The invention is directed to an
assembly comprising a haptic for fixation to, and manufacture in conjunction with, an
intraocular lens to be implanted in the natural
lens capsule of an eye. The haptic of the invention comprises a continuous ribbon forming an essentially oblong shape having anterior and posterior portions relative to the elliptical center of the haptic, wherein the ribbon loop includes two or more essentially congruent ribbon arches in each portion, and each ribbon arch has a natural index of curvature with an inner and outer edges. designed to expand the eye
capsule and put tension on the zonules of the eye. The ribbon affixes to the lens on each side of the optic edge at a point or a series of points that provides suitable
centration and stability of the optic, and to suspend the optic in the open capsular space. The material of the haptic is preferably somewhat flexible, and elastic, so as to provide a constant, positive force on the
capsule throughout all phases of
accommodation, thereby preserving tension of the zonules and allowing the
capsule to change shape naturally. The haptic ribbons may be
solid or of an open work structure to increase the amount of hydration available to the
lens capsule. A secondary haptic ribbon, affixed to a plano optical plate, may be located on the posterior capsular surface and oriented so that the haptic arms extend through the capsular prime meridian to the anterior capsular surface at a 90° angle from the anterior haptic ribbons, thus providing for a capsular configuration as natural as possible, yet associated with an
intraocular lens that may be inserted through an incision of less than 3 millimeters.