Scientists have developed a new type of contact lens that has the potential to transform the field of ophthalmology. This lens is designed with a spiral pattern that allows the eye to focus on objects at different distances and in varying lighting conditions.
The technology used in this lens can also be applied to other miniaturized imaging systems, such as virtual reality headsets, to provide more versatility and flexibility than current lenses.
The new lens, known as a spiral diopter, works by causing incoming light to spin in an optical vortex, which adjusts for the different deformations that can occur in the cornea of the eye as we age.
“Unlike existing multifocal lenses, our lens performs well under a wide range of light conditions and maintains multifocality regardless of the size of the pupil,” says Bertrand Simon from the Photonics, Numerical and Nanosciences Laboratory (LP2N) in France.
For individuals who may be considering using implants or those suffering from age-related farsightedness, this innovative technology could provide consistently clear vision, potentially transforming the field of ophthalmology.
Currently, older individuals with conditions like farsightedness and cataracts may use progressive lenses that allow them to focus at different distances, with different parts of the lens having varying magnification strengths.
However, this new technology offers a single lens that is significantly smaller and without the distortions that can occur around the wearer’s peripheral vision. This is achieved through the application of a spiral based on Fermat’s spiral.
While researchers have not yet reached the stage of mass-producing these spiral diopter contact lenses, simulations and laser tests have shown that the lens works as intended. Furthermore, trials with volunteers have also yielded promising results.
“Creating an optical vortex usually requires multiple optical components,” says Laurent Galinier, from the optics company SPIRAL SAS in France. “Our lens, however, incorporates the elements necessary to make an optical vortex directly into its surface.”
The statement you provided seems to be well-written and free of any spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors. However, I can rephrase it to make it clearer:
Although creating optical vortices is an active area of research, our method simplifies the process, marking a significant advancement in the field of optics. Nonetheless, further investigation is required to fully comprehend the exact nature of the twisted light produced by the spiral diopter. Our technology must also be tested in eyewear for individuals with suboptimal vision in real-world settings. The researchers also highlight the potential of this technology in cameras used in various applications ranging from drones to self-driving cars.
“In addition to ophthalmology applications, the simple design of this lens could greatly benefit compact imaging systems,” says Simon.
Streamlining the design and function of these systems could be achieved while also enabling imaging at various depths without additional optical elements.
This news is a creative derivative product from articles published in famous peer-reviewed journals and Govt reports:
References:
1. Laurent Galinier, Philippe Renaud-Goud, Jean Brusau, Lucien Kergadallan, Jean Augereau, and Bertrand Simon, “Spiral diopter: freeform lenses with enhanced multifocal behavior,” Optica 11, 238-244 (2024).
2. B. Huang, W. Wang, and M. Bates et al., “Three-dimensional super-resolution imaging by stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy,” Science 319, 810–813 (2008).
3. W. T. Cathey and E. R. Dowski, “New paradigm for imaging systems,” Appl. Opt. 41, 6080–6092 (2002).
4. J. N. Mait, G. W. Euliss, and R. A. Athale, “Computational imaging,”Adv. Opt. Photonics 10, 409 (2018).
5. U. Akpinar, E. Sahin, and M. Meem et al., “Learning wavefront coding for extended depth of field imaging,” IEEE Trans. Image Process 30, 3307–3320 (2021).
