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

Abstract

The system includes an intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 114, 300 configured to be implanted in the eye 102 and attached or mounted to an intraocular artificial lens 112 in the eye. The system also includes an external lens 116 configured to be positioned in front of the eye. The intraocular pseudophakic contact lens and the external lens form a telescopic Galilean vision system. The external lens may include a spectacle lens or a contact lens. The intraocular pseudophakic contact lens may include an optical lens 302 configured to provide a minus optical power, and the external lens may be configured to provide a plus optical power. The optical lens of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens may include a central portion 312 configured to provide a minus optical power and an annular portion 314 surrounding the central portion and configured to provide a different optical power or no optical power.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to optical systems. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a telescopic approach based on an intraocular pseudophakic contact lens (IOPCL) for treating age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or other eye diseases.

Background Art

[0002] Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) causes deterioration of the macula in the retina of the eye. The retina is a thin tissue like paper at the back of the eye, where photoreceptor cells send visual signals to the brain, and the macula supports delicate and precise vision. Clear and sharp straight-ahead vision is centered in the macula, and when the macula is damaged, central blind spots of various sizes occur, and central vision becomes blurred or distorted. People affected by AMD will notice that as the disease progresses, many daily activities such as driving and reading become increasingly difficult and ultimately impossible. General difficulties and symptoms of AMD include loss of the ability to drive a car, loss of the ability to read, distortion or loss of central vision, a gradual decrease in contrast sensitivity, an increase in glare sensitivity and light sensitivity, the need for increased lighting for reading, and depth perception impairment.

[0003] AMD is a major cause of visual impairment and irreversible vision loss in the United States. AMD is more common among people over 50 years old and is one of the main causes of legal blindness. More than 15 million Americans are currently suffering from 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 suffer from 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, myopia, people with slightly pigmented eyes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems 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 eye diseases.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In a first embodiment, the system includes an intraocular pseudophakic contact lens configured to be implanted in the eye and attached to or mounted on an intraocular lens within the eye. The system also includes an external lens configured to be disposed in front of the eye. The intraocular pseudophakic contact lens and the external lens form a telescopic Galilean vision system.

[0007] In a second embodiment, the method includes forming a telescopic Galilean vision system using an intraocular pseudophakic contact lens and an external lens. The intraocular pseudophakic contact lens is configured to be implanted in the eye and attached to or mounted on an intraocular lens within the eye. The external lens is configured to be disposed in front of the eye.

[0008] In a third embodiment, the system includes an intraocular pseudophakic contact lens configured to be implanted within the eye and worn or attached to an intraocular lens within the eye. The system also includes an external lens configured to be disposed in front of the eye, the external lens including an eyeglass lens or a contact lens. The intraocular pseudophakic contact lens and the external lens form a telescopic Galilean vision system. The intraocular pseudophakic contact lens includes an optical lens and a haptic portion extending radially from the optical lens and configured to be inserted under the anterior tip of the lens capsule wall within the eye. The optical lens of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens is configured to provide a negative optical magnification, and the external lens is configured to provide a positive optical magnification. The rear surface of the haptic portion includes a ridge configured to capture at least one edge of the intraocular lens. The haptic portion is flexible, such that an outer portion of the haptic portion is configured to press the ridge into at least one edge of the intraocular lens based on surface pressure from the anterior tip against the outer portion of the haptic portion.

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

[0010] To more fully understand the present disclosure and its features, reference is made to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The figures 1 through 15 discussed below, and the various examples used in this patent document to explain the principles of the present invention, 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 can be implemented in any type of device or system that is appropriately configured.

[0013] This disclosure relates to devices, systems, and techniques for treating age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or other types of eye diseases using a Galilean vision system. The Galilean vision system includes an intraocular pseudophakic contact lens (IOPCL) that can be mounted, attached, or otherwise fixed to an intraocular lens (IOL) for each of one or more eyes of a patient. The Galilean vision system also includes one or more external lenses, such as spectacle lenses or contact lenses, and uses a specially designed power system to magnify an image onto the macula of the patient's eye. In particular, the IOPCL-based Galilean magnification approach can be used to provide a customized vision system for treating early and intermediate stages of AMD in pseudophakic patients. These patients may, for example, have lost sufficient vision to maintain their driving privileges. They may also have actually lost their driving license and / or the ability to read normal printed materials.

[0014] Figures 1 and 2 show an exemplary Galilean vision system 100 according to the present disclosure. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the Galilean vision system 100 is used in conjunction with a patient's eye 102. Depending on the situation, a single Galilean vision system 100 can be used with one eye of the patient, or two Galilean vision 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-sectional shape in FIG. 1 for ease of illustration and description. The cornea 104 represents the clear front 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 pupil of the eye, thereby controlling the amount of light entering the interior of the eye 102 from the cornea 104.

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

[0016] The intraocular pseudophakic contact lens (IOPCL) 114 is disposed on or otherwise in front of (optionally without contacting the iris) the intraocular lens 112. The intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 114 represents an additional lens that can be mounted, attached, or otherwise fixed to the intraocular lens 112. As shown here, the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 114 may be disposed on the front surface of the intraocular lens 112 or in front of the front surface of the intraocular lens 112, i.e., on the front surface of the intraocular lens 112 facing the eye 102. Light enters through the cornea 104 and passes through the pupil before entering the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 114 that modifies the light. Next, the modified light passes through the optical lens of the intraocular lens and is modified again. Next, the twice-modified light travels through the remainder of the eye 102 and reaches 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 fixing 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 for a short distance and conform to the underside of the anterior tip of the lens capsule 110 within the eye 102. Thereby, the haptics can be captured and confined by the anterior tip and, in some cases, attached to the lens capsule wall of the anterior tip via fibrosis or re-fibrosis. The anterior tip represents the outer portion of the anterior side of the lens capsule 110 that remains after an opening (referred to as a capsulotomy) is formed within the lens capsule 110 to allow removal of the natural lens. Insertion of the haptics of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 114 under the anterior tip serves to fix the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 114 in a predetermined position. In some cases, the healing process of the eye 102 can result in fibrosis or re-fibrosis, thereby also allowing the anterior tip to be attached to the haptics of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 114. In other embodiments, the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 114 includes one or more pins that can penetrate the lens material of the intraocular lens 112. In yet other embodiments, 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 specially designed to be used with the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 114. Generally, any suitable mechanism can be used to mount, attach, or otherwise fix the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 114 in a predetermined position relative to the intraocular lens 112.

[0018] The external lens 116 is disposed 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 a predetermined position in front of the eye 102 (such as by using a frame worn by the patient). However, the external lens 116 can also take other forms, such as a contact lens 116' that is worn covering the cornea 104 of the eye 102. The external lens 116 and the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 114 (regardless of the presence or absence of the intraocular lens 112) form the Galileo vision system 100. More specifically, the Galileo vision system 100 is formed using two strong-powered optical lenses with opposite powers. The intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 114 includes a strongly minus-powered optical segment embedded within the eye 102. The strongly minus-powered segment of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 114 causes a large refractive anomaly of hyperopia in a part of the patient's visual field while maintaining the patient's current distance vision and peripheral vision. In some embodiments, the strongly minus-powered segment of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 114 can function as the "eyepiece" for the Galileo telescope system.

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

[0020] Depending on the embodiment, the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 114 may be multifocal and can include combinations of lens powers such as a strong minus-powered optical segment and optical segments with different powers or no power. This can enable, as needed, vision using the complete Galilean vision system 100 and vision without using it. That is, by not placing the external lens 116 in a predetermined position and only placing the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 114 in a predetermined position, the patient may be able to enjoy the advantages of an improved magnification, such as a magnification of about 1.4 times to 1.6 times. This level of magnification may be sufficient to enable a patient with a reduced 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 about 0.5 (=20 / 40). This may be sufficient to read normally sized printed matter or regain the patient's driver's license. With the external lens 116 placed in a predetermined position together with the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 114, the Galilean vision system 100 can achieve an even greater magnification. Thus, in various approaches, the patient can have the benefits of a normal width and magnification of the visual field (when the external lens 116 is not in a predetermined position), as well as a greater magnification (when the external lens is in a predetermined position).

[0021] Although it is often described as being used to treat both eyes 102 of a patient, this is not necessarily required. For example, only one eye 102 of the patient may be treated, and a contact lens, glasses, or other external lens 116 may be used with that eye 102 to provide a Galilean telescope system for that eye 102. The other eye 102 of the patient may be lacking a contact lens, glasses, or other external lens 116, or may include a different contact lens, glasses, or other external lens 116 (in some cases, blank or non-corrective glasses). The other eye 102 of the patient may or may not include an intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 114, and it is not necessary for the other eye 102 to include the same type of intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 114. Generally, the approach described herein can be easily customized to provide the desired correction for each patient's eyes 102 individually or collectively.

[0022] The desired refractive power of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 114 and the external lens 116 can be achieved by any suitable method. For example, in some embodiments, the segment power of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 114 can be provided by a central opening of various powers or shapes, or a dedicated segmented zone, on the posterior or anterior side of the optical lens within the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 114. The external lens 116 can also have any suitable front and back surfaces that provide the desired refractive power.

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

[0024] Figures 3 through 9 show an exemplary intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 for a Galilean vision system according to the present disclosure. More specifically, FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300, FIG. 4 shows a top view of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300, and FIG. 5 shows a side view of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300. FIGS. 6 through 9 show 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 Galilean vision system 100 of FIGS. 1 and 2. However, the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 may be used in any other suitable Galilean vision system, and the Galilean vision system may use any other suitable type of intraocular pseudophakic contact lens.

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

[0026] The plurality of haptic portions 304a to 304c extend from a plurality of side surfaces of the optical lens 302. The haptic portions 304a to 304c extend only a short distance from the optical lens 302 and are sized and shaped to fit under the anterior apex of the lens capsule wall within the patient's eye 102 after implantation. Each of the haptic portions 304a to 304c can be formed from any suitable material by any suitable method. For example, each of the haptic portions 304a to 304c can be formed from the same material as the optical lens 302. Although three haptic portions 304a to 304c are shown here, it should be noted that the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 can include any number of haptic portions, including a single haptic portion. Also, it should be noted that the haptic portions 304a to 304c are bent at a downward angle (which generally means that the haptic portions 304a to 304c extend outwardly and rearwardly from the optical lens 302), but the haptic portions 304a to 304c can have any other suitable arrangement. Further, for example, when the haptic portions 304a to 304c are integrally formed with the optical lens 302, or when attached to the optical lens 302, or when attached to a retaining ring or other structure (integrated with or attached to the optical lens 302) using an adhesive or other suitable connection mechanism, etc., it should be noted that the haptic portions 304a to 304c can be coupled to the optical lens 302 in any suitable way.

[0027] Each of the haptic portions 304a - 304c may include a textured surface 306, which can facilitate the capture or confinement of the haptic portions 304a - 304c by the anterior tips of the lens capsule walls within the patient's eye 102. In particular, this can assist the haptic portions 304a - 304c in fixing the intraocular contact lens 300 in a predetermined position on or to the intraocular lens 112. In some cases, the textured surface 306 enables the haptic portions 304a - 304c to actually physically bond to the anterior tips of the lens capsule walls within the patient's eye 102, for example, via fibrosis or re - fibrosis during the healing process. In other cases, the textured surface 306 can readily resist the movement of the haptic portions 304a - 304c relative to the anterior tips of the lens capsule walls within the patient's eye 102.

[0028] Each textured surface 306 represents any suitable structure that facilitates confinement, capture, or attachment of the haptic portions 304a - 304c by or to the anterior apex of the lens capsule. In some cases, each textured surface 306 can represent an electrical discharge machining (EDM) finish, or each textured surface 306 can represent holes formed partially or completely through the haptic portions 304a - 304c (in which case the number and size of the holes in the textured surface 306 can be varied as needed or desired). Note that other forms of texturing may be used here, or texturing may not be required. Also note that the haptic portions 304a - 304c may be omitted when not needed, such as when the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 can be held in place on the intraocular lens 112 by surface tension, an adhesive, or other techniques. Further, note that other types of haptic portions can be used with the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300, or pins embedded in or passing through the protrusions from the optical lens of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300, or other structures of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 can be used to fix the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 to the intraocular lens 112. Generally, 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 haptic portions 304a - 304c of the intraocular phakic contact lens 300 are formed as large protrusions extending from the side surface of the optical lens 302, effectively forming long "wings" extending from the optical lens 302. The inner portions of each of the haptic portions 304a - 304c protrude outwardly and downwardly (posteriorly) in this example, and the outer portions of each of the haptic portions 304a - 304c protrude outwardly and slightly upwardly in this example (however, the outer portions of each of the haptic portions 304a - 304c may be flexible as described below). Note, however, that other configurations for the haptic portions 304a - 304c can be used. Each of the outer portions of the haptic portions 304a - 304c has a thickness that tapers towards the outer edge of the haptic portions 304a - 304c, thereby allowing the haptic portions 304a - 304c to be more easily inserted under the anterior apex of the lens capsule wall within the patient's eye 102. The lower surfaces of the haptic portions 304a - 304c also include raised portions 308, and the plurality of raised portions 308 of the plurality of haptic portions 304a - 304c can be used to capture one or more edges of the underlying intraocular lens 112. This can help to center the intraocular phakic contact lens 300 on the intraocular lens 112. This can also help to hold the intraocular phakic contact lens 300 in place on the intraocular lens 112 during the healing process or during use. The raised portions 308 are shown here as generally flat or slightly curved, but the raised portions 308 may incorporate other features. For example, a lip may be formed by small inward protrusions extending inwardly from the bottom or other portions of the raised portions 308 towards 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 haptic portions 304a to 304c can have any suitable position within the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300. For example, in some embodiments, the haptic portions 304a to 304c are arranged at equal intervals, separated by approximately 120°. In other embodiments, the haptic portion 304a is separated from each of the haptic portions 304b to 304c by approximately 125°, and the haptic portions 304b to 304c are separated from each other by approximately 110° (this may be based on, for example, the positions of the haptic portions of the intraocular lens 112 in which the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 is disposed), the haptic portions 304a to 304c are separated at unequal intervals. Also, in some cases, the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 may be designed to be implanted into the patient's eye 102 in a specific orientation, and at least one alignment marking 310 may be provided to identify the appropriate orientation of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 within the eye 102. In this example, when the intraocular lens 112 within the eye 102 is visible to a surgeon or other practitioner, a single alignment marking 310 in the form of a raised letter "R" can be used, for example, to identify the haptic 304a disposed on the right side of the intraocular lens 112. However, here, any other or additional alignment marking 310 can be used, or the alignment marking may not be used.

[0031] The optical lens 302 can have any suitable refractive power depending on the embodiment. In this example, the optical lens 302 includes a first lens portion 312 and a second lens portion 314, and the two portions 312-314 of the optical lens 302 can provide different levels of optical magnification. For example, the first lens portion 312 can provide a certain amount of magnification (such as magnification with a strong minus power), and the second lens portion 314 can provide a different amount of magnification, or in some cases, provide little or no magnification. In this example, to provide a strong minus power, the front surface of the first lens portion 312 can be convex or concave, and the rear surface of the first lens portion 312 can be concave. The amount of magnification with a strong minus power can be adjusted here by changing one or more of the shapes of the front and rear surfaces of the first lens portion 312. For example, FIGS. 6 to 9 show exemplary cross-sectional views of the intraocular phakic contact lens 300 along line A-A of FIG. 4, and different first lens portions 312a-312d are shown as having different shapes on their front surfaces. Due to these different shapes, the different first lens portions 312a-312d can provide different amounts of magnification with a strong minus power. As a specific example, the lens portion 312a can provide a refractive power of -15 diopters, the lens portion 312b can provide a refractive power of -20 diopters, the lens portion 312c can provide a refractive power of -25 diopters, and the lens portion 312d can provide a refractive power of -5 diopters (however, these are only exemplary values).

[0032] As a result, the first lens portion 312 within the intraocular lens contact lens 300 can be used to provide a large amount of negative diopter optical magnification. This supports the use of the intraocular lens contact lens 300 in the Galilean vision system 100, and the external lens 116 can provide a large amount of positive diopter optical magnification. The second lens portion 314 within the intraocular lens contact lens 300 can be used to provide different amounts of optical magnification or no optical magnification at all. For example, the front surface of the second lens portion 314 may be convex, and the rear surface of the second lens portion 314 may 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 diseases.

[0033] In this particular example, the first lens portion 312 is generally circular and is disposed at the center of the intraocular lens 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 position within the intraocular lens contact lens 300. Generally, the size, shape, and position of the lens portions 312-314 can be varied as needed or desired to provide the desired optical magnification.

[0034] The intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 shown in FIGS. 3 to 9 can be easily fixed covering the intraocular lens 112 by using the anterior apex of the lens capsule wall in the eye 102 to capture and confine the haptic portions 304a-304c of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300, etc. In some cases, this can also include physically coupling the haptic portions 304a-304c to the anterior apex of the lens capsule wall, for example, via a fibrosis or re-fibrosis mechanism. Thus, in some embodiments, the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 may not need to be designed to act specifically by 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 easily sized so that when the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 is placed on the intraocular lens 112, it can be fixed in place by being captured and confined (optionally in combination with) by the anterior apex of the lens capsule wall. Thereby, the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 can 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 the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens may be designed to specifically fit a particular intraocular lens in other embodiments.

[0035] Furthermore, the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 can be easily removed from the patient's eye 102 at any suitable time after implantation or before attaching the haptic portions 304a-304c to the lens capsule wall (assuming that the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 is retained in place by fibrosis or re-fibrosis). In particular, this allows for the removal of one intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 and replacement with a different intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 if different optical magnifications are required 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 made available in a diameter range of from about 4 millimeters to about 6 millimeters. Also, the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 can be made available by varying the base curvature of their optical lenses 302. Of course, the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 can also be custom designed for a particular patient's eye 102 when one or more specific curvatures are required, for example, to provide a desired amount of optical magnification for the 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, can have the following design parameters. The diameter of the first lens portion 312 may be about 2.25 millimeters, the diameter of the second lens portion 314 may be about 4.5 millimeters, the diameter of the circle defined by the ridge 308 may be about 6.05 millimeters, and the diameter of the circle defined by the outer edges of the haptics 304a - 304c may be about 7 millimeters. The straight edge portions of each of the haptics 304a - 304c, when viewed from the top, may taper from a distance of about 0.97 millimeters to about 0.63 millimeters, and the straight edge portions define an angle of about 15°. The optical lens 302 may have a thickness of about 0.375 millimeters along its outer edge, and there may be a step of about 0.065 millimeters between the rear surface of the optical lens 302 along its outer edge and the rear surfaces of the haptics 304a - 304c. Each of the ridges 308 can form an angle of about 10° with respect to the central optical axis of the optical lens 302, and the rear surfaces of the haptics 304a - 304c can extend from the optical lens 302 at an angle of about 103° with respect to the central optical axis of the optical lens 302. The distance between the ridge 308 and the outer edges of each of the haptics 304a - 304c may be about 0.48 millimeters. The various corners and edges of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 may be rounded, and the radii of curvature of the front and rear surfaces of the first and second lens portions 312 - 314 can vary based on the desired optical magnification 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 can vary as required, as necessary, or as desired, depending on the embodiment of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300.

[0038] The intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 can be non-invasively implanted into a patient's eye 102 and can be easily positioned on the intraocular lens 112. Since the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 is installed on the front surface of the intraocular lens 112, the implantation is non-invasive and is typically easily accessible by a surgeon or other practitioner during the implantation procedure. 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 a sulcus of the patient's eye 102, so the implantation is also non-invasive. The non-invasive implantation and easy positioning of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 enable a safe and effective surgical procedure for treating AMD or other eye diseases.

[0039] When the haptic portions 304a-304c of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 include the raised portions 308, the raised portions 308 can be used to center the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 on the underlying intraocular lens 112 as described above. When the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 includes a plurality of haptic portions 304a-304c having associated raised portions 308, the raised portions 308 can serve to fully center the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 30 on the underlying intraocular lens. With such an approach, the raised portions 308 of the haptic portions 304a-304c of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens can capture the underlying intraocular lens 112 at its edge and can align the optical center of the optical lens of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens and the optical center of the intraocular lens 112 perfectly in a line. This alignment helps to reduce or avoid induced optical aberrations or induced prisms caused by misalignment of the optical centers.

[0040] In the above example, it should be noted that the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 can be designed such that only the haptic portions 304a-304c of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 extend under the anterior tip of the lens capsule wall within the patient's eye 102. Thereby, without fixing the optical lens 302 of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 and leaving it generally hidden by the surrounding tissues within the patient's eye 102, the haptic portions 304a-304c can be captured and confined by the anterior tip.

[0041] Also, in some embodiments, it should be noted that 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, using this instrument, at least a portion of the anterior tip of the patient's eye 102 can be separated from the implanted intraocular lens 112, allowing the haptic portions 304a-304c of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 to be inserted between the anterior tip and the intraocular lens 112. As another example, using this instrument, the anterior tip of the patient's eye 102 can be separated from the implanted intraocular pseudophakic contact lens, and the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens can be removed (or replaced).

[0042] Figures 3 through 9 show one example of an intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 for a Galilean vision system 100, although various modifications may be made to Figures 3 through 9. For example, the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 can include any suitable number of each component shown in the figures. As a specific example, the optical lens 302 is shown as having two portions 312 and 314, although the optical lens 302 may have more than two regions (such as two or more annular regions surrounding a central region). Also, the forms of the haptic portions 304a - 304c shown here are merely examples, and any other suitable structure or other mechanism can be used to fix the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 in a predetermined position. Further, several other features can be used at one or more positions of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300. For example, one or more drug - eluting materials can be disposed on the upper, side, or bottom surface of the optical lens within the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens. Additionally, the specific dimensions, visual acuity, refractive power, and other values described above are for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the present disclosure to specific values.

[0043] Furthermore, the intraocular phakic contact lens 300 shown in FIGS. 3 to 9 represents an example of a type of intraocular device that can be designed or modified for use in the Galileo vision system 100. However, various other intraocular devices can be designed or modified for use in the Galileo vision system 100. For example, U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2020 / 0121446 (A1) and 2019 / 0076237 (A1) (both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety) disclose several intraocular phakic contact lenses that can be modified to include an optical lens that provides a central strong minus optical magnification, thereby enabling these intraocular phakic contact lenses to be used in the Galileo vision system 100. In particular, the intraocular phakic contact lenses disclosed in the documents incorporated by reference above can use pins, tactile loops, or other structures to fix the intraocular phakic contact lens to the intraocular lens, and any of these structures may be used with the intraocular phakic contact lens within the Galileo vision system.

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

[0045] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the intraocular lens 112 includes an optical lens 1002 and a haptic portion 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 that light onto the retina of the eye 102. The haptic portion 1004 serves to hold the intraocular lens 112 within the lens capsule 110 such that the optical lens 1002 is in a desired position within the eye 102. It should be noted that the forms of the optical lens 1002 and the haptic portion 1004 shown herein are merely examples, and other intraocular lenses can include different optical lenses or different haptic portions.

[0046] FIGS. 12 through 14 show exemplary couplings of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 to the intraocular lens 112 for use in a Galilean vision system according to the present disclosure. For ease of explanation, this coupling can be described as being performed to assist in forming the Galilean vision system 100 of FIGS. 1 and 2. However, this coupling can include any other suitable Galilean vision system, and the Galilean vision system can use any other coupling of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens and the intraocular lens.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 12, the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 and the intraocular lens 112 are shown in side profile, and the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 is being moved toward the intraocular lens 112. The outer portions 1202 of each of the haptic portions 304a - 304c are here bent at a partially upward angle, which facilitates the coupling of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 to the intraocular lens 112 as described below. The intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 can 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 FIG. 13, the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 is disposed on the front surface of the intraocular lens 112. However, in FIG. 13, since it is assumed that the outer portions 1202 of the haptic portions 304a-304c are not disposed under the anterior apex in the eye 102, the outer portions 1202 of the haptic portions 304a-304c are still partially bent at an upward angle here. Thereby, the ridges 308 of the haptic portions 304a-304c can more easily surround and capture the outer edge of the optical lens 1002 of the intraocular lens 112.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 14, the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 is fixed to the front surface of the intraocular lens 112. In FIG. 14, it is assumed that the outer portions 1202 of the haptic portions 304a-304c are disposed under the anterior apex in the eye 102. The anterior apex applies a downward force to the outer portions 1202 of the haptic portions 304a-304c. Assuming that the haptic portions 304a-304c are flexible, this surface pressure causes the outer portions 1202 of the haptic portions 304a-304c to deflect and bend partially at a downward angle, serving to push the ridges 308 (and optionally any lips or other structures on the ridges 308) into the outer edge of the optical lens 1002 of the intraocular lens 112. This helps to fix the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 to the intraocular lens 112 and helps to align the optical axes of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 and the intraocular lens 112 in a line.

[0050] FIGS. 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 Galilean vision system 100, and FIGS. 12 to 14 show an example of the attachment of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 to the artificial intraocular lens 112 for use in the Galilean vision system 100, but various modifications may be made to FIGS. 10 to 14. For example, any other suitable mechanism (which may in some cases simply include surface tension) can be used to hold the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens on or against the intraocular lens.

[0051] FIG. 15 shows an exemplary method 1500 for forming a Galilean vision system according to the present disclosure. For ease of explanation, method 1500 is described as using an intraocular phakic contact lens 300 and an external lens 116 as part of the formation of Galilean vision system 100. However, method 1500 may use any other suitable intraocular phakic contact lens and any other suitable external lens, and may form any other suitable Galilean vision system.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 15, an intraocular phakic contact lens (IOPCL) is inserted into the patient's eye at step 1502 and fixed to the patient's eye at step 1504. This may include, for example, a surgeon or other practitioner selecting an intraocular phakic contact lens 300 from a kit or the like that provides a desired amount of strong minus optical magnification. This may also include a surgeon or other practitioner forming a small incision in the patient's eye 102 and inserting the intraocular phakic contact lens 300 into the eye 102 through the incision. The intraocular phakic contact lens 300 may be rounded, folded, or otherwise reduced in cross-sectional size for insertion through the smaller incision. This may further include sliding under the anterior tip of the lens capsule wall within the patient's eye 102 or otherwise including one or more haptic portions 304a-304c of the inserted intraocular phakic contact lens 300.

[0053] The external optical lens is selected in step 1506 for use with the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens and obtained in step 1508. This can include, for example, a surgeon or other practitioner selecting an appropriate external lens 116 that provides the desired amount of strong plus diopter optical magnification. This can also include a surgeon or other practitioner forming the external lens 116 or, alternatively, the patient obtaining an external lens 116 that has the desired amount of strong plus diopter optical magnification. The intraocular pseudophakic contact lens and the external optical lens are used as a Galilean vision system in step 1510. This can include, for example, the patient having an implanted intraocular pseudophakic contact lens 300 (functioning as the eyepiece lens of the Galilean vision system) and wearing an external lens 116 (functioning as the objective lens of the Galilean vision system).

[0054] FIG. 15 shows one example of a method 1500 for forming a Galilean vision system 100, although various changes may be made to FIG. 15. For example, although shown as a series of steps, the various steps of FIG. 15 may be repeated, occur in parallel, occur in a different order, or occur any number of times.

[0055] It may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used throughout this patent document. The terms "include" and "comprise" and their derivatives mean inclusion without limitation. 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 the property of, have a relationship to or with, etc. The phrase "at least one" when used with a list of items means that different combinations of one or more of the listed items may be used and further that only one item in the list may be required. For example, "at least one of A, B, and C" includes any of A, B, C, A and B, A and C, B and C, and the combination A and B and C.

[0056] The description in this patent document should not be construed to imply that any particular element, step, or function is an essential or critical element to be included in the claims. Also, the use of the exact phrase "means for" or "step for" is not intended to invoke 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) with respect to any claim in the appended claims or claim elements, unless a participle phrase that specifies a function follows and is explicitly used in a particular claim. The use of terms such as "mechanism", "module", "device", "unit", "component", "element", "member", "apparatus", "machine", "system", "processor", "processing device", or "controller" (but not limited to these) in the claims is understood and intended to refer to structures known to those of ordinary skill in the art that are further modified or enhanced by the characteristics of the claim itself and is not intended to invoke 35 U.S.C. § 112(f).

[0057] Although the present disclosure has been described with respect to specific embodiments and generally related methods, modifications and substitutions of these embodiments and methods will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, the foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments does not define or constrain the present disclosure. Other changes, substitutions, and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An intraocular pseudophakic contact lens configured to be implanted in the eye and to be worn or attached to an intraocular lens in the eye, and an external lens configured to be disposed in front of the eye comprising wherein the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens and the external lens form a telescopic Galilean vision system, wherein the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens comprises (i) an optical lens and (ii) a haptic portion extending radially from the optical lens and configured to be inserted under the anterior apex of the lens capsule wall in the eye, wherein the rear surface of the haptic portion comprises a raised portion configured to complement at least one edge of the intraocular lens, wherein the haptic portion is flexible such that an outer portion of the haptic portion is configured to push the raised portion into the at least one edge of the intraocular lens based on a surface pressure from the anterior apex on the outer portion of the haptic portion, a system.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the external lens comprises one of a spectacle lens and a contact lens.

3. wherein the optical lens is configured to provide a negative dioptric magnification, wherein the external lens is configured to provide a positive dioptric magnification, the system according to claim 1.

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

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the front surface of the haptic portion is configured to contact the inner lens capsule wall surface at the anterior apex, and the front surface of the haptic portion comprises a textured surface.

6. wherein the optical lens comprises a central portion configured to provide a negative dioptric magnification, wherein the optical lens further comprises an annular portion surrounding the central portion and configured to provide a different dioptric magnification or no dioptric magnification at all, the system according to claim 1.

7. wherein the central portion of the optical lens comprises a convex or concave front surface and a concave rear surface, wherein the annular portion of the optical lens comprises a convex front surface and a concave rear surface, the system according to claim 6.

8. Before the outer portion of the haptic portion is disposed under the anterior apex, the raised portion is bent at an outward angle The system according to claim 1, wherein the tactile part is flexible, and the surface pressure from the anterior tip against the outer part of the tactile part enables the raised part to bend at an inward angle.

9. The raised part of each tactile part is defined at a location where a greater thickness of the outer part of the tactile part contacts a smaller thickness of the inner part of the tactile part. The system according to claim 1, wherein the tactile part is flexible, and the outer part of each tactile part can bend at an upward angle before the outer part of the tactile part is placed under the anterior tip.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the flexibility of the tactile part allows the surface pressure from the anterior tip against the outer part of the tactile part to push the outer part of the tactile part downward.

11. An intraocular pseudophakic contact lens configured to be implanted in the eye and attached to or mounted on an intraocular lens in the eye, An external lens configured to be disposed in front of the eye, the external lens comprising one of a spectacle lens and a contact lens Comprising The intraocular pseudophakic contact lens and the external lens form a telescopic Galilean vision system. The intraocular pseudophakic contact lens comprises (i) an optical lens and (ii) a tactile part extending radially from the optical lens and configured to be inserted under the anterior tip of the lens capsule wall in the eye. The optical lens of the intraocular pseudophakic contact lens is configured to provide a negative optical magnification. The external lens is configured to provide a positive optical magnification. The rear surface of the tactile part comprises a raised part configured to capture at least one edge of the intraocular lens. The tactile part is flexible, whereby the outer part of the tactile part is configured to push the raised part into the at least one edge of the intraocular lens based on the surface pressure from the anterior tip against the outer part of the tactile part.

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