SBIR-STTR Award

A low vision reading or bioptic telescope can be dramatically less costly than present mounted telescopes by being cast integral with the carrier spectacle lens. Previous solid telescope designs have not used aspheric curves to reduce aberrations nor plastic casting technology to produce a unit integral with the lens. A one piece solid reading telescope has been successfully computer-designed to reduce lateral chromatic aberration further, and focusing options will also be developed. These two new designs will be tested by having prototypes made, mounted and clinically tested. Fields of view, optical aberrations and patient acceptance will be evaluated. These lenticular units can be used both for reading and distance bioptics by rotating the carrier lens. The carrier lenses can be normally surfaced for distance Rx and edged for any frame. In Phase II, the most successful designs will be chosen to have aspheric molds made, and then cast in CR-39 plastic integral with the spectacle lens to prove the tremendous cost and appearance benefits to low vision patients.Awardee's statement of the potential commercial applications of the research:The potential commercial applications are tremendous because of the extremely low cost of a cast in the spectacle lens unit. The doctor's cost of this reading or distance telescope would be comparable to a cast aspheric high plus microscopic lens ($5O.00) rather than the present mounted telescopes consisting of multi-element optics and separate mountings and housings ($700.00). Actual patient costs may be double these and thus the savings can be tremendous.National Eye Institute (NEI)

For the first time a low vision telescope will be molded integral with the ophthalmic spectacle lens to achieve an order of magnitude less in cost. No previous designs have used aspheric curves to reduce aberrations nor plastic casting technology to produce a unit integral with the spectacle lens. A one piece solid design and a two piece design (to improve color correction and give focussing options) have both been successfully developed. These two designs have been protyped, mounted, and tested in Phase I. Fields of view, optical quality, patient acceptance, and cost basis have all been evaluated with exceptionally good results. These lenticular units look like a typical bifocal, will be in 2.2 to 3.0 powers and cab be used both or reading and a distance telescope-all for the price of a regular pair of ophthalmic glasses. The carrier ophthalmic lens can have the patient's prescription put in. In Phase II these improved designs will be made with aspheric molds and then molded integral with the spectacle lens to prove the tremendous cost benefits to low vision patients.Awardee's statement of the potential commercial applieations of the research:National Eye Institute (NEI)