Capsular intraocular lens implant having a refractive liquid therein

Abstract

An intraocular lens having a light-transmitting optic (32, 94a, 94b, 142, 216) comprised of a synthetic light-refractive material (40, 102) operably coupled with a flexible optic positioning member (34, 62, 74, 84, 100, 210) to refract light onto the retina in order to correct refractive errors in the eye (10). The refractive material has an index of refraction of from about 1.36 to 1.5 or higher. The optic positioning member (34, 62, 74, 84, 100, 210) is constructed of a flexible synthetic resin material such as polymethylmethacrylate and permits focusing upon objects located near to and far from the viewer. The optic (32, 94a, 94b, 142, 216) of the present invention possess greater refractive capability than optics conventionally used in IOL construction, and permits retinal receipt of the image being viewed in order to correct refractive errors.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an accommodating intraocular lens implant (IOL), containing a refractive material therein, for surgical replacement of the natural crystalline lens to treat refractive errors in the human eye. [0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art [0004] Refractive errors in the eye affect one's ability to properly focus an image upon the retina due to a change in the refractive medium of the eye, e.g., the cornea, the natural crystalline lens, or both. The refractive errors pertinent to this application include myopia, hyperopia, and presbyopia. A myopic lacks the ability to focus an image located at a distance from the viewer because the cornea has become elongated, thereby increasing the eye's focal length. A hyperopic lacks the ability to focus on objects located near the viewer because the cornea is not elongated enough or is too flat, and cannot refract light properly upon the retina. Instead,...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014] The IOL of the present invention addresses this need because it provides a lightweight accommodating IOL, containing a highly refractive material therein, which is safe for long term use in an eye

Problems solved by technology

Refractive errors in the eye affect one's ability to properly focus an image upon the retina due to a change in the refractive medium of the eye, e.g., the cornea, the natural crystalline lens, or both.

The refractive errors pertinent to this application include myopia, hyperopia, and presbyopia.

A myopic lacks the ability to focus an image located at a distance from the viewer because the cornea has become elongated, thereby increasing the eye's focal length.

A hyperopic lacks the ability to focus on objects located near the viewer because the cornea is not elongated enough or is too flat, and cannot refract light properly upon the retina.

Presbyopia is another type of refractive error which results in the inability of the eye to focus because of hardening of the natural crystalline lens.

Possible side effects of refractive surgery include irregular astigmatism, infection, or haze formation which could result in permanent changes in the cornea and possible loss of best-corrected visual acuity.

Furthermore, none of these refractive

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