Regular papers

Contrast transfer characteristics of the light sword optical element designed for presbyopia compensations

¹ Faculty of Physics, Warsaw University of Technology, Koszykowa 75, 00-662 Warsaw, Poland
² Area de Optica, E.U., Optica e Optometria, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, GALIZA Spain
³ Grupo de Optica y Fotonica, Instituto de Fisica, Universidad de Antioquia, A.A1226, Medellin, Colombia
⁴ Facultad de Ciencias, Instituto Tecnologico Metropolitano, calle 73 #76A-354, Medellin, Colombia
⁵ Institute of Applied Optics, Kamionkowska 18, 03-805 Warsaw, Poland ; National Institute of Telecommunications, Szachowa 1, 04-894 Warsaw, Poland

^* mmtzjaroszewicz@post.pl

Received: 6 September 2011

Abstract

The paper discusses the abilities of the light sword optical element (LSOE) for presbyopia compensation. The imaging properties are analyzed by means of the modulation transfer functions and output images of the star resolution test. All numerical calculations are performed assuming an optical set-up simulating the presbyopic human eye with 3 mm pupil acting on-axis and based on the Gullstrand model. In order to have a meaningful comparison we expand our study and present adequate analysis for other elements potentially useful in ophthalmology as reading glasses, bifocal lenses and axicons. According to the obtained results the LSOE can successfully realize vision with an extended depth of field. Under assumed conditions the element makes possible the compensation of an assumed defocus up to 4 dioptres. The output images formed by the LSOE are well recognizable and have acceptable qualities for near as well as far object distances.