HK1160228A - Low-power eyewear for reducing symptoms of computer vision syndrome - Google Patents

Description

Low energy consumption eyewear for alleviating symptoms of computer vision syndrome

Cross Reference to Related Applications

The present invention claims priority from the following U.S. provisional patent applications: U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/061,557, filed on 2008/6/13 entitled "low energy consumption eyewear for alleviating symptoms of computer vision syndrome"; U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/061,979, filed on 16/6/2008 entitled "low energy consumption eyewear for alleviating symptoms of computer vision syndrome"; both of these patents are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety as part of the specification of the present invention.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to eyewear, and more particularly, to eyewear for enhancing a user's experience when gazing at a computer screen or other close-range object for an extended period of time.

Background

Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) is a condition caused by long-term viewing of a Computer display screen. The common symptoms of CVS are blurred vision, headache, musculoskeletal pain and fatigue, eye fatigue, dry eyes, difficulty focusing the eyes at various distances, double vision, and sensitivity to light. CVS is a problem that afflicts millions of people now or in the future due to the use of computers in many industries.

Disclosure of Invention

Various embodiments of an eye for viewing a close-up object, such as a computer screen, for extended periods of time are described herein.

In some embodiments, stock computer eyewear is disclosed, the stock computer eyewear comprising: first and second lens portions, each lens having a diopter of from about +0.1 to +0.25, said first and second lens portions having substantially the same lens power to provide a ready correction for a user having substantially normal uncorrected or spectacle vision when viewing a computer screen, each lens having a baseline curve and an eye curve; a frame portion disposed around the first and second lens portions to provide support, wherein the base curve of the first and second lens portions includes a partially transmissive mirror coating thereon.

In some embodiments, a method for alleviating symptoms of computer vision syndrome when viewing a computer screen is disclosed, the method comprising: disposing a first lens and a second lens in front of an eye having substantially normal uncorrected or spectacle vision, each lens portion having substantially the same lens power of about +0.1 to +0.25 diopters, each lens portion having a partially transmissive specular coating thereon; viewing the computer screen through the first lens portion and the second lens portion.

In some embodiments, a kit for alleviating symptoms of computer vision syndrome when viewing a computer screen is disclosed, the kit comprising: eyewear comprising a first non-progressive lens portion, each lens having substantially the same lens power of about +0.1 to +0.25 diopters, each lens having a partially transmissive mirror coating thereon; data instructing a user to wear said glasses while viewing a computer screen.

In some embodiments, a kit is disclosed, the kit comprising: a package containing three or more pairs of computer eyewear, said computer eyewear comprising a first lens and a second lens, each lens having a lens power of about +0.1 to +0.25 diopters, said first lens and said second lens having substantially the same lens power to provide non-prescription correction for viewing a computer screen; and a frame disposed around the first and second lenses to provide support, wherein the first and second lenses include a partially reflective mirror coating thereon.

In some embodiments, a method of batch manufacturing computer eyewear is disclosed, the method comprising: without knowing the prescription of the user, making a plurality of eyeglasses, each made from a combination of left and right lenses having a lens power of about +0.1 to +0.25 diopters, said left and right lenses having substantially the same lens power to provide non-prescription correction for viewing a computer screen by either the left or right eye; wherein the left and right lenses have a partially transmissive coating thereon.

In some embodiments, computer eyewear is disclosed, comprising: a first lens and a second lens, both having substantially the same optical power of about +0.1 to +0.25 diopters, said first and second lenses having substantially the same optical power to provide non-prescription correction for viewing a computer display screen; and a frame disposed about the first and second lenses to provide support, wherein the first and second lenses include a spectral filter having at least one stop band in the visible spectrum that coincides with a spectral peak of lamp light emitted by an incandescent or fluorescent lamp such that the spectral peak transmitted through the spectral filter is selectively attenuated.

In some embodiments, a method of batch manufacturing computer eyewear is disclosed, the method comprising: without knowing the prescription of the user, first and second lenses are manufactured having substantially the same optical power of about +0.1 to +0.25 diopters, said first and second lenses having substantially the same optical power to provide non-prescription correction for viewing a computer screen, wherein said first and second lenses include a spectral filter having at least one stop band in the visible spectrum that coincides with a spectral peak in the emission of incandescent or fluorescent light such that said spectral peak transmitted through said spectral filter is selectively attenuated.

In some embodiments, a method of alleviating symptoms of computer vision syndrome when viewing a computer screen is disclosed, the method comprising: placing a first lens and a second lens in front of an eye having substantially normal uncorrected or spectacle vision, each lens having substantially the same lens power of about +0.1 to +0.25 diopters, each lens having a partially transmissive mirror coating thereon, said mirror coating comprising a spectral filter having at least one stop band in the visible spectrum that coincides with a spectral peak in the emission of incandescent or fluorescent light, whereby transmission of said spectral peak through said mirror coating is selectively attenuated; and watching the computer screen through the first lens and the second lens.

In some embodiments, computer eyewear is disclosed, comprising: a first lens and a second lens, each lens having about +0.1 to +0.25 diopters, said first and second lenses having substantially the same lens power to provide non-prescription correction for viewing a computer screen; a frame disposed around the first and second lenses to provide support; a plurality of side-shields removably mounted to the eyewear and thereby at least partially blocking light and air flow.

In some embodiments, a kit is disclosed, the kit comprising: computer eyewear comprising first and second lenses, each lens having about +0.1 to +0.25 diopters, said first and second lenses having substantially the same lens power to provide non-prescription correction for viewing a computer screen, and a frame disposed about said first and second lenses to provide support; a plurality of side-shields that are removable from the eyewear and thereby at least partially block light and airflow.

In some embodiments, non-prescription computer eyewear is disclosed, comprising: first and second lenses having about +0.1 to +0.25 diopters, said first and second lenses having substantially the same lens power to provide off-the-shelf correction for a user having substantially normal uncorrected or spectacle vision when viewing a computer screen, each lens having a peripheral region and a central region; a frame disposed around the first and second lenses to provide support, wherein the transmissivity of the first and second lenses varies smoothly from the peripheral region to the central region.

In some embodiments, non-prescription computer eyewear is disclosed, the non-prescription computer eyewear comprising: first and second lenses having about +0.1 to +0.25 diopters, said first and second lenses having substantially the same lens power to provide non-prescription correction for viewing a computer screen; a frame disposed about the first and second lenses to provide support, wherein the first and second lenses comprise light absorbing tinting, the absorbance of which varies, the tinting covering at least 90% of the lenses.

In some embodiments, non-prescription computer eyewear is disclosed, the non-prescription computer eyewear comprising: first and second lenses having about +0.1 to +0.25 diopters, said first and second lenses having substantially the same lens power to provide off-the-shelf correction for a user having substantially normal uncorrected or spectacle vision when viewing a computer screen; a frame disposed around the first and second lenses to provide support, wherein the first and second lenses have light absorbing stains with an absorbance between a lower level and an upper level of a non-zero baseline.

In some embodiments, stock computer eyewear is disclosed, the eyewear comprising: a first lens having a first geometric center and a first optical center offset from the first geometric center; and a second lens having a second geometric center and a second optical center offset from the second geometric center, wherein the first lens and the second lens have substantially the same lens power of about +0.1 to +0.25 diopters to provide off-the-shelf correction for a user having substantially normal uncorrected or spectacle vision when viewing a computer screen.

In some embodiments, stock computer eyewear is disclosed, the stock computer eyewear comprising: a first lens having a first side edge and a first intermediate edge, the first lens having a thickness at the first intermediate edge that is greater than a thickness at the first side edge; and a second lens having a second side edge and a second intermediate edge, the second lens having a thickness at the second intermediate edge that is greater than a thickness at the second side edge, wherein the first and second lenses have substantially the same lens power of about +0.1 to +0.25 diopters to provide off-the-shelf correction for a user having substantially normal uncorrected or spectacle vision when viewing a computer screen.

In some embodiments, stock computer eyewear is disclosed, the stock computer eyewear comprising: first and second lenses, each lens having about +0.1 to +0.25 diopters, said first and second lenses having substantially the same lens power to provide off-the-shelf correction for a user having substantially normal uncorrected or spectacle vision when viewing a computer screen; and a frame disposed about the first and second lenses to provide support, wherein the eyewear has a base curvature of at least a base 6.

In some embodiments, computer eyewear is disclosed, comprising: a first lens portion and a second lens portion, each lens portion having about +0.1 to +0.25 diopters, said first and second lens portions having substantially the same lens power to provide non-prescription correction when viewing a computer screen; and a frame disposed around the first and second lens portions to provide support, wherein the first and second lens portions include an optical filter having a transmission curve in the visible that has a characteristic peak corresponding to at least one spectral peak emitted by the fluorescent lamp that selectively attenuates the at least one spectral peak transmitted through the optical filter.

In some embodiments, computer eyewear is disclosed, comprising: a first lens portion and a second lens portion, each lens portion having about +0.1 to +0.25 diopters, said first and second lens portions having substantially the same lens power to provide non-prescription correction when viewing a computer screen; and a frame disposed around the first and second lens portions to provide support.

Drawings

The foregoing has described a summary, advantages and novel features of the invention. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages of the invention may be achieved in any particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, embodiments of the invention may achieve other advantages in order to achieve or optimize one or a group of advantages. The embodiments illustrated in the drawings are exemplary only.

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of eyewear for alleviating symptoms of computer vision syndrome;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the eyewear of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the eyewear of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram of one embodiment of eyewear with an off-axis lens for wrap-around design;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the lens of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one embodiment of eyewear having a removable side panel for alleviating symptoms of computer vision syndrome;

FIG. 7A is a graph of the visible spectrum emitted by a typical fluorescent lamp;

FIG. 7B is a transmission graph of an embodiment of an optical process for spectral filtering of light incident on a lens;

FIG. 8 illustrates one embodiment of non-uniform light processing for spatial filtering of lens incident light;

FIG. 9 is another embodiment of a non-uniform light treatment for spatial filtering of light incident on a lens;

FIG. 10 is one embodiment of a light process for spatial filtering of light incident on a lens;

FIG. 11 is one embodiment of a light process for spatial filtering of light incident on a lens;

FIG. 12 is a chart of moisture measurements of the eye side and the outer surface of a lens using one embodiment of computer eyewear.

Detailed Description

The following describes eyewear for enhancing the experience of viewing close objects, such as computer screens, for extended periods of time. The glasses are non-prescription glasses; the glasses can be used without optometry and can be mass produced without the need for end-user specific glasses prescriptions.

As described herein, Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) is a condition caused by eyes looking at a computer screen for a long time. The common symptoms of CVS are blurred vision, headache, musculoskeletal pain and fatigue, eye fatigue, dry eyes, difficulty focusing the eyes at various distances, double vision, and sensitivity to light.

The relaxed eye has a focal distance called the Accommodation Point of Accommodation. In general, healthy eyes have a resting point of accommodation that is far from the distance of a long gaze at a computer screen or other close object. Therefore, viewing a computer screen typically requires the contraction of the eye muscles to bring the image of the screen formed by the physiological lens into focus at the retina. The process of contracting the eye muscles to increase the diopter of the corneal lens is called accommodation. Long-term and repeated use, the accommodative eye muscles can become fatigued. An adaptation that helps clear visual blur when the accommodation system begins to fail is the pinhole effect created by squinting. To squint the eyes, increased use of facial muscles, and repeated use of intraocular muscles of the accommodation system, can cause discomfort associated with many symptoms of CVS. In some cases, repeatedly gazing at close objects, such as computer screens, can even lead to long-term visual deterioration.

The vergence requirement may lead to symptoms of CVS. Vergence is the simultaneous movement of the eyes in opposite directions to maintain binocular vision. Just as normal eyes have a resting point of accommodation, they also have a resting point of accommodation. Typically, the resting point of vergence converges the lines of sight of the left and right eyes at a point that is further than the typical distance of viewing a computer screen. When looking at a near object, such as a computer screen, the eye muscles must rotate the eyes inward (toward the nose) so that the two eyes converge at the same point. As is the case with the use of eye muscles for accommodation, the long-term contraction of the eye muscles to converge at a point of close proximity can lead to discomfort and vision problems. In addition, a system of vergence and accommodation is connected to the brainstem. As the eyes accommodate, the eyes converge. Some imbalance between these systems can lead to symptoms of CVS with prolonged close-up work.

While many symptoms of CVS are caused by eye strain when viewing near objects in order to meet accommodation and vergence requirements, there are other factors that contribute to CVS as well. For example, studies have shown that people blink less often when looking at a computer screen or near objects than they do at ordinary times. Eyes blindness and a reduced number of blinks can lead to dry eyes, resulting in discomfort. Worse still, many work environments contain relatively dry air flows from hvac equipment, increasing tear evaporation and dryness in the eyes.

Some embodiments of the eyewear described herein alleviate symptoms associated with CVS. For example, in some embodiments, the lenses of the glasses have a relatively small optical power to alleviate the need for accommodation when viewing a computer screen through the glasses at typical working distances. The glasses may also have some prismatic power to alleviate the need for convergence when viewing a computer screen through the glasses at typical working distances. In some embodiments, the glasses may also have optical coatings, as well as other types of optical treatments, to spectrally and spatially filter the light as it passes through the lens to achieve a desired effect, such as altering the spectrum of light incident on the user's retina.

In some embodiments, at least a portion of the eyewear has a wrap-around design. For example, the frame and/or the lens have a wrap-around design. The wrap-around design traps air currents that can deprive the eye of natural moisture to prevent the eye from drying out. The eyewear may also include additional features to mitigate air flow around the eyes, such as removable side shields attached to the eyewear. In some embodiments, the wrap-around design, removable side-shields, and other features also help block extraneous light from entering the eye. These dull lights can increase glare and make viewing objects such as computer screens uncomfortable for the user.

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of computer eyewear 110 that alleviates symptoms of computer vision syndrome, according to one embodiment. The computer eyewear 110 includes a frame 115, left and right lenses 120, left and right ear stems 120, and a nose pad 130. Fig. 2 is a front perspective view of the computer eyewear 110 of fig. 1, and fig. 3 is a side perspective view of the computer eyewear 110 of fig. 1.

As shown in fig. 1-3, the frame 115 supports the lens 120 in front of the user's eye. The frame 115 is a unitary structure with a lens 120 frame attached to the bridge portion 16. The bridge portion 16 is located in a middle region of the computer eyewear 110 and helps support the computer eyewear 110 on the user's nose. The frame 115 is attached to the left and right ear stems 125 at the left and right side regions of the computer eyewear 110.

While figures 1-3 illustrate only one embodiment of the frame 115, those skilled in the art will recognize that computer eyewear frames may have many different shapes, sizes and styles to meet the tastes of individuals. For example, the frame 115 may not be integral, but may include several pieces that fit together to form the frame 115. In some embodiments, the frame 115 does not completely surround the lens 120, but rather supports the edges of one or more of the lenses 120 of the lens. For example, the frame 115 may support the lens 120 by its top edge 121 so that the lens 120 hangs down from the frame 115 in front of the user's eyes. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the frame 115 portion needs to be supported at the edge of the lens 120, but rather is engaged with a surface of the lens 120 by fasteners or adhesives.

As shown in fig. 1-3, the computer eyewear 110 also includes left and right ear stems 125 for supporting the eyewear 110 on the user's ears. Ear stem 125 is connected to frame 115 by hinge 126. The computer eyewear 110 also includes nose pads 130 for supporting the eyewear on the nose of a user. It should be appreciated that any type of ear stems, hinges, nose pads, etc. may be used in various embodiments of the computer eyewear 110. Moreover, not all embodiments include each feature shown in fig. 1-3, and some embodiments include additional features. For example, in some embodiments, the computer eyewear 110 includes one or more straps to secure the eyewear to the user's head, or clips to attach the computer eyewear 110 to the user's prescription eyes.

In some embodiments, the frame 115 and/or ear stem 125 are made of metal or other materials, such as plastic. In general, the materials of the frame 115 and ear stems 125 may be selected for their strength, durability, density, and appearance. In some embodiments, a relatively strong, low density metal is preferred as the material for the frame 115 and/or ear stems 125. For example, strong, low weight metals such as aluminum, magnesium, titanium, alloys thereof, and the like may be used. These materials may enable a strong, lightweight eyewear 110 design. Other materials may also be used.

Since the overall weight of the computer eyewear 110 is significantly affected by the weight of the frame 115 and the ear stems 125, the use of low weight materials can make the computer eyewear 110 more comfortable for extended use than if a more dense material were used. For example, a user may typically wear computer eyewear 110 for up to 10 hours or more per day to view a computer screen. In some embodiments, the comfort level of the user wearing the computer eyewear 110 is improved because the overall weight of the computer eyewear 110 does not exceed about 40 g. For example, in some embodiments, the overall weight of the computer eyewear 110 is less than about 30 g. In some embodiments, the overall weight of the computer eyewear 110 is less than about 20 g. In some embodiments, the overall weight of the computer eyewear 110 is less than about 15 g. Values outside of these ranges may also be used.

As shown in fig. 1-3, the computer eyewear 110 has a dual lens design, with left and right lenses 120. In other embodiments, the computer eyewear 110 may have a unitary lens structure with separate zones of optical power placed in front of the user's eyes. The lens 120 has an ocular curve including an eye-side surface of the lens 120 and a base curve including an outer surface opposite the eye-side surface. As described herein, the lens 120 can include a specular coating, a dye, an anti-reflective coating, combinations thereof, and the like on one or more of the base curve and the ocular lens surface.

The lens 120 is a convex lens, which reduces the need for accommodation of the user's eyes when viewing a computer screen or other object at close range for extended periods of time. The need for accommodation is reduced because the user's accommodation rest point of the lens 120 with positive power is closer to the computer screen or other object when the glasses 110 are worn. Since the convex lens 120 reduces accommodation requirements, the user's eye muscles can rest, thereby alleviating various symptoms of CVS.

Further, the lens 120 having a positive diopter can magnify an object closer to the user than the lens focal length, forming a magnified virtual image of the object. Thus, where the user views at a distance less than the focal length of the lens 120, the text and images appearing on the computer screen are slightly magnified, allowing the user to read font sizes or other details that would be difficult to see without the lens 120.

When a given user views the computer monitor at a fixed distance, the lens power required to eliminate the loose demand can be calculated. However, experimental verification has shown that it is also advantageous to consider subjective factors when selecting the optimal lens power for computer eyewear. For example, if the lenses 120 are too strong, they may be confusing to the user when viewing objects at a greater distance than the computer screen. This sense of being lost reduces the perceived effect of using computer eyewear, which theoretically achieves the effect on the eye of a computer screen when viewed at a particular distance with the correct amount of lens power to eliminate the loose requirements. In addition, the lens 120 should be too weak on the user's eyes to reduce the relaxation requirements so that the user does not experience the benefits of computer eyewear.

Experimental testing attempts to determine satisfactory levels of lens power for a wide range of users, these results are shown in appendix a. Since the eyewear is non-prescription, non-custom, stock eyewear, in various embodiments, the optical parameters are configured to satisfy most wearers located at viewing distances typical of computer displays. Thus, a group of computer users was investigated to determine light parameters that work well for most users in the group. The experimental test included 58 subjects using computer eyewear with different lens powers in a real office environment. Most users have an eye-to-computer screen viewing distance of 20-30 inches, although this distance depends on factors such as the workspace setup and whether the wearer is using a desktop or laptop computer (which is often viewed at a closer distance). For example, some users may have working distances that fall within other more common ranges, such as 35-40 inches, 30-35 inches, or less than 20 inches. Thus, in some embodiments, the computer eyewear is designed to have a viewing distance of 30 inches or less, while in other embodiments, the computer eyewear is designed to have a viewing distance of 35 inches or less, or 40 inches or less. In some embodiments, the computer eyewear is designed to have a viewing distance of 25 inches or less, and in some embodiments, the computer eyewear is designed to have a viewing distance of 20 inches or less.

Generally, the preferred power of the lens 120 varies from user to user, and experimental determinations indicate that a power of +0.5 diopters may be too strong. Some subjects who tested +0.5 diopters reported that the lenses were blinded. Based on the results of the experimental determination, it is believed that: lenses 120 with a lens power of +0.2 diopters would allow a high percentage of users' eyes to benefit from the reduced relaxation need without undue discomfort or loss, which may result in some users using lenses with larger lens powers. However, the +0.2D light level significantly, advantageously reduces the loose demand and enlarges the computer screen. The value of +0.2D is less than the amount of adjustment required by normal vision users to eliminate the loose need when viewing computer screens at typical working distances of 30 inches or less, which is surprising.

In one experiment, a participant in an office environment worn a pair of spectacles having lens powers of 0, +0.125, +0.25, +0.375, +0.5 diopters. Participants filled out a questionnaire at the beginning and end of the day. Participants also filled out an additional questionnaire at the beginning and end of the study. It is worth noting that participants indicate that their eyes feel easier when wearing glasses with lens power, and that the computer screen is clearer and the text is more stereoscopic. Thus, the experimental results show that participants prefer eyeglasses with lens power (+ 0.125D, +0.25D, +0.375D, + 0.5D) over eyeglasses with no lens power (0D). However, experimental results show that most participants dislike higher lens power levels, such as +0.5D or +0.375D, and prefer lower lens power levels, such as +0.125D and + 0.25D. More participants preferred +0.375D over + 0.5D. Likewise, more participants prefer +0.125D over + 0.25D.

Therefore, most participants prefer glasses of +0.25D or less. Importantly, +0.25D is generally the lowest increase in lens power provided by prescription eyeglasses. Ophthalmic production laboratories (at least in the united states) are generally not equipped to reproduce intensities with an increase of less than +0.25D, for example + 0.2D. Therefore, special, non-standard molds are required to produce optical lenses with lens powers below + 0.25D.

In the various embodiments described above, while a greater lens power magnifies the computer screen, a lower lens power is selected to prevent a corresponding disorienting effect. However, the lens power is still large enough to provide a reduced loose demand and/or magnification that is apparent to the wearer. Such eyewear provides immediate perceived benefits of reduced relaxing requirements and magnification, but reduces the effects of a feeling of confusion when viewing objects further than the typical eye-computer screen distance (e.g., greater than 30 inches).

Thus, in some embodiments, the optic power of the lens 120 is greater than 0 and less than or equal to +0.25 diopters. In some embodiments, the optic power of the lens 120 is greater than or equal to +0.1 diopters, or greater than or equal to +.125 diopters, and less than or equal to +0.25 diopters. In various embodiments, the lens power is less than +0.25 diopters. In some embodiments, the optic power of the lens 120 is about +0.125 diopters. In some embodiments, the optic power of the lens 120 is about +0.1 diopters. However, in some embodiments, the optic power of the lens 120 is about +0.2 diopters. When the values are from +0.125D to +0.25D, for example +0.2D, the glasses may satisfy most wearers, as the results of the study show that most participants prefer +0.125D or + 0.25D. However, as mentioned above, selecting about +0.2D strikes a balance between a significant reduction in accommodation requirements and the magnification of the computer screen, which makes sense to reduce the wearer's disorientation when viewing objects at greater distances than the computer screen.

As described above, in some embodiments, the optic power of the lens 120 is +0.1 to +0.25 diopters, or +0.125 to +0.25 diopters. However, some wearers may be interested in additional lens powers. Thus, in other embodiments, the optic power of the lens 120 is +0.25 to +0.375 diopters. In some embodiments, the optic power of the lens 120 is +0.375 to +0.5 diopters.

Thus, in some embodiments, the optic power of the lens 120 is from 0 to +0.5 diopters, from +0.1 to +0.5 diopters, or from +0.125 to +0.5 diopters. In some embodiments, the optic power of the lens 120 is from +0.1 to +0.4 diopters, or from +0.125 to +0.4 diopters. In some embodiments, the optic power of the lens 120 is from +0.1 to +0.3 diopters, or from +0.125 to +0.3 diopters. In some embodiments, the optic power of the lens 120 is about +.25 diopters.

Furthermore, in various embodiments, the optic power of the lens 120 is from +0.3 to +0.6 diopters, or from +0.4 to +0.6 diopters. In some embodiments, the optic power of the lens 120 is about +0.5 diopters. In some embodiments comprising a kit, lenses having a lens power of from +0.1 to +0.25 diopters, or from +0.125 to +0.25 diopters, and lenses having a lens power of from +0.3 to +0.6 diopters, or from +0.4 to +0.6 diopters, are included. For example, in some embodiments, the kit includes eyeglasses having a lens power of about +0.2 diopters and eyeglasses having a lens power of about +0.5 diopters. The particular lens power selected by the lens 120 in one embodiment depends on the physical configuration of the user's workspace, such as the distance between the user and their computer screen, as well as the user's viewing preferences and, in some embodiments, the user's eyesight. In some embodiments, the eyewear 110 is off-the-shelf, non-prescription eyewear such that the lens power of each lens 120 is substantially the same.

The lens may take a variety of shapes to achieve the desired optical power. For example, the lens 120 may have a convex, plano-convex, or concave-convex shape. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other shapes may be used to provide the lens 120 with a power of about +0.1 to less than +0.5 diopters. The lens 120 may be spherical or aspherical. Although the lens 120 is a non-progressive lens as in the embodiment shown in fig. 1 to 3, a progressive lens may be used.

In addition to being designed with some diopter, the lens 120 may also be designed with some base-in prism. The resting point for the vergence of a normal healthy eye is usually far from the computer screen or near object at which the user is looking for a long time. Thus, when viewing this object, there is a vergence demand on the muscles of the eyes, which can lead to fatigue and other symptoms of CVS. The rest point of vergence can be brought closer by providing the lens with a certain base prism, according to methods known in the art. The base prismatic power of the lens 120 may be set so that the user's vergence rest point is at a distance close to the user's computer screen. In some embodiments, each lens 120 of the computer eyewear 110 is designed to have a prismatic power of about.25-1.5 prismatic diopters. In other embodiments, the prisms 120 have a prismatic power of about zero.

The lens 120 may be made of various materials. The lens material may be selected according to the properties of the material, for example, according to reflectivity, strength, Abbe number (Abbe number), density, and hardness. For example, the lens 120 may be made of polycarbonate, glass, nylon, various polymers (e.g., CR-39), or plastic. In some embodiments, a high index of refraction material is used to make the lens 120 thinner and lighter, and thus more comfortable to wear for extended periods of time than a lens 120 made of a low index of refraction material. For example, in some embodiments, the refractive index of the lens material is approximately 1.498 to 1.9, although the refractive index may be higher or lower.

The computer eyewear 110 may be effectively used by individuals having substantially normal (e.g., about 20/20) uncorrected vision. The glasses may also be effective for normal corrected, or spectacle, vision persons. For example, a user of a contact lens may effectively use the computer eyewear 110 in addition to wearing the contact lens to alleviate symptoms of CVS while working on a computer. Some embodiments of the computer eyewear 110 may also be designed for use by a person wearing prescription glasses for vision correction. For example, the computer eyewear 110 may be designed to fit over prescription eyewear (e.g., clip-on eyewear). In addition, in some embodiments, the computer eyewear 110 may be effectively used by persons with no normal vision, such as presbyopic persons. Nevertheless, the computer eyewear of the various embodiments is a non-prescription, off-the-shelf product.

Some symptoms of CVS are caused by eye muscle fatigue caused by accommodation and vergence due to long-term fixation at close objects, and other symptoms are caused by microclimate in the vicinity of the user's eyes. If the microclimate around the eyes becomes dry, dry eye may result. This problem is more severe for computer users, since studies have shown that the frequency of blinking decreases when the user is using a computer. This problem is exacerbated in office environments, where relatively dry air from an air conditioning system, as well as air streams from an office hvac system, also tend to dry out the eyes of the user. Extraneous light entering the eye from the peripheral region of the user's eye vision can exacerbate symptoms of CVS. For example, these extraneous light rays can cause glare and lack of contrast, making it more difficult for a user to view a computer screen.

In some embodiments, the computer eyewear 110 has a wrap-around design to reduce symptoms of CVS associated with the microclimate near the eyewear and to reduce extraneous light reaching the eyes. Wrap-around designs are not used for conventional computer eyewear. These designs are typically used in outdoor activities to protect the eyes from side-glare dust or other projectiles, which is generally not required in an office environment. Nonetheless, the wrap-around design also helps to alleviate symptoms of CVS, particularly when used in conjunction with other features described herein. Unlike conventional computer eyewear, computer eyewear 110 with wrap-around design has a relatively high base curve so that the computer eyewear is adjacent to the user's face from the front and peripheral regions of the user's vision. The wrap-around design improves the microclimate near the eyes of the user by reducing the airflow around the eyes and creating a pocket of air on the lens 120 side of the lens, which increases the humidity of the ambient air on the side of the baseline curve. In some embodiments, the wrap-around design also reduces extraneous light from entering the eye from the peripheral region of vision.

Fig. 1-3 show computer eyewear 120 with wrap-around design. Unlike conventional computer eyewear, which have a base curvature less than base 4, the base curvature of the lens 120 and frame 115 remains relatively close to the user's face, even in the peripheral region of the user's field of view. In addition to the curvature that fits snugly against the user's head, the frame 115 and lens 120 of the eyeglasses 110 may be designed to complement the user's facial features to maintain a small separation distance between the frame 115 and the user's face. For example, the frame 115 and lens 120 may be designed to maintain a small angular separation from the user's brow and cheekbones.

In some embodiments, the separation between the eyebrow and the upper portion, e.g., upper edge, is 12mm or less. For example, in some embodiments, the separation between the eyebrows and the upper portion of the frame 115 is about 2-5 mm. In some embodiments, the separation between the eyebrows and the upper portion of the frame 115 is less than about 2 mm. In some embodiments, the distance between the zygomatic bone and the lower, e.g., lower, edge of the frame 115 (e.g., z-direction) is less than 5 mm. For example, in some embodiments, the distance between the cheekbones and the lower portion of the frame is about 1-3 mm. In some embodiments, the distance between the zygomatic bone and the inferior portion of the frame is about 1 mm. In some embodiments, the frame 115 is 35mm or less from the temple region (e.g., in the z-direction). For example, in some embodiments, the distance between the temple region and the frame 115 is about 5-10 mm. In some embodiments, the distance between the temple region and the frame 115 is less than about 5 mm. In some cases, a standard anatomical human head shape may be used to display the dimensions of typical user head and facial features.

However, in conventional computer eyewear, the peripheral region of the user's field of vision is open, and the computer eyewear 110 shown in FIGS. 1-3 protects the user's eyes from air currents and extraneous light that may cause symptoms of CVS. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the computer eyewear 110 (e.g., the frame and/or the lenses) has a base curvature of base 5 or higher. In other embodiments, the computer eyewear 110 has a base curvature of base 6 or higher. In other embodiments, the computer eyewear 110 has a base curvature of base 8 or higher. In other embodiments, the computer eyewear 110 has a base curvature of base 10 or higher. Thus, the frame 115 and the lens 120 are enclosed. In addition, in some embodiments, the computer eyewear 110 is designed to have a certain pantoscopic tilt.

As shown in fig. 1, in some embodiments, the lens 120 extends a distance d1 in the ± y-direction from the middle edge and a distance d2 in the z-direction from the front surface. In some embodiments, d1 is about 45-70 mm and d2 is about 20-40 mm. In some embodiments, the ratio of d1 to d2 is about 1.5 to about 3.5.

The wrap-around computer eyewear 110 improves the microclimate near the eyes by blocking a portion of the airflow that exists around the eyes when conventional computer eyewear is worn. As the airflow to the eyes is reduced, the amount of eye evaporation water carried away from the airflow is reduced. Thus, the air in the pocket formed around the eyes by the wrap-around computer eyewear 110 is at a higher humidity than the ambient air. The air enclosed between the wrap-around computer eyewear 110 and the user's face helps to reduce dryness of the eyes and other symptoms associated with CVS. In some embodiments, all or a portion of the frame 115 of the computer eyewear 110 may be designed to physically contact the user's face to form a sealed chamber around the eyes, and in other embodiments, if all or a portion of the frame 115 is designed to fit snugly against facial features, the microclimate around the eyes may be slightly enhanced, although no sealed chamber is formed. Computer eyewear 110 that is not designed to form a sealed chamber around the eyes is more comfortable than eyewear that forms a sealed chamber.

In some embodiments, the design of the computer eyewear 110 impedes airflow around the eyes to allow the air humidity in the eye curve side of the eyewear 110 to be ten percent higher than the humidity of the ambient air. In some embodiments, the air humidity within the eye curve side of the eyewear 110 is about 40% or more higher than the humidity of the ambient air, and in some embodiments, between 40% and 60%.

FIG. 12 is a graph of humidity contrast between the eye side of a lens and the appearance of the lens when computer eyewear (e.g., 110) is worn, in one embodiment. The humidity of the air inside the user's eye bag (i.e. the space between the lens and the spectacles) is measured using a Honeywell HIH series DC humidity sensor and compared to the humidity outside the eye bag. One moisture sensor is placed on the eye side of the lens of computer eyewear (e.g., 110) and another moisture sensor is placed on the exterior of the lens. Graph 1200 in FIG. 12 shows voltage as a function of time for two humidity sensors. The bottom curve 1210 represents the output of the sensor located at the outside of the lens, while the top curve 1220 represents the output of the sensor located at the eye side of the lens. As shown, the measured humidity inside the pouch is greater than the humidity of the ambient air. When the outputs of the two sensors are converted to relative measured humidity and the various user data are taken into account, it has been determined that the computer eyewear herein increases the humidity level within the pouch by as much as 10% on average, up to about 25%.

The surrounding structure of the computer eyewear 110 of fig. 1-3 helps to regulate the microclimate around the user's eyes and to block extraneous light, which in some cases can also adversely affect the optical performance of the lenses 120. For example, if the lenses 120 are tilted relative to the user's front sight line to provide wrap-around when the computer eyewear 110 is in a worn position, some base-out prismatic power and other optical distortions may be introduced. In addition, wide-angle tilt may cause cylindrical power, as well as other optical distortions in lens 120. However, by using off-axis lenses in the computer eyewear 110, these optical distortions can be corrected to some extent.

Fig. 4 is a diagram of eyewear 410 with an off-axis lens 420 for wrap-around and/or tilt designs. The front and back surfaces of the off-axis lens 420 follow a first arc 421 and a second arc 422, respectively. First arc 421 is a portion of a circle having a radius R1 and a center of C1. First arc 421 defines a convex surface. The second arc 422 defines a concave surface and is part of a circle having a radius R2, and in some embodiments, R2 is greater than R1. The center C2 of the circle defining the second arc 422 is offset from C1. In some embodiments, the center C2 of the second arc 422 is distal to the lens 420, on the medial side of C1. Thus, in some embodiments, the lens 420 is a meniscus lens with a positive optical power. In some embodiments, the positive lens power of the lens 420 is at least about +0.1 diopters, and the positive lens power is less than +0.5 diopters.

In fig. 4, an optical centerline 470 is drawn between centers C1 and C2. The optical center line 470 runs through the thickest portion (i.e., the optical center) of the lens 420. The geometric center of the lens 420 can be defined in a manner known to those skilled in the art (e.g., at the intersection of line a defining the horizontal width of the lens and line B defining the vertical height of the lens). In addition, a forward aiming line 460 is drawn to show the direction of the user's eye line when looking forward. As shown in fig. 4, the optical centerline 470 and the forward line of sight 460 are separated by an angle theta. Thus, in one embodiment, the optical centerline 470 and the forward line of sight 460 are not parallel. However, in other embodiments, the optical centerline 470 is parallel to the forward line of sight 460, while in other embodiments, the angle θ is negative compared to that shown in FIG. 4.

The off-axis lens 420 may be formed to modify base-out prism that would otherwise be introduced into the non-off-axis lens due to the lens 420 orientation tilt in the wrap-around design of computer eyewear. The reduction or modification of base-out prismatic power may be achieved by adding some base-in prismatic power. The degree of prism can be controlled by varying the position of center C2 relative to C1. This change may thereby change the angle θ between the optical centerline 470 and the forward line of sight 460, as well as the distance between the centers C1 and C2.

One way to add base-in prismatic power is to decenter the optical center of the lens 420 centrally with respect to the geometric center. For example, the lenses may be designed such that the distance between the optical centers of the left and right lenses 420 is less than the pupil distance, such that the optical center of the lens 420 is centrally offset from the y-position of the user's pupil. In non-prescription embodiments, the distance between the optical centers of the left and right lenses 420 may be selected based on the pupillary distance representing the majority of the user. For example, a population mean pupillary distance of about 62mm may be selected, although the lens 420 may be designed for other pupillary distances as well. In other embodiments, the optical center of the lens 420 may be laterally eccentric with respect to the geometric center.

In some embodiments, the off-axis lens 420 is designed to compensate for base-out prismatic power introduced by the wrap-around design, such that the lens 420 of the computer eyewear is substantially prism-free. In other embodiments, the off-axis lens 420 is designed to compensate for base-out prismatic power and add some base-in prismatic power to reduce the need for eye muscle convergence when viewing a near computer screen. The amount of prism induced off-axis can be calculated by the Prentice's rule formula. In addition to decentering in the + -y-direction, as shown in FIG. 4, the optical center of lens 420 may also be decentered in the + -x-direction to assist in optical distortion caused by wide-angle tilt. For example, the optical center of lens 420 may be decentered upward or downward relative to the geometric center of lens 420 based on wide-angle tilt.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the lens 520 of fig. 4. Some dimensions of lens 520 are indicated in fig. 5, including R1 and R2, lateral end thickness 501, medial end thickness 502, and the distance between midpoint 503 and thickest point 504 of lens 520. As shown in fig. 5, the medial end thickness 502 and the lateral end thickness 501 are both lower than the thickness of the thickest point 504. Further, the middle end thickness 502 is greater than the side end thickness 501. The thickest point 504 of the lens 520 is closer to the middle edge of the lens 520 than to the sides. As described herein, the lens 520 in some embodiments has a positive lens power. Further, while fig. 5 illustrates a converging meniscus 420, in other embodiments different converging lenses may be used. In some embodiments, lens 520 is a base 8, off-axis lens and has a power of +0.2 diopters of optic power. In further embodiments, lens 520 is a base 6, off-axis lens and has a power of +0.2 diopters of optic power.

In addition to the wrap-around design of the computer eyewear disclosed herein, other features may also be used to improve the microclimate near the user's eyes. For example, some embodiments include removable side-shields that can reduce the impact of airflow on the eyes. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of eyewear 610, the eyewear 610 including a removable side shield to alleviate symptoms of CVS. The computer eyewear 610 has a unitary lens of positive power, a frame 615, ear stems 625, and nose pads 430. The computer eyewear 610 also has removable side-shields 635. The side-shields 635 are designed to be removably attached to the computer eyewear 610, thereby allowing the user to select under which conditions the side-shields will be used. The removable side-shields 635 are shaped and dimensioned to reduce airflow from the side areas of the computer eyewear 610. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the removable side-shields 635 help to close the space between the ear roots 625 and the sides of the user's face, including the cheekbones and temple regions.

In one embodiment, the removable side-shields 635 are approximately 20-80 mm in the z dimension in front of the computer eyewear, approximately 15-50 mm in the x dimension, and reduced to approximately 5mm in the back (e.g., near the ears). Fig. 6 shows the computer eyewear 610 having a wrap-around design, but the computer eyewear may also employ a removable side-shield 635 instead of a wrap-around design.

The removable side plates 635 have tabs 640 for removably securing the side plates 635 to the frame 615 and ear stems 625. The tabs 640 are designed to mate with the apertures 645 in the frame 615 and ear posts 645, thereby securing them. In some embodiments, removable side-shields 635 are fastened to the frame 615 and/or ear stems 625. Fig. 6 shows the connection points between the tabs 635 and the holes 645 in the frame 615 and ear stems 625, but these connection points could be limited to only the frame 615 or ear stems 625. In addition, the removable side-shields may be attached to the lens 620, or other portions of the computer eyewear 620. Fig. 6 illustrates a tab/hole securing structure for removably mounting the side-shields 635 to the computer eyewear 610, but those skilled in the art will recognize that other equivalent securing structures may be employed. For example, friction fit fasteners, detent fasteners, sliding groove fasteners, or magnetic fasteners, may be used to removably secure the side-shields 635 to the computer eyewear 610.

The removable side-shields 635 may be made of various materials. Such as metal and plastic. In one embodiment, the removable side-shields 635 are made of the same material as the frame 615 and ear stems 625 of the computer eyewear 610. In addition, the removable side-shields 635 may be light transmissive or substantially opaque. In the case where the removable side-shields are opaque, the side-shields serve the additional function of reducing the incidence of extraneous light into the eyes of the user from around the user's field of vision and of reducing the symptoms of CVS associated with the extraneous light.

The lens 120 of some embodiments of the computer eyewear 110 include one or more optical treatments to alter the optical properties of the lens 120. For example, the lens 120 may include a partially specular coating that includes one or more metallic and/or dielectric layers (e.g., aluminum layers, λ/4 stacks, etc.) formed on the lens 120. The partial mirror coating may be formed on the lens surface by vacuum deposition, physical vapor deposition, lamination of sheets of reflective material, for example using an adhesive, or any other thin film coating technique. In some embodiments, the partially specular coating is at least 15% reflective for all or a portion of the visible spectrum from about 340nm to about 780 nm. In some embodiments, the partial specular coating has a reflectivity of greater than 95% reflecting all or a portion of the visible light.

The lens 120 may also include a tint. The tint may comprise a pigment, dye, light absorbing layer, photosensitive dye or coloring material laminated on the surface of the lens. Further, in some embodiments, the lens 120 includes an anti-reflective (AR) coating. The anti-reflective coating may comprise one or more thin films formed on the lens surface by vacuum deposition, physical vapor deposition, a stack of anti-reflective layers, or other methods may be employed.

In some embodiments, the optical treatment is uniform across the surface of the lens 120, while in other embodiments it may be non-uniform. Some embodiments include a uniform first optical treatment and a non-uniform second optical treatment. Further, in some embodiments, the optical treatment covers more than 90% of the surface of the lens 120, while in other embodiments the optical treatment covers 50% -90% of the lens surface, or 10% -40% of the lens surface, or less than 10% of the lens surface.

Optical coatings and treatments, such as the types described herein, may be used to filter the spectrum of light passing through the lenses of computer eyewear. Such spectral filtering may alter the spectrum of light incident on the eye, helping to alleviate symptoms of CVS. For example, in some embodiments, optical coatings and other types of treatments are applied to the lens to attenuate the spectral peaks of typical fluorescent and incandescent lighting in offices and homes. This can be achieved by partially transmissive mirror coating, dyeing, combinations thereof, and the like.

Fig. 7A is a graph 700 of the visible spectrum emitted by a typical fluorescent lamp. Curve 710 shows the spectral power emitted by a fluorescent lamp as a function of wavelength. The curve 710 includes vertices 720, such as those that can be seen at about 360 nm, 400nm, 440nm, 550nm, and 575 nm. A typical incandescent lamp has a spectral plot (not shown) with similar spectral peaks. Spectral peaks in these typical light sources can result in poor contrast when viewing a computer screen. Thereby causing eye fatigue. People generally tend to view under more balanced spectral conditions than they view under light with the spectral peaks.

The spectrum of a general fluorescent lamp shown in fig. 7A is merely an example. There are three different types of fluorescent lamps, each type possibly having different characteristics in the number, location, and/or relative height of the spectral peaks. However, a common characteristic of fluorescent lamps is that they have mercury vapor. Mercury vapor can cause a unique spectral peak to be present on the spectral peak of the fluorescent lamp, which is similar to the resonant frequency of the mercury atom. For example, there are two such peaks around 440nm and 550 nm. Thus, different kinds of fluorescent lamps may have spectral peaks at or near these bands.

Accordingly, some embodiments of the computer eyewear 110 include optical treatments (e.g., stains, coatings, etc.) applied to the lenses 120 to attenuate spectral peaks (e.g., 720) in various types of artificial light sources. For example, various embodiments include optical processing to attenuate the spectral peaks of fluorescent lighting, as shown in FIG. 7A. Other embodiments may be customized for other types of lighting or fluorescent lighting with spectral peaks different from those shown in fig. 7A. Optical treatments having the desired spectral characteristics to attenuate spectral peaks in various illuminations can be designed using existing techniques.

Such optical treatments may have spectral filtering properties of the transmission curve, which may be manifested as one or several individually resolved, designed characteristic peaks for selectively influencing or filtering spectral peaks of e.g. fluorescent lamps. Transmission curve properties include, but are not limited to, stopband, ramp, plateau, dip, shoulder, or combinations thereof. The transmission curve properties may also include more complex shapes. Each designed transmission curve characteristic peak may selectively affect, for example, one peak of the fluorescent light spectrum, or each characteristic peak may selectively affect, for example, multiple peaks clustered together, overlapping, or relatively closely packed. In some embodiments, the transmission curve of the optical treatment is desired to selectively affect (e.g., attenuate) the spectral peak (e.g., about 440nm or 550nm) of the mercury's resonant frequency.

In some embodiments, the width of a designed characteristic peak of the transmission curve may be determined based on the width of the corresponding spectral peak that the characteristic peak design selectively affects. In some embodiments, the width of a designed characteristic peak substantially matches the width of a spectral peak whose design affects. In other embodiments, the width of a characteristic peak of a design may be smaller than the width of the corresponding spectral peak, so as to affect only a portion of the spectral peak, or larger than the width of the corresponding spectral peak, so as to affect, for example, multiple spectral peaks. In some embodiments, the width of a designed characteristic peak is no more than 10% greater than the width of the corresponding spectral peak or group of spectral peaks. In some embodiments, the designed characteristic peak has a width that is no more than 20%, no more than 30%, no more than 50%, no more than 80%, or no more than 100% greater than the width of the spectral peak. In some embodiments, the designed characteristic peak has a width that exceeds 100% of the width of the spectral peak. In some embodiments, the designed characteristic peak has a width greater than 50nm wide, 40-50nm wide, 30-40nm wide, 20-30nm wide, 10-20nm wide, or less than 10nm wide, taking into account physical dimensions. In some embodiments, the designed characteristic peak has a width less than 50nm wide, less than 40nm wide, less than 30nm wide, less than 20nm wide, or less than 15nm wide.

A transmission curve may comprise more than one characteristic peak, which may be expected to affect spectral peaks of e.g. fluorescent lamps. For example, the transmission curve of the lens of a pair of glasses has at least two characteristic peaks of design, or at least three characteristic peaks of design, in order to desirably affect the spectral peaks of the fluorescent lamp. This characteristic peak has the same width and shape or different widths and different shapes. The transmission curve characteristic peaks may be completely or partially attenuated by photo-treating one or more specific spectral peaks of a given type of illumination. For example, in some embodiments, designing a particular characteristic peak may effectively affect incident light transmission of 5% or less of the wavelength band of the incident illumination at the characteristic peak location. In other embodiments, the designed characteristic peak can transmit, for example, 5-10% incident light, 10-30% incident light, 30-50% incident light, 50-70% incident light, 70-90% incident light, or 90-95% incident light.

For example, in one embodiment, the optical treatment used to attenuate the peak 720 of the spectrum 710 shown in FIG. 7 has a stop band at about 360 nm, 400nm, 440nm, 550nm, and/or 575 nm. The selection of these stop band positions corresponds to the peak positions of the output spectrum 710 of the fluorescent lighting. In the spectral maximum width, in some embodiments, the width of the stop band (e.g., full width at half maximum) may range from about 25nm to about 150nm, although the width may be greater or less. In some embodiments, the width of the stop band may be substantially equal to the spectral width of the peak 720 in the emission spectrum of the illumination.

In some embodiments, the stop band reduces light passing through the lens by at least about 50%. In addition, in some embodiments, the attenuation of transmitted light by each stop band is designed to be proportional to or correlated with the height of a particular spectral peak. For example, a stop band at 440nm may provide a greater attenuation than a stop band at 360 nm. The precise nature of the spectral filter used to attenuate the peaks of the output spectrum 710 may vary widely. In this way, the optical processing balances the spectrum reaching the user's eye. This balanced spectrum results in more natural viewing conditions, which may alleviate eye strain. Similarly, the optical treatment can be designed to balance the incandescent lamp illumination spectrum, as well as other types of illumination.

One embodiment of a transmission curve 760 for optical processing is illustrated in graph 750 of FIG. 7B. The percent transmittance of light through the optical treatment is plotted as a function of wavelength. The transmission curve 760 comprises at least two characteristic peaks in order to be expected to influence the spectral peaks of the fluorescent lamp. For example, the transmission curve 760 includes a designed plateau 770 at 440 nm. The plateau 770 corresponds to the resonance frequency of mercury in the fluorescent lamp, which is also located at about 440 nm. The plateau 770 is located at 430nm to 450nm and has a width of about 20nm, although this or other designs may have characteristic peaks of transmission curves that are larger or smaller, for example, to coincide with a particular spectral peak. The plateau 770 transmits only slightly more than 30% of the light in this wavelength range, although in other embodiments it may transmit a greater or lesser percentage of the light.

The transmission curve 760 also includes a relatively smooth engineered slope 780 that extends from about 475 to 550 nm. The slope 780 affects another resonance frequency of mercury within the fluorescent lamp at 550 nm. The bevel 780 can also affect at least one additional spectral peak (e.g., a peak located at about 480nm in some types of fluorescent lamps). The chamfer 780 reduces the amount of light transmitted through these wavelengths by 5-20%, although it may be designed to affect the amount of light transmitted through these wavelengths more or less. In addition, the width of the slope 780 can be reduced to more accurately distinguish from a spectral peak at 550nm or other spectral peaks.

The presence of the designed characteristic peaks of the transmission curve 760 (e.g., plateau 770 and slope 780) reduces the amount of light of a particular peak wavelength of the fluorescent lamp and, thus, tends to smooth out, or positively affect, the spectrum of the fluorescent lamp ultimately incident on the user's glasses. While the transmission curve 760 in fig. 7B includes characteristic peaks that affect the spectral peaks at 440nm and 550nm, other embodiments may include additional or different separately identified design characteristic peaks at different wavelengths.

The transmission curve 760 also includes a relatively wide stop band portion 790, which attenuates uv and blue light, resulting in the appearance of a generally yellow color. In some embodiments, attenuating blue light is more important than attenuating green or red light, thereby revealing a warmer visible spectrum for the user. The spectrum of warm energy with diminished blue light is physiologically more favored when viewing computer screens, reading books, or performing other focused tasks that require central vision in the fovea. The fovea includes a high concentration of red and green cones, while the blue cone is typically found outside the fovea. Thus, the spectrum of warm energy is more effective at stimulating the cone located in the fovea when performing a task with central vision. This broad stop band portion 790 does not selectively attenuate a particular spectral peak or group of spectral peaks of the fluorescent lamp, which, instead, means filtering a relatively large proportion of the visible spectrum. In fig. 7B, the wide stopband portion attenuates wavelengths below 400nm and is about 120nm wide. In other embodiments, it is at least 150nm wide, or at least 200nm wide. In addition, the broad stop band portion 790 can also selectively affect (e.g., attenuate) specific spectral peaks, groups of spectral peaks, and the spectrum of ambient light (e.g., fluorescent light) like the characteristic peaks described above.

Balancing the spectrum of ambient light (e.g., fluorescent office lighting) may also have other benefits. For example, in some cases, light emitted from a backlit computer display does not share one or more spectral peaks of ambient illumination, where optical processing is used to attenuate the spectral peaks. In these cases, the optical treatment preferentially attenuates the ambient illumination as compared to the light emitted by the computer display. In some cases, light incident on the eyes from a light source (e.g., overhead office lighting) rather than the backlit computer display viewed by the user is considered optical "noise" that makes it difficult for the user to view the computer display without fatigue. By preferentially attenuating light from noise sources, the ratio of light from the computer display to ambient lighting noise is increased, thereby making the computer display more comfortable to view and reducing the symptoms of CVS.

In some embodiments, the optical process used to balance the output spectrum of fluorescent or other types of illumination may be a partially transmissive mirror coating. Colors may also be used for this purpose, and the spectral properties of the partially transmissive mirror coating may be customized to a greater extent. For example, the spectral positions of various stop bands in a partially transmissive mirror coating can be customized to a greater degree than if color were employed. In addition, these stop bands can be designed to attenuate a significant amount of incident light, making the stop bands deeper than the color can achieve. However, in other embodiments, the optical treatment is a tint applied to the lens of the computer eyewear 110 that primarily attenuates transmitted light by absorptive losses. In a further embodiment, the optical treatment comprises a partially transmissive mirror coating and an optically absorptive color. The use of specular coatings and colors may facilitate further flexibility in tailoring the spectral response of the optical process.

In some embodiments, the computer eyewear 110 includes optical processing to provide spatial filtering of light incident on the lenses 120. Spatial filtering of light incident on the lens 110 may be used to preferentially attenuate light from selected directions within the user's field of view. This may be accomplished by applying an optical treatment to the lens 120, causing the optical properties of the lens to vary spatially across one or more lens surfaces. In some embodiments, the optical process that implements spatial filtering of light may have broadband spectral characteristics, thereby affecting all visible wavelengths equally (e.g., medium density spatial filtering). In other embodiments, the optical processing of spatial filtering may be combined with a separate optical processing that performs spectral filtering of the incident light. In other embodiments, a single optical treatment, such as a partially transmissive mirror coating or tint, may be designed for spectral and spatial filtering.

Fig. 8 illustrates one embodiment of a non-uniform optical treatment 800 (shown as a shaded portion) for spatial filtering of incident light at lens 803. The optical treatment 800 may be a partially transmissive mirror coating, dyeing, a combination of the two, or the like. The lens 803 includes a central region 801 that, in some embodiments, surrounds the mechanical center, or centroid, of the lens 803. The lens 803 also includes a peripheral region near the edge 802 of the lens 803. The peripheral region includes an upper region that surrounds any portion of the lens 803 closer to point a than the starting point B. The peripheral region may also include a lower region that surrounds any portion of the lens 803 closer to point B than the starting point a. For other lens shapes, the center, periphery, upper region, and lower region may all be defined differently.

Point a is near the upper region of lens 803 and point B is in the lower region of lens 803. Curve 852 of graph 850 shows the transmission of light through lens 803 as a function of position along line AB on lens 803. The dotted line 854 shows the level of transmission of light through the lens without the optical treatment 800, as shown by curve 852. For example, if the optical process 800 is a specular coating, the dotted lines 854 represent the amount of incident light that passes through the lens 803 without the specular coating, since not all of the incident light will be transmitted by the lens 803, even in areas without the specular coating, due to some fresnel reflections at the air lens interface.

In this embodiment, the optical treatment 800 is configured such that the transmittance of the lens increases smoothly from point a to point B. Thus, curve 852 illustrates an embodiment where the transmittance of lens 803 is less near the upper region than in the middle and lower regions. In some embodiments, the transmittance of the lens 803 is at least 15% lower in the lower region than in the upper region, and may be as much as about 70%. The transmission curve 852 is shown only along line AB, it being understood that a similar curve may be drawn between the upper and lower regions of the lens 803 to show a relatively lower transmission in the upper region of the lens than in the lower region, as shown by the shading of the lens 803. Further, in other embodiments, the transmission curve 852 may increase from a to B according to any other smooth path, including a linear path. The transmission curve 852 may be monotonic, but this is not required. In some embodiments, the optical performance of the lens 803 between different regions in the user's field of view may require a smooth transition to avoid abrupt transitions. However, discontinuous jumps in the transmission curve may be possible and desirable in some circumstances. In fact, transmission curve 852 may include more than one discrete step, such as a step change from one level of transmission to another.

Where the optical treatment 800 is a partially transmissive mirror coating, the transmittance of the lens in the upper region decreases because the reflectance of the mirror coating is greater in the upper region of the lens 803. The reflectivity of the partially transmissive mirror coating in the upper region can be increased by making the partially transmissive mirror coating thicker in the upper region of the lens 803. When the optical treatment 800 is a dyed material, the transmittance of the lens 803 near the upper region point a decreases because the absorbance of the dyed material in the upper region of the lens 803 increases. In either case, however, the dotted lines 854 show the level of transmissivity of the lens 803 without the optical treatment 800. Thus, since the transmission curve 752 reaches the dotted line 754, at least a portion of the lens 803 is not affected by the optical treatment 800 in this embodiment.

Embodiments like that shown in fig. 8, in which the upper region of the lens 803 has a lower transmittance than the middle and lower regions, are advantageous in preferentially attenuating light transmission in the upper field of view of the user. For example, when a user is seated in a computer terminal, the optical treatment 800 for attenuating the transmittance of the upper region of the lens preferentially attenuates overhead illumination. This may reduce glare caused by overhead lighting and make viewing a computer more comfortable, reducing various symptoms of CVS. In addition, the optical process 800 may be designed to attenuate spectral peaks in the spectrum of overhead illumination.

FIG. 9 illustrates another embodiment of a non-uniform optical treatment 900 (represented by shading of lens 903) to spatially filter the incident light of lens 903. The optical treatment 900 may be a partially transmissive mirror coating, a dye, a combination of both, or the like. As described for lens 803 shown in fig. 8, lens 903 includes a central region 901 and a peripheral region. The peripheral region includes an upper region and a lower region. The peripheral region also includes a first side region that includes any portion of lens 903 near point C instead of point D, and a second side region that includes any portion near point D instead of point C.

Point a is near the upper region of the lens 903 and point B is near the lower region of the lens 903. Curve 952 of graph 950 shows the light transmission through lens 903 as a function of position along line AB on lens 903. The dotted line 954 shows the light transmission through the lens without optical treatment, the characteristics of which are shown in curve 952. Similar to the embodiment shown in fig. 8, the optical treatment is designed to smoothly increase the transmittance of the lens 903 from point a to point B.

Point C is near a first side region of the lens 903 and point D is near a second side region of the lens 903. Similar to curve 952, curve 958 of graph 956 shows optical transmission versus position on the lens. However, curve 958 shows the transmittance of the lens along the CD line. Again, the dotted line 960 shows the level of light transmission through the lens without the optical treatment 900, which is characterized by curve 958. The optical treatment 900 is designed such that the transmittance of the lens 903 smoothly changes from point C to point D and is lower in the first and second side portions than in the vicinity of the middle area.

Although only two transmission curves 952 and 958 are shown for the lens 903, it should be understood that similar curves may be drawn on the lens 903 to show that the upper side regions of the lens are less transmissive than the middle and lower middle regions, as shown by the shading of the lens 903. In some embodiments, the transmittance of the lens 903 varies smoothly, whether monotonically or not, from the upper and side regions to the middle and lower and middle regions. In other embodiments, the transmittance may not continuously jump between one or more transmittance levels.

For embodiments in which the transmissivity of the lens 903 is less in the upper and side regions than in the middle and lower regions, these embodiments may help preferentially attenuate the transmission of light generated from the upper and side regions of the user's field of view. For a user working on a computer, such spatial filtering selectively attenuates light from most light sources except for the computer screen in the middle region of the user's field of view and the desktop in the lower region of the user's field of view. Such embodiments reduce glare, not only from overhead lighting, but also from other light sources in other parts of the user's field of view, including reflections.

Fig. 10 illustrates another embodiment of an optical process 1000 for spatial filtering of incident light from a lens 1003. Similar to the embodiment shown in fig. 9, the lens 1003 includes an optical treatment 1000 that causes the upper and side regions of the lens 1003 to have a lower transmittance than the middle and lower middle portions. Optical treatment 1000 may be a partially transmissive mirror coating, tint, combination thereof, or the like. A significant feature of the optical process 1000 in this embodiment is that a baseline level of reduced light transmission is established across the surface of the lens 1003. The level of light transmission through the lens 1003 decreases from the baseline level in some areas of the lens 1003.

The reduced light transmission through the baseline level of the lens 1003 is illustrated by the gap between the transmission curve 1052 and the dot line 1054 in fig. 1056, and the gap between the transmission curve 1058 and the dot line 1060 in fig. 1056. As previously described, the dotted lines 1054 and 1060 indicate the level of light transmission of the lens 1003 without the optical treatment 1000, which is characterized by the transmission curves 1052 and 1058. The gaps indicate that the optical treatment 1000 applied to the lens 1003 at least partially attenuates light transmission through the entire lens surface and provides a baseline level of transmitted light.

For example, a partially transmissive mirror coating may be applied over the entire lens 1003. The mirror coating may be designed to provide a minimum level of reflectivity in the regions of the lens 1003 where light transmission through the lens 1003 is greatest. For the embodiment of fig. 10, the regions of maximum transmissivity are the middle and middle lower regions of the lens. The reflectivity of the mirror coating increases towards the upper and side regions of the lens 1003, which have lower transmission. Thus, the mirror coating provides a baseline level of reflectivity throughout the lens 1003, with increased reflectivity in some areas, rather than just a portion of the lens 1003. In another embodiment, a similar effect may be achieved by tinting the lens 1003. Color may be painted over the entire lens 1003 to provide a non-zero baseline level of absorptivity, with increased absorptivity in some areas. For example, the tint may be designed to provide increased absorption in the upper and side regions of the lens 1003 to attenuate light transmission into the lens 1003 through these regions.

In some embodiments, a baseline amount of attenuation of the transmittance of the lens 1003 is achieved by a first optical treatment, while an attenuation increase in some areas of the lens 1003 is achieved by a second optical treatment. Each optical treatment may be of neutral density or may filter incident light as described above. For example, the lens can be tinted as described above to provide a baseline amount of reduced lens transmission. A non-uniform partially transmissive mirror coating may be used to further reduce the transmission in certain areas than in others.

In one embodiment, the colors act as spectral filters, balancing the spectrum of fluorescent or incandescent lighting in an office environment. The color may be substantially uniform to establish a baseline reduction in light transmission over the entire surface of the lens 1003. Subsequently, a specular coating is employed to provide spatial filtering of the incident light to reduce glare from overhead illumination. In another embodiment, the roles of the color and mirror coatings are reversed, with the mirror coating disposed on the lens 1003 to provide a baseline reduction in the transmittance of the lens 1003, and the arrangement of the colors providing spatial filtering of the incident light. Other designs are also possible.

It should be appreciated that while fig. 10 illustrates an embodiment that provides a baseline reduction in the transmissivity of the lens 1003, and a further reduction in the transmissivity of the lens in the upper and side regions, in other embodiments, other regions of the lens 1003 may be further attenuated beyond the baseline level. Further, the attenuation of the transmittance of the lens 1003 may vary smoothly (whether monotonic or not), as shown by the hatching of the lens 1003, or discontinuously.

In addition to providing optical treatments to selectively attenuate transmitted light through various regions of the lens, in some embodiments, the optical treatments selectively alter the amount of light reflected from the lens surface. For example, the optical treatment selectively reduces the amount of light generated from beside and behind the user that is reflected from the eye curve side of the lens into the eye. Fig. 11 illustrates such an embodiment.

Fig. 11 illustrates another embodiment of an optical process 1100 for spatially filtering light incident on a lens 1103. In this embodiment, optical treatment 1100 is an anti-reflective coating disposed on the ocular curve side surface of the lens, although in some embodiments, a partially transmissive specular coating or tint disposed on the base curve or ocular curve side. As shown in fig. 8-10, the lens 1103 includes a central region 1101 and a peripheral region. The peripheral region includes an upper region, a lower region, and first and second side regions.

Point a is located near an upper region of the lens 1103 and point B is located near a lower region of the lens 1103. Curve 1152 of the graph 1150 shows the reflection of light from the lens 1103 as a function of position along line AB. Similarly, curve 1158 of fig. 1156 shows the reflection of light from lens 1103 as a function of position along line AB. In this embodiment, the anti-reflective coating is designed such that the reflectivity of the lens 1103 is smaller in the peripheral region than in the middle region. In fact, the reflectivity of the lens decreases smoothly from the middle region of the lens, as represented by the portions between points a and B and between points C and D in fig. 1150 and 1156, although in other embodiments the reflectivity may vary discontinuously.

Thus, in the embodiment of FIG. 11, the characteristics of the optical treatment vary according to a gradient extending radially from a central location. In particular, fig. 11 illustrates optical processing with a cyclic gradient. The gradient contours shown in fig. 11 generally have a closed course. In some embodiments, the contour of the gradient is substantially circular, although it may be elliptical or have other closed lines. In some embodiments, optical treatments with such gradients are formed on the lens by forming the gradients on a film and then laminating the film on the lens surface. The film may be a dyed layer, a mirror coating, or an anti-reflective coating.

The anti-reflective coating of fig. 11 can reduce glare of light that typically comes from the back of the user and is incident on the eye curve side of the lens 1103. For example, in an office environment, if a window is located behind the user, light coming from the window may reflect off the eye side of the lens 1103 and enter the user's eyes, resulting in increased glare and symptoms associated with CVS. Nevertheless, since the anti-reflective coating is on the eye curve side of the lens 1103 as shown in FIG. 11, it is effective in reducing glare caused by light coming from the back of the user without being blocked by the head. The anti-reflective coating can be designed to reduce the reflectivity of the lens 1103, with a reduction in the peripheral regions of the lens for the intermediate regions, since light reflected from the intermediate region on the eye-side of the lens 1103 is less likely to be re-directed into the eye. In other embodiments, the anti-reflective coating can be uniform over the entire surface of the eye-side of the lens 1103. In some embodiments, an anti-reflective coating may also be formed on the substrate side of the lens 1103.

Various embodiments of improved computer eyewear have been described above. In some embodiments, the computer eyewear is implemented as off-the-shelf, non-prescription eyewear. Because the computer eyewear is non-prescription eyewear, it can be mass-produced without knowing the prescription of the end user. Once manufactured, the computer eyewear kit can be packaged and shipped to a retailer. A pack may include multiple sets of eyeglasses having the same lens power or eyeglasses having several different lens powers. For example, a pack may include three or more pairs of eyeglasses, although the number may vary. Computer eyewear may also be packaged as a kit including instructions directing the proper use of the eyewear. For example, the instructions instruct the user to watch the computer while wearing glasses. The set of computer eyewear may also include removable side panels for use with the eyewear.

While certain embodiments of computer eyewear have been described above, other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art based on this disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is defined by the claims rather than by the description herein with reference to the drawings. In addition, while described herein in connection with the figures, various modifications are possible. For example, some elements may be added, removed, or rearranged.

Appendix A

Summary of the Experimental test results

Lens power preference statistics

When wearing their favorite computer eyewear, the participants (58) feel:

eyes are more wet by 6.90%

The eyes are more energetic 22.41%

The eyes are more relaxed by 62.07 percent

The computer screen is clearer, and the fonts are 51.72 percent more three-dimensional

Claims (162)

1. Stock computer eyewear, comprising:

a first lens portion and a second lens portion, each lens portion having an optic power of about +0.1 to +0.25 diopters, said first and second lens portions having substantially the same optic power to provide ready correction to a user having substantially normal naked or corrected vision when viewing a computer screen, each lens portion having a base curve and an eye curve;

a frame portion disposed around the first and second lens portions to provide support;

wherein the base curve of the first and second lens portions has a partially transmissive mirror coating thereon.

2. The computer eyewear of claim 1, wherein the lens portion comprises plastic.

3. The computer eyewear of claim 1, wherein the first and second lens portions are comprised of first and second lenses, and the frame comprises a substantially circular frame for mating with the lenses.

4. The computer eyewear of claim 1, wherein the first lens portion and the second lens portion are integrally formed.

5. The computer eyewear of claim 1, wherein the mirror coating comprises a metal coating.

6. The computer eyewear of claim 1, wherein the mirror coating has a reflectivity of at least 15% over at least a portion of the 340-780nm wavelength band.

7. The computer eyewear of claim 1, wherein the specular coating is non-uniform across the first and second lens portions.

8. The computer eyewear of claim 7, wherein the specular coating has a higher reflectivity at an edge region of the lens portion than at a center region of the lens portion.

9. The computer eyewear of claim 8, wherein the edge region has a reflectivity at least 20% greater than the reflectivity of the central region.

10. The computer eyewear of claim 7, wherein the lens portion has an upper region, an edge region, a central region, and a lower region, the mirror coating having a higher reflectivity in the upper region and the edge region than in the central region.

11. The computer eyewear of claim 10, further comprising a nose pad, wherein the lower region is closer to the nose pad than the upper region.

12. The computer eyewear of claim 1, wherein the specular coating comprises a spectral filter that filters at least one wavelength band of the visible range.

13. The computer eyewear of claim 12, wherein the spectral filter has at least one stopband in the visible spectrum that coincides with a spectral peak of light emitted by an incandescent or fluorescent lamp, such that transmission of the spectral peak through the specular coating is selectively attenuated.

14. The computer eyewear of claim 13, wherein the stop band reduces transmission by at least 50% over a band of the visible spectrum that is between about 25nm and 150nm wide.

15. The computer eyewear of claim 12, wherein the spectral filter comprises a high pass filter, a low pass filter, or a band pass filter.

16. The computer eyewear of claim 1, wherein the lens portion further comprises a light absorbing stain.

17. The computer eyewear of claim 16, wherein the light absorbing stain comprises a pigment, a non-photosensitive dye, a photosensitive dye, or an optically absorbing layer.

18. The computer eyewear of claim 16, wherein the specular coating is non-uniform and the light absorbing stain is substantially uniform across the first lens portion and the second lens portion.

19. The computer eyewear of claim 16, wherein the specular coating is substantially uniform and the light absorbing stain is non-uniform in the first lens portion and the second lens portion.

20. The computer eyewear of claim 16, wherein the light absorbing stain is non-uniform across the first lens portion and the second lens portion.

21. The computer eyewear of claim 20, wherein the light absorbing stain has a higher absorptivity at an edge region of the lens portion than at a central region of the lens portion.

22. The computer eyewear of claim 21, wherein the peripheral region has an absorbency rate at least 20% greater than that of the central region.

23. The computer eyewear of claim 20, wherein the lens portion comprises an upper region, a peripheral region, a central region, and a lower region, the light absorbing stain having a higher absorbance in the upper and peripheral regions than in the central region.

24. The computer eyewear of claim 23, further comprising a nose pad, wherein the lower region is closer to the nose pad than the upper region.

25. The computer eyewear of claim 16, wherein the light absorbing stain comprises a spectral filter at visible wavelengths.

26. The computer eyewear of claim 25, wherein the spectral filter has at least one stopband in the visible spectrum that coincides with a spectral peak of light emitted by an incandescent or fluorescent light, such that transmission of the spectral peak by the stain is selectively attenuated.

27. The computer eyewear of claim 26, wherein the stop band reduces transmission by at least 50% over a band in the visible spectrum that is about 25nm to 150nm wide.

28. The computer eyewear of claim 25, wherein the spectral filter comprises a high pass filter, a low pass filter, or a band pass filter.

29. The computer eyewear of claim 1, wherein the first and second lens portions have an anti-reflective coating on their eye curves.

30. The computer eyewear of claim 29, wherein the anti-reflective coating comprises a thin film coating.

31. The computer eyewear of claim 29, wherein said lens portion having said anti-reflective coating has an attenuated reflectivity at the peripheral region than at the central region.

32. The computer eyewear of claim 1, wherein the frame portion is comprised of aluminum, magnesium, titanium, or any alloy or combination of these metals.

33. The computer eyewear of claim 1, wherein the lens portion is comprised of a non-progressive lens.

34. The computer eyewear of claim 1, wherein the lens portion has a prismatic power.

35. A method of alleviating symptoms of computer vision syndrome when viewing a computer screen, the method comprising:

providing a first lens portion and a second lens portion in front of an eye having substantially normal naked or corrected vision, each lens portion having a lens power of about +0.1 to +0.25 diopters and each lens portion having a partially transmissive specular coating thereon;

viewing the computer screen through the first lens portion and the second lens portion.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the computer screen is viewed indoors.

37. A kit for mitigating symptoms of computer vision syndrome when viewing a computer screen, said kit comprising:

eyewear comprising a first non-progressive lens portion and a second non-progressive lens portion, each lens portion having a lens power of about +0.1 to +0.25 diopters, and each lens portion having a partially transmissive specular coating thereon;

and data instructing the user how to wear the glasses while viewing the computer screen.

38. The kit of claim 37, wherein the data is disposed on or within a package of the eyewear.

39. An appliance kit, comprising:

a package of three or more pairs of computer eyewear bundled together, said computer eyewear comprising first and second lens portions having a lens power of about +0.1 to +0.25 diopters, said first and second lens portions having substantially the same lens power so as to provide over-the-counter correction for viewing a computer;

and a frame portion disposed around the first and second lens portions to provide support;

wherein there is a partially reflective specular coating on the first and second lens portions.

40. The kit of claim 39, wherein the three or more pairs of computer eyewear have substantially the same lens power.

41. The kit of claim 39, wherein the three or more pairs of computer eyewear have different lens powers.

42. The kit of claim 41, wherein the package further comprises computer eyewear having lens powers of +0.3 to +0.5 diopters.

43. A method of mass producing computer eyewear, comprising: producing a plurality of eyeglasses without knowing the prescription of the user, each of said eyeglasses being formed by combining a left lens portion and a right lens portion having a lens power of about +0.1 to +0.25 diopters, said left and right lens portions having substantially the same lens power to provide non-prescription correction for the left and right eyes when viewing a computer screen, wherein said left and right lens portions have a partially transmissive mirror coating.

44. Computer eyewear comprising a first lens portion and a second lens portion, said first and second lens portions having substantially the same +0.1 to +0.25 diopters, said first and second lens portions having the same lens power to provide over-the-counter correction when viewing a computer screen; further comprising a frame portion disposed about the first and second lens portions to provide support, the first and second lens portions having a spectral filter with at least one stop band in the visible spectrum that coincides with a spectral peak of light emitted by an incandescent or fluorescent lamp such that transmission of the spectral peak through the spectral filter is selectively attenuated.

45. The computer eyewear of claim 44, wherein the spectral filter comprises a partially transmissive specular coating, a light absorbing stain, or a combination thereof.

46. The computer eyewear of claim 44, wherein the stop band reduces transmission by at least 50% over a band in the visible spectrum that is about 25nm to 150nm wide.

47. The computer eyewear of claim 44, wherein the spectral filter comprises a high pass filter, a low pass filter, or a band pass filter.

48. A method of mass producing computer eyewear, comprising: producing first and second lens portions having substantially the same lens power of about +0.1 to +0.25 diopters without knowing the user's prescription to provide non-prescription correction for viewing a computer screen; wherein said lens portion has a spectral filter having at least one stop band in the visible spectrum that coincides with a spectral peak of light emitted by an incandescent or fluorescent lamp, such that transmission of said spectral peak through said spectral filter is selectively attenuated.

49. A method of alleviating symptoms of computer vision syndrome when viewing a computer screen, the method comprising:

providing a first lens portion and a second lens portion in front of an eye having substantially normal naked or corrected vision, each lens portion having substantially the same optical power in the range of about +0.1 to +0.25 diopters and each lens portion having a partially transmissive mirror coating thereon having a spectral filter with at least one stop band in the visible spectral region that coincides with a peak in the visible spectral range of light from an incandescent or fluorescent lamp such that transmission of said peak through said spectral filter is selectively attenuated; and

viewing the computer screen through the first lens portion and the second lens portion.

50. Computer eyewear, comprising:

a first lens portion and a second lens portion, said first and second lens portions having substantially the same optical power of about +0.1 to about +0.25 diopters, said first and second lens portions having the same optical power to provide non-prescription correction when viewing a computer screen;

a frame portion disposed around the first and second lens portions to provide support; and

a plurality of side-shields removably mounted to the eyewear and at least partially blocking light and airflow.

51. The computer eyewear of claim 50, wherein the relative percent humidity near the user's eyes is at least about 40% when the computer eyewear with the removably attachable sideplates is worn by the user.

52. The computer eyewear of claim 50, wherein the removable side-shields are mounted to the eyewear by snap-fit or magnetic fasteners.

53. The computer eyewear of claim 50, wherein the removable side-shields are completely opaque.

54. The computer eyewear of claim 50, wherein the removable side-shields comprise plastic.

55. The computer eyewear of claim 50, wherein the lens portion has one or more edges that follow the contours of the user's face.

56. An appliance kit, comprising:

computer eyewear comprising first and second lens portions each having a lens power of about +0.1 to about +0.25 diopters, said first and second lens portions having substantially the same lens power to provide non-prescription correction when viewing a computer screen; the computer eyewear further includes a frame portion disposed about the first and second lens portions to provide support; the kit also includes a plurality of side-shields that are removable from the eyewear and are configured to block light and air flow.

57. An over-the-counter computer eyewear, comprising:

first and second lens portions having an optic power of about +0.1 to +0.25 diopters, said first and second lens portions having substantially the same optic power, providing ready correction to a user having substantially normal naked or corrected vision when viewing a computer screen, each lens portion having an edge region and a central region; and

a frame portion disposed around the first and second lens portions to provide support;

wherein the first and second lens portions have transmittances that smoothly change from the edge region to the central region.

58. The computer eyewear of claim 57, wherein the central region has a higher transmittance than the edge regions.

59. The computer eyewear of claim 57, wherein the first and second lens portions have a partially transmissive mirror coating, the reflectivity of the mirror coating smoothly varying from the edge region to the central region.

60. The computer eyewear of claim 57, wherein the first and second lens portions have a light absorbing colorant having an absorptivity that varies smoothly from the edge region to the central region.

61. The computer eyewear of claim 57, wherein the first and second lens portions have a partially transmissive mirror coating and a light absorbing stain, the reflectance of the mirror coating or the absorbance of the stain being non-uniform.

62. An over-the-counter computer eyewear, comprising:

first and second lens portions having a power of about +0.1 to +0.25 diopters, said first and second lens portions having substantially the same power to provide non-prescription correction for viewing a computer screen;

further comprising a frame portion disposed about the first and second lens portions to provide support;

wherein the first and second lens portions have light absorbing stains whose absorptivity changes smoothly, the stains covering at least 90% of the lens.

63. An over-the-counter computer eyewear, comprising:

first and second lens portions having an optic power of about +0.1 to +0.25 diopters, said first and second lens portions having substantially the same optic power, providing ready correction to a user having substantially normal naked or corrected vision when viewing a computer screen;

further comprising a frame portion disposed about the first and second lens portions to provide support;

wherein the first and second lens portions have light absorbing colorants whose absorptance varies between a lower level non-zero baseline and an upper level.

64. The non-prescription computer eyewear of claim 63, wherein one region of each of said lenses is colored at said non-zero baseline level, one region of each of said lenses is colored at an intermediate level, and one region of each of said lenses is colored at said higher level.

65. Stock computer eyewear, comprising:

a first lens portion having a first geometric center and a first optical center, the first optical center being offset from the first geometric center;

a second lens portion having a second geometric center and a second optical center, the second optical center being offset from the second geometric center;

wherein the first and second lens portions each have substantially the same lens power of about +0.1 to +0.25 diopters to provide ready correction when a computer screen is viewed by a user having substantially normal naked or corrected vision.

66. The computer eyewear of claim 65, wherein the first and second optical centers are medially offset from the first and second geometric centers, respectively.

67. The computer eyewear of claim 66, wherein the first and second optical centers are offset upwardly from the first and second geometric centers, respectively, toward the user's eyebrows.

68. The computer eyewear of claim 65, wherein the eyewear has a base curvature of at least a base number of 6.

69. Stock computer eyewear, comprising:

a first lens having a first side edge and a first middle edge, the first lens having a thickness at the first middle edge greater than a thickness of the first side edge; and

a second lens having second side edges and a second middle edge, the second lens having a greater thickness at the second middle edge than at the second side edges;

wherein the lenses each have substantially the same lens power of about +0.1 to +0.25 diopters to provide ready correction when viewed on a computer screen by a user having substantially normal naked or corrected vision.

70. The computer eyewear of claim 69, wherein the first and second lenses have top and bottom edges, the first and second lenses having a greater thickness at the top edge than at the bottom edge.

71. The computer eyewear of claim 69, wherein the first and second lenses have a base-in prism power of at least 0.25 prismatic power.

72. The computer eyewear of claim 69, wherein the first and second lenses have a partially transmissive coating thereon.

73. The computer eyewear of claim 69, wherein said eyewear has a base curvature of at least a base number of 6.

74. Stock computer eyewear, comprising:

first and second lens portions having an optic power of about +0.1 to +0.25 diopters, said first and second lens portions having substantially the same optic power, providing ready correction to a user having substantially normal naked or corrected vision when viewing a computer screen; each lens includes a baseline curve and an ocular curve;

further comprising a frame portion disposed about the first and second lens portions to provide support, wherein the eyewear has a base curvature of at least a base number of 6.

75. The computer eyewear of claim 74, wherein the eyewear has a wide angle tilt.

76. The computer eyewear of claim 74, wherein said eyewear has a base curvature of at least a base 8.

77. The computer eyewear of claim 74, wherein said eyewear has a base curvature of at least a base 10.

78. The computer eyewear of claim 74, wherein said first and second lenses have a base in prism power of at least 0.25 prismatic power.

79. The computer eyewear of claim 74, wherein the first and second lenses comprise first and second off-axis lenses.

80. The computer eyewear of claim 74, wherein the ratio of the lateral measurement d1 to the depth measurement d2 of the first and second lenses is from about 1.5 to about 3.5.

81. The computer eyewear of claim 74, wherein said wrap-around design maintains a relative percent humidity of air near the user's eyes of 40% or greater.

82. An appliance kit, comprising:

two or more pairs of computer eyewear including first computer eyewear and second computer eyewear, wherein:

said first computer eyewear having first and second lens portions with a lens power of about +0.1 to about +0.25 diopters, said first and second lens portions having the same lens power to provide over-the-counter correction when viewing a computer screen; further comprising a frame portion disposed about the first and second lens portions to provide support;

said second computer eyewear having first and second lens portions with a lens power of about +0.3 to about +0.6 diopters, said first and second lens portions having the same lens power to provide non-prescription correction when viewing a computer screen; further comprising a frame portion disposed about the first and second lens portions to provide support.

83. The kit of claim 82, wherein the first and second computer eyewear have a light absorbing stain.

84. The kit of claim 83, wherein the first and second computer eyewear are colored yellow.

85. The kit of claim 82, wherein the first and second lenses of the first computer eyewear have a power of about +0.2 diopters and the first and second lenses of the second computer eyewear have a power of about +0.5 diopters.

86. The kit of claim 85, wherein the first and second lenses of the first and second computer eyewear have a light absorbing stain.

87. The kit of parts of claim 83, wherein the lens portions of the first and second computer eyewear are colored yellow.

88. The kit of claim 82, wherein the first lens and the second lens portion of the first computer eyewear each have a lens power of about +0.125 to +0.25 diopters.

89. Stock computer eyewear, comprising:

first and second lens portions having an optic power of about +0.1 to +0.25 diopters, said first and second lens portions having substantially the same optic power, providing ready correction to a user having substantially normal naked or corrected vision when viewing a computer screen; each lens includes a baseline curve and an ocular curve;

further comprising a frame portion disposed about the first and second lens portions to provide support.

90. The computer eyewear of claim 89, wherein said lens portion has a light absorbing stain.

91. The computer eyewear of claim 90, wherein the lens portion is colored yellow.

92. The computer eyewear of claim 89, wherein the eyewear is wrap-around.

93. A method of alleviating symptoms of computer vision syndrome when viewing a computer screen, the method comprising:

providing a first lens portion and a second lens portion in front of an eye having substantially normal naked or corrected vision, each lens portion having a lens power of about +0.1 to +0.25 diopters;

the computer screen is then viewed through the first and second lens portions.

94. The method of claim 93, wherein the lens portion has a light absorbing stain.

95. The method of claim 94, wherein the lens portion is colored yellow.

96. The method of claim 93, wherein the first and second lens portions are wrap around.

97. The method of claim 93, wherein the computer screen being viewed is located at a distance of 30 inches or less.

98. A kit for mitigating symptoms of computer vision syndrome when viewing a computer screen, said kit comprising:

spectacles comprising a first non-progressive lens portion and a second non-progressive lens portion, each lens portion having a lens power of about +0.1 to +0.25 diopters;

and the data instructing the user to wear the glasses while watching the computer screen.

99. The kit of claim 98, wherein the data is disposed on or within a package of the eyewear.

100. The kit of claim 98, wherein the lens portion has a light absorbing stain.

101. The kit of claim 100, wherein the lens portion is colored yellow.

102. The kit of claim 98, wherein the eyewear is wrap-around.

103. The kit of claim 98, wherein the data directs the user to view the computer screen at a distance of 30 inches or less.

104. An appliance kit, comprising:

packaging three or more pairs of computer lenses in a package, said computer lenses comprising first and second lens portions having a lens power of about +0.1 to +0.25 diopters, said first and second lens portions having substantially the same lens power to provide over-the-counter correction for viewing a computer;

and a frame portion disposed around the first and second lens portions to provide support.

105. The kit of claim 104, wherein the three or more pairs of computer eyewear have substantially the same lens power.

106. The kit of claim 104, wherein the package further comprises computer eyewear having a lens power of +0.3 to +0.6 diopters.

107. The kit of claim 104, wherein the lens portion has a light absorbing stain.

108. The kit of parts of claim 107, wherein the lens portion is colored yellow.

109. The kit of claim 104, wherein each pair of said computer eyewear is enclosed.

110. The kit of claim 104, wherein the package comprises at least five pairs of the computer eyewear.

111. The kit of claim 110, wherein each pair of said computer eyewear has the same lens power.

112. The kit of claim 104, wherein the package comprises at least ten pairs of the computer eyewear.

113. The kit of claim 112, wherein each pair of said computer eyewear has the same lens power.

114. A method of mass producing computer eyewear, comprising: a plurality of eyeglasses are produced without knowing the prescription of the user, each of said eyeglasses being formed by combining a left lens portion and a right lens portion having a lens power of about +0.1 to +0.25 diopters, said left and right lens portions having substantially the same lens power to provide non-prescription correction for the left and right eyes when viewing a computer screen.

115. The method of claim 114, wherein the lens portion has a light absorbing stain.

116. The method of claim 115, wherein the lens portion is colored yellow.

117. The computer eyewear of any of claims 1, 65, 69, 74, or 89, wherein the lens power is greater than or equal to +0.1 diopters and less than +0.25 diopters.

118. The method of any one of claims 35, 49 or 93, wherein the lens power is greater than or equal to +0.1 diopters and less than +0.25 diopters.

119. The kit of any one of claims 37, 56, 95, or 99, wherein the lens power is greater than or equal to +0.1 diopters and less than +0.25 diopters.

120. The method of any one of claims 43, 48, or 114, wherein the lens power is greater than or equal to +0.1 diopters and less than +0.25 diopters.

121. The computer eyewear of claim 44 or 50, wherein the lens power is greater than or equal to +0.1 diopters and less than +0.25 diopters.

122. The non-prescription computer eyewear according to claim 57 or 62, wherein the lens power is greater than or equal to +0.1 diopters and less than +0.25 diopters.

123. The computer eyewear of any of claims 1, 65, 69, 74, or 89, wherein the lens power is greater than or equal to +0.125 diopters and less than +0.25 diopters.

124. The method of any one of claims 35, 49 or 93, wherein the lens power is greater than or equal to +0.125 diopters and less than +0.25 diopters.

125. The kit of any one of claims 37, 56, 98 or 104, wherein the lens power is greater than or equal to +0.125 diopters and less than +0.25 diopters.

126. The method of any one of claims 43, 48, or 110 wherein the lens power is greater than or equal to +0.125 diopters and less than +0.25 diopters.

127. The computer eyewear of claim 44 or 50, wherein the lens power is greater than or equal to +0.125 diopters and less than +0.25 diopters.

128. The non-prescription computer eyewear of claim 57 or claim 62, wherein the lens power is greater than or equal to +0.125 diopters and less than +0.25 diopters.

129. The computer eyewear of any of claims 1, 65, 69, 74, or 89, wherein the lens power is greater than or equal to +0.125 diopters and less than +0.25 diopters.

130. The method of any one of claims 35, 49 or 93, wherein the lens power is greater than or equal to +0.125 diopters and less than +0.25 diopters.

131. The kit of any one of claims 37, 56, 98 or 104, wherein the lens power is greater than or equal to +0.125 diopters and less than +0.25 diopters.

132. The method of any one of claims 43, 48, or 110 wherein the lens power is greater than or equal to +0.125 diopters and less than +0.25 diopters.

133. The computer eyewear of claim 44 or 50, wherein the lens power is greater than or equal to +0.125 diopters and less than +0.25 diopters.

134. The non-prescription computer eyewear of claim 57 or claim 62, wherein the lens power is greater than or equal to +0.125 diopters and less than +0.25 diopters.

135. Computer eyewear, comprising:

a first lens portion and a second lens portion having substantially the same lens power of about +0.1 to +0.25 diopters to provide over-the-counter correction when viewing a computer screen;

further comprising a frame portion disposed about the first and second lens portions to provide support; the first and second lens portions include a spectral filter having a characteristic peak in a transmission curve of a visible light spectrum coinciding with at least one spectral peak of light emitted from a fluorescent lamp, such that the at least one spectral peak passing through the spectral filter may be selectively attenuated.

136. The computer eyewear of claim 135, wherein the characteristic peak is located at about 440nm and has a width of about 10-30 nm.

137. The computer eyewear of claim 136, wherein a characteristic peak on the transmission curve of the spectral filter has a plateau.

138. The computer eyewear of claim 135, wherein said characteristic peak selectively attenuates said at least one spectral peak passing through said spectral filter by more than 50%.

139. The computer eyewear of claim 135, wherein the characteristic peak is at about 550 nm.

140. The computer eyewear of claim 139, wherein a characteristic peak on the transmission curve of the spectral filter has a slope.

141. The computer eyewear of claim 135, wherein the eyewear has a base curvature of at least a base number of 6.

142. The computer eyewear of claim 135, wherein the eyewear has a base curvature of at least a base number of 8.

143. The computer eyewear of claim 135, wherein the first and second lens portions comprise first and second lenses having optical centers that are offset from a geometric center, respectively.

144. The computer eyewear of claim 135, wherein the first and second lens portions each have an anti-reflective coating on the eye side thereof.

145. The computer eyewear of claim 135, wherein the characteristic peak coincides with a single spectral peak of light emitted by the fluorescent light.

146. The computer eyewear of claim 145, wherein the width of the characteristic peak corresponds to the width of a single spectral peak.

147. The computer eyewear of claim 135, wherein said first and second lens portions have a power of about +0.2 diopters.

148. The computer eyewear of claim 135, wherein said first and second lens portions have a lens power of about +0.125 diopters.

149. The computer eyewear of claim 66, further comprising a spectral filter having a characteristic peak in the transmission curve of visible light, the position and width of the characteristic peak corresponding to the spectral peak of light emitted by a fluorescent lamp, thereby selectively attenuating the transmission of said spectral peak through said spectral filter.

150. The computer eyewear of claim 66, wherein the first and second lenses each have an anti-reflective coating on their eye side.

151. The computer eyewear of claim 69, further comprising a spectral filter having a transmission curve in the visible region with a characteristic peak at a position and width corresponding to a spectral peak of light emitted by a fluorescent lamp, thereby selectively attenuating transmission of said spectral peak through said spectral filter.

152. The computer eyewear of claim 69, wherein the first and second lenses each have an anti-reflective coating on their eye side.

153. The computer eyewear of claim 74, further comprising a spectral filter having a transmission curve in the visible region with a characteristic peak at a position and width corresponding to a spectral peak of light emitted by a fluorescent lamp, thereby selectively attenuating transmission of said spectral peak through said spectral filter.

154. The computer eyewear of claim 74, wherein the first and second lenses each have an anti-reflective coating on their eye side.

155. Computer eyewear, comprising:

a first lens portion and a second lens portion having substantially the same lens power of about +0.1 to +0.25 diopters to provide over-the-counter correction when viewing a computer screen;

further comprising a frame portion disposed about the first and second lens portions to provide support.

156. The computer eyewear of claim 155, wherein said first and second lens portions have a power of about +0.2 diopters.

157. The computer eyewear of claim 155, wherein said first and second lens portions have a power of about +0.125 diopters.

158. The computer eyewear of claim 155, wherein the computer eyewear has a base curvature of at least a base number of 6.

159. The computer eyewear of claim 155, wherein the computer eyewear has a base curvature of at least a base number of 8.

160. The computer eyewear of claim 155, wherein the first and second lens portions comprise first and second lenses having optical centers that are offset from a geometric center, respectively.

161. The computer eyewear of claim 155, wherein the first and second lens portions each have an anti-reflective coating on the eye side thereof.

162. The computer eyewear of claim 155, further comprising a spectral filter having a transmission curve in the visible region with a characteristic peak at a position and width corresponding to a spectral peak of light emitted by a fluorescent lamp, thereby selectively attenuating transmission of said spectral peak through said spectral filter.