A versatile lens architecture to shape visible light

Utah State University, Logan UT

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY This proposal aims to demonstrate a versatile lens architecture to shape light incident on the cornea in order to remedy deuteranomaly, with potential for other vision disorders. Twelve million people in the U.S. are deficient in their ability to discern color differences. This negatively impacts their quality of life for health, emotions, and especially careers. They often have difficulty preparing food, driving, or taking medications. They may be disadvantaged or restricted from certain work in military, aviation, or engineering. While typically inherited, color vision deficiency (CVD) frequently accompanies glaucoma, macular degeneration, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and other diseases. Color vision deteriorates markedly with age. There are wide variations in classification of CVD and its severity. So, outcomes from accommodation by standard tinted lenses vary considerably. Many such lenses are bandpass filters. They reduce light incident on the retina across a broad spectral region on either side of the anomaly. This distorts the wearer’s perception of contrast, hue, and intensity. Benefits of monocular bandpass filters are offset by alterations in depth and motion perception. In contrast, an ideal notch filter eliminates transmission across just tens of nanometers (nm) of visible light. This separates peak sensitivities of red and green photopigments which overlap excessively in deuteranomaly. Attempts, however, to make notch filters from dye- or nanoparticle-doped lenses still produce broad reductions in transmission around the target wavelength. This wavelength is approximately 560 nm for red-green color blindness. So, doped filters alter perceived hue, saturation, and brightness relative to normal. Nature offers clues to high-acuity, red-green color vision in the eyes of the elephantnose fish (Gnathonemus petersii). Multilayers of submicron-sized crystal lamellae reflect incident light away from rod photoreceptors. Reflection is wavelength- specific due to submicron spacing between adjacent lamellae. We hypothesize that submicron-spaced optical nodes at the convex surface of a lens can be customized to sharply reduce transmission at a wavelength near 560 nanometers Doing so could improve red-green perception based on the anomaloscopic examination of each person. This proposal would use the PI’s rapid bridging simulations to identify composition, geometry, and spatial arrangement of optical nodes required to improve color perception based on chromaticity. Specified nodes would be synthesized and self-assembled into a template stamped with regularly-spaced cavities with few missing nodes. This uses a method recently demonstrated by the PI. This protolens would be located at the convex surface of a contact lens to integrate into existing contact lens manufacture. Microspectroscopy of the lens-integrated protolens would quantify improvement in color perception. This AREA proposal will recruit 8 diverse undergraduates to collaborate with experts in devices, optoelectronics, simulation, and soft materials to conduct biomedical research that strengthens the research environment at USU and prepares them to lead independent research in future eye health through mentoring, publication, and proposal preparation.