These and other aspects, features, and advantages of these invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the various aspects of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter, which is regarded as the invention, is particularly pointed out and distinctly recited in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be readily understood from the following detailed description of aspects of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic front elevation view of half of an eyewear having a lens according to one aspect of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the lens shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the lens shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a graph of the transmittance as a function of wavelength of a lens according to one aspect of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a graph of the transmittance as a function of wavelength of aspects of the invention compared to the transmittance shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a lens according another aspect of the invention.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the lens shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a graph of the transmittance as a function of wavelength of an aspect of the invention.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are graphs of the transmittance as a function of wavelength according to other aspects of the invention.

FIGS. 11 and 12 are graphs of the transmittance as a function of wavelength according to further aspects of the invention.

FIGS. 13 and 14 are graphs of the transmittance as a function of wavelength according to further aspects of the invention.

FIG. 15 is a graph of the transmittance as a function of wavelength according to further aspects of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a schematic front elevation view of half of an eyewear 10 having a lens 12 according to one aspect of the invention. According to aspects of the intervention, eyewear 10 may be any conventional eyewear, for example, sunglasses; eyeglasses, including prescription, corrective eyeglasses, protective eyeglasses; visors, including sports visors; goggles, including protective goggles; and contacts, for example tinted contacts, among others. Eyewear 10 may have a frame 11 holding the lens 12, though in other aspects, no frame 11 may be required. However, in other aspects of the invention, lens 12 as disclosed herein may be any optical device that can benefit from features of the lens disclosed herein, for example, binoculars, a spotting scope, a periscope, a telescope, a computer screen, or a camera lens, among others.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the lens 12 shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, lens 12 includes a lens wafer 14; and a compound 16 overlaying the lens wafer 14. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the lens 12 shown in FIG. 1. For the sake of facilitating disclosure of aspects of the invention, in FIGS. 2 and 3, the compound 16 is shown schematically as overlaying or mounting to the lens wafer 14; however, in one aspect of the invention, compound 16 may not overlay lens wafer 14 but may be embedded in or comprise the content of lens wafer 14.

As known in the art, lens wafer 14 may comprise any structurally sufficient, optical light-transferring material or medium capable of being supported in a position desired, for example, before the eye of the wearer or before the optical sensing device of an optical device. In one aspect, as known in the art, an optical lens wafer may be to a thin, flat piece of material, typically glass or plastic, that serves as a substrate for manufacturing optical lenses. Lens wafers may be produced with precise surface properties and uniform thickness to enable the formation of lenses through processes like grinding, polishing, and coating. As known in the art, features of an optical lens wafer may include: 1) Uniform thickness: Essential for ensuring consistent optical performance; 2) Surface quality: Free from defects, scratches, or irregularities that could distort light transmission; and 3) Material properties: Lens wafers are often made from optical glass or advanced polymers with specific refractive indexes suitable for lens applications. These and further features of lens wafers according to aspects of the invention are provided by SPIE (International Society for Optics and Photonics) which provides resources on optical materials and wafer manufacturing; ISO 10110 standards which outline specifications for the optics manufacturing process, including surface quality and material properties for lenses; and SEMI Standards related to semiconductor and wafer production also offer insights into the production and quality control of wafers used in optics. These three references are included by reference herein in their entirety.

According to aspects of the intention lens wafer 14 may be tinted, for example, having color, such as, rose, copper, or brown, among other tints.

According to aspects of the invention, the compound 16 overlaying or within lens wafer 14 is configured to impart a preferred light transmittance characteristic to the lens 12, for example, reducing the transmittance of green light (500-570 nm) while allowing or enhancing the transmittance of other light bands, such as, red, blue, and/or yellow-orange, as disclosed herein. In one aspect, the compound 16 exhibits a light transmittance through lens 12 at 550 nm (green) that is less than the transmittance though lens 12 at 480 nm and less than the transmittance at 580 nm. In other aspects, the compound 16 overlaying or within lens wafer 14 is configured to impart a preferred light transmittance characteristic to the lens 12, for example, enhancing the transmittance of green light (500-570 nm) while allowing or enhancing the transmittance of other light bands, such as, red, blue, and/or yellow-orange, as disclosed herein. For example, in one aspect, the compound 16 overlaying or within lens wafer 14 may comprise one or more dyes, or two or more dyes, as disclosed herein, wherein the one or more dyes are chosen to provide the desired transmittance. As disclosed below in the discussion of FIGS. 11 and 12, the one or more dyes used of compound 16 may be selected from commercially-available dyes having the desired absorption spectra.

FIG. 4 is a graph 20 of the transmittance as a function of wavelength of a lens according to one aspect of the invention. For example, graph 20 may be provided pursuant to ANSI Z80.3-2018, which is included by reference herein. As known in the art, and described above and pursuant to ANSI Z80.3-2018, “transmittance” is an optical property of a medium, for example, a lens, and represents the ratio, typically, in percent, of the power of the radiation transmitted through medium, in this case, visual light, to the power of the incident radiation. As shown in FIG. 4, the transmittance of one aspect of the invention varies over the wavelengths of visual light.

In order to illustrate the benefits of aspects of the invention shown in FIG. 4, the bands of wavelength typically associated with different colors of visual light are also shown in FIG. 4. Specifically, the typical recognized bands of wavelength for blue light (450-500 nm), green light (500-570 nm), yellow-orange light (570-620 nm), and red light (620-740 nm) are shown in FIG. 4. The wavelengths, 480 nm and 580, which are characterized as having poor chromatic response are also shown for reference in FIG. 4.

As shown in FIG. 4, according to this aspect, the transmittance of blue light (450-500 nm) and yellow-orange light (570-620 nm) may be relatively higher than the transmittance of green light (500-570 nm), while the transmittance red light (620-740 nm) may decrease across its bandwidth. As shown in FIG. 4, in one aspect, the transmittance of green light (500-570 nm) is decreased, that is, filtered more, where the transmittance of other non-green light, such as, blue light and yellow-orange light increases, that is, is less filtered. According to one aspect of the invention, the reduced transmittance, or increased filtering, of the green light and the reduced filtering of the non-green light may provide enhanced color recognition and enhanced contrast of the green light, for example, of the green light observed on a putting green.

According to aspects of the invention, the content of the compound that yields the transmittance characteristics shown in FIG. 4 may comprise at least one dye or a plurality of dyes. As disclosed below in the discussion of FIGS. 11 and 12, the one or more dyes that can be used to provide the transmittance shown in FIG. 4, for example, limiting the transmittance of green light, may be selected from commercially-available dyes having the desired absorption spectra.

FIG. 5 is a graph 30 of the transmittance as a function of wavelength of aspects of the invention compared to the transmittance shown in FIG. 4 according to one aspect. For example, graph 30 may be provided pursuant to ANSI Z80.3-2018, which is included by reference herein. The transmittance curve of the aspect of the invention shown in FIG. 4 is shown in dashed line 32 for reference in FIG. 5. Two transmittance curves 34 and 36 of lenses according to aspects of the invention are shown in FIG. 5. The bandwidths of blue light (450-500 nm), green light (500-570 nm), yellow-orange light (570-620 nm), and red light (620-740 nm) and the wavelengths 480 nm and 580 that are characterized as having poor chromatic response are also shown for reference in FIG. 5.

As shown in FIG. 5, according to one aspect of the invention, the lenses according to aspects of the invention, such as, lens 12, exhibit a light transmittance 34, 36 in the green light bandwidth (500-570 nm) that is not only less than the transmittance 32 of the lens according to an aspect of the invention shown in FIG. 4, but the transmittance 34, 36 of the lenses according to aspects of the invention decreases in the green light bandwidth (500-570 nm) from relatively higher transmittance at the extremities of the green light bandwidth (500-570 nm) to a minimum at a bandwith between about 520 nm and 560 nm. Specifically, in one aspect, the transmittance 34, 36 of aspects of the invention is lower between the extremities of the green light bandwidth (500-570 nm) to a minimum transmittance about midway between the extremities of the green light bandwidth (500-570 nm). In one aspect, the transmittance 34, 36 of the lenses according to an aspect of the invention in the green light bandwidth (500-570 nm), for example, between 520 nm and 560 nm, is less than the transmittance at 480 nm and less than the transmittance at 580 nm, that is, at the wavelengths characterized as having poor chromatic response.

Close examination of the curves shown in FIG. 5 reveals that the transmittance of a lens according to aspects of the invention at between 520 nm and 560 nm, for example, at 550 nm, is about 5% to 15%, for example, about 10% where the transmittance at 480 nm is about 30% and the transmittance at 580 nm is about 45%. That is, according to one aspect of the invention, the transmittance of lens between 520 nm and 560 nm may be at least 5% transmittance less than the transmittance at 480 nm and/or the transmittance at 580 nm. In one aspect, the transmittance between 520 nm and 560 nm may be at least 10% transmittance or 15% transmittance less than the transmittance at 480 nm and/or the transmittance at 580 nm. In one aspect, the transmittance between 520 nm and 560 nm may be at least 20% transmittance less than the transmittance at 480 nm and/or the transmittance at 580 nm. It will be recognized by those of skill in the art that the above differences in transmittance percentages are differences in transmittance, or in transmittance percentage points. In other words, the percent differences stated are not in terms of percentages of the transmittances, but in differences in transmittance expressed as percentages.

FIG. 5 also illustrates that, according to one aspect of the invention, the transmittance of yellow-orange light (570-620 nm) may be greater than the transmittance of yellow-orange light according to the aspect shown in FIG. 4, as indicated by dashed line curve 32. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the transmittance of yellow-orange light in curves 34 and 36 in the bandwith of about 595 nm to 620 nm is about 75% to 90% where the transmittance at 595 nm to 620 nm is about 50% to 72% for the lens according to the aspect shown in FIG. 4, as indicated by dashed line curve 32.

FIG. 5 further illustrates that, according to one aspect of the invention, the transmittance of red light (620-740 nm) may be greater than the transmittance of red light according to the aspect shown in FIG. 4, as indicated by dash line curve 32. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the transmittance of red light in curves 34 and 36 in the bandwith of about 620 nm to 740 nm is about 88% to 92%, where the transmittance at 620 nm to 700 nm in the aspect shown in FIG. 4, as indicated by curve 32, is about a maximum of about 50% and decreases with increased wavelength. In contrast, the transmittance at 480 nm in curves 34 and 36 is about 30% and the transmittance at 580 nm in curves 34 and 36 is about 45%. That is, according to one aspect of the invention, the transmittance of a lens according to an aspect of the invention in curves 34 and 36 between 620 nm and 740 nm may be at least 5% transmittance greater than the transmittance at 480 nm and the transmittance at 580 nm in curves 34 and 36. In one aspect, the transmittance in curves 34 and 36 between 620 nm and 740 nm may be at least 10% transmittance greater than the transmittance at 480 nm and the transmittance at 580 nm in curves 34 and 36. In one aspect, the transmittance in curves 34 and 36 between 620 nm and 700 nm may be at least 15% transmittance greater, or at least 20% transmittance greater, or at least 30% transmittance greater, or at least 40% transmittance greater than the transmittance at 480 nm and the transmittance at 580 nm in curves 34 and 36.

According to aspects of the invention, the content of the compound that yields the transmittance characteristics shown in FIG. 5 may comprise at least one dye or a plurality of dyes. As disclosed below in the discussion of FIGS. 11 and 12, the one or more dyes that can be used to provide the transmittance shown in FIG. 5, for example, limiting the transmittance of green light, may be selected from commercially-available dyes having the desired absorption spectra.

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a lens 40 according another aspect of the invention. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the lens 40 shown in FIG. 7. According to this aspect, lens 40 includes a lens wafer 44; and a compound 46 overlaying the lens wafer 44 and/or embedded within lens wafer 44. As noted earlier, for the sake of facilitating disclosure of aspects of the invention, in FIGS. 6 and 7, the compound 46 is shown schematically as overlaying or mounting to the lens wafer 44, but the compound 46 may not overlay lens wafer 44 but may be embedded in or comprise the content of lens wafer 44. According to aspects of the invention, the compound 46 overlaying or within lens wafer 44 is configured to impart a preferred light transmittance characteristic as disclosed herein, for example, reducing or enhancing the transmittance of green light (500-570 nm) while reducing or enhancing the transmittance of other light bands, such as, the red, the blue, and/or the yellow-orange light transmittance, as disclosed herein and as shown in FIG. 5, and in FIGS. 8 through 15.

In one aspect of the invention, in addition to a lens wafer 44 and the compound 46 (or lens wafer 14 and compound 16), lens 40 (and lens 12) may include one or more of the following: a tinting layer 48, a polarizing layer 50, a mirrored layer 52, an anti-reflection layer 54, and one or more scratch-resistance layers 56. The lens wafer 44 may be made from any light transferring material, for example, a glass, a plastic, or a polymer, such as, a polycarbonate (PC), a polyamide (for example, Nylon polyamide), a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), a cyclic olefin copolymer (COC), or a bio-based thermoplastic, among other polymers. In one aspect, any one of these plastics or polymers may be an “optical grade” plastic or polymer or an “optical grade thermoplastic.” The lens wafter 44 may be opaque, transparent, or translucent, and may include dyes providing at least some tinting to lens wafer 44.

The layers in FIGS. 6 and 7 are shown in one non-limiting order and positioning; however, according to aspects of the invention, the order and positioning of the layers shown n FIGS. 6 and 7 may vary without detracting from aspects of the invention and their performance as disclosed herein.

The tinting layer 48 may provide at least some tinting to lens 44, for example, in addition to or in place of the tinting provided for lens wafer 44. The polarizing layer 50 may comprise a polarizing film that reduces at least some glare, for example, a polarizing film provided by Mitsubishi, or its equivalent. The mirrored layer 52 may provide at least some reflectance and/or at least some reduction in light transmittance. For example, mirrored layer 52 may be a vacuum deposited layer, as known in the art. The anti-reflection layer 54 may provide at least some reduction of reflection from the surface of lens 40, for example, reduction of undesirable reflection into the eyes of the wearer. For example, the anti-reflection layer 54 may be a vacuum deposited layer, as known in the art. The one or more scratch-resistance layers 56 may, as the name implies, provide at least some scratch resistance to lens 40. The one or more scratch-resistance layers 56 may comprise a film of hard material, for example, a flow-coated or a dip-coated film, as known in the art. In one aspect, one or more of the layers of lens 12 or lens 40 may also provide UV filtering, for example, UV filtering for incident light having wavelengths up to 400 nm.

FIG. 8 is a graph 60 of the transmittance as a function of wavelength of aspects of the invention as provided by a prototype lens according to an aspect of the invention. For example, graph 60 may be provided pursuant to ANSI Z80.3-2018, which is included by reference herein. The transmittance curve 62 in graph 60 represents the transmittance of a lens according to aspects of the invention are shown in FIG. 8. The transmittance of the bandwidths of green light (500-570 nm) 64 and the wavelengths 480 nm and 580 that are characterized as having poor chromatic response are also shown for reference in FIG. 8.

As shown in FIG. 8, according to one aspect of the invention, the lens according to aspects of the invention, such as, lens 12 or lens 40, exhibit a light transmittance 62 in the green light bandwidth (500-570 nm) 64 that is less transmittance at the extremities of the green light bandwidth (500-570 nm) 64 to a minimum at a bandwidth between about 520 nm and 560 nm. Specifically, in one aspect, the transmittance 62 of aspects of the invention is lower between the extremities of the green light bandwidth (570-570 nm) 64 to a minimum transmittance about midway between the extremities of the green light bandwidth (570-570 nm). In one aspect, the transmittance 62 of the lenses between the extremities of the green light bandwidth (570-570 nm) 64 according to an aspect of the invention is also less than the transmittance at 480 nm and less than the transmittance at 580 nm, that is, at the wavelengths characterized as having poor chromatic response.

Close examination of the curve 62 shown in FIG. 8 reveals that the transmittance of a lens according to aspects of the invention at between 520 nm and 560 nm, for example, at 550 nm, is about 5% to 15%, for example, about 8% where the transmittance at 480 nm is about 12% and the transmittance at 580 nm is about 30%. That is, according to one aspect of the invention, the transmittance of lens between 520 nm and 560 nm may be at least 5% transmittance less than the transmittance at 480 nm and/or the transmittance at 580 nm. In one aspect, the transmittance between 520 nm and 560 nm may be at least 10% transmittance or 15% transmittance less than the transmittance at 480 nm and/or the transmittance at 580 nm. It will be recognized by those of skill in the art that the above differences in transmittance percentages are differences in transmittance, or in transmittance percentage points. In other words, the percent differences stated are not in terms of percentages of the transmittances, but in differences in transmittance expressed as percentages.

FIG. 8 also illustrates that, according to one aspect of the invention, the transmittance of yellow-orange light (570-620 nm) may be, as indicated by curve 62, about at least 40%. FIG. 8 further illustrates that, according to one aspect of the invention, the transmittance of red light (620-740 nm) may greater than 60%.

According to aspects of the invention, the content of the compound that yields the transmittance characteristics shown in FIG. 8 may comprise at least one dye or a plurality of dyes. As disclosed below in the discussion of FIGS. 11 and 12, the one or more dyes that can be used to provide the transmittance shown in FIG. 8, for example, limiting the transmittance of the green light bandwidth (570-570 nm) 64, may be selected from commercially-available dyes having the desired absorption spectra.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are graphs 70 and 80 of the transmittances as a function of wavelength according to another aspect of the invention. For example, graphs 70 and 80 may be provided pursuant to ANSI Z80.3-2018, which is included by reference herein. The transmittance curve 72 of a lens according to aspects of the invention is shown in FIG. 9 and the transmittance curve 82 of a lens according to aspects of the invention is shown in FIG. 9. The curves 72 and 82 represent the performance of lenses having a luminous transmittance, as known in the art, of about 60%. The transmittance of the bandwidths of green light (500-570 nm) 74 and 84, respectively, and the wavelengths 480 nm and 580 that are characterized as having poor chromatic response are also shown for reference in FIGS. 9 and 10.

According to the aspect of the invention shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the lenses comprise a lens wafer and a compound that reduces the transmittance at the extremities of the bandwidths of green light (500-570 nm) 74, 84. For example, the compound reduces the transmittance at the extremities of the bandwidths of green light (500-570 nm) 74, 84 while providing less filtering between the extremities of the bandwidths of green light (500-570 nm) 74, 84. For example, in one aspect of the invention, lenses are provided that provide “gap filtering” in the bandwidths of green light (500-570 nm) 74, 84, for example, gap filtering at the extremities of the bandwidths of green light (500-570 nm) 74, 84. In one aspect, the compound according to aspects of the invention is configured to impart light transmittance characteristics such that the lens exhibits a light transmittance at 550 nm that is greater than 30%, and greater than the transmittance at 480 nm and greater than the transmittance at 580 nm. In another aspect, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the lens may exhibit a light transmittance at 550 nm that is greater than 50%, or greater than 70%.

According to aspects of the invention, the content of the compound that yields the transmittance characteristics shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 may comprise at least one dye or a plurality of dyes. As disclosed below in the discussion of FIGS. 11 and 12, the one or more dyes that can be used to provide the transmittance shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, for example, enhancing the transmittance of the green light bandwidth (570-570 nm) 74, 84, may be selected from commercially-available dyes having the desired absorption spectra.

FIGS. 11 and 12 are graphs 90 and 100 of the transmittances as a function of wavelength according to another aspect of the invention. For example, graphs 90 and 10 may be provided pursuant to ANSI Z80.3-2018, which is included by reference herein. The transmittance curve 92 in graph 90 of a lens according to aspects of the invention is shown in FIG. 11 and the transmittance curve 102 in graph 100 of a lens according to aspects of the invention is shown in FIG. 12. The curves 92 and 102 represent the performance of lenses having a luminous transmittance, as known in the art, of about 30%, specifically about 28%. The transmittance of the bandwidths of green light (500-570 nm) 94, 104, respectively, and the wavelengths 480 nm and 580 that are characterized as having poor chromatic response are also shown for reference in FIGS. 11 and 12.

According to the aspect of the invention shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, in a fashion similar to the curves 72 and 82 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the lenses comprise a lens wafer and a compound, for example, a compound having one or more dyes, that enhances the transmission of light within the bandwidth of green light (500-570 nm) 94, 104, and may reduce the transmittance at the extremities of the bandwidths of green light (500-570 nm) 94, 104. For example, the compound reduces the transmittance at the extremities of the bandwidths of green light (500-570 nm) 94, 104 while providing less filtering, or relatively increased transmittance, between the extremities of the bandwidths of green light (500-570 nm) 94, 104. For example, in one aspect of the invention, lenses are provided that provide “gap filtering” in the bandwidths of green light (500-570 nm) 94, 104, for example, gap filtering at the extremities of the bandwidths of green light (500-570 nm) 94, 104. In one aspect, the compound according to aspects of the invention is configured to impart light transmittance characteristics such that the lens exhibits a light transmittance at 550 nm that is greater than 20%, and greater than the transmittance at 480 nm and greater than the transmittance at 580 nm. In another aspect, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the lenses may exhibit a light transmittance at 550 nm that is greater than 30%, or greater than 40%. According to aspects of the invention, the transmittance of light at or around 550 nm, that is, green light, may be enhanced and thus enhance the visual contrast experienced by the wearer of the lenses, for example, a golfer putting on the green grass of a golf green.

According to an aspect of the invention, the transmittance curves 92 and 102 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 may be provided by one or more dyes in an overlay on a lens wafer and/or within the lens wafer. In one aspect, the one or more dyes may comprise at least a first dye and a second dye, different from the first dye. In one aspect, the first dye may be adapted to limit light transmittance between 460 nm and 520 nm (that is, 490 nm plus or minus 30 nm) and the second dye may be adapted to limit light transmittance between 565 nm to 625 nm (that is, 595 nm plus or minus 30 nm). In another aspect, the first dye may limit light transmittance between 470 nm and 510 nm and the second dye may limit light transmittance between 575 nm and 615 nm. In a still further aspect of the invention, the first dye may limit light transmittance between 480 nm and 500 nm and the second dye may limit light transmittance between 585 nm and 605 nm. In a still further aspect, the first dye may limit light transmittance between 485 nm and 495 nm, for example, near or about 490 nm, and the second dye may limit light transmittance between 590 nm and 600 nm, for example, near or about 595 nm.

As known in the art, a specific dye that may be used to limit the transmittance of or filter visible light at specific wavelength for any dye disclosed herein can be determined by any conventional dye identification method. However, in one aspect, a dye for limiting transmission for a desired or a given wavelength may be identified by identifying a dye having an absorption spectrum that approximates or matches the wavelength of the light that is to be filtered. Dye manufactures typically identity their dyes by the peak or maximum wavelength of the absorption spectrum of the dye. Hence, as known in the art, in order to identity the manufacture's dye desired, the investigator need only select a dye having an absorption spectrum maximum, or peak, at or near the wavelength to be filtered or limited.

For example, in the transmittance curves 92, 102 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, one of the wavelengths of the light to be filtered is at around 490 nm, as indicated by the troughs in curves of FIGS. 11 and 12. Accordingly, knowing this target wavelength, one of skill in the art can identify an appropriate dye having the desired filtering from dyes having an absorption peak at or near 490 nm. For example, such a dye is provided by QCR Solutions Corporation of Port Saint Lucie, Florida, for example, a dye marketed under the dye number VIS494B having a peak absorption at 494 nm, and such a dye is also provided by Crysta-Lyn Chemical Company of Endicott, New York, for example, a dye marketed under the dye number DLS488A having a peak absorption at 488 nm. Either of these commercially-available dyes, among other commercially-available dyes, may be used as the first dye in aspects of the invention to limit the transmittance of light at or near 490 nm—as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12.

Similarly, in the transmittance curves 92, 102 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, one of the wavelengths of the light to be filtered is at around 595 nm, as indicated by the troughs in curves of FIGS. 11 and 12. One of skill in the art can identify an appropriate second dye having an absorption peak at or near 595 nm, for example, dye number VIS593A provided by QCR Solutions Corporation having a peak absorption at 593 nm, and dye number DLS598A provided by Crysta-Lyn Chemical Company having a peak absorption at 599 nm, among other commercially-available dyes. Similarly, any other dyes having the target wavelengths for limiting transmittance or filtering disclosed herein may also be identified and obtained from these and other dye manufactures.

According to aspects of the invention, the amount of dye used for the compound in an overlayer or within the lens wafer to provide the transmittance shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, or for any dye disclosed herein, may vary. For example, in one aspect, the first dye and the second dye for any compound disclosed herein may be provided in a range of from 0.01 grams per kilogram [g/kg] of overlay or lens wafer, for example, per kg of polycarbonate, to 1 g/kg of overlay or lens wafer. In another aspect, the first dye and the second dye may be provided in a range from 0.05 g/kg of overlay or lens wafer to 0.5 g/kg of overlay or lens wafer.

FIGS. 13 and 14 are graphs of the transmittance as a function of wavelength for lenses according to further aspects of the invention. FIGS. 13 and 14 includes graphs 110 and 120 of the transmittance as a function of wavelength according to another aspect of the invention. For example, graphs 110 in FIGS. 13 and 120 in FIG. 14 may be provided pursuant to ANSI Z80.3-2018, which is included by reference herein. The transmittance curve 112 of graph 110 of a lens according to aspects of the invention is shown in FIG. 13 and the transmittance curve 122 of graph 120 of a lens according to aspects of the invention is shown in FIG. 14. As indicated in FIGS. 13 and 14, the curves 112 and 122 represent the performance of lenses having a luminous transmittance, as known in the art, of about 33%, specifically about 33.5% and about 33.8%, respectively. The transmittance of the bandwidths of green light (500-570 nm) 114 and 124, respectively, and the wavelengths 480 nm and 580 that are characterized as having poor chromatic response are also shown for reference in FIGS. 13 and 14.

According to the aspect of the invention shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, in a fashion similar to the curves 72 and 82 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the lenses comprise a lens wafer and a compound, for example, one or more dyes, that enhances the transmission of light within the bandwidth of green light (500-570 nm) 114, 124, and may reduce the transmittance at the extremities of the bandwidths of green light (500-570 nm) 114, 124. For example, the compound reduces the transmittance at the extremities of the bandwidths of green light (500-570 nm) 114, 124 while providing less filtering between the extremities of the bandwidths of green light (500-570 nm) 114, 124. For example, in one aspect of the invention, lenses are provided that provide “gap filtering” in the bandwidths of green light (500-570 nm) 114, 124, for example, gap filtering at the extremities of the bandwidths of green light (500-570 nm) 114, 124. In one aspect, the compound according to aspects of the invention is configured to impart light transmittance characteristics such that the lens exhibits a light transmittance at 550 nm that is greater than 20%, and greater than the transmittance at 480 nm and greater than the transmittance at 580 nm. In another aspect, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the lenses according to aspects of the invention may exhibit a light transmittance at 550 nm that is greater than 30%, or greater than 40%.

According to aspects of the invention, the content of the compound that yields the transmittance characteristics shown in