High Refractive-Index, Hydrophilic Monomers and Polymers, and Ophthalmic Devices Comprising Such Polymers

Abstract

A hydrophilic, aromatic-based monomer has an aromatic group substituted with at least one hydrophilic substituent and a reactive functional group. Polymers comprising such a hydrophilic, aromatic-based monomers avoid or reduce the risk of forming vacuoles of absorbed water. Furthermore, such polymers have high refractive index, and, thus, are advantageously used for making ophthalmic devices, such as intraocular lenses, contact lenses, corneal rings, corneal inlays, and keratoprostheses.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE[0001]This application is a divisional of patent application Ser. No. 11 / 139,276 filed May 27, 2005 which is incorporated by reference hereinBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to high refractive-index, hydrophilic monomers and polymers, and ophthalmic devices comprising such polymers. In particular, the present invention relates to high refractive-index, aromatic-based, hydrophilic monomers and polymers, and ophthalmic devices comprising such polymers.[0003]Since the 1940s ophthalmic devices in the form of intraocular lens (“IOL”) implants have been utilized as replacements for diseased or damaged natural ocular lenses. In most cases, an intraocular lens is implanted within an eye at the time of surgically removing the diseased or damaged natural lens, such as for example, in the case of cataracts. For decades, the preferred material for fabricating such intraocular lens implants was poly(methyl methacrylate), which is a rigid, glassy polym...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Accordingly, more rigid IOL implants have become less popular in the market since larger incisions have been found to be associated with an increased incidence of postoperative complications, such as induced astigmatism.

In general, high water content hydrophilic acrylics, or “hydrogels,” have relatively low refractive indices, making them less desirable than other materials with respect to minimal incision size.

Silicone materials may have a higher refractive index than high-water content hydrogels, but tend to unfold explosively after being placed in the eye in a folded position.

Explosive unfolding can potentially damage the corneal endothelium and / or rupture the natural lens capsule and associated zonules.

Unfortunately, low glass-transition-temperature hydrophobic acrylic materials, which contain little or no water initially, tend to absorb water over time and form pockets of water or vacuoles in vivo, causing light reflections or “glistenings.” Furthermore, it may be difficult to achieve ideal folding and unfolding characteristics due to the temperature sensitivity of some acrylic polymers.

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