Contact Lens

Abstract

The present invention provides a contact lens comprising a central portion including an optical zone, a peripheral portion surrounding the central portion and at least two areas of unequal size located on the peripheral portion, wherein the areas of unequal size have a thickness that is less than a thickness of the peripheral portion. According to some embodiments, the contact lens comprises a hybrid contact lens having a substantially rigid center portion and a substantially flexible peripheral portion.

1 - 22 . (canceled)  
   
   
       23 . A method of obtaining a corrective prescription, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing at least one contact lens, the contact lens having at least two areas of unequal size, with each area comprising a recessed region;    placing the contact lens on an eye; and    obtaining a corrective prescription while the contact lens is on the eye.    
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the recessed region comprises a contact lens area having a thickness that is less than an adjacent contact lens area thickness.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the step of obtaining a corrective prescription while the contact lens is on the eye includes the step of: determining an eye lens rotational and translational registration error relative to a center of an eye pupil or to an eye visual axis.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the contact lens includes at least one mark for determining the eye lens rotational and translational registration error.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the mark is selected from a group consisting of: a circumferential mark; a radial mark; at least three marks concentric to the contact lens center and a radial mark; a circumferential mark and a radial mark; a grooved mark, an elevated mark; and a mark having a index of refraction greater than an index of refraction in an adjacent material.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the mark is visible with a light selected from a group consisting of: a light having a wavelength ranging from about 700 nanometers to about 400 nanometers; an infrared light; and an ultraviolet light.  
   
   
       29 . A contact lens comprising: a central portion including an optical zone; a peripheral portion surrounding the central portion, the peripheral portion including a mark comprising a first line that intersects a second line.  
   
   
       30 . The contact lens of  claim 29 , wherein the central portion has a diameter that ranges between about 4.0 millimeters to about 12.0 millimeters, and the peripheral portion has an outer diameter that ranges between about 10.0 millimeters to about 18.0 millimeters.  
   
   
       31 . The contact lens of  claim 29 , wherein the mark comprises a cross.  
   
   
       32 . The contact lens of  claim 29 , further comprising a mark comprising an alphabet letter.  
   
   
       33 . The contact lens of  claim 32 , wherein the alphabet letter is a “L” or a “R”.  
   
   
       34 . The contact lens of  claim 32 , wherein the alphabet letter assists a wearer in placing the contact lens so that the contact lens is oriented properly in an eye.  
   
   
       35 . The contact lens of  claim 29 , wherein the mark is used by a contact lens fitter to determine an orientation of the contact lens in an eye and for placement of a corrective optic prescription within the contact lens.  
   
   
       36 . The contact lens of  claim 29 , wherein the contact lens is a hybrid hard-soft contact lens, with the central portion being substantially rigid, and the peripheral portion being substantially flexible.  
   
   
       37 . A method of obtaining a corrective prescription, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing at least one contact lens, the contact lens having at least two areas of unequal size, at least one of the areas comprising a recessed region;    placing the contact lens on an eye; and    obtaining a corrective prescription while the contact lens is on the eye.    
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the recessed region comprises a contact lens area having a thickness that is less than an adjacent contact lens area thickness.  
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein at least one of the areas of unequal size comprises a projection having a thickness that is greater than an adjacent contact lens area thickness.  
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the step of obtaining a corrective prescription while the contact lens is on the eye includes the step of: determining an eye lens rotational and translational registration error relative to a center of an eye pupil or to an eye visual axis.  
   
   
       41 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the contact lens includes at least one mark for determining the eye lens rotational and translational registration error.  
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the mark is selected from a group consisting of: a circumferential mark; a radial mark; at least three marks concentric to the contact lens center and a radial mark; a circumferential mark and a radial mark; a grooved mark; an elevated mark; and a mark having a index of refraction greater than an index of refraction in an adjacent material.  
   
   
       43 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein the mark is visible with a light selected from a group consisting of: a light having a wavelength ranging from about 700 nanometers to about 400 nanometers; an infrared light; and an ultraviolet light.