TWI871281B - Lens element - Google Patents

Abstract

A lens element intended to be worn in front of an eye of a wearer comprising: - a refraction area having a refractive power based on a prescription for said eye of the wearer; and - a plurality of at least two contiguous optical elements, at least one optical element having an optical function of not focusing an image on the retina of the eye of the wearer so as to slow down the progression of the abnormal refraction of the eye.

Description

Lens components

The present invention relates to a lens element which is intended to be worn in front of a person's eye to inhibit or reduce the development of refractive errors of the eye, such as myopia or hyperopia.

Myopia of the eye is characterized by the eye focusing distant objects in front of its retina. Myopia is usually corrected using concave lenses, and hyperopia is usually corrected using convex lenses.

It has been observed that some individuals, especially children, have inaccurate focusing when viewing objects at a close distance (i.e., under near vision conditions) when corrected with conventional single vision optical lenses. Because of this focusing defect in a portion of myopic children who are corrected for distance vision, images of nearby objects are formed behind their retina (even in the fovea).

This focusing defect may have an impact on the development of myopia in such individuals. It can be observed that for most of these individuals, the myopia defect tends to worsen over time.

Foveal vision corresponds to the perception that the image of the viewed object is formed by the eye in a central area of the retina called the fovea.

Peripheral vision corresponds to the perception of scene elements that are offset laterally with respect to the viewed objects, the images of which are formed on the peripheral parts of the retina, away from the fovea.

The ophthalmic correction provided to a subject with refractive error is usually appropriate for his foveal vision. However, it is well known that the correction for peripheral vision must be reduced relative to the correction determined for foveal vision. In particular, studies conducted in monkeys have shown that significant defocus behind the retina occurring far from the foveal region may lead to elongation of the eye and therefore may result in an increase in myopic defects.

Therefore, there seems to be a need for a lens element that can inhibit or at least slow down the development of refractive errors of the eye, such as myopia or hyperopia.

To this end, the invention proposes a lens element intended to be worn in front of the wearer's eye, the lens element comprising: - a refractive zone having a refractive power based on the prescription of the wearer's eye; - a plurality of at least two consecutive optical elements, at least one of which has the optical function of not focusing an image on the retina of the wearer's eye, in order to slow down the development of the refractive error of the eye.

Advantageously, having an optical element configured not to focus an image on the wearer's retina reduces the eye's natural tendency for the retina to deform, in particular to elongate. Thus, the development of refractive errors in the eye is slowed.

Furthermore, having continuous optical elements helps to improve the aesthetics of the lens element, in particular by limiting the extent of discontinuities on the lens element surface.

Having continuous optical elements also makes it easier to manufacture lens elements.

According to other embodiments that can be considered individually or in combination: - at least the two consecutive optical elements are independent; and/or - the optical elements have an outer shape that can be inscribed in a circle with a diameter greater than or equal to 0.8 mm and less than or equal to 3.0 mm; and/or - the optical elements are positioned on a network; and/or - the network is a structured network; and/or - the optical elements are positioned along a plurality of concentric rings; and/or - the lens element further comprises at least four optical elements, which are organized into at least two groups of consecutive optical elements; and/or - Each group of consecutive optical elements is organized into at least two concentric rings having the same center, the concentric rings of each group of consecutive optical elements being defined by an inner diameter corresponding to the smallest circle tangent to at least one of the optical elements in the group and an outer diameter corresponding to the largest circle tangent to at least one of the optical elements in the group; and/or - at least a portion, for example all, of the concentric rings of the optical elements are centered on the optical center of the surface of the lens element on which the optical element is arranged; and/or - the diameter of the concentric rings of the optical elements is between 9.0 mm and 60 mm; and/or - The distance between two consecutive concentric rings of the optical element is greater than or equal to 5.0 mm, and the distance between the two consecutive concentric rings is defined by the difference between the inner diameter of the first concentric ring and the outer diameter of the second concentric ring, the second concentric ring being closer to the periphery of the lens element; and/or - the optical element further comprises an optical element radially positioned between the two concentric rings; and/or - the structured network is a square network or a hexagonal network or a triangular network or an octagonal network; and/or - the network structure is a random network, such as a Voronoid network; and/or - at least a portion, such as all of the optical elements have a constant optical power and a discontinuous first-order derivative between two consecutive optical elements; and/or - At least some, for example all, of the optical elements have a variable optical power and a continuous first-order derivative between two consecutive optical elements; and/or - At least one, for example all, of the optical elements has an optical function of focusing an image on a position outside the retina under standard wearing conditions and for peripheral vision; and/or - At least one optical element has an aspherical focusing optical function under standard wearing conditions and for peripheral vision; and/or - At least one of the optical elements has a cylindrical power and is a complex refractive microlens; and/or - The optical elements are configured so that along at least one segment of the lens, the average sphere of the optical element increases from a point of the segment toward a peripheral portion of the segment; and/or - The optical elements are configured such that along at least one section of the lens, the cylinder of the optical element increases from a point of the section towards a peripheral portion of the section; and/or - The optical elements are configured such that along at least one section of the lens, the average sphere and/or cylinder of the optical element increases from the center of the section towards a peripheral portion of the section; and/or - The refractive zone includes an optical center, and the optical elements are configured such that along any section passing through the optical center of the lens, the average sphere and/or cylinder of the optical elements increases from the optical center towards a peripheral portion of the lens; and/or - The refractive zone includes a distance reference point, a near reference point, and a meridian connecting the distance reference points and the near reference points, and the optical elements are configured so that along any horizontal segment of the lens under standard wearing conditions, the average sphere and/or cylinder of the optical elements increases from the intersection of the horizontal segment and the meridian toward the peripheral portion of the lens; and/or - the average sphere and/or cylinder increase function along the segments is different depending on the position of the segment along the meridian; and/or - the average sphere and/or cylinder increase function along the segments is asymmetric; and/or - the optical elements are configured so that under standard wearing conditions, at least one segment is a horizontal segment; and/or - The average sphere and/or cylinder of the optical element increases from a first point of the segment toward the peripheral portion of the segment and decreases from a second point of the segment toward the peripheral portion of the segment, the second point being closer to the peripheral portion of the segment than the first point; and/or - the average sphere and/or cylinder increase function along the at least one segment is a Gaussian function; and/or - the average sphere and/or cylinder increase function along the at least one segment is a quadratic function; and/or - the optical elements are configured so that the average focus of light passing through each optical element is the same distance from the retina; and/or - the refractive zone is formed as an area other than the area formed as the plurality of optical elements; and/or - for the radius contained between 2 mm and 4 Each circular zone between 100 mm and 100 mm includes a geometric center located at a distance greater than or equal to said radius + 5 mm from a reference system facing the pupil of a user looking straight ahead under standard wearing conditions, and the ratio between the sum of the areas of the optical element parts located in said circular zone and the area of said circular zone is between 20% and 70%; and/or - wherein at least a part, for example all, of said optical elements are located on the front surface of the ophthalmic lens; and/or - at least a part, for example all, of said optical elements are located on the back surface of the ophthalmic lens; and/or - at least a part, for example all, of said optical elements are located between the front surface and the back surface of the ophthalmic lens; and/or - at least one of said optical elements is a multifocal refractive microlens; and/or - The at least one multifocal refractive microlens comprises cylindrical power; and/or - the at least one multifocal refractive microlens comprises an aspheric surface, with or without any rotational symmetry; and/or - at least one of the optical elements is a complex refractive microlens; and/or - the at least one multifocal refractive microlens comprises a complex surface; and/or - at least one of the optical elements is made of a birefringent material; and/or - at least one of the optical elements is a diffractive lens; and/or - the at least one diffractive lens comprises a metasurface structure; and/or - the shape of at least one optical element is configured to form a focal point in front of the retina of the human eye; and/or - at least one optical element is a multifocal binary component; and/or - At least one optical element is a patterned lens; and/or - at least one optical element is a π-Fresnel lens; and/or - at least a portion, such as all, of the optical functions include higher-order optical aberrations; and/or - the lens element comprises an ophthalmic lens carrying a refractive zone and a clip carrying the following optical element, the optical element being adapted to be removably attached to the ophthalmic lens when the lens element is worn; and/or - the refractive zone is further configured to provide the wearer with a second optical power different from the first optical power under standard wearing conditions and for foveal vision; and/or - the difference between the first optical power and the second optical power is greater than or equal to 0.5 D; and/or - At least one, for example at least 70%, for example all of the optical elements are active optical elements that can be activated by the optical lens controller; and/or - the active optical element comprises a material having a variable refractive index, the value of which is controlled by the optical lens controller.

The invention relates to a lens element which is intended to be worn in front of an eye of a wearer.

In the remainder of this specification, terms such as "upper", "bottom", "horizontal", "vertical", "above", "below", "front", "back", etc., or other words indicating relative positions may be used. These terms are to be understood in the wearing condition of the lens element.

In the context of the present invention, the term "lens element" may refer to an uncut optical lens or an ophthalmic lens that is edged to fit a particular eyeglass frame, as well as an optical device adapted to be positioned on an ophthalmic lens. The optical device may be positioned on the front surface or the back surface of the ophthalmic lens. The optical device may be an optical patch. The optical device may be adapted to be removably positioned on the ophthalmic lens, such as a clip that is configured to be clipped onto an eyeglass frame that includes the ophthalmic lens.

The lens element 10 according to the invention is adapted to a wearer and is intended to be worn in front of the eye of said wearer.

As shown in FIG. 1 , a lens element 10 according to the present invention comprises: - a refractive zone 12, and - a plurality of continuous optical elements 14.

The refractive zone 12 is configured to provide a first optical power to the wearer under standard wearing conditions, particularly for foveal vision, based on the wearer's prescription for correcting ametropia of the eye of the wearer.

The wearing condition is understood to be the position of the lens element relative to the wearer's eye, as defined by the angle of inclination, cornea-to-lens distance, pupil-to-cornea distance, center of rotation of the eye (CRE)-to-pupil distance, CRE-to-lens distance, and wrap angle.

The cornea-to-lens distance is the distance between the cornea and the posterior surface of the lens along the visual axis of the eye in position prima (usually considered to be horizontal), for example equal to 12 mm.

The pupil-corneal distance is the distance between the pupil and the cornea along the visual axis of the eye and is usually equal to 2 mm.

The CRE-to-pupillary distance is the distance along the visual axis of the eye between its center of rotation (CRE) and the cornea, for example equal to 11.5 mm.

The CRE-to-lens distance is the distance between the CRE of the eye and the posterior surface of the lens along the visual axis of the eye in position prima (usually considered to be horizontal), for example equal to 25.5 mm.

The anterior tilt angle is the angle in the vertical plane between the normal to the back surface of the lens and the visual axis of the eye in primary position (usually considered to be horizontal) at the intersection between the back surface of the lens and the visual axis of the eye in primary position, for example -8°.

The wrap angle is the angle on the horizontal plane between the normal to the back surface of the lens and the visual axis of the eye in primary position (usually considered to be horizontal) at the intersection between the back surface of the lens and the visual axis of the eye in primary position, e.g. 0°.

An example of a standard wearer condition may be defined by an anterior tilt angle of -8°, a cornea-to-lens distance of 12 mm, a pupil-cornea distance of 2 mm, a CRE-to-pupil distance of 11.5 mm, a CRE-to-lens distance of 25.5 mm, and a wrap angle of 0°.

The term "prescription" should be understood to mean a set of optical properties of power, astigmatism, prismatic deviation, which are determined by an ophthalmologist or optometrist in order to correct the visual defect of the eye, for example with the aid of a lens positioned in front of the eye of the wearer. For example, a prescription for myopia includes a power value and an astigmatism value with an axis for far vision.

Although the present invention does not involve a gradient lens, the terms used in this specification for a gradient lens are shown in Figures 1 to 10 of WO 2016/146590. A skilled person may adapt these definitions for a single vision lens.

A gradient lens includes at least one but preferably two non-rotationally symmetric aspheric surfaces, such as but not limited to a gradient surface, a recursive surface, a toric surface, or a non-toric surface.

It is known that the minimum curvature CURVmin at any point on an aspherical surface is defined by the following formula: where Rmax is the local maximum radius of curvature expressed in meters, and CURVmin is expressed in diopters.

Similarly, the maximum curvature CURVmax at any point on an aspherical surface can be defined by the following formula: where Rmin is the local minimum radius of curvature expressed in meters, and CURVmax is expressed in diopters.

It can be noted that when the surface is locally spherical, the local minimum radius of curvature Rmin and the local maximum radius of curvature Rmax are the same, and correspondingly, the minimum and maximum curvatures CURVmin and CURVmax are also the same. When the surface is aspherical, the local minimum radius of curvature Rmin and the local maximum radius of curvature Rmax are different.

From these equations for the minimum curvature CURVmin and the maximum curvature CURVmax, the minimum and maximum spherical mirrors, denoted SPHmin and SPHmax, can be inferred depending on the type of surface under consideration.

When the surface under consideration is the side surface of an object (also called the front surface), the expressions are as follows: ,as well as Here, n is the refractive index of the lens's constituent material.

If the surface under consideration is the lateral surface of the eyeball (also called the posterior surface), the equations are as follows: as well as Here, n is the refractive index of the lens's constituent material.

As is well known, the average spherical lens SPHmean at any point on the aspherical surface can also be defined by the following formula:

Therefore, the equation for the mean sphere depends on the surface considered:

If the surface is a side surface of an object, then

If the surface is the lateral surface of the eyeball, then Also through the formula Define cylinder CYL.

The properties of any aspheric surface of a lens can be characterized by means of the local average sphere and cylinder. When the cylinder is at least 0.25 diopters, the surface can be considered to be locally aspheric.

For aspheric surfaces, the local cylindrical axis γAX can be further defined. Figure 7a shows the astigmatism axis γ defined in the TABO convention, while Figure 7b shows the cylindrical axis γAX in the convention defined to characterize an aspheric surface.

The cylinder axis γAX is the angle of the orientation of the maximum curvature CURVmax relative to the reference axis and in the selected rotational direction. In the above defined example, the reference axis is horizontal (the angle of the reference axis is 0°) and the rotational direction is counterclockwise for each eye when looking at the wearer (0° ≤ γAX ≤ 180°). Therefore, an axis value of +45° for the cylinder axis γAX represents an axis oriented obliquely, extending from the upper right quadrant to the lower left quadrant when looking at the wearer.

Furthermore, a graduated multifocal lens can also be defined by optical properties that take into account the conditions of the person wearing the lens.

Figures 8 and 9 are diagrammatic representations of the optical system of the eye and the lens, thus illustrating the definitions used in this specification. More precisely, Figure 8 represents a perspective view of such a system, illustrating the parameters α and β used to define the gaze direction. Figure 9 is a view of a vertical plane parallel to the front-back axis of the wearer's head and passing through the center of eye rotation when the parameter β is equal to 0.

The center of eye rotation is marked as Q’. The axis Q’F’ shown as a dotted line in Figure 9 is a horizontal axis passing through the center of eye rotation and extending in front of the wearer, that is, the axis Q'F' corresponding to the primary focus angle. This axis cuts the aspherical surface of the lens at a point called the fitting cross, which exists on the lens to enable the optician to position the lens in the frame. The point of intersection of the back surface of the lens and the axis Q’F’ is point O. If O is located on the back surface, it can be the fitting cross. The top sphere with center Q’ and radius q’ is tangent to the back surface of the lens at a point on the horizontal axis. As an example, a radius q’ value of 25.5 mm corresponds to a commonly used value and provides satisfactory results when wearing the lens.

A given gaze direction - represented by the solid line in FIG8 - corresponds to the position of the eye rotating about Q' and to a point J of the vertex; the angle β is the angle formed between the axis Q'F' and the projection of the straight line Q'J on the horizontal plane including the axis Q'F'; this angle appears in the diagram of FIG3 . The angle α is the angle formed between the axis Q'J and the projection of the straight line Q'J on the horizontal plane including the axis Q'F'; this angle appears in the diagrams of FIGS8 and 9 . Thus, a given gaze map corresponds to a point J of the vertex or to a pair (α, β). If the value of the gaze reduction angle is larger in the positive direction, the gaze is reduced more; and if the value is larger in the negative direction, the gaze is raised more.

In a given direction of gaze, the image of a point M at a given object distance in object space is formed between two points S and T corresponding to a minimum distance JS and a maximum distance JT, which will be the sagittal and tangential local focal lengths. The image of a point at infinite distance in object space is formed at point F'. The distance D corresponds to the posterior coronal plane of the lens.

Ergorama is a function that relates the usual distance of an object point to each gaze direction. Typically, in far vision following the main gaze direction, the object point is at infinite distance. In near vision following a gaze direction that substantially corresponds to an angle α of about 35° in absolute value toward the nasal side and an angle β of about 5°, the object distance is about 30 to 50 cm. For more details on possible definitions of the ergorama function, U.S. Patent US-A-6,318,859 may be considered. The document describes the ergorama function, its definition and its modeling method. For the method of the present invention, a point may be at infinite distance or not. The Egma function can be a function of the wearer's refractive error or the wearer's lower add light.

Using these factors, the wearer's optical power and astigmatism can be defined in each gaze direction. Consider an object point M at an object distance given by the Egma function for the gaze direction (α, β). Define the object proximity ProxO in object space for the point M on the corresponding ray as the inverse of the distance MJ between the point M and the point J on the vertex sphere: ProxO = 1/MJ

This enables the object proximity to be calculated within a thin lens approximation for all points of the apex sphere, which is used to determine the Egma function. For a real lens, the object proximity can be considered as the inverse of the distance between the object point and the front surface of the lens on the corresponding ray.

For the same gaze direction (α, β), the image of a point M with a given object proximity is formed between two points S and T corresponding to the minimum and maximum focal lengths, respectively (which will be the sagittal and tangential focal lengths). The quantity ProxI is called the image proximity of the point M:

By analogy with the case of a thin lens, the optical power Pui can therefore be defined as the sum of the image proximity and the object proximity for a given gaze direction and a given object proximity, i.e. for a point in object space on the corresponding ray.

Using the same notation, the astigmatism Ast is defined for each gaze direction and given object proximity as:

This definition corresponds to the astigmatism of the beam generated by the lens. It can be noted that this definition gives a typical value of the astigmatism in the main direction of gaze. The astigmatism angle, usually called the axis, is the angle γ. The angle γ is measured in the reference system {Q', xm, ym, zm} associated with the eye. It corresponds to the angle by which the image S or T is formed, depending on the convention used for the direction zm in the plane {Q', zm, ym}.

The possible definitions of the optical power and astigmatism of the lens in the wearing condition can therefore be calculated as explained in the paper by B. Bourdoncle et al. entitled "Ray tracing through progressive ophthalmic lenses" (1990 International Conference on Lens Design, D.T. Moore, ed., Proceedings of the Society for Optical Instrumentation).

The refractive zone 12 may be further configured to provide a second optical power to the wearer based on the wearer's orientation, particularly for foveal vision, the second optical power being different from the first optical power.

In the sense of the present invention, two optical powers are considered to be different when the difference between them is greater than or equal to 0.5 D.

When the refractive abnormality of a person's eye corresponds to myopia, the second optical power is greater than the first optical power.

When the refractive error of the human eye corresponds to hyperopia, the second optical power is smaller than the first optical power.

The refractive region is preferably formed as a region other than the region formed as a plurality of optical elements. In other words, the refractive region is a region complementary to the region formed by the plurality of optical elements.

The refractive zone can have a continuous optical power change. For example, the optical zone can have a gradual multi-focal design.

The optical design of the refractive zone may include: - a fitting cross, at which the optical power is negative; - a first zone, which extends temporally to the refractive zone when the wearer wears the lens element. In the first zone, the optical power increases as it extends temporally, and on the nasal side of the lens, the optical power of the ophthalmic lens is substantially the same as at the fitting cross.

This optical design is disclosed in more detail in WO 2016/107919.

Alternatively, the optical power of the refractive zone may include at least one discontinuity.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the lens element can be divided into five complementary zones: a central zone 16, the optical power of which is equal to the first refractive power; four quadrants Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4 at 45°, at least one quadrant having at least one point with an optical power equal to the second optical power.

In the sense of the present invention, according to the TABO convention shown in Figure 1, "quadrant at 45°" is to be understood as 90° equiangular quadrants oriented in the directions of 45°/225° and 135°/315°.

Preferably, central zone 16 includes a frame reference point that faces the pupil of a wearer looking straight ahead under standard wearing conditions and has a diameter greater than or equal to 4 mm and less than or equal to 22 mm.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least the lower quadrant Q4 has a second optical power for central vision, which is different from the first optical power that meets the prescription for correcting refractive errors.

For example, the refractive zone has a gradual multifocal refractive function. The gradual multifocal refractive function can extend between the upper quadrant Q2 and the lower quadrant Q4.

Advantageously, such a configuration allows compensation for accommodative lag due to the addition of lenses when a person is viewing at, for example, a near distance.

According to an embodiment, at least one of the temporal quadrant Q3 and the nasal quadrant Q1 has a second optical power. For example, the temporal quadrant Q3 has a power variation with the eccentricity of the lens.

Advantageously, this configuration improves the efficiency of refractive error control in peripheral vision and has a greater effect on the horizontal axis.

According to an implementation, the four quadrants Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4 have concentric focal gradients.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the plurality of optical elements 14 includes at least two consecutive optical elements.

In the sense of the present invention, two optical elements are continuous if there are all paths supported by the surface of a lens element, connecting two optical elements located on said surface of the lens element, and if along said path one optical element does not reach the underlying data surface on which the optical element is located.

When the surface on which at least two optical elements are located is a spherical surface, the basic data surface corresponds to the spherical surface. In other words, if there is a path supported by a spherical surface and connecting two optical elements located on the spherical surface, the two optical elements are continuous, and if along the path, one optical element may not reach the spherical surface.

When the surface on which at least two optical elements are located is an aspherical surface, the basic data surface corresponds to a local spherical surface that best fits the aspherical surface. In other words, if there is a path supported by the aspherical surface and connecting two optical elements located on the aspherical surface, the two optical elements are continuous, and if along the path, one optical element may not reach the spherical surface that best fits the aspherical surface.

Advantageously, having a continuous optical element helps improve the aesthetics of the lens element and is easier to manufacture.

At least one of the plurality of optical elements 14, preferably all of the optical elements, has an optical function of not focusing an image on the retina of the wearer's eye, particularly for peripheral vision and preferably for central and peripheral vision.

In the sense of the present invention, "focusing" is understood to mean producing a focused spot with a circular cross-section, which can be reduced to a point in the focal plane.

Advantageously, this optical function of the optical element reduces the deformation of the retina of the wearer's eye under peripheral vision, allowing to slow down the development of abnormal refraction in the eye of the person wearing the lens element.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least two consecutive optical elements are independent.

In the sense of the present invention, two optical elements are considered independent if independent images are produced.

Specifically, each "independent continuous optical element" forms a spot associated with it on a plane in image space when illuminated by a parallel beam "under central vision". In other words, when one of the "optical elements" is hidden, the spot disappears even if this optical element is continuous with another optical element.

For the classic Fresnel ring (with single focal power) disclosed in US 7976158, the Fresnel ring produces a single spot, and the spot position does not change if a small part of the ring is hidden. Therefore, the Fresnel ring cannot be considered as a series of "independent continuous optical elements".

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the optical elements have specific dimensions. In particular, the optical elements have an outer shape that can be inscribed in a circle with a diameter greater than or equal to 0.8 mm and less than or equal to 3.0 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 1.0 mm and less than 2.0 mm.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the optical component is located on the network.

The network in which the optical element is located can be a structured network, as shown in Figures 1 and 10 to 13.

In the embodiments shown in Figures 1 and 10 to 12, the optical elements are positioned along a plurality of concentric rings.

The concentric rings of the optical element may be annular rings.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the lens element further comprises at least four optical elements. The at least four optical elements are organized into at least two groups of continuous optical elements, each group of continuous optical elements is organized into at least two concentric rings with the same center, and the concentric rings of each group of continuous optical elements are defined by an inner diameter and an outer diameter.

The inner diameter of the concentric rings of each set of optical elements corresponds to the smallest circle tangent to at least one optical element of the set. The outer diameter of the concentric rings of optical elements corresponds to the largest circle tangent to at least one optical element of the set.

For example, a lens element may include n optical element rings, Refers to the inner diameter of the concentric rings closest to the optical center of the lens element. Refers to the outer diameter of the concentric rings closest to the optical center of the lens element. refers to the inner diameter of the ring closest to the periphery of the lens element, and Refers to the outer diameter of the "concentric rings" closest to the periphery of the lens element.

The distance D _i between two concentric rings i and i + 1 of continuous optical elements can be expressed as: in, refers to the outer diameter of the first optical element ring i and Refers to the inner diameter of the second optical element ring i + 1, which is connected to the first optical element ring and is closer to the periphery of the lens element.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the optical elements are organized into concentric rings centered on the optical center of the surface of the lens element on which the optical elements are arranged and connecting the geometric center of each optical element.

For example, a lens element may include n optical element rings, is the diameter of the ring closest to the optical center of the lens element, and Refers to the diameter of the ring closest to the periphery of the lens element.

The distance D _i between two concentric rings i and i + 1 of continuous optical elements can be expressed as: in, refers to the diameter of the first optical element ring i, and refers to the diameter of a second optical element ring i + 1 connected to the first optical element ring and closer to the periphery of the lens element, and wherein, is the diameter of the optical element on the first optical element ring, and Refers to the diameter of the optical element on the second optical element ring, which is connected to the first ring and closer to the periphery of the lens element. The diameter of the optical element corresponds to the diameter of the circle that inscribes the outer shape of the optical element.

Advantageously, the optical center of the lens element and the center of the concentric rings of the optical element coincide. For example, the geometric center of the lens element, the optical center of the lens element and the center of the concentric rings of the optical element coincide.

In the sense of the present invention, the term "coinciding" is to be understood as being very close together, for example less than 1.0 mm apart.

The distance D _i between two consecutive concentric rings can vary according to i. For example, the distance D _i between two consecutive concentric rings can vary between 2.0 mm and 5.0 mm.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the distance D _i between two concentric rings of continuous optical elements is greater than 2.00 mm, preferably 3.0 mm, and more preferably 5.0 mm.

Advantageously, having a distance D _i greater than 2.00 mm between two consecutive concentric rings of optical elements allows a larger refractive area to be managed between the optical element rings, thereby providing better visual acuity.

Taking into account that the annular zones of the lens element have an inner diameter greater than 9 mm and an outer diameter less than 57 mm, with the geometric center being located at a distance of less than 1 mm from the optical center of the lens element, the ratio between the sum of the areas of the parts of the optical element located within said circular zones and the area of said circular zones is between 20% and 70%, preferably between 30% and 60%, more preferably between 40% and 50%.

In other words, the inventors have observed that, for a given value of the above-mentioned ratio, the organization of consecutive optical elements into concentric rings, wherein said rings are separated by a distance greater than 2.0 mm, allows annular zones providing refractive areas that are easier to manufacture than those managed when the optical elements are arranged in a hexagonal network or randomly on the surface of a lens element, thus providing a better correction of the eye's refractive abnormalities and therefore a better visual acuity.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the diameters di of all optical elements of the lens element are the same.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the distance D _i between two consecutive concentric rings i and i+1 can increase as i increases towards the periphery of the lens element.

The optical element concentric rings may have a diameter between 9 mm and 60 mm.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the lens element includes an optical element arranged in at least 2 concentric rings, preferably more than 5, and more preferably more than 10 concentric rings. For example, the optical element can be arranged in 11 concentric rings centered on the optical center of the lens.

In Figure 1, the optical elements are microlenses positioned along a set of 5 concentric rings. The optical power and/or cylinder of the microlenses can vary depending on their position along the concentric rings.

In Figure 10, the optical elements correspond to different magnetic regions of the concentric circles.

In Figure 11b, the optical element corresponds to a portion of a pure cylindrical concentric ring, as shown in Figure 11a. In this example, the optical element has a constant focal power but a variable cylindrical axis.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the lens element may further include an optical element 14 radially positioned between two concentric rings, such as shown in Figure 12. In the example shown in Figure 12, only four optical elements are placed between the two concentric rings, however, more optical elements may be placed between the two rings.

The optical elements can be placed on structured networks, which are square networks or hexagonal networks or triangular networks or octagonal networks.

Such an embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 13, where the optical elements 14 are placed on a square grid.

Alternatively, the optical elements can be placed on a randomly structured network, such as a Voronoid network, as shown in Figure 14.

Advantageously, placing the optical elements on a random structure limits the risk of light scattering or diffraction.

Different connections between two consecutive optical elements are possible.

For example, as shown in Figures 15a and 15b, at least a portion, for example all, of the optical elements have a constant optical power and a discontinuous first-order derivative between two consecutive optical elements. In the examples shown in Figures 15a and 15b, teta is an angular coordinate in a polar coordinate reference. As can be observed in this embodiment, there is no region between consecutive optical elements without a spherical lens.

Alternatively, as shown in Figures 16a and 16b, at least a portion, for example all, of the optical elements have varying optical power and continuous first-order derivatives between two consecutive optical elements.

To achieve this variation, two constant powers can be used, one positive and one negative. The area of the negative power is much smaller than the area of the positive power, so the overall power has a positive power effect.

An important point in the embodiment shown in Figures 16a and 16b is that the Z coordinate is always positive compared to the refractive area.

As shown in FIG. 2 , a lens element 10 according to the present invention includes an object side surface F1 formed as a convex curved surface toward the object side, and an eye side surface F2 formed as a concave surface having a curvature different from that of the object side surface F1.

According to an embodiment of the invention, at least a portion, for example all, of the optical elements are located on the front surface of the lens element.

At least a portion, for example all, of the optical elements may be located on the rear surface of the lens element.

At least a portion, for example all, of the optical element may be located between the front surface and the back surface of the lens element. For example, the lens element may include regions with different refractive indices forming the optical element.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least one optical element has an optical function of focusing an image at a location other than the retina for peripheral vision.

Preferably, at least 50%, such as at least 80%, such as all of the optical elements have the optical function of focusing an image at a location other than the retina for peripheral vision.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least for peripheral vision, all optical elements are configured so that the average focus of light passing through each optical element is at the same distance from the wearer's retina.

The optical function, in particular the refractive function, of each optical element can be optimized to provide a focused image at a constant distance from the retina of the wearer's eye, in particular in peripheral vision. This optimization requires adjusting the refractive function of each optical element according to its position on the lens element.

In particular, the inventors have determined that the spot diagram of a light beam passing through a spherical 3D shaped microlens analyzed under peripheral vision (30° from the center of the pupil) is not a point.

To achieve this, the inventors have determined that the optical element should have cylindrical power, for example, have a complex curved shape.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the optical element is configured such that, at least along a segment of the lens, the average spherical lens of the optical element increases from a point of the segment towards the periphery of the segment.

The optical element can be further configured such that along at least a segment of the lens, e.g., at least the same segment along which the average sphere of the optical element increases, the cylinder increases from a point of the segment (e.g., the same point as the average sphere) toward a peripheral portion of the segment.

Advantageously, the optical element is configured so that along at least one segment of the lens, its average sphere and/or average cylinder increases from a point of the segment towards a peripheral portion of the segment, allowing to increase the defocus of light in front of the retina in the case of myopia, or to increase the defocus of light behind the retina in the case of hyperopia.

In other words, the inventors have observed that configuring the optical element such that along at least one segment of the lens the average spherical lens of the optical element increases from a point of the segment towards a peripheral portion of the segment helps to slow the development of refractive abnormalities of the eye, such as myopia or hyperopia.

The optical element may be configured such that along at least one segment of the lens, the average spherical and/or cylindrical aspect of the optical element increases from the center of the segment toward a peripheral portion of the segment.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the optical element is configured so that under standard wearing conditions, at least one segment is a horizontal segment.

The average sphere and/or cylinder may increase along at least one horizontal segment according to an increasing function, the increasing function being a Gaussian function. The Gaussian function may be different between the nasal and temporal portions of the lens in order to account for the asymmetry of the human retina.

Alternatively, the average sphere and/or cylinder may increase along at least one horizontal segment according to an increasing function, the increasing function being a quadratic function. The quadratic function may be different between the nasal and temporal portions of the lens in order to account for the asymmetry of the human retina.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the average spherical lens and/or cylindrical lens of the optical element increases from a first point of the segment toward the peripheral portion of the segment, and decreases from a second point of the segment toward the peripheral portion of the segment, and the second point is closer to the peripheral portion of the segment than the first point.

Such an implementation is shown in Table 1, which provides the average spherical mirror images of optical elements according to their radial distance from the optical center of the lens element.

In the example of Table 1, the optical element is a microlens placed on a spherical front surface having a curvature of 329.5 mm, and the lens element is made of an optical material having a refractive index of 1.591, and the wearer's prescription power is 6 D. The optical element should be worn under standard wearing conditions, and the wearer's retina is considered to have a defocus of 0.8 D at an angle of 30°. The optical element is determined to have a peripheral defocus of 2 D. Table 1

As shown in Table 1, starting from near the optical center of the lens element, the average spherical lens of the optical element increases toward the peripheral portion of the segment and then decreases toward the peripheral portion of the segment.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the average cylindrical lens of the optical element increases from a first point of the segment toward a peripheral portion of the segment, and decreases from a second point of the segment toward the peripheral portion of the segment, and the second point is closer to the peripheral portion of the segment than the first point.

Such an implementation is shown in Tables 2 and 3, which provide the magnitude of the cylindrical mirror vector projected in a first direction Y corresponding to the local radial direction and a second direction X orthogonal to the first direction.

In the example of Table 2, the optical element is a microlens placed on a spherical front surface having a curvature of 167.81 mm, and the lens element is made of an optical material having a refractive index of 1.591, and the wearer's prescription power is -6 D. The optical element should be worn under standard wearing conditions, and the wearer's retina is considered to have a defocus of 0.8 D at an angle of 30°. The optical element is determined to have a peripheral defocus of 2 D.

In the example of Table 3, the optical element is a microlens placed on a spherical front surface having a curvature of 167.81 mm, and the lens element is made of an optical material having a refractive index of 1.591, and the wearer's prescription power is -1 D. The optical element should be worn under standard wearing conditions, and the wearer's retina is considered to have a defocus of 0.8 D at an angle of 30°. The optical element is determined to have a peripheral defocus of 2 D. Table 2 Table 3

As shown in Tables 2 and 3, starting from near the optical center of the lens element, the cylindrical shape of the optical element increases toward the peripheral portion of the segment and then decreases toward the peripheral portion of the segment.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the refractive zone includes the optical center, and the optical element is configured so that along any section passing through the optical center of the lens, the average sphere and/or cylinder of the optical element increases from the optical element toward the peripheral portion of the lens.

For example, the optical elements may be regularly distributed along a circle centered at the optical center of the refractive zone.

The optical elements on a circle having a diameter of 10 mm and centered at the optical center of the refractive zone may be microlenses having a mean spherical lens of 2.75 D.

The optical elements on a circle having a diameter of 20 mm and centered at the optical center of the refractive zone may be microlenses having a mean spherical lens of 4.75 D.

The optical elements on a circle having a diameter of 30 mm and centered at the optical center of the refractive zone may be microlenses having a mean spherical lens of 5.5 D.

The optical elements on a circle having a diameter of 40 mm and centered at the optical center of the refractive zone may be microlenses having a mean spherical lens of 5.75 D.

The cylinders of different microlenses can be adjusted based on the shape of a person's retina.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the refractive zone includes a distance reference point, a near reference point, and a meridian connecting the distance reference point and the near reference point. For example, the refractive zone can include a progressive multifocal lens design that is suitable for a person's prescription or suitable for slowing the development of a refractive error in the eye of a person wearing the lens element.

Preferably, according to such an embodiment, the optical element is configured such that along any horizontal segment of the lens under standard wearing conditions, the average sphere and/or cylinder of the optical element increases from the intersection of the horizontal segment with the meridian towards the peripheral portion of the lens.

This meridian corresponds to the locus of intersection of the principal gaze direction and the lens surface.

The average spherical and/or cylindrical magnification functions along such segments may differ depending on the position of the segments along the meridian.

In particular, the average spherical and/or cylindrical magnification functions along the segments are asymmetric. For example, under standard wearing conditions, the average spherical and/or cylindrical magnification functions are asymmetric along the vertical and/or horizontal segments.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, under standard wearing conditions and for peripheral vision, at least one of the optical elements has a non-focusing optical function.

Preferably, under standard wearing conditions and for peripheral vision, at least 50%, such as at least 80%, such as all of the optical elements 14 have a non-focusing optical function.

In the sense of the present invention, "non-focusing optical function" is understood as having no single focus under standard wearing conditions and for peripheral vision.

Alternatively, this optical function of the optical element reduces the deformation of the retina of the wearer's eye, allowing to slow down the development of refractive errors in the eye of the person wearing the lens element.

At least one optical element having a non-focusing optical function is transparent.

Advantageously, the discontinuous optical element is not visible on the lens element and does not affect the aesthetics of the lens element.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a lens element may include an ophthalmic lens carrying a refractive zone and a clip carrying a plurality of at least three optical elements adapted to be removably attached to the ophthalmic lens when the lens element is worn.

Advantageously, when the person is in a remote environment, such as outdoors, the person can separate the clip-on from the ophthalmic lens and eventually replace it with a second clip-on that does not have any of the at least three optical elements. For example, the second clip-on can include a sunscreen tint. The person can also use the ophthalmic lens without any additional clip-on.

Optical elements can be added to the lens element independently, and to each surface of the lens element.

The optical elements can be added in a defined array, such as square or hexagonal or random or other.

The optical element may cover a specific area of the lens element, such as in the center or any other area.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the central area of the lens corresponds to an area centered on the optical center of the lens element, excluding any optical element. For example, the lens element may include an empty area centered on the optical center of the lens element and having a diameter equal to 9 mm, which empty areas do not include any optical element.

The optical center of a lens element may correspond to the matching point of the lens.

Alternatively, the optical element may be arranged over the entire surface of the lens element.

The optical element density or amount of focus can be adjusted according to the area of the lens element. Generally, the optical elements can be positioned at the periphery of the lens element to increase the effect of the optical elements on myopia control, thereby compensating for peripheral defocus caused by, for example, the peripheral shape of the retina.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each circular area of the lens element having a radius comprised between 2 mm and 4 mm includes a geometric center located at a distance from the optical center of the optical element, the distance being greater than or equal to the radius + 5 mm, and the ratio between the sum of the areas of the parts of the optical element located within the circular area and the area of the circular area is between 20% and 70%, preferably between 30% and 60%, more preferably between 40% and 50%.

Optical components can be manufactured using different techniques such as direct surface treatment, forming, casting or injection molding, embossing, film forming, or photolithography, etc.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least one, for example, all optical elements are configured to form a focal point in front of the retina of the human eye. In other words, such optical elements are configured to make each section plane (if any) where the luminous flux is concentrated be located in front of the retina of the human eye.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least one, for example all, optical elements having aspherical optical functions are multi-focal refractive microlenses.

In the sense of the present invention, "multifocal refractive microlenses" include bifocals (having two focal powers), trifocals (having three focal powers), and gradient multifocal lenses with continuously varying focal powers, such as aspheric gradient surface lenses.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the optical elements, preferably more than 50%, more preferably more than 80% of the optical elements are aspherical microlenses. In the sense of the present invention, aspherical microlenses have a continuous focal length evolution on their surface.

An aspheric microlens may have an asphericity between 0.1 D and 3 D. The asphericity of an aspheric microlens corresponds to the ratio of the optical power measured at the center of the microlens to the optical power measured at the periphery of the microlens.

The center of the microlens can be defined by a spherical area centered at the geometric center of the microlens and having a diameter between 0.1 mm and 0.5 mm, preferably equal to 2.0 mm.

The periphery of the microlens may be defined by an annular region centered at the geometric center of the microlens and having an inner diameter between 0.5 mm and 0.7 mm and an outer diameter between 0.70 mm and 0.80 mm.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the absolute value of the optical power of the aspherical microlens at its geometric center is between 2.0 D and 7.0 D, and the absolute value of the optical power at its periphery is between 1.5 D and 6.0 D.

Before coating the surface of a lens element on which an optical element is arranged, the asphericity of the aspheric microlens can vary depending on the radial distance from the optical center of the lens element.

In addition, after coating the surface of a lens element on which an optical element is disposed, the asphericity of the aspheric microlens can be further varied depending on the radial distance from the optical center of the lens element.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least one multifocal refractive microlens has a complex surface. A complex surface is a surface of revolution that can be generated by rotating a circle or arc about an axis of rotation (ultimately located at infinity) that does not pass through its center of curvature.

A toric lens has two different radial profiles at right angles to each other, thus producing two different focal powers.

The toric and spherical components of a toric lens produce an astigmatic beam rather than a single point of focus.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least one, for example, all of the optical elements having aspheric optical functions are complex refractive microlenses, for example, complex refractive microlenses having a spherical power value greater than or equal to 0 diopters (δ) and less than or equal to +5 diopters (δ) and a cylindrical power value greater than or equal to 0.25 diopters (δ).

As a specific implementation, the complex curved refractive microlens can be a pure cylindrical lens, meaning that the meridian minimum focal power is zero and the meridian maximum focal power is strictly positive, for example less than 5 diopters.

According to an embodiment of the invention, at least one, for example all, optical elements are made of birefringent materials. In other words, the optical elements are made of materials having a refractive index that depends on the polarization and propagation direction of the light. Birefringence can be quantified as the maximum difference between the refractive indices exhibited by the materials.

According to an embodiment of the invention, at least one, for example all optical elements have discontinuities, such as discontinuous surfaces, for example Fresnel surfaces and/or have discontinuous refractive index distributions.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a Fresnel mirror height profile that can be used in the optical element of the present invention.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least one, for example all, optical elements are made of diffractive lenses.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a radial profile of a diffractive lens that can be used in the optical element of the present invention.

At least one, for example all, of the diffractive lenses may include a metasurface structure as disclosed in WO 2017/176921.

The diffractive lens may be a Fresnel lens whose phase function ψ(r) has a π phase jump at the nominal wavelength, as can be seen in FIG5 . For the sake of clarity, such structures may be named "π-Fresnel lenses" as opposed to monofocal Fresnel lenses whose phase jumps are multiple values of 2π. The π-Fresnel lens whose phase function is shown in FIG5 diffracts light primarily in two diffraction orders associated with a power of 0δ and a positive power P, such as 3δ.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least one, for example all, optical elements are multi-focal binary components.

For example, as shown in Figure 6a, the binary structure mainly shows two diopters, represented as -P/2 and P/2. When associated with the diopters structure shown in Figure 6b, the diopters are P/2, and the final structure represented in Figure 6c has diopters 0δ and P. The case shown is associated with P = 3δ.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least one, for example all, optical elements are imaged lenses. An example of a multi-focal imaged lens is disclosed in "APPLIED OPTICS [Applied Optics], Vol. 44, No. 14, May 10, 2005" by Eyal Ben-Eliezer et al.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least one, for example all, optical elements have an optical function with higher-order optical aberrations. For example, the optical element is a microlens composed of a continuous surface defined by Zernike polynomials.

According to an embodiment of the invention, at least one, for example at least 70%, for example all of the optical elements are active optical elements, which can be activated manually or automatically by an optical lens controller device.

The active optical element may include a material having a variable refractive index, the value of which is controlled by an optical lens controller device.

The present invention has been described above with the aid of embodiments, but does not limit the overall inventive concept.

Many further modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the foregoing illustrative embodiments, which are given by way of example only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is determined solely by the scope of the appended patent applications.

In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that different features are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these features cannot be used to advantage. Any reference to a figure in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

10‧‧‧Lens element12‧‧‧Refractive zone14‧‧‧Optical element16‧‧‧Central zone F1‧‧‧Object side surface F2‧‧‧Eye side surface F'‧‧‧Point J‧‧‧Point M‧‧‧Point O‧‧‧Point Q1‧‧‧Quadrant Q2‧‧‧Quadrant Q3‧‧‧Quadrant Q4‧‧‧Quadrant Q'‧‧‧Center q'‧‧‧Radius S‧‧‧Point T‧‧‧Point x‧‧‧Second direction y‧‧‧First direction z‧‧‧Direction α‧‧‧Parameter/angle β‧‧‧Parameter/angle γ‧‧‧Astigmatism axis γ _AX ‧‧‧Cylinder axis

A non-limiting embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: o [FIG. 1] is a plan view of a lens element according to the present invention; o [FIG. 2] is a general outline view of a lens element according to the present invention; o [FIG. 3] shows an example of a Fresnel lens height profile; o [FIG. 4] shows an example of a diffractive lens radial profile; o [FIG. 5] shows a π-Fresnel lens profile; o [FIG. 6a to 6c] show a binary lens embodiment of the present invention; o [FIG. 7a] shows the astigmatism axis γ of the lens in the TABO case; o [FIG. 7b] shows the cylindrical axis γ _AX in the case for characterizing an aspheric surface; o [FIGs. 8 and 9] diagrammatically show the optical system of an eye and a lens; o [FIGS. 10-14] illustrate different organizations of optical elements according to different embodiments of the present invention; and [FIGS. 15a-16b] illustrate different types of bonding between optical elements according to the present invention. The elements in the accompanying drawings are shown for simplicity and clarity only and are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the size of certain elements in the drawings may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of the embodiments of the present invention.

10‧‧‧Lens components

12‧‧‧Refractive area

14‧‧‧Optical components

16‧‧‧Central District

Q1‧‧‧Quadrant

Q2‧‧‧Quadrant

Q3‧‧‧Quadrant

Q4‧‧‧Quadrant

Claims (13)

A lens element intended to be worn in front of an eye of a wearer, the lens element comprising: a refractive zone having a refractive power based on a prescription for the eye of the wearer; and a plurality of at least two consecutive optical elements, at least one optical element having an optical function of not focusing an image on the retina of the eye of the wearer so as to slow down the development of refractive error of the eye, wherein the lens element further comprises at least four optical elements, the optical elements being organized into at least two groups of consecutive optical elements, each group of consecutive optical elements having an optical function of not focusing an image on the retina of the eye of the wearer, so as to slow down the development of refractive error of the eye. The optical elements are organized into at least two concentric rings having the same center, the concentric rings of each group of consecutive optical elements being defined by an inner diameter corresponding to the smallest circle tangent to at least one optical element in the group and an outer diameter corresponding to the largest circle tangent to at least one optical element in the group, and wherein the distance between two consecutive concentric rings of optical elements is greater than or equal to 5.0 mm, the distance between two consecutive concentric rings being defined by the difference between the inner diameter of a first concentric ring and the outer diameter of a second concentric ring, the second concentric ring being closer to the periphery of the lens element. A lens element as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least the two consecutive optical elements are independent. A lens element as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the optical elements are positioned on a network. A lens element as claimed in claim 3, wherein the network is a structured network. A lens element as claimed in claim 4, wherein the optical elements are positioned along a plurality of concentric rings. The lens element of claim 5 further comprises an optical element radially positioned between the two concentric rings. A lens element as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein at least a portion, for example all, of the optical elements have a constant optical power and a discontinuous first-order derivative between two continuous optical elements. A lens element as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein at least a portion, for example all, of the optical elements have a variable optical power and a continuous first-order derivative between two consecutive optical elements. A lens element as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one, for example all, of the optical elements have an optical function of focusing an image at a position outside the wearer's retina. A lens element as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the optical elements is a complex-curved refractive microlens. A lens element as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the optical elements are arranged such that along at least one section of the lens, the average spherical and/or cylindrical of the optical elements increases from the center of the section toward the peripheral portion of the section. A lens element as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the refractive area is formed as an area other than an area formed as the plurality of optical elements. A lens element as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein, for each circular zone having a radius comprised between 2 mm and 4 mm, including a geometric center located at a distance greater than or equal to the radius + 5 mm from a reference system facing the pupil of a user looking straight ahead under standard wearing conditions, the ratio between the sum of the areas of the optical element portions located within the circular zone and the area of the circular zone is comprised between 20% and 70%.