Accommodating intraocular lens system having spherical aberration compensation and method

Abstract

An accommodating intraocular lens includes an optic portion, a haptic portion. The optic portion of the lens includes an actuator that deflects a lens element to alter the optical power of the lens responsive to forces applied to the haptic portion of the lens by contraction of the ciliary muscles and a secondary deflection mechanism. Movement of the lens element by the actuator causes the lens element to deform and the secondary deflection mechanism causes the lens to further deform.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of pending U.S. application Ser. No. 13 / 193,983, filed Jul. 29, 2011, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12 / 177,857, filed Jul. 22, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,328,869, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11 / 646,913, filed Dec. 27, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,637,947, all of which are incorporated by reference herein;[0002]Said U.S. application Ser. No. 12 / 177,857, filed Jul. 22, 2008, also claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 951,441, filed Jul. 23, 2007, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0003]The present invention relates to intraocular lenses (“IOLs”) having optical parameters that are changeable in-situ. More particularly, the invention has application in IDLs for in-capsule implantation for cataract patients or presbyopic patients, wherein movement of the lens capsule appli...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides methods and apparatus for improving the performance of intraocular lenses (IOLs) by enhancing the conversion of lens capsule movements into hydraulic forces. This involves shaping the dynamic surface of the lens to reduce the amount of travel required by the actuator, and using haptics that have a small cross-sectional configuration in the accommodated state to minimize refractive effects and optical aberrations in the optic portion. The actuator may be centrally located within the optic portion or disposed at the periphery of the optic. The technical effects are a more efficient and effective IOL that requires less influence from the lens capsule, and improved modulation of the lens actuator and dynamic surface.

Problems solved by technology

Since the lens can no longer accommodate, however, the patient typically needs glasses for reading.

After placement, accommodation is no longer possible, although this ability is typically already lost for persons receiving an IOL.

Although previously known workers in the field of accommodating IOLs have made some progress, the relative complexity of the methods and apparatus developed to date have prevented widespread commercialization of such devices.

Previously known devices have proved too complex to be practical to construct or have achieved only limited success, due to the inability to provide accommodation of more than 1-2 diopters.

According to Eyeonics, redistribution of the ciliary mass upon constriction causes increased vitreous pressure resulting in forward movement of the lens.

Another disadvantage of previously known devices is that they oftentimes create spherical aberrations.

As is well known in the art, lenses composed of elements having spherical surfaces are easy to manufacture but are not ideal for creating a sharp image because light passing through the elements does not focus on a single focal point.

As a result of spherical aberration in an intraocular lens, all of the light passing through the lens does not focus on the retina resulting in an image that may be blurred and may have softened contrast.

Such a device provides an obvious disadvantage that the amount of light allowed to pass through the lens is reduced.

However, such combined lenses and lenses having aspherical profiles are significantly more expensive to produce.

In addition, combining lenses requires additional space to house the multiple lenses.

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