Intraocular lens for inhibiting cell growth and reducing glare

Abstract

An intraocular lens implantable in an eye includes an optic for placement in the capsular bag of the eye and for directing light toward the retina of the eye. The optic has a central optical axis, an anterior face, an opposing posterior face and a peripheral edge between the faces. The peripheral edge has one or more curved or angled surfaces that reduce glare within the IOL. For instance, a rounded transition surface on the anterior side of the peripheral edge diffuses the intensity of reflected light, or a particular arrangement of straight edge surfaces refracts the light so as not to reflect, or does not reflect at all. The intersection of the peripheral edge and at least one of the anterior face and the posterior face, preferable both of such faces, forms a peripheral corner located at a discontinuity between the peripheral edge and the intersecting face or faces. The present IOLs inhibit cell growth from the eye in front of or in back of the optic and reduce glare obtained in the eye in which the IOL is located.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION [0001] The present application is a continuation of co-pending application Ser. No. 10 / 245,920, filed Sep. 18, 2002, which is continuation of application Ser. No. 09 / 507,602, filed Feb. 18, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,468,306, issued Oct. 22, 2002, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09 / 448,713, filed Nov. 24, 1999, now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09 / 086,882, filed May 29, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,162,249, issued Dec. 19, 2000. The disclosure of each of these applications and patents is incorporated in its entirely by reference herein.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to intraocular lenses (IOLs) and, more particularly, to IOLs which inhibit migration or growth of cells from the eye onto the IOL and reduce glare in the eye. [0003] An intraocular lens is commonly used to replace the natural lens of a human eye when warranted by medical conditions. It is common practice to implant an IOL in a...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] New IOLs have been discovered. Such IOLs are effective to inhibit cell growth, in particular epithelial cell growth, from the eye onto the optic of the IOLs. The IOLs are structured so as to reduce glare, in particular edge glare, in the eye resulting from the presence of the IOL. The present IOLs are straightforward in design and construction, are easily manufactured, can be implanted, or inserted in the eye using conventional techniques, and are effective and produce substantial benefits in use in the eye.

Problems solved by technology

This tends to block the optic of the IOL and to impair vision.

Although this treatment is effective, the laser is expensive and is not available throughout the world.

There is also cost associated with the laser treatment as well as some patient inconvenience and risk of complications.

Finally, the laser treatment may affect the performance of some IOLs.

Such glare can be an annoyance to the patient and may even lead to removal and replacement of the IOL.

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