Intraocular lens implant

Abstract

The present invention provides a hydrogel-based intraocular lens (IOL) implant that can covalently attach to a lens capsule on implantation into an eye. The inventive IOL has a high refractive index, high elasticity, and is of a similar size to a naturally occurring lens. In addition, the IOL can be implanted in a smaller, dehydrated state, allowing the IOL to be placed in the lens capsule with a small incision (up to about 1 / 10 the volume of the IOL). Exposure to fluid can then initiate rapid swelling of the dried polymer to the shape and dimensions of a natural lens, with full occupation of the lens capsule. Upon equilibrium swelling, the IOL can then make contact with the inner aspect of the lens capsule and covalently bind to it. By this attachment process, the IOL may accommodate in a manner identical to that of the natural lens.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 783,601, filed Mar. 17, 2006, which is incorporated herein by reference. [0002] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 243,952, filed Oct. 4, 2005, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 616,262, filed Oct. 5, 2004, and from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 673,172, filed Apr. 20, 2005, all of which are incorporated by reference herein. [0003] This application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11 / 409,218, filed Apr. 20, 2006, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 673,600, filed Apr. 21, 2005, and which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 243,952, filed Oct. 4, 2005, all of which are incorporated by reference herein. [0004] This application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent appl...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides a hydrogel-based intraocular lens (IOL) implant that can covalently attach to a lens capsule on implantation into an eye. The covalent binding of the IOL to the lens capsule is preferably mediated by active functional groups covalently linked to a surface of a hydrogel, for example through a photoreactive azide. The active functional groups are preferably N-hydroxysuccinimide functional groups tethered to the surface of the hydrogel. This tethering may be accomplished by use of a bifunctional chemical linker such as 5-azido-2-nitrobenzoic acid N-hydroxysuccinimide ester. The IOL has a high refractive index, high elasticity, and is of a similar size to a naturally occurring lens. It can be implanted in a smaller, dehydrated state, allowing for a small incision. Exposure to fluid can then initiate rapid swelling of the dried polymer to the shape and dimensions of a natural lens, with full occupation of the lens capsule. The IOL can then make contact with the inner aspect of the lens capsule and covalently bind to it via the active-ester surface functionalization of the hydrogel. By this attachment process, the IOL will be in a position to accommodate in a manner identical to that of the natural lens."

Problems solved by technology

Current IOLs are made from hard and non-swellable materials such as poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and silicone, which do not accommodate when placed in the eye.

Some are able to facilitate accommodation, but not by the eye's natural mechanism.

Another concern with current IOLs is their inability to prevent secondary opacification of the posterior capsule, thus requiring laser treatment.

Images