Multilayer structure for improved presbyopia correcting lenses and method for making same - Patents.com

Abstract

Certain embodiments provide an intraocular lens (IOL) comprising a lens body having an anterior lens element and a posterior lens element, and an optical fluid in a cavity formed between the anterior lens element and the posterior lens element, wherein the anterior lens element and the posterior lens element each comprise a lens material having a first Abbe number, and the optical fluid has a second Abbe number that is less than the first Abbe number.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a multi-layer structure for an improved presbyopia correcting lens and a method for making the same. [Background technology]

[0002] The human eye, simply put, functions to provide vision by transmitting light through a clear outer portion called the cornea and focusing an image onto the retina by means of the lens. The quality of the focused image depends on many factors, including the size and shape of the eye and the transparency of the cornea and lens. When age or disease reduces the transparency of the lens, vision is reduced because less light can be transmitted to the retina. Such damage to the eye's lens is medically known as cataracts. The accepted treatment for this condition is to surgically remove the lens and replace its function with an intraocular lens (IOL).

[0003] IOLs are used in cataract surgery to replace the crystalline lens of the eye and correct refractive errors. One type of IOL is a presbyopia correcting lens, including an extended depth of focus (EDOF) IOL. However, the use of such presbyopia correcting lenses can result in associated visual impairments, such as halos or glare. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] Aspects of the present disclosure provide an intraocular lens (IOL) comprising a lens body having an anterior lens element and a posterior lens element, and an optical fluid in a cavity formed between the anterior lens element and the posterior lens element, wherein the anterior lens element and the posterior lens element each comprise a lens material having a first Abbe number, and the optical fluid has a second Abbe number that is less than the first Abbe number.

[0005] Aspects of the present disclosure also provide a method of fabricating an intraocular lens (IOL), the method including fabricating an anterior lens element and a posterior lens element, bonding the anterior lens element and the posterior lens element to form a cavity therebetween, and filling the cavity with an optical fluid, the anterior lens element and the posterior lens element each including a lens material having a first Abbe number, and the optical fluid having a second Abbe number that is less than the first Abbe number.

[0006] Aspects of the present disclosure further provide a method of constructing an intraocular lens (IOL), the method including: calculating a radius of curvature of an anterior lens element of a lens body of the IOL and a radius of curvature of a posterior lens element of the lens body of the IOL based on a lens base power of the IOL, a first refractive index and a first Abbe number of the anterior and posterior lens elements, a second refractive index and a second Abbe number of an optical fluid filling a cavity between the anterior and posterior lens elements, and a refractive index and Abbe number of an optical fluid filling a cavity between the anterior and posterior lens elements, and forming or causing the IOL to be formed based on the calculated radii of curvature of the anterior and posterior lens elements.

[0007] Having briefly summarized the present disclosure above, in order that the above-mentioned features of the present disclosure may be understood in detail, the present disclosure may be more particularly described by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. However, it should be noted that the accompanying drawings only illustrate some aspects of the present disclosure, and that the present disclosure may admit of other equally effective embodiments. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1A illustrates a top view of an intraocular lens (IOL), according to certain embodiments. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1B shows a side view of a portion of the IOL of FIG. 1A, in accordance with certain embodiments. [Figure 1C] FIG. 1C shows a side view of a portion of the IOL of FIG. 1A, in accordance with certain embodiments. [Diagram 2]FIG. 2 illustrates exemplary operations for fabricating an IOL, in accordance with certain embodiments. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary system for designing, configuring, and / or forming an IOL, in accordance with certain embodiments. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 illustrates exemplary operations for forming an IOL, according to certain embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] To facilitate understanding, wherever possible, identical reference numerals are used to designate identical elements that are common to each of the figures. It is contemplated that elements and features of one embodiment may be beneficially incorporated in other embodiments without further reference.

[0010] The embodiments described herein provide an intraocular lens (IOL) having a triple lens body for chromatic aberration correction, as well as methods and systems for fabricating the same. In certain embodiments, the IOL is an extended depth of focus (EDOF) IOL. In certain embodiments, the IOL having a triple lens body comprises an anterior lens element, a posterior lens element, and an optical fluid filling a cavity formed between the anterior lens element and the posterior lens element. In certain embodiments, a method for fabricating an IOL having a triple lens body includes creating an anterior lens element and a posterior lens element, bonding the anterior lens element and the posterior lens element to form a cavity therebetween, and filling the cavity with an optical fluid.

[0011] IOL with triple lens body for the correction of chromatic aberration FIGURE 1A illustrates a top view of an intraocular lens (IOL) 100, according to certain embodiments. FIGURES 1B and 1C illustrate side views of a portion of the IOL 100 having different configurations. The IOL 100 comprises a lens body 102 and a haptic portion 104 coupled to a peripheral non-optical portion of the lens body 102.

[0012] In the embodiment shown in Figures 1B and 1C, the lens body 102 has a triple lens structure with a front lens element 102A and a rear lens element 102P. The lens elements 102A and 102P are bonded together to form a cavity 106. The cavity 106 is filled with an optical fluid having a different refractive index and a different Abbe number than the lens elements 102A and 102P. The lens elements 102A and 102P have a relatively large refractive index and a relatively small Abbe number, resulting in relatively large dispersion (i.e., change in refractive index with respect to wavelength) and chromatic aberration (i.e., change in focal position with respect to wavelength). The optical fluid filling the cavity 106 has a relatively small refractive index and a relatively large Abbe number, resulting in relatively small dispersion and chromatic aberration. The triple lens configuration, comprising lens elements 102A and 102P and cavity 106 filled with an optical fluid, is designed such that the chromatic aberration of lens elements 102A and 102P is offset by the chromatic aberration of the optical fluid by appropriately selecting the radius of curvature R1 of the outer surface of front lens element 102A, the radius of curvature R2 of the inner surface of front lens element 102A, the radius of curvature R3 of the inner surface of rear lens element 102P, and the radius of curvature R4 of the outer surface of rear lens element 102P.

[0013] In a particular embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1B, the lens body 102 is an achromatic triplet lens. The cavity 106, which is filled with an optical fluid, is a positive (convex) lens. The lens elements 102A and 102P are negative (concave) lenses. The achromatic triplet lens may provide correction to focus two wavelengths of light, for example, about 0.590 μm (red) and about 0.495 μm (blue), to the same focal point.

[0014] In a particular embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1C, the lens body 102 is an apochromatic triplet lens. The cavity 106, which is filled with an optical fluid, is a negative (concave) lens. The lens elements 102A and 102P are positive (convex) lenses. The apochromatic triplet lens may provide correction to focus three wavelengths of light, e.g., about 0.620 μm (red), about 0.530 μm (green), and about 0.465 μm (blue), to the same focal point.

[0015] The anterior lens element 102A and the posterior lens element 102P may be fabricated from biocompatible materials such as modified poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), modified PMMA hydrogels, hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), PVA hydrogels, other silicone polymer materials, and hydrophobic acrylic polymer materials, such as AcrySof® and Clareon® available from Alcon, Inc. of Fort Worth, Texas. The lens elements 102A and 102P may have a refractive index of about 1.49 to about 1.56 and an Abbe number of about 37 to about 53. The optical fluid filling the cavity 106 may be an incompressible or substantially incompressible fluid that exhibits a different refractive index than the lens elements 102A and 102P. The optical fluid may be an ophthalmic grade silicone oil, such as optical fluids available from Entegris, Inc. of Billerica, Massachusetts. The optical fluid can have a refractive index of about 1.4 to about 1.55 (eg, about 1.43) and an Abbe number of about 40 to about 50 (eg, about 44.4).

[0016] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG 1A, IOL 100 is an extended depth of focus (EDOF) IOL having a lens body 102 with a refractive structure on the outer surface of anterior lens element 102A and a smooth convex surface on the outer surface of posterior lens element 102P. As shown in FIG 1A, the outer surface of anterior lens element 102A may include inner refractive region 110, outer annular refractive region 112, and annular transition region 114 extending between inner refractive region 110 and outer annular refractive region 112. Lens body 102 has a diameter φ of about 4.5 mm to about 7.5 mm (e.g., about 6.0 mm).

[0017] The IOL 100A further comprises a main frame 108 bonded (e.g., glued or welded) to a peripheral portion of the lens body 102 or molded with a portion of the lens body 102. The main frame 108 comprises a haptic portion 104 including radially extending struts (also called "haptics") 104A and 104B, which thus extend outwardly from the lens body 102 to engage the peripheral wall of the eye's capsular bag to maintain the lens body 102 in a desired position within the eye. The main frame 108 may be fabricated from a clear, flexible, biocompatible material such as modified poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), modified PMMA hydrogel, hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), PVA hydrogel, other silicone polymer materials, hydrophobic acrylic polymer materials, such as AcrySof® and Clareon® available from Alcon, Inc. of Fort Worth, Texas. The haptics 104A and 104B typically have radially outer ends that define arcuate end portions. The end portions of the haptics 104A and 104B can be separated by a length L of about 6 mm to about 22 mm (e.g., about 13 mm). The haptics 104A and 104B have a particular length such that the end portions generate a slight engagement pressure when in contact with the equatorial region of the capsular bag after insertion. Although FIG. 1A shows one exemplary configuration of the haptics 104A and 104B, any plate haptic or other type of haptic can be used.

[0018] It should be noted that the shape and curvature of the lens body 102 are shown for illustrative purposes only, and that other shapes and curvatures are within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the lens body 102 shown in Figures 1B and 1C has a biconvex shape. In other examples, the lens body 102 can have a plano-convex, convex-concave, or plano-concave shape.

[0019] Fabrication of an IOL with a triple lens body for the correction of chromatic aberration. FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary operation 200 for forming an IOL having a triplet lens for chromatic aberration correction, according to certain embodiments.

[0020] In step 210, an anterior lens element (e.g., anterior lens element 102A), a posterior lens element (e.g., posterior lens element 102P), and a main frame with haptics (e.g., main frame 108 with haptics 104A and 104B) are formed by lens manufacturing techniques known to those skilled in the art, such as injection molding and heat curing processes. The main frame and anterior lens element may be fabricated as one single piece or as two separate pieces. One or more holes are formed in the posterior lens element near the edge of the posterior lens element for filling the cavity with an optical fluid in step 230, as described below.

[0021] In step 220, the front lens element, the rear lens element, and the main frame are assembled and sealed to form a cavity (e.g., cavity 106 (shown in FIGS. 1B and 1C)). The front lens element, the rear lens element, and the main frame may be bonded together by chemical bonding, thermal bonding, UV bonding, or other suitable type of bonding to seal and form the cavity therebetween in a peripheral non-optical portion of the lens body (e.g., lens body 102).

[0022] In step 230, the cavity is filled with an optical fluid, such as silicone oil, through one or more holes in the rear lens element by lens manufacturing techniques known to those skilled in the art. In certain embodiments, the cavity is filled using a syringe-assisted method. The one or more holes in the rear lens element are then sealed.

[0023] A system for designing IOLs 3 illustrates an exemplary system 300 for designing, constructing, and / or forming IOL 100. As illustrated, system 300 includes, but is not limited to, a control module 302, a user interface display 304, an interconnect 306, an output device 308, and at least one I / O device interface 310, which may enable connection of various I / O devices (e.g., a keyboard, a display, a mouse device, pen input, etc.) to system 300.

[0024] The control module 302 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 312, a memory 314, and storage 316. The CPU 312 may read and execute programming instructions stored in the memory 314. Similarly, the CPU 312 may read and store application data resident in the memory 314. The interconnect 306 transmits programming instructions and application data between the CPU 312, the I / O device interface 310, the user interface display 304, the memory 314, the storage 316, the output device 308, etc. The CPU 312 may represent a single CPU, multiple CPUs, a single CPU with multiple processing cores, etc. Additionally, in certain embodiments, the memory 314 represents a volatile memory, such as a random access memory. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the storage 316 may be a non-volatile memory, such as a disk drive, a solid state drive, or a collection of storage devices distributed across multiple storage systems.

[0025] As shown, the storage 316 includes input parameters 318, including the lens base power, and the refractive index and Abbe number of the lens elements and the optical fluid filling the cavities between the lens elements. The memory 314 includes a calculation module 320 that calculates control parameters, such as the shape of the lens elements (e.g., radius of curvature and thickness). In addition, the memory 314 further includes input parameters 322.

[0026] In certain embodiments, the input parameters 322 correspond to the input parameters 318, or at least a subset thereof. In such embodiments, during calculation of the control parameters, the input parameters 322 are retrieved from the storage 316 and executed in the memory 314. In such examples, the calculation module 320 includes executable instructions to calculate the control parameters based on the input parameters 322. In certain other embodiments, the input parameters 322 correspond to parameters received from a user through the user interface display 304. In such embodiments, the calculation module 320 includes executable instructions to calculate the control parameters based on information received from the user interface display 304.

[0027] In certain embodiments, the calculated control parameters are output via output device 308 to a lens manufacturing system configured to receive the control parameters and form a lens accordingly. In other certain embodiments, system 300 itself represents at least a portion of a lens manufacturing system. In such embodiments, control module 302 then causes hardware components (not shown) of system 300 to form a lens in accordance with the control parameters via operation 200 described above. Details of lens manufacturing systems are known to those skilled in the art and are omitted here for the sake of brevity.

[0028] How the IOL is created 4 illustrates exemplary operations 400 for forming an IOL (e.g., IOL 100). In some embodiments, step 410 of operation 400 is performed by one system (e.g., system 300), while step 420 is performed by a lens manufacturing system. In some other embodiments, both steps 410 and 420 are performed by a lens manufacturing system.

[0029] In step 410, control parameters such as the shape (e.g., radius of curvature and thickness) of the lens elements 102A and 102P are calculated based on the input parameters (e.g., lens base power, and the refractive index and Abbe number of the optical fluid filling the lens elements and the cavities between the lens elements). Various methods and techniques or algorithms may be used to select the appropriate radius of curvature and thickness of the lens elements 102A and 102P to reduce chromatic aberration. For example, a broad visual spectrum may be used to calculate the optical power of each surface for a given dispersive material. The calculated power and the optical properties of the dispersive material may then be used to determine the appropriate radius of curvature and thickness of the lens elements 102A and 102P.

[0030] In step 420, an IOL (e.g., IOL 100) based on the calculated control parameters, such as the shape (e.g., radius of curvature and thickness) of lens elements 102A and 102P, is formed according to operation 200 above using suitable methods, systems, and equipment typically used in the manufacture of lenses known to those of skill in the art.

[0031] The embodiments described herein provide a presbyopia-correcting IOL that corrects chromatic aberration while avoiding the introduction of visual defects (e.g., halos, glare) commonly associated with diffractive presbyopia-correcting IOLs. A presbyopia-correcting IOL according to the embodiments described herein may be fabricated by creating an anterior lens element and a posterior lens element, bonding the anterior lens element and the posterior lens element to form a cavity therebetween, and filling the cavity with an optical fluid. The methods described herein may simplify the traditional fabrication process of such an IOL.

[0032] While the forgoing is directed to embodiments of the present disclosure, other and further embodiments of the present disclosure may be devised without departing from the basic scope of the disclosure, which scope is determined by the claims that follow.

Claims

1. a lens body having a front lens element and a rear lens element; an optical fluid in a cavity formed between the front lens element and the rear lens element; An intraocular lens (IOL) comprising: the front lens element and the rear lens element each comprise a lens material having a first Abbe number; An intraocular lens (IOL), wherein the optical fluid has a second Abbe number that is less than the first Abbe number.

2. The IOL of claim 1 , wherein the anterior lens element comprises a refractive structure on an outer surface of the anterior lens element.

3. the first Abbe number is 37 to 50; The second Abbe number is 40 to 50. The IOL of claim 1.

4. The IOL of claim 1 , wherein the lens material comprises a hydrophobic acrylic polymer material.

5. The IOL of claim 1 , wherein the optical fluid comprises a silicone oil.

6. The IOL of claim 1 , further comprising a main frame coupled to the lens body, the main frame comprising one or more haptics.

7. The IOL of claim 6 , wherein the main frame is fabricated together with the anterior lens element as a single piece.

8. fabricating a front lens element and a rear lens element of a lens body; bonding the front lens element and the rear lens element to form a cavity therebetween; filling the cavity with an optical fluid; and A method of making an intraocular lens (IOL), comprising: the front lens element and the rear lens element each comprise a lens material having a first Abbe number; the optical fluid has a second Abbe number that is less than the first Abbe number; A method for making an intraocular lens (IOL).

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the front lens element comprises a refractive structure on an outer surface of the front lens element.

10. the first Abbe number is 37 to 50; The second Abbe number is 40 to 50. The method according to claim 8.

11. The method of claim 8 , wherein the lens material comprises a hydrophobic acrylic polymer material.

12. The method of claim 8 , wherein the optical fluid comprises a silicone oil.

13. The method of claim 8 , further comprising bonding the lens body to a main frame.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the main frame comprises one or more haptics.

15. calculating a radius of curvature of an anterior lens element of a lens body of an IOL and a radius of curvature of a posterior lens element of the lens body of the IOL based on a lens base power of the IOL, a first refractive index and a first Abbe number of the anterior and posterior lens elements, and a second refractive index and a second Abbe number of an optical fluid filling a cavity between the anterior and posterior lens elements; forming the IOL or causing the IOL to be formed based on the calculated radii of curvature of the anterior lens element and the posterior lens element; A method of constructing an intraocular lens (IOL), comprising:

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the front lens element comprises a refractive structure on an outer surface of the front lens element.

17. the first Abbe number is 37 to 50; The second Abbe number is 40 to 50. The method of claim 15.

18. The method of claim 15 , wherein the anterior lens element and the posterior lens element comprise a hydrophobic acrylic polymer material.

19. The method of claim 15 , wherein the optical fluid comprises a silicone oil.

20. The method of claim 15 , further comprising coupling the lens body to a main frame, the main frame comprising one or more haptics.

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