CA2169857C - Annular mask contact lenses - Google Patents

Abstract

An annular mask contact lens (10) designed to operate with the normal functioning of the human pupil. An annular mask (18) forms a small pinhole-like aperture (20) on the contact lens (10) enabling continual focus correction. The outer diameter of the annular mask (18) allows the wearer to transmit more light energy through the pupil as brightness levels decrease. The contact lens (10) may be structured with two separate and distinct optical corrections, both at the small aperture region and in the region beyond the annular mask. Functional imaging is thus achieved for both bright and dim lighting, and over a wide range of viewing distances. Cosmetic and peripheral vision enhancement is also provided by the contact lens constructed according to the invention.

Description

~ WO 95/08135 2 1 6 9 8 5 7 PCT/US94/10277 ~NNUT.~R M~SK CONTACT ~,li.l~SF~

F~ck~round of the Invention This invention concerns a contact lens for vision correction and, in particular, annular mask contact lenses and related methodology.

Comtact lenses are commonplace today. Most individuals with average refractive errors can quickly and easily acquire and use these lenses in place of prescription eye gl~ses This is not true, however, for individuals who are presbyopic, i.e., those requiring multi-focal visual correction, or for those individuals with structural eye abnormalities. These individuals are left with little choice in selecting comfortable, effective contact lenses. Lenses which are available typically encumber these wearers with other difficulties, and are usually very expensive. Presbyopic individuals, for example, who choose to wear soft contact lenses are usually fitted in a "monovision" mode, where one eye is corrected for near vision, and the other eye is corrected for far vision. Further, the commercially available soft multifocal contact lenses are crre~;live only for early presbyops, and are difficult to fit and to produce consistently.

The long felt need to develop more versatile multifocal lenses has led clesi~ner~ to pinhole contact lenses. These lenses endeavor to utilize the known theories of pinhole im~ing, commonly understood in optics as a method to reduce geometrical aberrations, e.g., ~ti~m~ti~m, spherical aberration, and coma. By restricting a person's vision to a small "pinhole" aperture, visual deficiencies can be reduced or effectively removed. Unfortunately, the utility of this technology has been diluted because of designs and approaches il,~plopl;ate for effective corrective refractive prescriptions. For upwards of 50 years, pinhole contact lenses have been under consideration, yet they remain today commercially unsuccessful and largely unavailable. As a result, wt;~.~ afflicted with relatively poor vision are typically unaided by contact lenses.
"Multiple Focal Contact Lenses", as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,794,414, was one attempt to develop small-~e. lulc contact lenses. This approach combined a pinhole-like aperture with radial slits and scalloped m~ekin~ regions on a contact lens supposedly to correct both peripheral vision and the effects related to decentered contact lenses. The contact lenses were made from a rigid substrate, and "floated" on the eye, creating a need for a~)Cl ~ules over a large portion of the lens. The disclosed designs though, i.e., the use of scalloped patterns and radial slits, actually encourage diffraction effects at the retina. This reduces image quality. The nature of small-aperture correction is to correct geometrical aberrations in excess of diffraction. Therefore, the benefits achieved according to that patent WO 95/08135 PCT/US9~/10277 ~
2i69~7 2 by incorporating the small, pinhole-like, aperture, are likely to be offset by undesirable diffraction effects.

In addition, the teachings in the aforementioned patent do not generally consider the S normal functioning jof the human pupil. One ci~nific~nt drawback in pinhole im~gin~ is energy starvation. Small~ lw~ lenses improve image quality, but at the same time block ci~nifir~nt amounts of light energy from re~rhinp the retina. Under dim lightin~ conditions, a human pupil norrnally dilates. Without proper concider~tion, a small-aperture contact would equivalently place a person into (l~rknecis~ even though the lightinp is only dim or low.
Pinhole correction together with the normal functioning of the human pupil is considered in U.S. Pat. No. 4,955,904, which presents an intraocular lens surgically implanted within the eye. The patent, entitled "Masked Intraocular Lens and Method for Treating a Wearer With Cataracts", affords cataract Weal'~ i some form of vision correction 15 through surgery. The intraocular lens is masked to form a pinhole that accommodates the function of the human pupil under dirr~r~ hting conditions. But, intraocular lenses have operational and other drawbacks. They are not contact lenses; surgery is required and the lens must be perm~nently implanted with precision, typically through the use of man-made loops. Furthermore, because of m~teri~l requirements for implantation, these impenetrable 20 lenses can transmit little or no oxygen, a feature widely available in contact lenses. Contact lenses, in addition, are conveniently installed and removed by the wearer, and are held in place on the eye through tear and lid tension.

With this background, an object of this invention is to provide an improved small-25 ~ lult; contact lens, and in particular, one which accommodates the normal function of thehuman pupil.

Another object of this invention is to present a contact lens which provides functional im~ging during both bright and dim lighting conditions, and over a wide range of viewing 30 distances.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a small-al~el lule contact lens and related methodology to reduce tne appearance of pinhole contact lenses on the eye of the wearer.
Other objects of the invention are evident in the description that follows.

~ WO 95/08135 1 6 9 8 ~ 7 ~ PCT/US94/10277 Sllmm~rv of the Invention The present invention provides, in one aspect, improvements to a contact lens that has a transparent lens body. The lens body has a first surface configured, for the most part, to 5 conform to the eye ~ u,e of the wearer. A second surface, opposite to the first s--rf~re7 is optically configured, in relation to the first sllrf~re, to correct the vision of the wearer for a focus between near and far objects. The lens body has a mask that forms an annulus pattern with a small, so-called pinhole a~ Lule. The annular mask is arranged to accommodate the pupil of the wearer over dirr~.enl viewing distances and differing bri~htrlPs~ levels. Thus, 10 during average light conditions, the annular mask reduces the light energy through the pupil of the wearer; and in dimmer light conditions, the annular mask permits relatively more light energy to pass through dilated pupil of the wearer to reach the retina. In a ~rerelled aspect, the annular mask is sized such that, during dim liphtin~ conditions, the wearer's dilated pupil is larger than the denser section of the annular mask and substantially unrestricted light 15 energy passes outside the annular mask region and through the wearer's pupil.
In another aspect according to the invention, the second surface of the contact lens has an optical configuration outside the annular mask region which corrects the vision of the wearer selectively at a focus between and including near and far objects. Thus, the second 20 surface forms a multi-powered surface: within the annular mask, the second surface corrects the wearer's vision selectively at a first distance; and outside the annular mask, the second surface corrects the wearer's vision selectively at a second distance. Preferably, the first distance is an intPrmerli~te one, between near and far objects; and the second distance is at far objects.
In other aspects, the first and/or second surface of a contact lens constructed according to the invention includes an optical correction. For example, the first and/or second surfaces has an aspheric, concave, or toric form to correct certain deficiencies in the vision of the wearer. The second surface can additionally have a convex form as an optical correction.
In yet other aspects according to the invention, the lens body is made with oxygen permeable m~tçri~l, or with flexible polymer m~tPri~l to form a rigid or soft contact lens.
.

A contact lens constructed in accordance with the invention has further aspects 35 relating to physical ~limen~jons. For example, in one aspect, the lens body has an outer diameter of between approximately seven and eighteen millimeters. In another aspect, the pinhole aperture has a diameter of between a~?L,roxil-lately one-half and three millimeters. In another aspect, the annular mask region forms an annulus with a radial width of between 8\S~ ' ~

approximately one-half and four millimeters. Preferably, however, the annular mask region has a total diameter of approximately four and one-half millimeters.

In yet another aspect, a contact lens constructed according to the invention has a lens 5 body which is selectively colored or tinted. This coloring can be employed for cosmetic reasons, as well as to improve the function of the annular mask.

The annular mask region is selectively patterned, colored or tinted, in another aspect, to further reduce the appe~r~nce of the annular mask region when viewed on the wearer. ~or 10 example, one p~tterned annular mask according to the invention is feathered along its outer circumference or border, such that the edge contrast of the armular mask is degraded. In a preferred aspect, the annular mask region is selectively colored or tinted to match, enhance, or otherwise change the a~pea~ ce of the iris color of the wearer. This too can be for cosmetic reasons, and additionally it can reduce or modify the appearance of the ~nn 15 when viewed on the wearer's eye.

In still another aspect, a contact lens constructed according to the invention has an annular mask with an optical tr~n~mi~ivity in the visible electromagnetic spectrum between approximately zero and ninety percent. In one ~.ler~ d aspect, the chosen tr~n~mi~sivity is 20 achieved through a plurality of light-blocking dots, arranged for selectively reducing the tr~n~mi~ion of light energy through the annular mask region by between appro~im~tely ten and one hundred percent. In another aspect, the annular mask region is selectively translucent, thereby reducing and diffusing light to the wearer's pupil. In most practical applications, the amount of tr~n~mi~sivity through the annular mask is relatively small, 25 typically less than twenty percent.

A contact lens constructed in accordance with the invention is preferably shaped or weighted to restrict the motion of the lens body relative to the eye of the wearer to less than appro~im~tely one and one-half millimeter. For example, and in one aspect, a prism ballast 30 weight with the lens body reduces unwanted motion of the lens on the eye. In still another aspect, wei~hting or shaping of the lens body centers the pinhole aperture created by the annular mask at the optimal position on the eye of the wearer.

In still another aspect in accordance with the invention, the annular mask region has at 35 least one tr~n~mi~ive artifact that is free from obscuration, such as the obscuration forming the selectively tr~n~mi~ive annular mask region. The tr~n~mi~ive artifact thus represents an area that transmits light energy through the lens body with a tr~n~mi~ion similar to the tr~n~mi ~ion of light energy through the pinhole ~tel Lule. Preferably, the tr~n~mi~sive artifact has a geometrical optical arrangement that improves the peripheral vision of the wearer. The WO 95/08135 ~ S ~ 7 PCT/US94/10277 artifact has a shape and size which does not create unwanted diffraction effects. For example, one acceptable tr~nemieeive artifact pattern is created by three slits arranged in 60 arcs about the annulus.

The invention provides, in another aspect, methodology to m~nnf~r,hlre a contact lens, including the steps of: (1) forming a contact lens body with a first surface configured to conform to the eye cul ~Lule of a wearer and with a second surface configured to correct the vision of the wearer selectively at a focus b~Lw~ll and including near and far objects, and (2) providing an annular mask region of selected optical tr~nemieeivity with the lens body.
10 According to this aspect, the annular mask region forms a subst~nti~lly pinhole-like ~clluLe which tr~nemite light energy through the pupil of the wearer. The annular mask region further reduces light energy through the pupil of the wearer during average li~hting conditions, while pc~ iLLhlg more light energy to pass through the pupil of the wearer during lower lif~htin~
conditions as the pupil dilates.
In a preferred aspect, the method includes the further step of providing an optical correction outside the annular mask region to correct the vision of the wearer selectively at a focus between and including near and far objects, thus forming a multi-powered second surface.

In yet other aspects, the method includes the step of providing an optical correction, such as with an aspheric, toric, convex or concave form, on the second surface of the lens body. Alternatively, or additionally, the method includes the step of providing an optical correction, such as with an aspheric, toric or concave form, on the first surface.

In yet other aspect, the method includes the further step of optimi7ing the size of the annular mask region to fit the particular pupil size of the wearer. In still another aspect, additional mask is provided to selectively block portions of the wearer's pupil that contribute undesirable image effects, such as created by those portions of the eye that are damaged or 30 scarred.

A method according to the invention includes, in still other aspects, the step of weighting or shaping the lens body to m~int~in a particular orientation on the eye of the wearer. The lens body can also be weighted or shaped to center the aperture at the pupil of the 35 wearer. In a preferred aspect, a method for m~nnf~cturing a contact lens in accordance with the invention includes the step of configuring the lens body, e.g., with a weight such as a prism ballast or with shaping of the lens body, such that the lens body is restricted for movement of less than approximately one and one-half millimeters relative to the eye of the wearer.

WO95/0813S 2~;9a~l PCT/US94/10277 In other aspects, a method according to the invention includes ~ltern~tive or additional steps for forming the annular mask region. For example, in one aspect the annular mask is formed by providing light-blocking areas with or within the lens body that are arranged to 5 reduce the trz3n~mi~cion of light energy selectively through the annular mask region by between approximately ten and one hundred percent. In one practice according to the invention, tr~n~mi~ion through the armular mask is reduced by disrupting the refractive power of the lens in the area of the annular mask by laser or chemical etching, or by physical abrasives. In a related aspect, the annular mask is formed by providing variably tr~n~mi~ive 10 coatings with the lens body such that light energy is selectively Ll~ e~l through the annular mask region by b~Lwe~n approximately zero and ninety percent. Typically, however, the tr~n~mi~sion through the annular mask is less than twenty percent. ~ltern~tively~ and in another aspect, a light-restricting element is employed within the lens body to form the annular mask region.
One aspect of the invention includes the step of forming light tr~n~mitting artifacts within the annular mask region. These transmitting artifacts represent areas that tr~n~mit light energy through the lens body with a tr~n~mi~ion similar to that of the aperture. Accordingly, these tr~n~mittin~ artifacts are not optically opaque, but rather freely transmit light energy 20 through the wearer's pupil, much like the a~ Lu-t; does. The tr~n~mitting artifacts are preferably arranged in a geometrical optics configuration to improve the peripheral vision of the wearer. They are also arranged to reduce unwanted diffraction effects caused by the artifacts at the retina.

In a preferred aspect, a method according to the invention includes the further step of p~tt~rning, coloring, or tinting the annular mask region to reduce the appearance of the annular mask when viewed on the eye of the wearer. Fe~ttl~ring techniques, for example, create acceptable patterns which tend to reduce the annular mask a~peal~lce.

In still another aspect, the invention provides for a non-surgical method for treating Wt;~le~ with visual aberrations, including the steps of: (1) fitting at least one eye of a wearer with a first contact lens configured to correct the vision of a wearer at a focus between and including near and far objects; and (2) providing an annular mask region of selected optical tr~n~mi~ivity to the contact lens. In this method, the annular mask region is arranged to form a substantially pinhole-like aperture for the pupil of the wearer. The annular mask region subst~nti~lly obscures the pupil of the wearer during average li~hting conditions except for the small aperture, while l~e--~ g more light energy to pass through the pupil of the wearer during lower ti~hting conditions, such as when the pupil dilates.

wo 95/08135 1 ~ ~ 3 S ~ PCT/US94/10277 A non-surgical method as described above can include the additional steps of (1 ) f1tting only one eye of the wearer with the first contact lens and (2) fitting the other eye with a dirrel~nl contact lens, e.g., one of selected power, and one that is substantially free of an - annular mask region.
s The advantages of a contact lens constructed in accordance with the invention are several. The lens impfoves a wearer's vision over a wide range of viewing (1i~t~n-~es The lens improves a wearer's vision during differing brightness conditions by incorporating the normal function of the human pupil in the size of the annular mask. Moreover, complex 10 vision correction is possible with the invention by providing a multi-powered contact lens. If a wearer has an area on the iris which is damaged or surgically removed, these portions can be selectively blocked, according to the invention, for further vision improvement. A contact lens according to the invention does not enco~age diffraction effects, thereby avoiding a reduction in visual acuity. A contact lens according to the invention also achieves an 15 acceptable cosmetic appearance, unlike known pinhole contact lenses; in particular, with the lens of the invention, the annular mask has a reduced appearance when viewed on the eye of the wearer.

These and other aspects and features of the invention will be more fully understood in 20 the detailed description which follows.

P~rief Description of theDrawir~

For a fuller under~t~nclin~ of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should 25 be made to the following detailed description and the acco~ yhlg drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of an annular mask contact lens constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIGURE lA is a diametrical sectional view of the lens of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE lB is a diametrical sectional view of the lens of FIGURE 1 with a prism ballast;

FIGURE lC is a diametrical sectional view of the lens of FIGURE 1 with an internal light-blocking element forming the annular mask;

FIGURE 2 illustrates an annular mask contact lens according to FIGURE 1 and its relation to the human pupil during average light conditions;

2~L~9~S~ 8 FIGURE 2A is a diametrical sectional view of the lens of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 3 illustrates an annular mask contact lens constructed according to the 5 invention and its relation to the human pupil where the annulus is smaller than the wearer's dilated pupil under dim lightinp; conditions;

FIGURE 3A is a diametrical sectional view of the lens of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 4 shows the contact lens of FIGURE 1 with a feathered annulus;

FIGURE 5 shows the contact lens of FIGURE 1 with light~ slllilling artifacts;

FIGURE 6 illu~L~dles a bi-powered annular mask contact lens constructed in accordance with further features of the invention; and FIGURE 7 illu~lldles an annular mask contact lens constructed in accordance withfurther features of the invention and which selectively blocks portions of the human pupil.

Description of Illustrated Fmbotliment~

FIGURES 1 and lA show a contact lens 10 constructed in accordance with the invention: FIGURE 1 shows the contact lens 10 in a front view; while FIGURE lA shows the contact lens 10 in a side sectional view. The contact lens 10 has a ll~:llls~ell~ lens body 12 that is m~nllf~ctllred by known techniques and methods in the art.

In accordance with the improvements of the invention, the lens body 12 has a first surface 14 optically configured, e.g., with a concave form, to conform to the eye curvature of the wearer. The lens body 12 has a second surface 16 optically configured, e.g., with a convex form, to correct the vision of the wearer selectively at a focus between and including far and near objects. Focusing is achieved both by the contact lens 10 and by the refractive capability of the wearer's eye.

The contact lens 10 has an annular mask 18 that is selectively tr~n~mi.~ive according to the particular needs of the wearer. In a plere,l~d embodiment, the annular mask 18 is t opaque such that it blocks light energy at the lens body 12. The annular mask 18 is further arranged to forrn a substantially pinhole-like aperture 20 at the wearer's optical line-of-sight 22, which is approximately at the center ofthe lens body 12. The apellul~ 20 is preferably WO9S/08135 1 6~8S7 PCT/US94/10277 arranged to be concentric with the wearer's pupil, which could be off-center with respect to the curvature of the cornea.

Constructed in this fashion, the contact lens 10 operates as a pinhole imager and 5 increases the depth of focus for objects viewed by the wearer. Light rays from a single object in the field of view, and entering the pinhole aperture 20, are more tightly imaged at the retina than in the absence of the lens 10. This reduces the blurring at the retinal image and increases the wearer's visual acuity. Normally, the typical geometric~l vision deficiencies encuu~ cd in w~ , like myopia, hyl~eropia, ~ti~m~ti~m, and presbyopia, spread out the 10 light rays re~ehing the retina from a single object point in the field of view, thereby re~ cing image conkast. The pinhole ~ 20 limits these light rays to a small bundle entering the eye pupil, and thereby hlll)ruves image contrast. Visual acuity is also improved over a large range of viewing distances because defocus effects are less noticeable with the reduced blurring of the image at the retina.
The pinhole ~,lu,~ 20 is sized to provide pinhole im~ging improvement for the wearer's vision deficiency. The aperture 20 is smaller than the wearer's pupil size during average li~hting conditions to improve vision clarity during such conditions. Preferably, however, the aperture 20 is smaller - or approximately equivalent to - the pupil of the wearer 20 during bright light conditions. With this latter sizing, the wearer has improved vision clarity even during bright lighting conditions.

Thus the aperture 20 is less than approximately four millimeters, to accommodate the variety of pupil diameters under average lighting conditions. Since the contact lens may not 25 always cenler over the wearer's pupil, the lens 10 is preferably fitted first, and the position of the annulus 18 noted, and the lens 10 then made to special order according to the fitting so the annulus 18 centers over the wearer's pupil. In a pl~"ed embodiment, the lens body 12 is weighted, e.g., with a prism ballast 17 in FIGURE lB, or shaped to center the aperture 20 at the optimal location on the eye of the wearer, and to reduce the movement of the contact 10 30 on the wearer's eye, preferably to less than approximately one and one-half millimeters.
Accordingly, the lens l O is held in a relatively constant position on the eye of the wearer, thereby m~ximi7in~ the lens 10 for central vision while reducing the possibility of a reduction in the peripheral field by decentering and other excessive movements.

At the same time, the pinhole aperture 20 desirably is greater than the diameter at which diffraction effects start to degrade image quality. In general, the benefits achieved by the pinhole aperture 20 can be destroyed by diffraction if very small apertures are incorporated into the pinhole contacts lenses. Such small apertures that have these adverse results include radial slits and scalloped p~ttern~. Diffraction can actually increase the WO 95/08135 . ~ PCT/US9~110277 blurring of the retinal image such that the wearer's vision is degraded rather than improved.
Thus, to avoid unacceptable diffraction effects, the lower limit of a pinhole ~)Gl LUI G in a usable contact lens is a~Loxhllately one-half millimeter.

Therefore, the diameter of the pinhole ~;;lLul~; 20 is generally greater than one-half millimeter and less than four millimeters. In a ~lere.l~d embodiment, the pinhole ~GILulG 20 is ~loxilllately two millimeters in diameter.

In addition, the radial width of the annular mask 18, from the inside edge 24 to the outside edge 26, is preferably between ~ llately one-half and four millimeters. This ~limen~ion is sized in the practice of the invention to accommodate the normal function of the human pupil, as described below. Typically, the annular mask 18 has a diameter of approximately four and one-half millimeters.

The lens body 12 can be constructed with material to form a hard, gas permeable lens, or, ~ltern~tively, to form a soft contact lens, e.g., with a flexible soft polymer m~teri~l Combinations of these m~t~ri~l~ are also suitable to form a composite contact. The outer diameter of the lens body 12 is approximately seven to eighteen millimeters, depending upon the wearer's eye size.
It can be appreciated that the flim~n~ions of the annular mask 18 can be adjusted for a particular wearer. For example, the annular mask 18 can be sized for a particular pupil, or further optimized for a desired visual correction.

For ease of m~m-f~cture, the second surface 16 is al~plopliately configured and powered to correct the vision of the wearer for distant objects. In a ~lerGlled embodiment, however, the second surface 16 is configured within the annular mask 18, i.e., at the pinhole aperture 20, to correct the wearer's vision at an intermediate focus, approximately midway between near and far objects. According to this embodiment, the lens 20 is multi-powered:
the lens body 10 corrects the wearer's vision for far objects outside the annular mask 18, and corrects for intermediate objects within the pinhole aperture area.

It should be al)palellL to those skilled in the art that other multi-powered corrections are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.
The contact lens 10 typically corrects the wearer's vision by forming an opticalcorrection on the second surface 16. Common corrections include convex, concave, toric, and ~tipm~tiC forms. .~ltern~tively, or in conjunction with the an optical correction on the second ~ WO 95/08135 21 6 9 8 S 7 PCT/US94/10277 surface, the first surface can similarly include an optical correction, such as with a toric, ~ti~m~tic, or concave form.

FIGURES 2 and 2A illustrate the relationship of the annular mask contact lens 10 of 5 FIGURES 1 and lA to the wearer's contracted pupil 28 during average conditions. Light rays 30 show the bundle of light from a far object point which passes through the wearer's pupil 28 without the contact lens 10. Light rays 32 show the smaller bundle of light from the sarne object point which passes through the wearer's pupil with the contact lens 10. Light rays 32 pass by the edge of the pinhole aperture 20 and do not pass by the edge of the human pupil 28. The light rays 32 are focused by the contact lens 10 and by the eye's refractive portions 34.

Under normal viewing, without the contact lens 10, the wearer's retina 36 would receive all the light energy from the light rays 30. The light rays 30 would pass by the edge 15 of ~e eye pupil 28 and eventually reach the retina 36, where the light energy is converted into signals perceived by the brain.

However, while viewing through the contact lens 10 under average light, or daylight, conditions, the pinhole aperture 20 created by the annular mask 18 restricts the effective light 20 transmitting aperture so that only the light rays 32 pass through the eye pupil 28 and to the retina 36. Because the light rays 32 co~lilule a smaller geometrical extent upon the eye's refractive portions 34, as compared to the light rays 30, the aberrations and/or defocussing effects at the retina 36 are reduced.

FIGURE 2A shows that the functional size of the eye pupil 28 is optically larger than the effective diameter created by the pinhole a~el~ure 20 of the contact lens 10 under average light conditions. The light rays entering the eye through the pinhole ~ u,~; 20 are restricted to a smaller geometrical extent, as compared to the light rays which would otherwise pass through the eye pupil 28. The smaller bundle of light passing through the pinhole aperture 20 is thus more tightly focused at the retina, thereby improving the clarity of objects viewed by the wearer.

In contrast to FIGURES 2 and 2A, FIGURES 3 and 3A show one embodiment of a contact lens 11, similar to the contact lens 10 of FIGURES 1 -2, constructed in accordance with the invention whereby the outer diameter of the ~nn~ 19 iS sized to accommodate a wearer's dilated pupil 28 during lower light conditions. The bundle of light rays 38 from the same object point strikes the contact lens 11 in the regions 40,42, and 44, and are focused at the retina 36 by the contact lens 11 and the eye's refractive portions 34. The eye pupil 28 is illustratively shown as the wearer's limiting aperture under normal viewing without the contact lens 11, where the wearer would receive light energy from all the light rays 38. The light rays 38 would pass through the edge of the pupil 28 and eventually reach the retina 36.
Because of the dimmer lighting, the wearer's pupil 28 has dilated from its size shown in FIGURES 2 and 2A to acquire more light energy at the retina 36. The widely dilated pupil 5 occurs most readily under dim illumination when a person's attention is primarily drawn to distant objects.

The annular mask 19 of the contact lens 11 is sized to increase the available tr~n~mis~ion through the pupil 28 and to the retina 32 under dimmer lightin~, as con~Lcd to 10 average light conditions shown in FIGURE 2. As seen in FIGURE 3A, the pupil 28 is optically larger than the effective diarneter of the armular mask 19 after the wearer's pupil dilates. During lower light conditions, the wearer can thus receive light rays 38 at the retina 36 through the tr~n~mittin~ regions 40 and 42. The energy passing through the region 40 is tr~n~mitt~cl through the pinhole 21, and to the retina 36. The light energy passing through the region 42 is transmitted outside the annular mask 19 and to the retina 36. Some of the light rays 38 are blocked at the region 44 by the annular mask 19.

Accordingly, the contact lens 11 increasingly tr~n~mit~ more of the light rays 38 as the wearer's pupil size increases or dilates. The wearer is, therefore, better able to discern the 20 same objects which were viewed under brighter conditions.

Alternatively to, or in conjunction with, the contact lens 11 illustrated in FIGURES 3 and 3A, the annular mask 18 (FIGURES 1-2) or 19 (FIGURE 3-3A) is variably and selectively tr~n~mi~sive to provide more light energy to the retina as the wearer's pupil 25 dilates.

Whether in the form of a coating or other structure, the mask region 18 (FIGURE 1) and 19 (FIGURE 3) can have various selected levels of tr~n~mi~ivity. To take full advantage of the versatility in vision correction available in a pinhole contact lens according 30 to the invention, the annular mask region is variably tr~n~mi~s;ve through the lens body to between approximately zero and 90% in the visible light spectrum. Opacity is generally desired for m~im~l visual sharpness. However, a person may want a to transmit more light energy through the annulus to avoid a sense of visual ~limne~, i.e. to attain more brightness.
Typically, an annulus tr~n~mi~ n of less than a~plo~ ately twenty percent is sufficient for 35 this purpose. The optical tr~n~mi~ivity of a mask region according to the invention can therefore vary from lens to lens, as well as within a lens, to attain vision having a selected balance of factors. For example, in one practice according to the invention, the annular mask transmits less light energy towards the pinhole aperture, and transmits relatively more light energy towards the outer edge of the contact.

WO 95/08135 1 69&~S7 PCT/US94/10277 Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the mask regions of the lenses 10 and 1 1 in FIGURES 1-3 can be constructed in several ways. One practice for achieving this - trAn~mi~ivity utilizes a light-blocking element 37, shown in Figure 1 C, configured with the 5 body to restrict light passage through the lens body. Another practice uses a variably trAncmi.e~ive coating applied to, or mAnl-fArtured with, the lens body. Yet another practice generates the annular mask with a plurality of light-blocking dots, which in total reduce the trAn~mi.qcion of light energy through the annulus to the selected trAn~mi~sivity, for example by between a~ vxilllately ten and one hundred percent. Typically, however, the light-10 blocking dots restrict over eighty percent of the light energy trAn~miftecl through the annularmask.

Still other practices for forming the annular mask region include Diazo contact printing, mesoprints, and reactive and VAT dyes. Other practices for forming the annular 15 mask include a variety of methods for disrupting the surface or refractive properties of the lens in the area of the annular mask. For example, lasers or chemirAl et~hAnt~, or physical abrasives, are effectively used to disrupt the optical surface of the contact to change the trAn~mi~ion in the annular mask region to form the annular mask. Suitable techniques for disrupting and creating such optical surfaces are described in US. Patent 4,744,647, entitled 20 "Semi-Opaque Corneal Contact Lens or Inraoccular Lens and Method of Formation", which is accordingly incorporated herein by reference.

A particularly advantageous practice for achieving the variably trAncmi~ive annular mask utilizes PAD FLEX, or Italio Plate methodology, which is well-known to those skilled 25 in the art. In PAD FLEX printing, for example, a silicone tip contacts an Italio plate engraved with a selectable pattern and covered with ink. The tip acquires the image from the Italio plate and then transfers the image without distortion onto a wide range of curved surfaces, such as a contact lens.

Accordingly, a contact lens 10 (FIGURES 1-2) constructed with a trAn~mi~ive annulus 18, rather than a light-blocking annulus, may be sized with a diameter greater than the armulus 19 of FIGURE 3. Since light energy is trAn~mittecl throughout the annulus 18, more light energy is trAn~mitted through the pupil 28 as the pupil dilates. Therefore, there is no requirernent that the pupil 28 exceed the annulus diameter, such as illustrated in FIGURES

3-3A. However, the annulus 19 of FIGURES 3-3A is a~plopliately trAn~mi~ive in some in~tAn-~es to further increase the light energy to the retina.

The size of the annular masks 18 and 19, FIGURES 2 and 3, provides certain advantages, particularly with respect to the pinhole ~ ule. For example, during eye WO 95/08135 ~ 4 PCT/US94/10277 e~min~ions, a doctor can ph~rm~ologically dilate the pupil of a person wearing the contact lens, and e~min~ the entire retina, up to the periphery. This generally cannot be done through a normal pupil that is approximately two millimeters or less in diameter.

A contact lens constructed in accordance with the invention, such as the lens 10 of FIGURES 1-2, is colored, tinted, or otherwise shaded, when a~io~l;ate, by methods known in the art. This coloring or tinting can be cosmetic, as it often is for many wearers of common contact lenses. It can also reduce the sometimes objectionable appearance of the annular mask 18 when viewed on the eye of the wearer. For example, the invention provides for an annulus that is m~tl~hPd to the wearer's iris. It also provides for an annulus that enh~n~es or changes the appearance of the wearer's iris, if desired.

In one ~.~feLl~d emborliment the annular mask 18 is p~ rne~l to reduce the visual contrast of the borders or edges of the annular mask 18. FIGURE 4 shows the contact lens 10 of FIGURE 1 with an outer edge 27, which is feathered to reduce the contrast of the edge 27 as compared to the edge 26 of FIGURE 1. Other annulus patterns are possible, as long as the overall visual effect or al)pe~dllce of the annulus 18 is reduced when viewed on the eye the wearer.

The feathered edge 27 illustrates one example of a tr~n~mi~ive artifact that may form part of the annular mask 18 in accordance with the invention. Such a ~n~mi~ive artifact represents an area with the annular mask region that is free of the light restricting matter, e.g., a light-blocking element or a variably tr~ mi~ive coating, which can form the annular mask 18. Another tr~n~mi~ive artifact is illustrated in FIGURE 5, showing the contact lens 10 of FIGURE 1 with a plurality of curved, arc-like tr~n~mi~ive artifacts 29. Preferably, these artifacts 29 are arranged in a geometrical optical configuration, such as shown in FIGURE 5, to improve the peripheral vision of the wearer, if needed. However, these artifacts 29 are to be carefully sized and shaped to alleviate undesirable diffraction effects which may be caused by the artifacts. One acceptable artifact shape is illustrated in FIGURE 5, whereby the diffraction pattern created by the artifacts 29 is spread out equally over the retina. The illustrated artifacts 29 have 60 arcs, relative to their radii of curvature, as illustrated in FIGURE 5, which diffract light to the retina in a pattern much like opposed 60 pie slices.
Each respective artifact fills in the diffractive pattern, completing 360 at the retina.

FIGURE 6 shows a ~ler~ d practice of the invention incorporating a bi-powered contact lens 46. The annular mask 48 and the first surface 50 of the lens 46 are arranged as described above with reference to FIGURES 1 and lA. The structure of the second surface 52 of the contact lens 46 forms two regions that provide two distinct optical corrections. In the region defined by the pinhole aperture 54, the second surface 52 is optically configured to ~ WO 95/08135 ~ PCT/US94/10277 ~169~7 correct the wearer's vision for in interrnediate distance, between near and far objects. In addition, the second surface 52 in the region outside the annular mask 48 is optically configured to correct the wearer's vision for far objects.
.

As shown in FIGURE 6, the light rays 56 which pass through the contact lens 46 enter both the pinhole a~ Lul~ 54 and the region outside the annular mask 48 during lower lightinp conditions, i.e., when the pupil 28 of FIGURE 2 is dilated. However, all of the light rays 56, which origin~te from the same object point, effectively focus at the retina, illustratively shown as 58, even with the tliffering optical corrections forming surface 52. The light rays 56 which enter the pinhole a~llure region 54 are subjected to greater refracting power at surface 52 yet still in focus at the retina 58 because of the large depth of focus created by the annulus 48. The light rays 56 which pass outside the annular mask 48 are subjected to relatively less refractive power at surface 52 but also focus at the retina.

Therefore, under average lighting conditions, the pupil 28 of FIGURE 2 is somewhat contracted, and the light rays 56 enter only through the pinhole aperture 54, focusing at a point between near and far vision. In dim li~htin~ conditions, the pupil 28 of FIGURE 3 is dilated, and the light rays 56 are focused both intermediately within the pinhole 54 and at far objects outside the mask 48.
The bi-powered nature of the contact lens 46, together with the annular mask 48,enables the wearer to view both far and near objects under the differing light intensities. The intermediate optical power inside the annular mask 48 and the pinhole aperture 54 provide for the large depth of field.
FIGURE 7 shows another contact lens 62 according to the invention and which incorporates selective blocking by a mask 64. A pinhole aperture 66 and the annular mask diameter 68 are formed by the mask 64 as described above with reference to FIGURES 1, 2 and 2A. The mask 64 is, in addition, selectively applied to regions 64a outside the annulus outer diameter 68 to block light energy striking highly irregular portions 70 of the iris which may contribute undesirable image effects. The two illustrated regions 64a are annular portions contiguous with the mask region within the diameter 68. For example, a damaged iris, or iris regions removed in surgery, would be candidates for selective blocking by a mask region 64a, thereby reducing the negative visual image effects relative to those areas 70.
Because the mask 64, including regions such as 64a, can be non-symmetric, the contact lens 62 can be weight~1, such as with a prism ballast of FIGURE lB, to m~int~in a particular orientation on the wearer's eye.

WO 95/08135 ~ ~ 9 8 S ~ PCTIUS94110277 It is thus seen that the invention efficiently attains the objects set forth above, among those a~p~e.ll in the prece~ling description. In particular, the invention provides an annular mask contact lens capable of correcting human vision under differing lightinp conditions and viewing ~liet~nres s It will be understood that changes may be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the arrangement and size of the annular mask 18, as shown in FIGURES 1 and lA, can be selected for a particular wearer to optimize the visual correction available in the pinhole contact lens 10. In another example, 10 the contact lens body 12 can be constructed with a yellow ~pe~ ~n~e, giving the wearer a physiological in~ ;s~ion of brighter lighting In a further example, the contact lens 10, 11, 46, and 62 in FIGURES 1-7, can be constructed with m~teri~le, or combinations of m~t~ le, forming a soft, gas permeable, hard and semi-hard contact lens. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention can also aid Wt;al~el~ suffering from other vision deficiencies 15 and disorders.

It is accordingly int~n-l~cl that all matters contained in the above description or shown in the acconlp~lyillg drawings be interpreted as illustrative rather than in a limitin~ way.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to claim all of the specific and generic features of the invention as described herein, and all the st~t~me~t.e of the scope of the invention which fall ther~bcLween.

Claims

17~
Claims:

1. A contact lens having an optically transparent lens body and having the improvement in which, said lens body has a first surface substantially configured to conform to the eye curvature of a wearer, said lens body has a second surface optically configured, in conjunction with said first surface, to correct the vision of the wearer selectively at a focus between and including far and near objects, and said lens body has an annular mask region of selected optical transmissivity and arranged for (i) forming a substantially pinhole-like aperture which transmits light energy through the pupil of the wearer, (ii) transmitting less light energy through the pupil of the wearer during average lighting conditions, and (iii) permitting more light energy to pass through said lens body as the pupil of the wearer dilates during lower lighting conditions.
2. A contact lens according to claim 1 having the further improvement wherein said second surface has an optical configuration outside said annular mask region which corrects the vision of the wearer selectively at a focus between and including near and far objects, said second surface thereby forming a mufti-powered surface.
3. A contact lens according to claim 1 having the further improvement wherein said second surface has an optical correction, such as an aspheric, convex, concave, or toric correction, for correcting the vision of the wearer.
4. A contact lens according to claim 1 having the further improvement wherein said first surface has an optical correction, such as an aspheric or tonic correction, for correcting the vision of the wearer.
5. A contact lens according to claim 1 having the further improvement wherein said lens body consists essentially of oxygen permeable material.

6. A contact lens according to claim 1 having the further improvement wherein said lens body consists essentially of flexible polymer material forming a soft contact lens.
7. A contact lens according to claim 1 having the further improvement wherein said lens body has an outer diameter of between approximately seven and eighteen millimeters.
8. A contact lens according to claim 1 having the further improvement wherein said pinhole aperture has a diameter of between approximately one-half and three millimeters.
9. A contact lens according to claim 1 having the further improvement wherein said annular mask region forms an annulus with a radial width of between approximately one-half and four millimeters.
10. A contact lens according to claim 1 having the further improvement wherein said annular mask region has a diameter of approximately four and one-half millimeters.
11. A contact lens according to claim 1 having the further improvement comprising means for selectively coloring said contact lens.
12. A contact lens according to claim 1 having the further improvement wherein said optical transmissivity is between approximately zero and ninety percent in the visible electromagnetic spectrum.
13. A contact lens according to claim 1 having the further improvement wherein said annular mask region comprises means forming a plurality of light-blocking dots arranged for selectively reducing the transmission of light energy through said annular mask region by between approximately ten and one hundred percent.
14. A contact lens according to claim 1 having the further improvement wherein said annular mask region is selectively translucent.
15. A contact lens according to claim 1 having the further improvement wherein said lens body includes means for restricting the motion of said lens body on the eye of the wearer to less than approximately one and one-half millimeter.
16. A contact lens according to claim 15 having the further improvement wherein said means for restricting the motion includes a prism ballast.

A contact lens according to claim 1 having the further improvement wherein said annular mask region has at least one artifact representing an area that transmits light energy through said lens body with a transmission similar to the transmission of light energy through said aperture.
18. A contact lens according to claim 17 having the further improvement wherein said artifact has geometrical optical structure arranged for improving the peripheral vision of the wearer.
19. A contact lens according to claim 17 having the further improvement wherein said mask region has a plurality of arc-shaped artifacts to equally spread diffractive light at the retina.
20. A contact lens according to claim 1 having the further improvement wherein said annular mask region is selectively patterned, colored or tinted for reducing the appearance of said annular mask region when viewed on the eye of the wearer.
21. A contact lens according to claim 1 having the further improvement wherein said annular mask region is selectively colored or tinted for matching, enhancing, or changing the appearance of the iris color of the wearer.
22. A method for manufacturing a contact lens, comprising the steps of (A) forming a contact lens body with a first surface configured to substantially conform to the eye curvature of a wearer and with a second surface configured, in conjunction with said first surface, to correct the vision of the wearer selectively at a focus between and including near and far objects, (B) providing on said lens body an annular mask region of selected optical transmissivity, wherein (i) said annular mask region forms a substantially pinhole-like optical aperture which transmits light energy through the pupil of the wearer, (ii) said annular mask region centers over the pupil of the wearer, and (iii) said annular mask region permits increasing light energy to pass through the pupil of the wearer during lower light conditions as the pupil dilates wherein optical transmissivity of the annular mask region varies such that the annular mask region transmits less light energy toward the pinhole aperture and transmits more light energy toward the outer edge of the contact lens.

23. A method-according to claim 22 comprising the further step of providing an optical correction outside said annular mask region which selectively corrects the vision of the wearer at a focus between and including near and far objects, said second surface thereby forming a multi-powered surface.
24. A method according to claim 22 comprising the further step of providing an optical correction, such as with an aspheric, tonic, convex or concave form, on said second surface.
25. A method according to claim 22 comprising the further step of providing an optical correction, such as with an aspheric, tonic or concave form, on said first surface.
26. A method according to claim 22 comprising the further step of optimizing the size of the said annular mask region to fit the pupil size of the wearer.
27. A method according to claim 22 comprising the further step of providing additional mask to selectively block portions of the pupil of the wearer that contribute undesirable image effects.
28. A method according to claim 22 comprising the further step of weighting or shaping said lens body for maintaining a particular orientation on the eye of the wearer.
29. A method according to claim 22 comprising the further step of weighting or shaping said lens body for centering said aperture at the pupil of the wearer.
30. A method according to claim 22 comprising the further step of weighting or shaping said lens body for restricting the motion of said lens body on the eye of the wearer to less than approximately one and one-half millimeters.
31. A method according to claim 22 wherein the step of providing an annular mask region of selected optical transmissivity includes the step of providing light-blocking areas arranged for selectively reducing the transmission of light energy through said annular mask region by between approximately ten and one hundred percent.
32. A method according to claim 22 wherein said mask region the step of providing an annular mask region of selected optical transmissivity includes the step of providing variable transmission coatings such that light energy is selectively transmitted through said annular mask region by between approximately zero and ninety percent.
33. A method according to claim 22 wherein the step of forming a lens body includes the step of forming a lens body having a diameter between approximately seven and eighteen millimeters.
34. A method according to claim 22 wherein the step of providing an annular mask region includes the step of forming an aperture with a diameter of between approximately one-half and three millimeters.
35. A method according to claim 22 wherein the step of providing an annular mask region includes the step of forming an annulus with a radial width of between approximately one-half and four millimeters.
36. A method according to claim 22 comprising the further step of selectively coloring or tinted said contact lens.
37. A method according to claim 22 wherein the step of providing an annular mask region includes the step of providing a light-restricting element within said lens body.
38. A method according to claim 22 comprising the further step of configuring said first surface such that said lens body is restricted for movement on the eye of the wearer to less than approximately one and one-half millimeter.
39. A method according to claim22 comprising the further step of forming light transmitting artifacts within said annular mask region, said artifacts representing area that transmits light energy through said lens body with a transmission similar to the transmission through said aperture.
40. A method according to claim 39 comprising the further step of arranging said artifacts in a geometrical optics configuration for improving the peripheral vision of the wearer.
41. A method according to claim 39 wherein said step of forming the artifacts comprises the additional step of arranging the artifacts in the annulus to equally spread diffractive light created by said artifacts at the cornea.

~~ A method according to claim 22 comprising the further step of patterning, coloring, or tinting said annular mask region to reduce the appearance of said annular mask region when viewed on the eye of the wearer.
43. A non-surgical method for treating visual aberrations, said method comprising the steps of (A) fitting at least one eye of a wearer with a first contact lens configured to correct the vision of a wearer at a focus between and including near and far objects, (B) providing on said contact lens an annular mask region of selected optical transmissivity, wherein (i) said annular mask region forms a substantially pinhole-like optical aperture for the pupil of the wearer, (ii) said annular mask region centers over the pupil of the wearer, and (iii) said annular mask region permits increasing light energy to pass through the pupil of the wearer during lower lighting conditions as the pupil dilates, wherein optical transmissivity of the annular mask region varies such that the annular mask region transmits less light energy toward the pinhole aperture and transmits more light energy toward the outer edge of the contact lens.
44. A method according to claim 43 comprising the further step of fitting only one eye of the wearer with said first contact lens and fitting the other eye with a contact lens of selected power that is substantially free of an annular mask region.

45. A contact lens which comprises:
a lens body having a first surface substantially configured to conform to the eye curvature of a wearer, said lens body having a second surface optically configured, in conjunction with said first surface, to correct the vision of the wearer selectively at a focus between and including far and near objects, and said lens body having an annular mask region of selected optical transmissivity and arranged for (i) forming a substantially pinhole-like optical aperture which transmits light energy through the pupil of the wearer, (ii) centering said annular mask region over the pupil of the wearer, and (iii) permitting increasing light energy to pass through said lens body as the pupil of the wearer dilates during lower lighting conditions wherein said contact lens is weighted or shaped for centering said aperture at the pupil of the wearer and further wherein said contact lens includes means for restricting the motion of said lens body on the eye of the wearer to less than approximately one and one-half millimeters.
46. A contact lens according to claim 45 having the further improvement wherein said second surface has an optical configuration outside said annular mask region which corrects the vision of the wearer selectively at a focus between and including near and far objects, said second surface thereby forming a multi-powered surface.
47. A contact lens according to claim 45 having the further improvement wherein said second surface has an optical correction, such as an aspheric, convex, concave, or toric correction, for correcting the vision of the wearer.
48. A contact lens according to claim 45 having the further improvement wherein said first surface has an optical correction, such as an aspheric or toric correction, for correcting the vision of the wearer.

49. A contact lens according to claim 45 having the runner improvement wherein said lens body consists essentially of oxygen permeable material.
50. A contact lens according to claim 45 having the further improvement wherein said lens body consists essentially of flexible polymer material forming a soft contact lens.
51. A contact lens according to claim 45 having the further improvement wherein said lens body has an outer diameter of between approximately seven and eighteen millimeters.
52. A contact lens according to claim 45 having the further improvement wherein said pinhole aperture has a diameter of between approximately one-half and three millimeters.
53. A contact lens according to claim 45 having the further improvement wherein said annular mask region forms an annulus with a radial width of between approximately one-half and four millimeters.
54. A contact lens according to claim 45 having the further improvement wherein said annular mask region has a diameter of approximately four and one-half millimeters.
55. A contact lens according to claim 45 having the further improvement comprising means for selectively coloring said contact lens.
56. A contact lens according to claim 45 having the further improvement wherein said optical transmissivity is between approximately zero and ninety percent in the visible electromagnetic spectrum.

57. A contact lens according to claim 45 having the further improvement wherein said annular mask region comprises means forming a plurality of light-blocking dots arranged for selectively reducing the transmission of light energy through said annular mask region by between approximately ten and one hundred percent.
58. A contact lens according to claim 45 having the further improvement wherein said annular mask region is selectively translucent.
59. A contact lens according to claim 45 having the further improvement wherein said means for restricting the motion includes a prism ballast.
60. A contact lens according to claim 45 having the further improvement wherein said annular mask region has at least one artifact representing an area that transmits light energy through said lens body with a transmission similar to the transmission of light energy through said aperture.
61. A contact lens according to claim 60 having the further improvement wherein said artifact has geometrical optical structure arranged for improving the peripheral vision of the wearer.
62. A contact lens according to claim 60 having the further improvement wherein said mask region has a plurality of arc-shaped artifacts to equally spread diffractive light at the retina.
63. A contact lens according to claim 45 having the further improvement wherein said annular mask region is selectively patterned, colored or tinted for reducing the appearance of said annular mask region when viewed on the eye of the wearer.

64. A contact lens according to claim 45 having the further improvement wherein said annular mask region is selectively colored or tinted for matching, enhancing, or changing the appearance of the iris color of the wearer.
65. A method for manufacturing a contact lens, comprising the steps of:
(A) forming a contact lens body with a first surface configured to substantially conform to the eye curvature of a wearer and with a second surface configured, in conjunction with said first surface, to correct the vision of the wearer selectively at a focus between and including near and far objects, (B) providing on said lens body an annular mask region of selected optical transmissivity, wherein (i) said annular mask region forms a substantially pinhole-like optical aperture which transmits light energy through the pupil of the wearer, (ii) said annular mask region centers over the pupil of the wearer, and (iii) said annular mask region permits increasing light energy to pass through the pupil of the wearer during lower lighting conditions as the pupil dilates wherein said contact lens is weighted or shaped for centering said aperture at the pupil of the wearer and further wherein said contact lens includes means for restricting the motion of said lens body on the eye of the wearer to less than approximately one and one-half millimeters.
66. A method according to claim 65 comprising the further step of providing an optical correction outside said annular mask region which selectively corrects the vision of the wearer at a focus between and including near and far objects, said second surface thereby forming a multi-powered surface.
67. A method according to claim 65 comprising the further step of providing an optical correction, such as with an aspheric, toric, convex or concave form, on said second surface.

68. A method according to claim 65 comprising the further step of providing an optical correction, such as with an aspheric, toric or concave form, on said first surface.
69. A method according to claim 65 comprising the further step of optimizing the size of the said annular mask region to fit the pupil size of the wearer.
70. A method according to claim 65 comprising the further step of providing additional mask to selectively block portions of the pupil of the wearer that contribute undesirable image effects.
71. A method according to claim 65 wherein the step of providing an annular mask region of selected optical transmissivity includes the step of providing light-blocking areas arranged for selectively reducing the transmission of light energy through said annular mask region by between approximately ten and one hundred percent.
72. A method according to claim 65 wherein said mask region the step of providing an annular mask region of selected optical transmissivity includes the step of providing variable transmission coatings such that light energy is selectively transmitted through said annular mask region by between approximately zero and ninety percent.
73. A method according to claim 65 wherein the step of forming a lens body includes the step of forming a lens body having a diameter between approximately seven and eighteen millimeters.
74. A method according to claim 65 wherein the step of providing an annular mask region includes the step of forming an aperture with a diameter of between approximately one-half and three millimeters.

75. A method according to claim 65 wherein the step of providing an annular mask region includes the step of forming an annulus with a radial width of between approximately one-half and four millimeters.
76. A method according to claim 65 comprising the further step of selectively coloring or tinted said contact lens.
77. A method according to claim 65 wherein the step of providing an annular mask region includes the step of providing a light-restricting element within said lens body.
78. A method according to claim 65 comprising the further step of configuring said first surface such that said lens body is restricted for movement on the eye of the wearer to less than approximately one and one-half millimeter.
79. A method according to claim 65 comprising the further step of forming light transmitting artifacts within said annular mask region, said artifacts representing area that transmits light energy through said lens body with a transmission similar to the transmission through said aperture.
80. A method according to claim 79 comprising the further step of arranging said artifacts in a geometrical optics configuration for improving the peripheral vision of the wearer.
81. A method according to claim 79 wherein said step of forming the artifacts comprises the additional step of arranging the artifacts in the annulus to equally spread diffractive light created by said artifacts at the cornea.
82. A method according to claim 65 comprising the further step of patterning, coloring, or tinting said annular mask region to reduce the appearance of said annular mask region when viewed on the eye of the wearer.

83. A non-surgical method for treating visual aberrations, said method comprising the steps of (A) fitting at least one eye of a wearer with a first contact lens configured to correct the vision of a wearer at a focus between and including near and far objects, (B) providing on said contact lens an annular mask region of selected optical transmissivity, wherein (i) said annular mask region forms a substantially pinhole-like optical aperture for the pupil of the wearer, (ii) said annular mask region centers over the pupil of the wearer, and (iii) said annular mask region permits increasing light energy to pass through the pupil of the wearer during lower lighting conditions as the pupil dilates, wherein said contact lens is weighted or shaped for centering said aperture at the pupil of the wearer and further wherein said contact lens includes means for restricting the motion of said lens body on the eye of the wearer to less than approximately one and one-half millimeters.
84. A method according to claim 83, comprising the further step of fitting only one eye of the wearer with said first contact lens and fitting the other eye with a contact lens of selected power that is substantially free of an annular mask region.