RESUMEN
We propose an original variable-focus technology specially designed for presbyopia-correcting adaptive eyeglasses. It has been thought through to offer vision comfort without cutting on aesthetics. It relies on a fluid-filled variable-focus lens (presenting 2 liquids and 1 ultra-thin membrane) assisted by a low-power, high-volume microfluidic actuator. It also features a distance-sensing system to provide automatic focusing. We demonstrate the qualities of this novel technology on our first prototype. Our prototype achieves the necessary 3-diopter-high power variation on a 20-millimeter-wide variable zone with low actuation pressures (~200 Pa at most), and the preliminary optical quality analysis shows the spatial resolution is much better than the one specified by classic eye charts. We discuss further improvements in terms of optics, aesthetics and portability. In particular, we point out that this variable technology is compatible with standard base curves, and we highlight an optimal configuration where the power consumption of our opto-fluidic engine is about 25 mW peak.