens Ref. Photopic Scotopic Circadian Phototoxicity
Ratio (Vx) Ratio (V'3.) Ratio (M',,) Ratio (Bx)
Unfiltered light 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
(no lens)
Polycarbonate Lens 4510 87.5% 87.1% 74.2% 85.5%
(no dye)
3.8 ppm (2.2 mm) 4520 88.6% 86.9% 71.0% 78.8%
7.6 ppm (2.2 mm) 4530 87.0% 84.1% 65.9% 71.1%
ppm (2.2 mm) 4540 88.3% 83.8% 63.3% 63.5%
35 ppm (2.2 mm) 4550 87.7% 80.9% 61.5% 50.2%
[02191 With the exception of the 35 ppm dyed lens, all the lenses described in
Table IV and
FIG. 45 include a UV dye typically used in ophthalmic lens systems to inhibit
UV
wavelengths below 380 nm. The photopic ratio describes normal vision, and is
calculated as
the integral of the filter transmission spectrum and V?. (photopic visual
sensitivity) divided by
the integral of unfiltered light and this same sensitivity curve. The scotopic
ratio describes
vision in dim lighting conditions, and is calculated as the integral of the
filter transmission
spectrum and V'?. (scotopic visual sensitivity) divided by the integral of
unfiltered light and
this same sensitivity curve. The circadian ratio describes the effect of light
on circadian
rhythms, and is calculated as the integral of the filter transmission spectrum
and M'a.
(melatonin suppression sensitivity) divided by the integral of unfiltered
light and this same
sensitivity curve. The phototoxicity ratio describes damage to the eye caused
by exposure to
high-energy light, and is calculated as the integral of the filter
transmission and the B?,
(phakic UV-blue phototoxicity) divided by the integral of unfiltered light and
this same
sensitivity curve. Response functions used to calculate these values
correspond to those
disclosed in Mainster and Sparrow, "How Much Blue Light Should an IOL
Transmit?" Br. J.
Ophthalmol., 2003, v. 87, pp. 1523-29, Mainster, "Intraocular Lenses Should
Block UV
Radiation and Violet but not Blue Light," Arch. Ophthal., v. 123, p. 550
(2005), and
48

WO 2010/111499 PCT/US2010/028680
Mainster, "Violet and Blue Light Blocking Intraocular Lenses: Photoprotection
vs.
Photoreception", Br. J. Ophthalmol, 2006, v. 90, pp. 784 -92. For some
applications, a
different phototoxicity curve is appropriate but the methodology for
calculation is the same.
For example, for intraocular lens (IOL) applications, the aphakic
phototoxicity curve should
be used. Moreover, new phototoxicity curves may be applicable as the
understanding of the
phototoxic light mechanisms improves.
[0220] As shown by the exemplary data described above, a system according to
the present
invention may selectively inhibit blue light, specifically light in the 400 nm
- 460 nm region,
while still providing a photopic luminous transmission of at least about 85%
and a
phototoxicity ration of less than about 80%, more preferably less than about
70%, more
preferably less than about 60%, and more preferably less than about 50%. As
previously
described, a photopic luminous transmission of up to 95% or more also may be
achievable
using the techniques described herein.
[0221] The principles described herein may be applied to varied illuminants,
filters, and
skin tones, with the objective of filtering some portion of phototoxic blue
light while
reducing pupil dilation, scotopic sensitivity, color distortion through the
ophthalmic device,
and cosmetic color of an external ophthalmic device from the perspective of an
observer that
views the person wearing the device on their face.
[0222] Several embodiments of the invention are specifically illustrated
and/or described
herein. However, it will be appreciated that modifications and variations of
the invention are
covered by the above teachings and within the purview of the appended claims
without
departing from the spirit and intended scope of the invention. For examples,
although the
methods and systems described herein have been described using examples of
specific dyes,
dielectric optical filters, skin tones, and illuminants, it will be understood
that alternative
dyes, filters, skin colors, and illuminants may be used. Also, the terms "a"
or "an" as used in
herein means one or more, unless specifically designated as singular.
[0223] Example 2: Nine patients were tested for contrast sensitivity using dye
concentrations of 1X and 2X against a clear filter as a control. 7 of the 9
patients showed
overall improved contrast sensitivity according to the Functional Acuity
Contrast Test
(FACTTM sine-wave grating test). See Table VI:
49

WO 2010/111499 PCT/US2010/028680
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Representative Drawing
A single figure which represents the drawing illustrating the invention.
Administrative Status

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Event History

Description Date
Inactive: Dead - No reply to s.30(2) Rules requisition 2017-06-06
Application Not Reinstated by Deadline 2017-06-06
Deemed Abandoned - Failure to Respond to Maintenance Fee Notice 2017-03-27
Inactive: Abandoned - No reply to s.30(2) Rules requisition 2016-06-06
Inactive: S.30(2) Rules - Examiner requisition 2015-12-04
Inactive: Report - No QC 2015-11-30
Letter Sent 2014-12-22
All Requirements for Examination Determined Compliant 2014-12-12
Request for Examination Requirements Determined Compliant 2014-12-12
Request for Examination Received 2014-12-12
Inactive: Declaration of entitlement - PCT 2012-01-06
Inactive: Cover page published 2011-11-24
Inactive: IPC removed 2011-11-16
Inactive: Notice - National entry - No RFE 2011-11-14
Inactive: IPC assigned 2011-11-14
Inactive: IPC assigned 2011-11-14
Application Received - PCT 2011-11-14
Inactive: First IPC assigned 2011-11-14
Inactive: Request under s.37 Rules - PCT 2011-11-14
National Entry Requirements Determined Compliant 2011-09-23
Small Entity Declaration Determined Compliant 2011-09-23
Application Published (Open to Public Inspection) 2010-09-30

Abandonment History

Abandonment Date Reason Reinstatement Date
2017-03-27

Maintenance Fee

The last payment was received on 2016-01-26

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Please refer to the CIPO Patent Fees web page to see all current fee amounts.

Fee History

Fee Type Anniversary Year Due Date Paid Date
Basic national fee - small 2011-09-23
MF (application, 2nd anniv.) - small 02 2012-03-26 2012-03-23
MF (application, 3rd anniv.) - small 03 2013-03-25 2013-03-05
MF (application, 4th anniv.) - small 04 2014-03-25 2014-03-07
Request for examination - small 2014-12-12
MF (application, 5th anniv.) - small 05 2015-03-25 2015-01-26
MF (application, 6th anniv.) - small 06 2016-03-29 2016-01-26
Owners on Record

Note: Records showing the ownership history in alphabetical order.

Current Owners on Record
HIGH PERFORMANCE OPTICS, INC.
Past Owners on Record
ANDREW W. ISHAK
DWIGHT P. DUSTON
JOSHUA N. HADDOCK
MICHAEL B. PACKARD
RONALD D. BLUM
SEAN P. MCGINNIS
VENKATRAMANI S. IYER
WILLIAM KOKONASKI
Past Owners that do not appear in the "Owners on Record" listing will appear in other documentation within the application.
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Document
Description 
Date
(yyyy-mm-dd) 
Number of pages   Size of Image (KB) 
Description 2011-09-22 50 2,706
Drawings 2011-09-22 37 803
Representative drawing 2011-09-22 1 19
Claims 2011-09-22 4 132
Abstract 2011-09-22 2 71
Notice of National Entry 2011-11-13 1 194
Reminder of maintenance fee due 2011-11-27 1 112
Reminder - Request for Examination 2014-11-25 1 117
Acknowledgement of Request for Examination 2014-12-21 1 176
Courtesy - Abandonment Letter (R30(2)) 2016-07-17 1 163
Courtesy - Abandonment Letter (Maintenance Fee) 2017-05-07 1 172
PCT 2011-09-22 7 404
Correspondence 2011-11-13 1 20
Correspondence 2012-01-05 2 74
Examiner Requisition 2015-12-03 3 224