Apparatus, system and method for treating dry eye conditions and promoting healthy eyes

Abstract

An apparatus and system, and methods for using such apparatus and system, is provided for preserving the eye's natural and artificial tears. The apparatus comprises two soft, pliable eyecups, which each include and curved lens and contoured frame, connected by a soft, pliable bridge. The lenses are maintained within a pliable, and contoured frame that is designed and constructed to encircle the orbital bone of the eye sockets, creating a custom fit and effective seal over each eye. Attached to each frame is a gasket that further seals the apparatus over the eyes and provides additional comfort to the wearer. A contoured strap, which is attached to each frame, maintains the position of the apparatus on the wearer.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates generally to an apparatus, system and method for treating dry and irritated eye conditions. Particularly, this invention relates to an apparatus constructed and adapted to help control, maintain, and / or increase the temperature and humidity around the eye to aid in limiting evaporation of natural and / or artificial tears, which aids in thickening of the lipid layer, thereby improving the overall health of the eye. This invention also relates to an apparatus, system and method that provides for controlled application of medicine to the eyes. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Approximately 60 million Americans suffer from dry eye conditions alone. Of these, approximately 10 million Americans have been diagnosed with severe dry eye conditions, e.g., Dry Eye Syndrome or Chronic Dry Eye Disease (CDED), both clinically known as keratoconjuctivitis sicca. CDED is a condition that results from inflammation of the eye, as well as inflammat...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013] Generally speaking, the present invention is directed towards an apparatus, system and method for treating dry eye and / or irritated eye conditions and which helps control, maintain and / or increase the temperature and humidity around the eyes to aid in limiting evaporation of natural and / or artificial tears. The present invention is also directed towards an apparatus, system and method for promoting healthy eyes by aiding in thickening the lipid layer. The present invention is also directed towards an apparatus, system and method that provides for controlled application of medicine to the eyes.

[0014] The apparatus of the present invention comprises two soft, pliable eyecups, that each include a curved lens and contoured frame. The eyecups are connected by a soft, pliable bridge. The soft lenses of the present invention are maintained within the soft contoured frame, which is designed and constructed to encircle the orbital bones of the eye sockets, creating a custom, comfortable fit and effective seal over each eye. In a preferred embodiment, attached to each frame is a gasket that further aids in sealing the apparatus over the eyes and which provides additional comfort to the wearer. A contoured strap, which is attached to the eyecups, maintains the proper positioning of the apparatus on the wearer.

[0015] The present invention is also directed to a system comprising the apparatus described above used in conjunction with a moisture pad. The moisture pad can be inserted between the apparatus and the eyes of the wearer to provide further aid in treating dry eye and / or irritated eye conditions. The moisture pad can be moistened, moistened and heated, or moistened and cooled to further aid in alleviating dry eye and / or irritated eye conditions.

Problems solved by technology

People who suffer from CDED often experience constant pain from eye irritation, including a sandy or gritty sensation that, if untreated, can lead to scarring or ulceration of the cornea, which can lead to a partial or total loss of vision.

Most cases of CDED result from normal aging of the eye; however, CDED or dry, irritated, tired eyes can occur at any age.

In addition, health, environmental, and lifestyle conditions can also cause CDED.

As mentioned above, if dry eye conditions are left untreated a person may develop CDED and, eventually, a loss of vision.

Thus, with a significant portion of the population aging, the incidence of dry eyes will increase significantly, as will the risk of developing CDED.

Presently there is no cure for CDED; however, there exist various treatments that are designed to alleviate the often debilitating pain and discomfort caused by dry eye conditions.

The preservatives used in artificial tear solutions have little or no toxicity; however, artificial tear solutions with preservatives can cause irritation if used frequently.

In fact, artificial tear solutions with preservatives are not recommended for frequent use.

CDED patients typically need to frequently apply artificial tears, which prohibits the use of artificial tears with preservatives.

Preservative-free solutions are available; however, they are expensive and prone to bacterial contamination.

While artificial tears primarily increase the comfort of people suffering from dry, irritated eyes, when used frequently they may rinse away the natural tears necessary to reestablish a normal tear film.

Frequent use of artificial tears is also expensive; individuals suffering from CDED can spend approximately $300 a year on artificial tears.

Typically used for nighttime relief, ointments often blur vision, are messy, awkward to apply, and often do not provide an effective treatment.

There are no commercially available moisture chamber glasses, they must be custom fit by an optician, and can be prohibitively expensive for the average consumer.

However, conventional swim goggles are not designed for prolonged use and can be uncomfortable to the wearer.

Although conventional swim goggles are well designed for the intended use of swimming, the application of conventional swim goggles as a moisture chamber has numerous drawbacks, including: 1) the optics and field of view are designed for swimming; 2) conventional swim goggles typically have a narrow orbital seal that is designed to keep water out and which is located inside the orbital bone and supported by the sensitive inner ocular area; 3) the straps are designed for short-term wear, under tension, and are not designed for sleeping; 4) the lens and body design is manufactured of a polycarbonate rigid plastic, which is inherently uncomfortable because of its rigid nature and because the exterior contour creates pressure on the eye socket when the wearer is laying down; 5) conventional swim goggles encompass a smaller surface area around the eye, thereby reducing the potential to trap moisture and heat from the skin surrounding the eye; 6) conventional swim goggle designs tend to cut off capillary blood vessels of the skin in the area surrounding the eyes; 7) conventional swim goggle lenses are typically treated with an anti-fog coating, which is either hydrophobic, hydrophilic, or a blend of the two, and which can cause irritation to the eyes.

Surgical occlusion is a permanent treatment option for dry eye sufferers; however, surgery may have to be repeated because the puncta tend to reopen.

Punctal occlusion can be an expensive treatment for dry eye conditions, ranging in price from $500 to $650.

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