Refractive index gradient lens

A composite ophthalmic lens, comprising:

• an optical preform having first refractive index and a region of varying thickness;
• an outer layer having a second refractive index different from the refractive index of the optical preform;
• and
• a transition zone comprising at least one layer bonded between the optical preform and outer layer covering at least the region of varying thickness, wherein each of the at least one layer has a different refractive index and which differs from the refractive indices of the optical preform and the outer layer, the refractive index of each of the at least one layer being substantially constant throughout the layer and the transition zone having an effective refractive index approximately the geometric mean of the refractive indices of the optical preform and the outer layer.

A method of manufacturing a composite optical product, comprising the steps of

• a.) providing a base layer having a first refractive index and a surface depression;
• b.) applying a transition zone comprising at least one resin layer to at least the surface depression of the base layer, the transition zone having an effective refractive index that is approximately the geometric mean of the refractive indices of the base layer and the outer layer, wherein each of said at least one layer having a different refractive index which is substantially constant throughout the layer and which differs from the refractive indices of the base layer and outer layer, and each of the at least one layer is at least partially cured before application of a subsequent layer;
• c.) applying an outer layer of resin to at least the transition zone, the outer layer having a second refractive index different from the refractive index of the base layer;
• and
• d.) curing the transition zone and the outer layer to produce a finished optical product.

A composite ophthalmic lens, comprising:

• an optical preform having a refractive index of approximately 1.49 and a surface depression on a convex surface of the optical preform, the surface depression approximately defining a progressive multifocal zone, said optical preform having a spherical power or an astigmatic power of both;
• an outer plastic layer having a refractive index of approximately 1.66;
• and
• a transition zone comprising at least one layer bonded between the optical preform and outer layer covering at least the surface depression, wherein each of the at least one layer has a different refractive index which differs from the refractive indices of the optical preform and the outer layer, said refractive index of each of the at least one layer being substantially constant throughout the layer, and the transition zone having an effective refractive index which is approximately the geometric mean of the refractive indices of the optical preform and the outer layer.

A method of manufacturing a composite optical product, comprising the steps of:

• a.) providing a base layer having a first refractive index and a surface having a raised region;
• b.) applying a transition zone comprising at least one layer of resin to at least the raised region of the base layer, the transition zone having an effective refractive index which is the geometric mean of the refractive indices of the base layer and an outer layer, wherein the each of said at least one layer comprising resin and having a different refractive index which is substantially constant throughout the layer and which differs from the refractive indices of the base layer and an outer layer, and each of the at least one layer is at least partially cured before application of a subsequent layer;
• c.) applying an outer layer of resin to at least the transition zone the outer layer having a second refractive index different from the refractive index of the base layer and the effective refractive index of the transition zone;
• and
• d.) curing the transition zone and outer layer to produce a finished optical product.

A composite ophthalmic lens, comprising:

• an optical preform having a refractive index of approximately 1.49 and a raised region on a convex surface of the optical preform, the raised region approximately defining a progressive multifocal zone, said optical preform having a spherical power or an astigmatic power of both;
• an outer plastic layer having a refractive index of approximately 1.66;
• and
• a transition zone comprising at least one layer bonded between the optical preform and outer layer covering at least the surface depression, wherein each of the at least one layer has a different refractive index and which differs from the refractive indices of the optical preform and the outer layer, said refractive index of each of the at least one layer being substantially constant throughout the layer, and the transition zone having an effective refractive index which is approximately the geometric mean of the refractive indices of the optical preform and the outer layer.