70‐2: Invited Paper: Developments in Electroactive Lens Technology for Vision Correction

Abstract

Liquid crystal lenses are of great interest for a variety of applications, from augmented reality, to electronic contact lenses and intraocular lenses, to correcting visual deteriorations of astronauts. eVision Smart Optics is currently developing a next generation of contact lenses, IOLs and spectacle lenses for vision correction, which promise to significantly improve the treatment of presbyopia, the age-related deterioration of the eye. This includes a contact lens device which switches focus in less than 100 milliseconds and can provide 3 Diopters or more of optical power, and a large area 30 mm diameter liquid crystal lens for spectacle lens implementation, each with unique challenges and design considerations.

53.1:Invited Paper:Opportunities and Hurdles for AR and VR Technology

“…Light guides using polarization-dependent metagratings could revolutionize see-through imaging systems for AR and MR [11]. Recent improvements in adaptive optics for NTE, contact lenses, and other applications [12,13] have the potential to enable future NTE optics that could provide over 4 diopters of dynamic vision correction along with astigmatism correction, vergence, and other adjustments, eliminating prescription inserts or eyeglasses. Metaoptics with adaptive optics and nonlinear displays could allow almost anyone to put on NTE AR/MR glasses and immediately see the data, virtual images, and even real-world images better.…”

Infrared triggered smart contact lens for the treatment of presbyopia

“…Nematic liquid crystals (LCs) allow the refractive index of the lens material to be changed with only a few volts and minimal current. Several implementations have previously been proposed [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24], and the work described here is based on the approach taken in previous research using a spherical LC lens shaped cavity [12-14, 16, 21-24]. Automatic triggering mechanisms (not yet tested) could enable these types of smart lenses to treat presbyopia seamlessly.…”

“…Intermediate focal powers are possible by applying a controlled voltage so the refractive index is between n o and n e (discussed in the section 2). The total focusing power of the device is increased when the observed refractive index of the LC layer is reduced (n e → n o ), as the positive focal power of the non-LC lens layers is unchanged (P Total = P Lens1 + P LC + P Lens2 ) [15]. Different LC alignment modes and electrode materials have already been tested in previous research [12-14, 16, 21-24].…”