Intraocular pseudophakic contact lens (IOPCL)-based telescopic approach for treating age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or other eye disorders

Abstract

To provide an intraocular pseudophakic contact lens (IOPCL)-based telescopic approach for treating age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or other eye diseases.SOLUTION: A system includes an intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 114 that is implanted in an eye 102 and mounted on or attached to an artificial intraocular lens 112 in the eye. The system also includes an external lens 116 positioned in front of the eye. The intraocular pseudophakic contact lens and the external lens form a telescopic Galilean vision system. The intraocular pseudophakic contact lens includes an optical lens that provides a minus power optical magnification, and the external lens provides a plus power optical magnification. The optical lens of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens includes a central portion that provides a minus power optical magnification, and an annular portion surrounding the central portion and providing a different power optical magnification or no optical magnification.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to optical systems and, more particularly, to an intraocular pseudophakic contact lens (IOPCL)-based telescopic approach for treating age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or other ocular diseases. [Background technology]

[0002] Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) causes deterioration of the macula within the retina of the eye. The retina is a paper-thin tissue at the back of the eye where photoreceptor cells send visual signals to the brain, supporting fine and precise vision. Sharp, clear, straight-ahead vision resides in the center of the macula. Damage to the macula results in a central blind spot of various sizes, blurring or distorting central vision. As the disease progresses, people affected by AMD find that many daily activities, such as driving and reading, become increasingly difficult and eventually impossible. Common difficulties and symptoms of AMD include loss of ability to drive, loss of ability to read, distortion or loss of central vision, gradual loss of contrast sensitivity, increased glare and light sensitivity, need for increased lighting for reading, and impaired depth perception.

[0003] AMD is the leading cause of visual impairment and irreversible vision loss in the United States. AMD is more common among people over the age of 50 and is one of the leading causes of legal blindness. As many as 15 million Americans currently have some type of AMD, including both early and intermediate stages. This number is expected to increase to nearly 22 million by 2050. More than 196 million people worldwide have some level of AMD, and that number is estimated to increase to 288 million by 2040. Risk factors for developing AMD include a positive family history, smoking, farsightedness, people with slightly pigmented eyes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0269555(A1) [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0121446(A1) [Patent Document 3] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0076237(A1) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The present disclosure provides an intraocular pseudophakic contact lens (IOPCL)-based telescopic approach for treating age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or other ocular diseases. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In a first embodiment, the system includes an intraocular pseudophakic contact lens configured to be implanted in the eye and attached or mounted to an artificial intraocular lens in the eye. The system also includes an external lens configured to be positioned anterior to the eye. The intraocular pseudophakic contact lens and the external lens form a telescopic Galileo vision system.

[0007] In a second embodiment, a method includes forming a telescopic Galilean visual system using an intraocular pseudophakic contact lens and an external lens, the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens configured to be implanted in the eye and attached or mounted to an intraocular lens in the eye, and the external lens configured to be positioned anterior to the eye.

[0008] In a third embodiment, a system includes an intraocular pseudophakic contact lens configured to be implanted in the eye and attached or mounted to an intraocular lens in the eye. The system also includes an external lens configured to be positioned anterior to the eye, the external lens including a spectacle lens or a contact lens. The intraocular pseudophakic contact lens and the external lens form a telescopic Galileo visual system. The intraocular pseudophakic contact lens includes an optic and haptics extending radially from the optic and configured to be inserted beneath the anterior apex of the intraocular lens capsule wall. The optic of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens is configured to provide a minus optical power, and the external lens is configured to provide a plus optical power. The posterior surfaces of the haptics include ridges configured to capture at least one edge of the intraocular lens. The haptics are flexible, such that outer portions of the haptics are configured to press the ridges into at least one edge of the intraocular lens based on surface pressure from the anterior apex against the outer portions of the haptics.

[0009] Other technical features will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following figures, descriptions, and claims.

[0010] For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and its features, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary Galileo vision system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary Galileo vision system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary intraocular pseudophakic contact lens for a Galileo visual system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a top view of an exemplary intraocular pseudophakic contact lens for a Galileo visual system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 5]FIG. 1 is a side view of an exemplary intraocular pseudophakic contact lens for a Galileo visual system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 6] 1A-1C are different cross-sectional views of an exemplary intraocular pseudophakic contact lens for a Galileo visual system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 7] 1A-1C are different cross-sectional views of an exemplary intraocular pseudophakic contact lens for a Galileo visual system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 8] 1A-1C are different cross-sectional views of an exemplary intraocular pseudophakic contact lens for a Galileo visual system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 9] 1A-1C are different cross-sectional views of an exemplary intraocular pseudophakic contact lens for a Galileo visual system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 10] 1 illustrates an exemplary combination of an intraocular pseudophakic contact lens and an artificial intraocular lens that can be used in a Galileo visual system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 11] 1 illustrates an exemplary combination of an intraocular pseudophakic contact lens and an artificial intraocular lens that can be used in a Galileo visual system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 12] 1 illustrates an exemplary coupling of an intraocular pseudophakic contact lens to an artificial intraocular lens for use in a Galileo visual system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 13] 1 illustrates an exemplary coupling of an intraocular pseudophakic contact lens to an artificial intraocular lens for use in a Galileo visual system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 14] 1 illustrates an exemplary coupling of an intraocular pseudophakic contact lens to an artificial intraocular lens for use in a Galileo visual system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 15] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary method for forming a Galileo vision system according to the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] 1 through 15 discussed below, and the various embodiments used to illustrate the principles of the present invention in this patent document, are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present invention may be implemented in any type of suitably arranged device or system.

[0013] The present disclosure relates to devices, systems, and techniques for treating age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or other types of ocular disease using a Galileo visual system. The Galileo visual system includes an intraocular pseudophakic contact lens (IOPCL) that can be fitted, attached, or otherwise secured to an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) for each of a patient's one or more eyes. The Galileo visual system also includes one or more external lenses, such as spectacle lenses or contact lenses, that magnify images onto the macula of the patient's eye using a specially designed power system. In particular, the IOPCL-based Galileo magnification approach can be used to provide customized visual systems for treating early and intermediate-stage AMD in pseudophakic patients. These patients may, for example, have lost sufficient vision to maintain their right to drive. They may also have effectively lost their driver's license and / or the ability to read regular print.

[0014] 1 and 2 illustrate an exemplary Galilean visual system 100 according to the present disclosure. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the Galilean visual system 100 is used in conjunction with a patient's eye 102. Depending on the situation, a single Galilean visual system 100 can be used with one eye of the patient, or two Galilean visual systems 100 can be used with both eyes of the patient. The eye 102 generally includes a cornea 104, a sclera 106, and an iris 108. The eye 102 itself is shown in cross-section in FIG. 1 for ease of illustration and description. The cornea 104 represents the clear, anterior portion of the eye 102 through which light enters the eye 102. The sclera 106 represents the tough, outer, white portion of the eye 102. The iris 108 represents the component of the eye 102 that controls the size of the eye's pupil, thereby controlling the amount of light that enters the eye 102 from the cornea 104.

[0015] The eye 102 includes a capsular bag 110 that typically holds the eye's 102's natural lens. However, in this example, the natural lens has been removed and replaced with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) 112. The intraocular lens 112 generally includes an optic and one or more haptics. The optic of the intraocular lens 112 receives light entering the eye 102 and focuses the light onto the retina of the eye 102. The haptics of the intraocular lens 112 help to hold the intraocular lens 112 within the capsular bag 110 so that the optic of the intraocular lens 112 is in a desired position within the eye. An eye 102 in which the natural lens has been replaced with the artificial intraocular lens 112 is often referred to as a "pseudophakic" eye. It should be noted that there are a wide variety of artificial intraocular lenses available for patients, and additional artificial intraocular lenses will undoubtedly be developed in the future. The intraocular lens 112 shown here is for illustrative purposes only, and any other suitable artificial intraocular lens now known or later developed may be used in the Galileo vision system 100. Additionally, the intraocular lens 112 may be used herein to provide any desired optical correction or other modification of light passing through the eye 102.

[0016] An intraocular pseudophakic contact lens (IOPCL) 114 is positioned above or otherwise in front of the intraocular lens 112 (possibly without contacting the uvea). The intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 114 represents an additional lens that may be worn, attached, or otherwise secured to the intraocular lens 112. As shown here, the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 114 may be positioned on the anterior surface of the intraocular lens 112 or in front of the anterior surface of the intraocular lens 112, i.e., the anterior surface of the intraocular lens 112 relative to the eye 102. Light enters through the cornea 104 and passes through the pupil before entering the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 114, which modifies the light. The modified light then passes through the optic of the intraocular lens and is modified again. The twice-modified light then travels through the rest of the eye 102 to reach the retina at the back of the eye 102.

[0017] As described below, the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 114 includes an optical lens and, optionally, a mechanism for securing the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 114 to or relative to the intraocular lens 112. In some embodiments, for example, the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 114 includes one or more haptics that extend a short distance to fit under the anterior leaflet of the lens capsule 110 within the eye 102. This allows the haptics to be captured and trapped by the anterior leaflet and, in some cases, to become attached to the capsule wall at the anterior leaflet through fibrosis or refibrosis. The anterior leaflet represents the anterior, outer portion of the lens capsule 110 that remains after an opening (called a capsulorhexis) is formed in the lens capsule 110 to allow the natural lens to be removed. Insertion of the haptics of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 114 under the anterior leaflet helps to secure the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 114 in place. In some cases, the healing process of the eye 102 can result in fibrosis or re-fibrosis, which can also attach the anterior cusp to the haptics of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 114. In other examples, the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 114 includes one or more pins that can penetrate the lens material of the intraocular lens 112. In still other examples, the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 114 can be designed to fit or otherwise connect to one or more components of the intraocular lens 112 that are specifically designed for use with the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 114. Generally, any suitable mechanism can be used to mount, attach, or otherwise secure the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 114 in place relative to the intraocular lens 112.

[0018] The external lens 116 is placed in front of the eye 102. In this example, the external lens 116 takes the form of a spectacle lens (such as an eyeglass lens) that can be held in place in front of the eye 102 (e.g., using a frame worn by the patient). However, the external lens 116 can also take other forms, such as a contact lens 116' worn over the cornea 104 of the eye 102. The external lens 116 and the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 114 (with or without the intraocular lens 112) form the Galilean visual system 100. More specifically, the Galilean visual system 100 is formed using two strong optical lenses with opposite powers. The intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 114 includes a strong minus optical segment implanted within the eye 102. The strong minus power segment of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 114 maintains the patient's current distance and peripheral vision while creating a large hyperopic refractive error in a portion of the patient's field of vision. In some embodiments, the strong minus power segment of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 114 can function as an "ocular" for a Galilean telescope system.

[0019] To complete the Galilean telescope system, an external lens 116, such as a strong plus-powered eyeglass lens, contact lens, or other external lens, is placed in front of the eye 102. With a strong plus power, the external lens 116 essentially functions as the objective lens for the Galilean telescope system. The strong plus power lens can be manufactured using any suitable method. For example, in some cases, the strong plus power lens can be created using a diffractive phase plate created by a specialized eyeglass manufacturer to achieve a very strong plus power while maintaining minimal weight and thickness. The use of specialized corrective eyewear helps avoid problems experienced with previous approaches. Furthermore, as a patient's vision gradually deteriorates over time due to the progression of AMD or other disorders, the use of specialized corrective eyewear allows for subsequent adjustment of the magnification effect. However, other techniques for manufacturing the external lens 116 may also be used.

[0020] Depending on the implementation, the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 114 may be multifocal and include a combination of lens powers, such as a strong minus optical segment and an optical segment with different or no power. This may allow for vision with or without the complete Galileo vision system 100, as desired. That is, by leaving only the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 114 in place, without the external lens 116, a patient may be able to enjoy the benefit of improved magnification, such as approximately 1.4x to 1.6x magnification. This level of magnification may be sufficient to allow a patient who has fallen from a distance-corrected distance visual acuity (DCDVA) of 0.5 (=20 / 40) to a best-corrected distance visual acuity (BCDVA) of 0.3 (=20 / 60) to return to a BCDVA of approximately 0.5 (=20 / 40). This may be sufficient to read normal-sized print or to regain the patient's driver's license. With the external lens 116 in place along with the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 114, the Galileo vision system 100 can achieve even greater magnification. Thus, in various approaches, the patient can have the benefit of the normal width and magnification of the visual field (when the external lens 116 is not in place) as well as the greater magnification (when the external lens is in place).

[0021] While often described as being used to treat both of a patient's eyes 102, this is not required. For example, one of the patient's eyes 102 may be treated, and a contact lens, eyeglasses, or other external lens 116 may be used with that eye 102 to provide a Galilean telescope system for that eye 102. The patient's other eye 102 may lack a contact lens, eyeglasses, or other external lens 116, or may include a different contact lens, eyeglasses, or other external lens 116 (possibly blank or non-corrective eyeglasses). The patient's other eye 102 may or may not include an intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 114, and the other eye 102 need not include the same type of intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 114. In general, the approaches described herein can be easily customized to provide the desired correction for each of the patient's eyes 102, individually or collectively.

[0022] The desired refractive power of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 114 and the external lens 116 may be achieved in any suitable manner. For example, in some embodiments, the segmented power of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 114 may be provided with central openings of various powers or shapes or dedicated segmented zones on the posterior or anterior side of the optic within the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 114. The external lens 116 may also have any suitable anterior and posterior surfaces that provide the desired refractive power.

[0023] 1 and 2 illustrate one example of a Galileo visual system 100, various modifications may be made to Figures 1 and 2. For example, any suitable intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 114 (with or without an intraocular lens 112) and any suitable external lens 116 may be used to form the Galileo visual system 100.

[0024] 3-9 illustrate an exemplary intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 for a Galileo visual system according to the present disclosure. More specifically, FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300, FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300, and FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300. FIGS. 6-9 illustrate different cross-sectional views of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300. For ease of explanation, the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 may be described as representing the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 114 and as being used within the Galileo visual system 100 of FIGS. 1 and 2. However, the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 may be used in any other suitable Galileo visual system, and the Galileo visual system may use any other suitable type of intraocular pseudophakic contact lens.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 3-5 , the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 includes an optical lens 302, which represents a portion of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 that alters light passing through the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300. For example, light passing through the optical lens 302 may travel through an associated intraocular lens 112 before reaching the retina of the patient's eye 102. The optical lens 302 may be formed from any suitable material, such as silicone or acrylic. The optical lens 302 may also be formed in any suitable manner, such as by using a mold, laser, or lathe-cutting manufacturing process. The different optical lenses 302 of different intraocular pseudophakic contact lenses 300 may be designed and manufactured to provide different types of optical correction, such as when the different optical lenses 302 provide different strong minus optical powers.

[0026] A plurality of haptics 304a-304c extend from multiple sides of the optical lens 302. The haptics 304a-304c extend a short distance from the optical lens 302 and are sized and shaped to fit beneath the anterior apex of the capsular bag wall within the patient's eye 102 after implantation. Each haptic 304a-304c can be formed from any suitable material and in any suitable manner. For example, each haptic 304a-304c can be formed from the same material as the optical lens 302. It should be noted that although three haptics 304a-304c are shown here, the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 can include any number of haptics, including a single haptic. It should also be noted that while the haptics 304a-304c are angled downward (meaning that the haptics 304a-304c generally extend outward and rearward from the optical lens 302), the haptics 304a-304c can have any other suitable arrangement. Furthermore, it should be noted that the haptics 304a-304c can be coupled to the optical lens 302 in any suitable manner, such as when the haptics 304a-304c are integrally formed with the optical lens 302, or when they are attached to the optical lens 302, or when they are attached to a retaining ring or other structure (integral with or attached to the optical lens 302) using an adhesive or other suitable connecting mechanism.

[0027] Each of the haptics 304a-304c may include a textured surface 306 that can easily capture or trap the haptics 304a-304c with the anterior apex of the capsular bag wall within the patient's eye 102. Among other things, this can help the haptics 304a-304c secure the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 in place on or to the intraocular lens 112. In some cases, the textured surface 306 allows the haptics 304a-304c to actually physically couple to the anterior apex of the capsular bag wall within the patient's eye 102, for example, through fibrosis or refibrosis during the healing process. In other cases, the textured surface 306 can simply resist movement of the haptics 304a-304c relative to the anterior apex of the capsular bag wall within the patient's eye 102.

[0028] Each textured surface 306 represents any suitable structure that facilitates containment, capture, or attachment of haptics 304a-304c by or to the anterior apex of the capsular bag wall. In some cases, each textured surface 306 may represent an electrical discharge machining (EDM) finish, or each textured surface 306 may represent holes formed partially or completely through haptics 304a-304c (in which case the number and size of holes in textured surface 306 may be varied as needed or desired). It should be noted that other forms of texturing may be used, or that texturing may not be required. It should also be noted that haptics 304a-304c may be omitted when not needed, such as when intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 can be held in place on intraocular lens 112 by surface tension, adhesive, or other techniques. Additionally, it should be noted that other types of haptics can be used with the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300, or pins embedded in or passing through protrusions from the optic of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300, or other structures of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300, can be used to secure the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 to the intraocular lens 112. In general, the present disclosure is not limited to any particular haptic design or mechanism for mounting or attaching the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 on or to the intraocular lens 112.

[0029] In this example, the haptics 304a-304c of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 are formed as large protrusions extending from the sides of the optical lens 302, effectively forming long "wings" extending from the optical lens 302. The inner portion of each haptic 304a-304c projects outward and downward (posteriorly) in this example, while the outer portion of each haptic 304a-304c projects outward and slightly upward in this example (although the outer portions of each haptic 304a-304c may be flexible, as described below). However, it should be noted that other configurations for the haptics 304a-304c may also be used. Each of the outer portions of the haptics 304a-304c has a thickness that tapers toward the outer edge of the haptics 304a-304c, allowing the haptics 304a-304c to be more easily inserted beneath the anterior apex of the capsular bag wall within the patient's eye 102. The undersides of the haptics 304a-304c also include ridges 308, and the ridges 308 of the haptics 304a-304c can be used to capture one or more edges of the underlying intraocular lens 112. This can help center the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 on the intraocular lens 112. This can also help hold the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 in place on the intraocular lens 112 during the healing process or during use. While the ridges 308 are shown here as generally flat or slightly curved, the ridges 308 may incorporate other features. For example, the lip may be formed by a small inward protrusion extending inward from the bottom or other portion of the ridge 308 toward the central optical axis of the optical lens 302 (meaning the vertical axis passing through the center of the optical lens 302 in FIG. 5).

[0030] The haptics 304a-304c can have any suitable position within the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300. For example, in some embodiments, the haptics 304a-304c are equally spaced about 120° apart. In other embodiments, the haptics 304a-304c are unevenly spaced apart, such as when haptic 304a is about 125° apart from each of the haptics 304b-304c, and haptics 304b-304c are about 110° apart from each other (which may be based, for example, on the locations of the haptics of the intraocular lens 112 into which the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 is placed). Also, in some cases, the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 may be designed to be implanted in a patient's eye 102 in a particular orientation, and at least one alignment marking 310 may be provided to identify the proper orientation of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 within the eye 102. In this example, a single alignment marking 310 in the form of a raised letter "R" may be used to identify, for example, the haptic 304a located on the right side of the intraocular lens 112 when the intraocular lens 112 is viewed by a surgeon or other practitioner within the eye 102. However, any other or additional alignment markings 310, or no alignment markings at all, may be used herein.

[0031] The optical lens 302 can have any suitable optical power, depending on the implementation. In this example, the optical lens 302 includes a first lens portion 312 and a second lens portion 314, where the two portions 312-314 of the optical lens 302 can provide different levels of optical power. For example, the first lens portion 312 can provide a certain amount of power (such as a strong minus power), while the second lens portion 314 can provide a different amount of power, or in some cases little or no power at all. In this example, to provide a strong minus power, the anterior surface of the first lens portion 312 can be convex or concave, and the posterior surface of the first lens portion 312 can be concave. The amount of strong minus power can be adjusted here by changing the shape of one or more of the anterior and posterior surfaces of the first lens portion 312. 6-9 show exemplary cross-sectional views of intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 taken along line AA in FIG. 4, with different first lens portions 312a-312d shown as having different shapes on their anterior surfaces. These different shapes allow different first lens portions 312a-312d to provide different amounts of strong minus power. As a specific example, lens portion 312a may provide a refractive power of −15 diopters, lens portion 312b may provide a refractive power of −20 diopters, lens portion 312c may provide a refractive power of −25 diopters, and lens portion 312d may provide a refractive power of −5 diopters (although these are merely exemplary values).

[0032] As a result, the first lens portion 312 within the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 can be used to provide a large amount of minus optical power. This supports the use of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 in the Galileo visual system 100, while the external lens 116 can provide a large amount of plus optical power. The second lens portion 314 within the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 can be used to provide a different amount of optical power, or no optical power at all. For example, the anterior surface of the second lens portion 314 can be convex, and the posterior surface of the second lens portion 314 can be concave. Thus, the central segment of the optical lens 302 shown here can be used to expand the field of view, such as intermediate or near. This can be used to help treat conditions such as AMD or other vision loss associated with retinal disease.

[0033] In this particular example, the first lens portion 312 is generally circular and is located at the center of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300, and the second lens portion 314 is generally annular and surrounds the first lens portion 312. However, each lens portion 312 and 314 may have any other suitable size, shape, and location within the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300. In general, the size, shape, and location of the lens portions 312-314 can be varied as needed or desired to provide the desired optical power.

[0034] The intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 shown in Figures 3-9 can be easily secured over the intraocular lens 112, such as by using the anterior apex of the capsular bag wall within the eye 102 to capture and trap the haptics 304a-304c of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300. In some cases, this can also involve physically coupling the haptics 304a-304c to the anterior apex of the capsular bag wall, for example, via a fibrosis or refibrosis mechanism. Thus, in some embodiments, the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 may not need to be designed to work specifically with the particular structure of any particular intraocular lens 112. Instead, the intraocular lens 112 used with the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 need not have any predetermined structure provided for coupling to the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300. Rather, the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 can be simply sized so that when the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 is placed over the intraocular lens 112, it can be secured in place by being captured and confined by (or in some cases in combination with) the anterior apex of the capsular bag wall. This allows the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 to be used with a wide variety of intraocular lenses 112, including different types of intraocular lenses 112 and existing intraocular lenses 112 already implanted in the patient. It is not necessary to remove the existing intraocular lens 112 from the patient to install a new intraocular lens and intraocular pseudophakic contact lens. However, it should be noted that in other embodiments, the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens may be designed to specifically fit a particular intraocular lens.

[0035] Furthermore, the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 can be easily removed from the patient's eye 102 (assuming fibrosis or re-fibrosis holds the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 in place), such as at any suitable time after implantation or before bonding the haptics 304a-304c to the capsular bag wall. This, among other things, allows one intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 to be removed and replaced with a different intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 if a different optical power is needed or desired.

[0036] The intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 can have any suitable size, shape, and dimensions. For example, the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 can be available in a range of diameters from about 4 millimeters to about 6 millimeters. The intraocular pseudophakic contact lenses 300 can also be available with varying base curvatures of their optical lens 302. Of course, the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 can also be custom designed for a particular patient's eye 102, for example, when one or more specific curvatures are needed to provide a desired amount of optical power for that particular patient's eye 102.

[0037] In some embodiments, the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 and various components of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 may have the following design parameters: the diameter of the first lens portion 312 may be approximately 2.25 millimeters, the diameter of the second lens portion 314 may be approximately 4.5 millimeters, the diameter of the circle defined by the ridge 308 may be approximately 6.05 millimeters, and the diameter of the circle defined by the outer edges of the haptics 304a-304c may be approximately 7 millimeters. The straight edges of each haptic 304a-304c when viewed from the top may taper from an interval of approximately 0.97 millimeters to approximately 0.63 millimeters, with the straight edges defining an angle of approximately 15°. The optical lens 302 may have a thickness of approximately 0.375 millimeters along its outer edge, and there may be a step of approximately 0.065 millimeters between the posterior surface of the optical lens 302 along its outer edge and the posterior surfaces of the haptics 304a-304c. Each of the ridges 308 may form an angle of approximately 10° with respect to the central optical axis of the optical lens 302, and the posterior surfaces of the haptics 304a-304c may extend from the optical lens 302 at an angle of approximately 103° with respect to the central optical axis of the optical lens 302. The distance between the ridge 308 and the outer edge of each haptic 304a-304c may be approximately 0.48 millimeters. Various corners and edges of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 may be rounded, and the radii of curvature of the anterior and posterior surfaces of the first and second lens portions 312-314 may vary based on the desired optical power provided by the lens portions 312-314. However, it should be noted that these dimensions and other design parameters are for illustrative purposes only and may vary as needed or desired depending on the embodiment of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300.

[0038] The intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 can be non-invasively implanted in a patient's eye 102 and easily positioned over the intraocular lens 112. Implantation is non-invasive because the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 is located on the anterior surface of the intraocular lens 112, which is typically easily accessible by a surgeon or other personnel during the implantation procedure. Implantation is also non-invasive because the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 can be attached to the intraocular lens 112 without the need to attach the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 to an anatomical structure within the patient's eye 102, such as the sulcus of the patient's eye 102. The non-invasive implantation and easy positioning of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 allows for a safe and effective surgical procedure to treat AMD or other ocular diseases.

[0039] If the haptics 304a-304c of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 include ridges 308, the ridges 308 can be used to center the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 over the underlying intraocular lens 112, as described above. If the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 includes multiple haptics 304a-304c with associated ridges 308, the ridges 308 can help perfectly center the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 over the underlying intraocular lens 112. With such an approach, the ridges 308 of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens haptics 304a-304c can capture the underlying intraocular lens 112 at their edges, perfectly aligning the optical center of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens optic with the optical center of the intraocular lens 112. This alignment helps reduce or avoid induced optical aberrations or induced prism caused by misalignment of the optical centers.

[0040] It should be noted that in the above example, the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 could potentially be designed such that only the haptics 304a-304c of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 extend below the anterior apex of the capsular bag wall within the patient's eye 102. This allows the haptics 304a-304c to be captured and confined by the anterior apex, while leaving the optic 302 of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 unfixed and generally unobscured by surrounding tissue within the patient's eye 102.

[0041] It should also be noted that in some embodiments, the surgical instrument disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0269555 A1, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, can be used to assist in implanting the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300. For example, the instrument can be used to separate at least a portion of the anterior apex of the patient's eye 102 from the implanted intraocular lens 112, allowing the haptics 304a-304c of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 to be inserted between the anterior apex and the intraocular lens 112. As another example, the instrument can be used to separate the anterior apex of the patient's eye 102 from the implanted intraocular pseudophakic contact lens, allowing the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens to be removed (or replaced).

[0042] While FIGS. 3-9 illustrate one example of an intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 for the Galileo visual system 100, various modifications may be made to FIGS. 3-9. For example, the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 may include any suitable number of each component shown in the figures. As a specific example, while the optical lens 302 is shown as having two portions 312 and 314, the optical lens 302 may have more than two regions (such as two or more annular regions surrounding a central region). Additionally, the configuration of the haptics 304a-304c shown here is merely illustrative, and any other suitable structure or mechanism may be used to secure the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 in place. Additionally, several other features may be used at one or more locations on the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300. For example, one or more drug-eluting materials may be disposed on the top, side, or bottom surfaces of the optical lens within the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens. Additionally, the specific dimensions, diopters, optical powers, and other values ​​set forth above are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the disclosure to any particular values.

[0043] 3-9 represent one example of a type of intraocular device that may be designed or modified for use with the Galileo visual system 100. However, various other intraocular devices may be designed or modified for use with the Galileo visual system 100. For example, U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2020 / 0121446(A1) and 2019 / 0076237(A1), both of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties, disclose several intraocular pseudophakic contact lenses that may be modified to include an optical lens that provides a central strong minus optical power, thereby enabling these intraocular pseudophakic contact lenses to be used with the Galileo visual system 100. Among other things, the intraocular pseudophakic contact lenses disclosed in the documents incorporated by reference above use pins, haptic loops or other structures to secure the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens to the intraocular lens, and any of these structures may be used with the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens in a Galileo visual system.

[0044] 10 and 11 illustrate an exemplary combination of an intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 and an intraocular lens 112 that may be used in a Galileo visual system according to the present disclosure. For ease of explanation, this combination may be described as being used in the Galileo visual system 100 of FIGS. 1 and 2. However, this combination may be used in any other suitable Galileo visual system, and the Galileo visual system may use any other suitable combination of an intraocular pseudophakic contact lens and an intraocular lens.

[0045] 10 and 11 , the intraocular lens 112 includes an optical lens 1002 and haptics 1004 extending from the optical lens 1002. The optical lens 1002 receives light that has passed through the optical lens 302 of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 and focuses the light onto the retina of the eye 102. The haptics 1004 help to hold the intraocular lens 112 within the capsular bag 110 so that the optical lens 1002 is in a desired position within the eye 102. It should be noted that the configurations of the optical lens 1002 and haptics 1004 shown here are merely illustrative, and other intraocular lenses may include different optical lenses or different haptics.

[0046] 12-14 illustrate an exemplary coupling of an intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 to an artificial intraocular lens 112 for use in a Galileo visual system according to the present disclosure. For ease of explanation, this coupling may be described as being performed to help form the Galileo visual system 100 of FIGS. 1 and 2. However, this coupling may include any other suitable Galileo visual system, and the Galileo visual system may use any other coupling of an intraocular pseudophakic contact lens and an intraocular lens.

[0047] 12, the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 and intraocular lens 112 are shown in a side profile view, with the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 being moved toward the intraocular lens 112. The outer portion 1202 of each haptic 304a-304c is now angled partially upward, which facilitates coupling of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 to the intraocular lens 112, as described below. The intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 may be moved toward the intraocular lens 112 in any suitable manner, such as when a surgeon or other practitioner uses an instrument to grasp and manipulate the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300.

[0048] As shown in Figure 13, the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 is positioned on the anterior surface of the intraocular lens 112. However, in Figure 13, it is assumed that the outer portions 1202 of the haptics 304a-304c are not positioned below the anterior apex of the eye 102, and therefore the outer portions 1202 of the haptics 304a-304c are still angled partially upward. This allows the ridges 308 of the haptics 304a-304c to more easily surround and capture the outer edge of the optic 1002 of the intraocular lens 112.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 14 , the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 is secured to the anterior surface of the intraocular lens 112. In FIG. 14 , the outer portions 1202 of the haptics 304a-304c are assumed to be positioned beneath the anterior cusp within the eye 102. The anterior cusp exerts a downward force on the outer portions 1202 of the haptics 304a-304c. Assuming the haptics 304a-304c are flexible, this surface pressure causes the outer portions 1202 of the haptics 304a-304c to deflect and bend at a partial downward angle, which helps to press the ridges 308 (and optionally any lip or other structure on the ridges 308) against the outer edge of the optic 1002 of the intraocular lens 112. This helps secure the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 to the intraocular lens 112 and helps align the optical axes of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 and the intraocular lens 112 .

[0050] While Figures 10 and 11 show an example of a combination of an intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 and an artificial intraocular lens 112 that can be used in the Galileo visual system 100, and Figures 12 through 14 show an example of coupling an intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 to an artificial intraocular lens 112 for use in the Galileo visual system 100, various modifications may be made to Figures 10 through 14. For example, any other suitable mechanism (including, in some cases, simply surface tension) may be used to hold the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens on or against the intraocular lens.

[0051] 15 illustrates an exemplary method 1500 for forming a Galilean visual system according to the present disclosure. For ease of explanation, the method 1500 is described as using an intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 and an external lens 116 as part of forming the Galilean visual system 100. However, the method 1500 may also be used with any other suitable intraocular pseudophakic contact lens and any other suitable external lens, and may form any other suitable Galilean visual system.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 15 , an intraocular pseudophakic contact lens (IOPCL) is inserted into a patient's eye in step 1502 and secured to the patient's eye in step 1504. This may involve, for example, a surgeon or other practitioner selecting an intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 that provides the desired amount of strong minus optical power, such as from a kit. This may also involve the surgeon or other practitioner making a small incision in the patient's eye 102 and inserting the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 into the eye 102 through the incision. The intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 may be rolled, folded, or otherwise reduced in cross-sectional size in order to insert the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 through a smaller incision. This may further include one or more haptics 304 a- 304 c of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 that slide or are otherwise inserted under the anterior apex of the capsular bag wall within the patient's eye 102.

[0053] An external optical lens is selected for use with the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens in step 1506 and obtained in step 1508. This may include, for example, a surgeon or other practitioner selecting an appropriate external lens 116 that provides the desired amount of strong plus optical power. This may also include a surgeon or other practitioner forming the external lens 116 or otherwise obtaining an external lens 116 with the desired amount of strong plus optical power. The intraocular pseudophakic contact lens and external optical lens are used as a Galileo visual system in step 1510. This may include, for example, a patient having an implanted intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 (which serves as the eyepiece of the Galileo visual system) and wearing the external lens 116 (which serves as the objective lens of the Galileo visual system).

[0054] While Figure 15 illustrates one example of a method 1500 for forming a Galileo vision system 100, various modifications may be made to Figure 15. For example, although shown as a series of steps, various steps in Figure 15 may overlap, occur in parallel, occur in a different order, or occur any number of times.

[0055] It may be advantageous to specify definitions of certain words and phrases used throughout this patent document. The terms "include" and "comprise," as well as their derivatives, mean an open-ended inclusion. The term "or" is inclusive and means "and / or." The phrase "associated with" and its derivatives may mean include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have property of, have a relationship to or with, etc. The phrase "at least one," when used in conjunction with a list of items, means that different combinations of one or more of the listed items may be used, and furthermore, only one item in the list may be required. For example, "at least one of A, B, and C" includes any of the combinations A, B, C, A and B, A and C, B and C, and A, B, and C.

[0056] Descriptions in this patent document should not be construed to imply that any particular element, step, or function is essential or critical to inclusion in a claim. Furthermore, unless the precise terms "means for" or "step for," followed by a participial phrase identifying the function, are expressly used in a particular claim, the claims are not intended to invoke 35 U.S.C. 112(f) with respect to any of the appended claims or claim elements. The use of terms such as "mechanism," "module," "device," "unit," "component," "element," "member," "apparatus," "machine," "system," "processor," "processing unit," or "controller" in the claims, including but not limited to, are understood and intended to refer to structures known to those skilled in the art as further modified or enhanced by the claim features themselves, and are not intended to invoke 35 U.S.C. 112(f).

[0057] While this disclosure has described particular embodiments and generally associated methods, modifications and permutations of these embodiments and methods will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the above description of exemplary embodiments does not define or constrain this disclosure. Other changes, substitutions, and alterations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure, as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. an intraocular pseudophakic contact lens configured to be implanted within the eye and attached or secured to an artificial intraocular lens within the eye; an external lens configured to be placed in front of the eye; Equipped with The intraocular pseudophakic contact lens and the external lens form a telescopic Galileo visual system.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the external lens comprises one of an eyeglass lens and a contact lens.

3. the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens comprises an optical lens configured to provide a minus optical power; The system of claim 1 , wherein the external lens is configured to provide a plus optical power.

4. 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the optical lens of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens is configured to provide a refractive power of from about -5 diopters to about -25 diopters.

5. The intraocular pseudophakic contact lens comprises: An optical lens, haptics extending radially from the optical lens and configured to be inserted beneath the anterior apex of a capsular bag wall within the eye; The system of claim 1 , comprising:

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein an anterior surface of the haptic is configured to contact an inner capsular bag wall surface at the anterior leaflet, the anterior surface of the haptic comprising a textured surface.

7. The system of claim 5 , wherein the posterior surface of the haptics comprises a ridge configured to capture at least one edge of the intraocular lens.

8. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the haptics are flexible such that an outer portion of the haptics is configured to press the ridge into the at least one edge of the intraocular lens based on surface pressure from the anterior leaflet against the outer portion of the haptics.

9. the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens comprises an optical lens; the optical lens comprising a central portion configured to provide a minus optical power; 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the optical lens further comprises an annular portion surrounding the central portion and configured to provide a different degree of optical power or no optical power.

10. the central portion of the optical lens comprises a convex or concave anterior surface and a concave posterior surface; 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the annular portion of the optical lens comprises a convex anterior surface and a concave posterior surface.

11. using an intraocular pseudophakic contact lens and an external lens to form a telescopic Galileo visual system; the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens is configured to be implanted in the eye and attached or mounted to an artificial intraocular lens in the eye; The method, wherein the external lens is configured to be placed in front of the eye.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the external lens comprises one of a spectacle lens and a contact lens.

13. the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens comprises an optical lens configured to provide a minus optical power; The method of claim 11 , wherein the external lens is configured to provide a plus optical power.

14. the external lens functions as an objective lens in the telescopic Galileo vision system; 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the optical lens of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens functions as an eyepiece in the telescopic Galileo visual system.

15. The intraocular pseudophakic contact lens comprises: An optical lens, haptics extending radially from the optical lens and configured to be inserted beneath the anterior apex of a capsular bag wall within the eye; The method of claim 11 , comprising:

16. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the posterior surface of the haptic comprises a ridge configured to capture at least one edge of the intraocular lens.

17. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the haptics are flexible such that outer portions of the haptics are configured to press the ridges into the at least one edge of the intraocular lens based on surface pressure from the anterior leaflet against the outer portions of the haptics.

18. the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens comprises an optical lens; the optical lens comprising a central portion configured to provide a minus optical power; 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the optical lens further comprises an annular portion surrounding the central portion and configured to provide a different degree of optical power or no optical power.

19. the central portion of the optical lens comprises a convex or concave anterior surface and a concave posterior surface; 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the annular portion of the optical lens comprises a convex anterior surface and a concave posterior surface.

20. an intraocular pseudophakic contact lens configured to be implanted within the eye and attached or secured to an artificial intraocular lens within the eye; an external lens configured to be placed in front of the eye, the external lens comprising one of a spectacle lens and a contact lens; Equipped with the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens and the external lens form a telescopic Galileo visual system; the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens comprises an optic and haptics extending radially from the optic and configured to be inserted beneath an anterior apex of a capsular bag wall within the eye; the optical lens of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens is configured to provide a minus optical power; the outer lens is configured to provide a plus optical power; a posterior surface of the haptic comprising a ridge configured to capture at least one edge of the IOL; The haptics are flexible, whereby an outer portion of the haptics is configured to push the ridge into the at least one edge of the intraocular lens based on surface pressure from the anterior leaflet against the outer portion of the haptics.

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