Corneal inlay design and methods of correcting vision

Abstract

Methods of designing corneal implants, such as inlays, to compensate for a corneal response, such as epithelial remodeling of the epithelial layer, to the presence of the implant. Additionally, methods of performing alternative corneal vision correction procedures to compensate for an epithelial response to the procedure. Methods of compensating for a corneal response when performing a vision correction procedure to create a center near region of the cornea for near vision while providing distance vision peripheral to the central near zone.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 418,325 filed Apr. 3, 2009, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 738,349, filed Apr. 20, 2007, now abandoned. Application Ser. No. 12 / 418,325 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 042,659, filed Apr. 4, 2008, entitled “Inlay for Controlling the Anterior Surface Shape of the Cornea”, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 155,433, filed Feb. 25, 2009, entitled “Inlay Design and Epithelial Response”. All of these applications are hereby incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Abnormalities in the human eye can lead to vision impairment such as myopia (near-sightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), astigmatism, and presbyopia. A variety of devices and procedures have been developed to attempt to address these abnormalities.[0003]One type of device that has been proposed is a corneal implant,...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention relates to a method for correcting vision by altering the shape of the cornea. This involves selecting a corneal inlay with a desired shape change and implanting it within the cornea to produce the desired change. The method compensates for epithelial remodeling of the cornea to reduce the shape change. Additionally, the invention also describes a method for correcting presbyopia by positioning a foreign substance within the cornea to modify the shape of the anterior surface of the cornea. The technical effects of the invention include improved vision and the ability to correct presbyopia.

Problems solved by technology

Abnormalities in the human eye can lead to vision impairment such as myopia (near-sightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), astigmatism, and presbyopia.

The theory in Huang does not address correcting for presbyopia, nor does it accurately predict changes to the anterior surface which create a center near portion of the cornea for near vision while allowing distance vision in an area of the cornea peripheral to the center near portion.

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