Contact Lens with Selective Reflection for Laser Eye Protection

This Small Business Innovation Research project is to develop and commercialize contact lenses for laser eye protection (LEP). LEP is achieved by incorporating a thin, flexible, polymeric reflecting film on or within the lens. The film can be incorporated on soft lenses made from hydrogel materials, as well as "rigid" or "hard" lenses, including gas permeable lenses. This film is based on special polymers and is self-assembled to form a periodic structure. The film is engineered to reflect completely incident light in the far red and near infrared (670 nm - 1,200 nm) regions, while remaining highly transparent (> 90%) elsewhere in the visible range. The film will be made with high optical quality, such that it does not impair visual performance or create distractions in the visual field. The film is also processed to be nanoporous for exceptionally high oxygen permeability, thereby increasing comfort for the lens wearer. Phase I will develop the LEP films and demonstrate the selective light-blocking capability of the contact lens with such films.