Ophthalmic lens element

An ophthalmic lens element including a lens surface having:

• a horizontal meridian and a vertical meridian;
• a central region including a foveal vision zone providing a surface power to achieve a refracting power for providing clear foveal vision for a wearer;
• and
• a peripheral region of positive surface mean power relative to the surface power of the central region, the peripheral region including dual progressive zones located bilaterally of the vertical meridian and extending radially outwardly along the horizontal meridian from the central region, each progressive zone providing a gradual increase in surface mean power from the surface power of the central region;
• wherein the lens surface provides a distribution of surface astigmatism which provides, along the horizontal meridian, a relatively low surface astigmatism in the central region and the progressive zones.

A method of dispensing or designing an ophthalmic lens element for retarding or arresting myopia in a wearer's eye, the method including:

• obtaining, for the wearer:
• a first required value of optical correction for foveal vision for on-axis viewing tasks;
• and
• a second required value of optical correction for providing a stimulus for retarding or arresting myopia in a peripheral region of the wearer's eye located along the horizontal meridian of the eye;
• selecting or designing an ophthalmic lens element according to the values of optical correction, the ophthalmic lens element having a front surface and a rear surface, at least one of the surfaces including a horizontal meridian and a vertical meridian, the lens element including:
• a central region including a foveal vision zone providing a first power corresponding to the first required value;
• and
• a peripheral region of positive power relative to the first power, the peripheral region including dual progressive zones located bilaterally of the vertical meridian and extending radially outwardly from the central region, the progressive zones providing a value or distribution of plus power according to the second required value;
• wherein the lens element provides a distribution of surface astigmatism which provides, on the horizontal meridian, a relatively low surface astigmatism in the central region and the progressive zones.

A semi-finished ophthalmic lens blank including a first surface having:

• a horizontal meridian and a vertical meridian;
• a central region including a foveal vision zone providing a surface power to achieve a refracting power for providing clear foveal vision for a wearer;
• and
• a first progressive zone located nasally of the central region and a second progressive zone located temporally of the central region, each progressive zone extending radially outwardly from the central region to provide a gradual increase in surface mean power along the horizontal meridian;
• wherein the surface provides a distribution of surface astigmatism which provides, along the horizontal meridian, a relatively low surface astigmatism in the central region and the progressive zones.