This study presents a comprehensive method for designing a multifocal contact lens
(MCL) with Snell’s law and non-uniform rational B-spline (NURBS)
curves. Instead of using thin lens approximation, general mathematical
formulas have been developed to achieve the accurate coordinates of
points on the anterior lens surface profile of the MCL to meet various
given optical power distributions. Then the NURBS curve is adjusted to
fit these data points to obtain the smooth front lens surface profile.
This method not only improves the accuracy of the optical power
profiles of MCLs but also reduces the spherical aberration in
near/distance optical zones. The experimental results show that the
power profiles of soft MCLs agree with those of the simulation results
and original design requirements. The proposed method has been proven
for the MCL design, and it can be feasibly applied in complex optical
lens designs.