Contact lens-shaped intraocular lighting device

Abstract

A contact lens-shaped intraocular lighting device comprising: a contact lens including a dome-shaped first region that is provided in a central portion and through which light is transmitted, a ring-shaped second region that extends outward in a radial direction from an outer peripheral portion of the first region, and a ring-shaped third region that extends outward in the radial direction from an outer peripheral portion of the second region and is provided to be in contact with the sclera; and a lighting unit that is provided in the second region of the contact lens, adjusts refraction or diffusion of light provided from a light source, and emits the light into the eye.

Description

Contact lens type intraocular illumination device

[0001] The present invention relates to a contact lens-type intraocular illumination device. This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-128395, filed on August 10, 2022, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] Visual impairment is one of the major problems that impedes human social life. Eye diseases such as cataracts, retinal detachment, age-related macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy are known causes of visual impairment, and these eye diseases can also lead to blindness. Early diagnosis of eye diseases is considered desirable to prevent their progression. For example, cataracts are diagnosed by examining the transparency of the lens using a slit lamp microscope and can be treated surgically. Retinal detachment is diagnosed by fundus examination and treated with vitrectomy or scleral buckling. Age-related macular degeneration is diagnosed by fundus examination and can be treated with photodynamic therapy. Diabetic retinopathy is diagnosed by retinal photography and can be treated with laser photocoagulation or vitrectomy. Diabetic retinopathy often has no early warning symptoms, but retinal photographs reveal defects such as microaneurysms, retinal hemorrhages, and beaded retinal veins, as well as other microdefects.

[0003] Intraocular illumination devices are commonly used during intraocular surgery such as vitreous surgery, where a port is formed in the sclera at a position approximately 3.5 mm to 4.0 mm from the corneal contour, and the intraocular illumination device is inserted into the eye through the port (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0004] Photodynamic therapy, a known treatment for macular degeneration, uses a wirelessly-activated smart contact lens equipped with a drug reservoir containing a photosensitizer, a photodetector, and a micro-LED or OLED (see, for example, Patent Document 2). In a treatment using a wirelessly-activated smart contact lens, a signal from the photodetector is first sent to release the photosensitizer stored in the drug reservoir through the system and deliver it to the retinal defect. Here, the photosensitizer is a material that produces reactive oxygen species in response to light. Once the photosensitizer is delivered to the retinal defect, reactive oxygen species are produced using light from the micro-LED or OLED, and the produced reactive oxygen species are used to treat macular degeneration.

[0005] One known method for taking retinal photographs is eye diagnosis using an illumination-type contact lens assembly (see, for example, Patent Document 3). The contact lens assembly includes a contact lens including a proximal curved surface located closer to the eye and a distal flat surface opposite the proximal curved surface; a light source having a circular ring shape in plan view, which is located outside the distal flat surface of the contact lens and farther from the proximal curved surface than the distal flat surface and is connected to an external light source via an optical fiber; a cylindrical reflector surrounding the light source; and a camera located on the distal curved surface of the contact lens. With this contact lens assembly, light is irradiated from the light source located outside the contact lens toward the proximal curved surface to take a retinal photograph.

[0006] Special Table No. 2019-511273 Publication Special Table No. 2021-508860 Publication Special Table No. 2022-508709

[0007] When using an invasive intraocular illumination device such as that described in Patent Document 1, the intraocular illumination device is inserted into the eye via a port, and therefore there is a risk of infection due to trace amounts of bacteria or viruses remaining in the intraocular illumination device, even if sterilization is performed appropriately. Furthermore, when using the intraocular illumination device described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to operate the intraocular illumination device with one hand and perform intraocular treatment with the other, making treatment difficult.

[0008] The treatment method described in Patent Document 2 is effective because it does not require surgical insertion of a sensitizer, but it is a specific treatment method that uses active oxygen produced using LED light to treat macular degeneration, and its applications are limited. The contact lens assembly described in Patent Document 3 is effective for taking retinal photographs, but due to its special shape and structure, it is not intended for use in intraocular surgery and is therefore unsuitable. Specifically, the light source and reflector located outside the contact lens cannot follow eye movements and may damage the eyelid, etc. Therefore, it is not suitable for long-term use in intraocular surgery, etc. Furthermore, the light source is located outside the contact lens, making it difficult to illuminate the entire retina.

[0009] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a contact lens-type intraocular illumination device that is suitable for bilateral intraocular surgery and has high versatility while minimizing the risk of infection.

[0010] (1) A contact lens-type intraocular lighting device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a contact lens including a dome-shaped first region provided in the center and through which light passes, a ring-shaped second region extending radially outward from the outer periphery of the first region, and a ring-shaped third region extending radially outward from the outer periphery of the second region so as to be in contact with the sclera, and an illumination unit provided in the second region of the contact lens for adjusting the refraction or diffusion of light supplied from a light source and illuminating the light into the eye.

[0011] (2) In the contact lens type intraocular illumination device described in (1) above, the illumination unit may include a holographic lens that refracts light supplied from the light source and guides it into the eye, and a holographic lens drive circuit that is electrically connected to the holographic lens and changes the orientation of the holographic lens.

[0012] (3) In the contact lens type intraocular illumination device of (1) or (2) above, the illumination unit may have a plurality of holographic lens units each consisting of the holographic lens and the holographic lens drive circuit, and the plurality of holographic lens units may be arranged side by side on the same circumference of the contact lens in a plan view of the contact lens.

[0013] (4) In any of the contact lens type intraocular illumination devices (1) to (3) above, the plurality of holographic lens units may be arranged rotationally symmetrically with respect to the center of the circle of the contact lens in a plan view of the contact lens.

[0014] (5) The contact lens type intraocular illumination device according to any one of (1) to (4) above may further include a light source drive circuit provided in the second area for driving the light source.

[0015] (6) In any of the contact lens type intraocular illumination devices described above in (1) to (5), the illumination unit may have a light guide plate that guides light supplied from the light source to a diffusion sheet, and a diffusion sheet that is laminated on the light guide plate and diffuses the light from the light guide plate and guides it into the eye.

[0016] (7) In the contact lens type intraocular lighting device of (1) above, the irradiation unit may have a plurality of optical laminate units each composed of the light guide plate and the diffusion sheet, and the plurality of optical laminate units may be arranged side by side on the same circumference of the contact lens when viewed in a plane.

[0017] (8) In the contact lens type intraocular illumination device of (7) above, the plurality of optical laminate units may be arranged rotationally symmetrically with respect to the center of the circle of the contact lens in a plan view of the contact lens.

[0018] (9) In any of the contact lens type intraocular illumination devices described above in (1) to (8), an anti-reflection film may be provided on the surface of the contact lens opposite to the wearing surface, and the anti-reflection film may be disposed so as to cover the irradiation unit when viewed in plan of the contact lens.

[0019] (10) In the contact lens type intraocular illumination device according to any one of (1) to (9) above, the thickness of the first region may be equal to or greater than 0.15 mm and less than 0.25 mm.

[0020] (11) In the contact lens type intraocular illumination device according to any one of (1) to (10) above, the contact lens may be a scleral lens having a diameter of 13 mm or more.

[0021] (12) In the contact lens type intraocular illumination device according to any one of (1) to (11) above, the light source may be provided in the second region, and power may be supplied to the light source from outside the contact lens type intraocular illumination device.

[0022] (13) In any of the contact lens type intraocular illumination devices described above in (1) to (12), the outer surface of the contact lens opposite to the wearing surface may have a spherical surface corresponding to the first region, a first ring surface corresponding to the second region and continuous with the spherical surface, and a second ring surface corresponding to the third region.

[0023] (13) A contact lens type intraocular illumination device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a contact lens including a ring-shaped third region provided in contact with the sclera and a ring-shaped second region extending radially inward from an inner periphery of the third region, and an illumination unit provided in the second region of the contact lens and irradiating the light into the eye by adjusting the refraction or diffusion of light supplied from a light source. The contact lens type intraocular illumination device according to this aspect may have at least one of the configurations (1) to (8) and (10) to (12) above.

[0024] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a contact lens type intraocular illumination device that is suitable for bilateral intraocular surgery and has high versatility while minimizing the risk of infection.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a contact lens type intraocular illumination device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the contact lens type intraocular illumination device of FIG. 1 as seen from the operator's side (outer peripheral surface side). FIG. 3 is a view showing the contact lens type intraocular illumination device of FIG. 1 being attached to a patient's eye. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the contact lens type intraocular illumination device of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a contact lens type intraocular illumination device according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the contact lens type intraocular illumination device of FIG. 5 as seen from the operator's side (outer peripheral surface side). FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the contact lens type intraocular illumination device of FIG. 5.

[0026] An example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the drawings used in the following description may show characteristic parts enlarged for the sake of convenience in order to make the features of the present invention easier to understand. Therefore, the dimensional ratios of each component may differ from the actual ones.

[0027] [Contact Lens-Type Intraocular Illumination Device] Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a contact lens-type intraocular illumination device according to one embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a plan view of the contact lens-type intraocular illumination device of Fig. 1 as seen from the operator's side (outer peripheral surface side), and Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the contact lens-type intraocular illumination device of Fig. 1 attached to a patient's eye. For convenience of explanation, Figs. 1 and 3 show light irradiated into the eye with a two-dot chain line. For convenience of explanation, Fig. 3 also shows a cornea 70, a crystalline lens 71, an iris 72, and a sclera 73.

[0028] The contact lens-type intraocular illumination device 100A shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 comprises a contact lens 10 including a dome-shaped first region 1 disposed in the center and through which light passes, a ring-shaped second region 2 extending radially outward from the outer periphery of the first region 1, and a ring-shaped third region 3 extending radially outward from the outer periphery of the second region 2 so as to contact the sclera 73; and an illumination unit 4A disposed in the second region 2 of the contact lens 10, which adjusts the refraction of light supplied from a light source and illuminates the light into the eye. In this embodiment, the "central region" refers to a region located near the center in a planar view but not at an edge. In other words, the central region is surrounded by other regions. In this embodiment, the "peripheral region" refers to a region spaced radially outward from the center in a planar view. The outer periphery of the first region 1 is the portion of the first region 1 closest to the second region 2, and the outer periphery of the second region 2 is the portion of the second region 2 closest to the third region.

[0029] <Contact Lens> The contact lens 10 is a scleral lens comprising, in order from the radially inner side, a first region 1, a second region 2, and a third region 3. In the contact lens 10, the first region 1, the second region 2, and the third region 3 may be referred to as the optic zone, the Z-zone, and the landing zone, respectively. In the contact lens 10, the first region 1 is a region where an operator observes the inside of the eye, for example, using a microscope. The second region 2 is a region where the irradiation unit 4A is formed, and is located between the first region 1 and the third region 3. The third region 3 is a region where the contact lens 10 is attached to the patient's sclera 73. Of the third region 3, the attachment surface that is attached to the sclera 73 is designated by the symbol 3A. Of the surfaces of the contact lens 10, the surface opposite the attachment surface 3A is referred to as the outer surface. The outer surface of the contact lens 10 has, for example, a spherical surface corresponding to the first region 1, a first ring surface corresponding to the second region 2 and continuous with the spherical surface, and a second ring surface corresponding to the third region 3 and continuous with the first ring surface. In Fig. 1, the boundary between the first region 1 and the second region 2 is indicated by a solid line, and the boundary between the second region and the third region 3 is indicated by a two-dot chain line. The spherical surface is the surface on the exterior (S1) side of the first region 1, the first ring surface is the surface on the exterior (S1) side of the second region 2, and the second ring surface is the surface on the exterior (S1) side of the third region.

[0030] The diameter (DIA) of the contact lens 10 is, for example, 13 mm or more, and may be 15 mm or more, or 16 mm or more, where the diameter satisfies both the horizontal diameter and the vertical diameter.

[0031] In the contact lens 10, the first region 1 is, for example, a region with a diameter of 3.0 to 6.0 mm that includes the center of the contact lens 10 in a planar view. The thickness of the first region 1 may vary depending on the position, but may be, for example, 0.1 mm or more and less than 0.5 mm, 0.15 mm or more and less than 0.25 mm, or 0.15 mm or more and less than 0.20 mm. The contact lens-type intraocular illumination device 100A according to this embodiment is used during surgery, so it can be used even if the first region 1 has a thin structure with a thickness of less than 0.25 mm. A small thickness of the first region 1, such as 0.25 mm, is preferable from the viewpoint of preventing obstruction of the observation system during intraocular surgery.

[0032] The second region 2 is located more peripherally than the first region 1, and its radial size (width) is, for example, 2.0 to 5.0 mm. The second region 2 is connected to the first region 1 and the third region 3, and has, for example, a sloped structure with a steeper gradient than the third region 3. The outer periphery of the second region 2 is, for example, located 10 to 13 mm from the center of the contact lens 10 in a planar view. The thickness of the second region 2 increases, for example, with increasing radial distance from the center of the circle. The thickness of the second region 2 is greater than the thickness of the first region 1, and is 0.3 mm or more but less than 2.0 mm, preferably 0.3 mm or more but less than 0.75 mm. Because the irradiation unit 4A is formed in the second region 2, a sufficiently large thickness ensures its strength, while a sufficiently small thickness minimizes impact on other surgical instruments and observation systems. Hereinafter, the center of the contact lens 10 in a planar view may be simply referred to as the center of the circle.

[0033] As described above, the third region 3 is provided so as to be in contact with the sclera 73. The radial width of the third region 3 is, for example, 1 to 2 mm. The third region 3 is provided so as to be in contact with the sclera 73 at the attachment surface 3A.

[0034] The contact lens 10 is made of a material such as glass, methacrylic resin, or acrylic resin.

[0035] The first region 1, the second region 2, and the third region 3 constituting the contact lens 10 are, for example, integrally formed and made of the same material. However, this is not limiting, and the first region 1, the second region 2, and the third region 3 may be molded from different materials, and the contact lens 10 may be formed by bonding these together.

[0036] <Anti-Reflection Film> The contact lens type intraocular illumination device 100A further includes an anti-reflection film 30 on the surface of the contact lens 10 opposite the wearing surface 3A. The anti-reflection film 30 is disposed so as to cover the irradiation unit 4A in a plan view of the contact lens 10. The anti-reflection film 30 has, for example, a circular ring shape in a plan view. The anti-reflection film 30 is, for example, provided so as to overlap at least the second region 2, and may be provided so as to overlap the second region 2 and the third region 3. The cross-sectional shape of the anti-reflection film 30 is, for example, a shape that follows the surface of the contact lens 10 opposite the wearing surface 3A. The anti-reflection film 30 is typically provided in direct contact with the second region 2, but is not limited to this, and may be provided via another film.

[0037] The anti-reflection film 30 is a film having an anti-reflection structure, such as a black filter, an alternating laminate structure of layers of high-refractive-index material and layers of low-refractive-index material, or a film with a moth-eye structure. The anti-reflection film 30 absorbs light from the outside (S1) of the contact lens-type intraocular illumination device 100A, such as a light source provided in a surgical microscope. The anti-reflection film 30 also absorbs light that enters the eye from the light source 52 through the first region 1 and is reflected inside the eye (S2). The provision of the anti-reflection film 30 makes it easier for the surgeon to observe the inside of the eye during intraocular surgery.

[0038] <Illumination Unit> The illumination unit 4A is provided, for example, in the second region 2 of the contact lens 10. The illumination unit 4A serves to illuminate the interior of the patient's eye. For example, the illumination unit 4A illuminates the interior of the patient's eye so that the central illuminance at the fundus is 10,000 to 100,000 lx. The above illuminance complies with JIS Z9110:2010.

[0039] The irradiation unit 4A includes at least one holographic lens 21 that refracts light supplied from a light source 52 and directs it into the eye, and at least one holographic lens driver circuit 22 that is electrically connected to the holographic lens 21 and changes the orientation of the holographic lens 21. Hereinafter, the holographic lens 21 and the holographic lens driver circuit 22 are collectively referred to as the holographic lens unit 20. The irradiation unit 4A includes at least one light source 52 and at least one holographic lens unit 20. From the viewpoint of increasing illuminance, the irradiation unit 4A preferably includes a plurality of holographic lens units 20 and light sources 52, and more preferably includes three or more. The holographic lens units 20 are provided, for example, in a one-to-one connection corresponding to the light sources 52. Specifically, a holographic lens 21 (described later) is provided radially inward of the contact lens 10 relative to the light source 52 so that light from the light source can be irradiated into the eye. For example, the number of holographic lens units 20 and the number of light sources 52 are the same.

[0040] (Light Source Driving Circuit) The irradiation unit 4A further includes, for example, a light source driving circuit 51 that drives the light source 52. The light source driving circuit 51 includes, for example, the light source 52 and a circuit that drives the light source 52. The light source 52 is, for example, a substrate-stacked LED, a halogen lamp, a xenon lamp, or the like.

[0041] The light source drive circuit 51 is provided, for example, in the second region 2 of the contact lens 10. The light source drive circuit 51 and the light source 52 are supplied with power, for example, from outside the contact lens type intraocular illumination device 100A. The connection between the light source drive circuit 51 and the power source 50 may be wireless or wired. When the connection between the light source drive circuit 51 and the power source 50 is wireless, the power source 50 is, for example, a wireless drive power source provided outside the contact lens 10, and wirelessly supplies power to the light source drive circuit 51. When the connection between the light source drive circuit 51 and the power source 50 is wired, a power supply circuit 53 is provided in the second region 2 and the third region 3 of the contact lens 10.

[0042] (Holographic Lens Unit) It is preferable that the multiple holographic lens units 20 are arranged on the same circumference equidistant from the center of the contact lens 10 in a plan view of the contact lens 10. By arranging the holographic lens units 20 along the circumference, it is possible to suppress variations in illuminance within the eye in the radial direction of the contact lens 10. It is preferable that the multiple holographic lens units 20 are arranged rotationally symmetrically with respect to the center of the circle of the contact lens 10 in a plan view of the contact lens 10. By arranging the multiple holographic lens units 20 rotationally symmetrically with respect to the center of the circle of the contact lens 10, it is possible to suppress variations in illuminance in the circumferential direction of the contact lens 10.

[0043] 2 shows an example in which four holographic lens units 20 are arranged with 90° rotational symmetry on the same circumference equidistant from the center of the contact lens 10 in a plan view, but the number of holographic lens units 20 may be any number, and the arrangement may also be arbitrary. For example, the contact lens type intraocular illumination device 100A may have three holographic lens units 20 arranged with 120° rotational symmetry about the center of the circle of the contact lens 10, or may have six holographic lens units 20 arranged with 60° rotational symmetry about the center of the circle of the contact lens 10 in a plan view.

[0044] Each holographic lens unit 20 includes, for example, a holographic lens 21 that refracts light supplied from a light source 52 and guides it into the eye, and a holographic lens drive circuit 22 that is electrically connected to the holographic lens 21 and changes the orientation of the holographic lens 21. The holographic lens 21 is supported by the contact lens 10 with a degree of freedom of movement. For example, the holographic lens 21 is supported so that the angle of the incident surface of the holographic lens 21, onto which light from the light source 52 is incident, can be changed with respect to the incident light.

[0045] The holographic lens 21 and the light source 52 are preferably disposed on the inner peripheral surface side (the side closer to the eye) of the contact lens 10. For example, the holographic lens 21 is provided between the center position in the thickness direction of the second region 2 and the inner peripheral surface 2A, and is preferably provided on the inner peripheral surface 2A of the second region 2. By disposing the holographic lens 21 in this manner, it is possible to prevent the divergence angle of the refracted light at the holographic lens 21 of the holographic lens unit 20 from becoming excessive, making it easier to adjust the irradiation position within the eye.

[0046] The holographic lens 21 moves relative to the contact lens 10 in response to a signal from a holographic lens driving circuit 22, and the traveling direction and divergence angle of the light are changed in accordance with the movement of the holographic lens 21.

[0047] [Method for Manufacturing Contact Lens-Type Intraocular Illumination Device] The contact lens-type intraocular illumination device according to this embodiment is manufactured, for example, by a method including a step of manufacturing a contact lens (lens manufacturing step) and a step of forming an irradiation unit on the contact lens (irradiation unit forming step).

[0048] <Lens manufacturing process> First, the components that make up the contact lens 10 are manufactured. For example, two components that have the same shape in a plan view are formed, and are stacked in the thickness direction to form the contact lens 10. The components that make up the contact lens 10 are manufactured by means of, for example, lace cutting, spin casting, molding, or the like.

[0049] <Irradiation Unit Forming Step> Next, the irradiation unit 4A is formed in a region that will become the second region 2 of the contact lens 10. For example, the irradiation unit 4A is mounted on one surface of a member that constitutes the contact lens 10. The surface on which the irradiation unit 4A is mounted is the surface that will become the inside of the contact lens 10. In other words, it is the surface that is farther away from the surgeon.

[0050] Next, for example, the components constituting the contact lens 10 are stacked so that the irradiation unit 4A is sandwiched between the components constituting the contact lens 10. Next, an anti-reflection coating 30 is formed on the surface of the contact lens 10 opposite the wearing surface 3A. The anti-reflection coating 30 is formed using, for example, a transparent adhesive. Through the above steps, the contact lens type intraocular illumination device 100A is manufactured.

[0051] The contact lens-type intraocular illumination device 100A, as shown in FIG. 3 , is easily fitted to a patient's eye in a manner similar to that of a typical vision-correcting contact lens. The third region 3 is placed in contact with the sclera 73, thereby positioning the first region 1 and the second region 2 above the cornea. In this state, when a command input is externally given to the light source drive circuit 51 to supply power from the power supply 50 to the light source 52 and irradiate light from the light source 52, the light is irradiated into the eye via the holographic lens 21. If necessary, a command input is externally given to the holographic lens drive circuit 22, which drives the holographic lens 21 and adjusts the illumination position appropriately by changing the orientation of the holographic lens 21. This allows light to be irradiated onto any position within the eye, such as the crystalline lens, vitreous body, or fundus.

[0052] According to the contact lens type intraocular illumination device 100A of this embodiment, the illumination unit 4A is provided in the second region 2 of the scleral lens and adjusts the refraction of light supplied from the light source 52 to illuminate the interior of the eye. This allows the surgeon to illuminate the interior of the eye without holding the intraocular illumination device during surgery. Therefore, the contact lens type intraocular illumination device 100A of this embodiment is suitable for bilateral intraocular treatment. Furthermore, since there is no need to provide a port in the sclera 73 or elsewhere for inserting the intraocular illumination device, the risk of infection is reduced. Furthermore, since various intraocular regions can be illuminated simply by wearing the contact lens type intraocular illumination device 100A on the eye, a highly versatile illumination device applicable to a variety of surgeries can be provided.

[0053] Furthermore, since the irradiation unit 4A is provided in the second region 2 of the contact lens 10, intraocular illumination can be achieved by a non-invasive method that does not require the formation of a port, and the device can follow the movement of the eye, making it less likely to injure the eyelid, etc. Therefore, the contact lens type intraocular illumination device 100A is also suitable for long-term use during intraocular surgery, etc.

[0054] Furthermore, the contact lens 10 of the contact lens type intraocular illumination device 100A is provided so that the third region 3 is in contact with the sclera 73, and the illumination unit 4A is formed in the second region 2, so the position of the contact lens type intraocular illumination device 100 is less likely to be displaced. Specifically, the contact lens 10 is firmly supported between the sclera 73 and the eyelid in the third region 3, reducing movement of the contact lens 10 itself. Furthermore, even if eye movement occurs during surgery, the resulting positional shift can be minimized. Therefore, the contact lens type intraocular illumination device 100 can reduce variations in illuminance over time at specific positions within the eye, stabilizing visibility during surgery and further stabilizing the observation system.

[0055] (Modifications) The present invention is not limited to the contact lens type intraocular illumination device 100A according to the above embodiment, and may be modified as appropriate within the scope of the appended claims. For example, the contact lens type intraocular illumination device may not be provided with the anti-reflection coating 30. The irradiation unit 4A may be mounted in contact with the second region 2 of the contact lens 10.

[0056] 1 to 3 show an example in which the light source 52 is formed in the second region 2 of the contact lens 10, but the light source may be located outside the contact lens 10. For example, the light source is arranged alongside the contact lens 10 in the circumferential direction of the contact lens 10. When the light source is located outside the contact lens 10, it emits highly directional light. For example, light from the light source is emitted into the contact lens 10 after passing through the third region 3, reflected inside the contact lens 10, and incident on the holographic lens 21, where it irradiates the inside of the eye due to the refraction of light by the holographic lens 21.

[0057] 1 to 3 show an example in which the power source 50 is provided outside the contact lens 10 and is connected to the light source 52 by wire or wirelessly, but the power source 50 may also be provided in the contact lens 10. For example, the power source 50 may be provided within the second region 2. The power sources 50 may be provided in a number corresponding to the number of light sources 52, or may be provided in a number less than the number of light sources 52. When the number of power sources 50 is less than the number of light sources 52, a conductor connected to the power source 50 may be provided within the second region 2 of the contact lens 10 along the shape of the second region 2, and connected to the plurality of light sources 52. In such a configuration, the plurality of light sources 52 are connected in parallel.

[0058] Alternatively, for example, a contact lens type intraocular illumination device as shown in Fig. 4 may be used. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the contact lens type intraocular illumination device of Fig. 1. In the following figures, components similar to those in Figs. 1 to 3 are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted. In the following figures, the patient's eye is not shown, and only the reference numeral (S2) indicating that the device is intraocular is shown.

[0059] 4 includes a contact lens 10X including a ring-shaped third region 3 provided to contact the sclera 73 and a ring-shaped second region 2 extending radially inward from the inner periphery of the third region 3, and an illumination unit 4A provided in the second region 2 of the contact lens 10X for adjusting the refraction of light supplied from a light source 52 and illuminating the light into the eye. The contact lens 10X differs from the contact lens 10 in that it does not include the first region 1. The contact lens 10X includes, for example, the second region 2 and the third region 3, and further includes an anti-reflection coating 30 on the surface opposite to the wearing surface 3A.

[0060] The contact lens type intraocular illumination device 100X is manufactured by a method that further includes, after manufacturing the contact lens type intraocular illumination device 100, an opening step of forming an opening in the center of the contact lens 10 in a plan view.

[0061] The contact lens type intraocular illumination device 100X can also provide the same effects as the contact lens type intraocular illumination device 100.

[0062] The present invention may be, for example, a contact lens type intraocular illumination device 100B as shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a contact lens type intraocular illumination device according to another embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 6 is a plan view of the contact lens type intraocular illumination device of Fig. 5 as seen from the operator's side (outer peripheral surface side). For convenience of explanation, in Fig. 5, light irradiated into the eye is indicated by a two-dot chain line.

[0063] 5 and 6 includes at least one, preferably a plurality, and more preferably three or more, irradiation units 4B that are provided on the contact lens 10 and the second region 2 of the contact lens 10 and that adjust the diffusion of light supplied from a light source and irradiate the light into the eye. The irradiation unit 4B, for example, diffuses and reflects the light supplied from the light source and irradiates the light into the eye.

[0064] The irradiation unit 4B is provided, for example, in the second region 2 of the contact lens 10. The irradiation unit 4B serves to illuminate the interior of the patient's eye. As an example, the irradiation unit 4B irradiates the interior of the patient's eye so that the central illuminance at the fundus is 10,000 to 100,000 lx. The above illuminance complies with JIS Z9110:2010.

[0065] The irradiation unit 4B includes at least one light guide plate 41A that guides light from a light source 52 to a diffusion sheet 42A, and at least one diffusion sheet 42A that is laminated on the light guide plate 41A and diffuses the light from the light guide plate 41A and guides it into the eye. Hereinafter, the light guide plate 41A and the diffusion sheet 42A are collectively referred to as the optical laminate unit 40A. The irradiation unit 4B includes at least one light source 52 and at least one optical laminate unit 40A. From the viewpoint of increasing illuminance, it is preferable to include a plurality of light sources 52 and optical laminate units 40A. The optical laminate units 40A are provided, for example, in a one-to-one connection corresponding to the light sources 52. Specifically, the optical laminate units 40A, described below, are provided on the inner peripheral surface side (closer to the eye) of the contact lens 10 relative to the light sources 52. For example, the number of optical laminate units 40A and the number of light sources 52 are the same.

[0066] (Light Source Driving Circuit) The irradiation unit 4B further includes, for example, a light source driving circuit 51 that drives the light source 52. The light source driving circuit 51 includes, for example, the light source 52 and a circuit that drives the light source 52. The light source 52 included in the light source driving circuit 51 is arranged to irradiate light onto the light guide plate 41A.

[0067] (Optical Lamination Unit) In a plan view of the contact lens 10, the multiple optical laminate units 40A are preferably arranged side by side on the same circumference equidistant from the center of the circle in a plan view of the contact lens 10. By arranging the optical laminate units 40A side by side on the circumference, it is possible to suppress variations in intraocular illuminance in the radial direction of the contact lens 10. In a plan view of the contact lens 10, the multiple optical laminate units 40A are preferably arranged rotationally symmetrically with respect to the center of the circle of the contact lens 10. By arranging the multiple optical laminate units 40A rotationally symmetrically with respect to the center of the circle of the contact lens 10, it is possible to suppress variations in illuminance in the circumferential direction of the contact lens.

[0068] 6 shows an example in which four optical layering units 40A are arranged with 90° rotational symmetry on the same circumference equidistant from the center of the contact lens 10 in a plan view, but the number of optical layering units 40A may be any number, and the arrangement may also be any desired. The contact lens type intraocular illumination device 100B may, for example, have three optical layering units arranged with 120° rotational symmetry about the center of the circle when the contact lens 10 is viewed in a plan view, or may have six optical layering units arranged with 60° rotational symmetry about the center of the circle when the contact lens 10 is viewed in a plan view.

[0069] Each optical laminate unit 40A is composed of, for example, a light guide plate 41A and a diffusion sheet 42A laminated on the inner peripheral surface side of the contact lens 10 relative to the light guide plate 41A. In this embodiment, the light guide plate 41A and the diffusion sheet 42B are arranged approximately perpendicular to the thickness direction of the contact lens 10. The thickness of the diffusion sheet 42A is greater than the thickness of the light guide plate 41A. The light guide plate 41A, for example, emits light incident from a side surface of the light guide plate 41A from its main surface and guides the light to the diffusion sheet 42B. The diffusion sheet 42B transmits and diffuses light incident from, for example, one main surface, and emits the diffused light from the other main surface.

[0070] The optical laminate unit 40A and the light source 52 are preferably disposed on the inner peripheral surface side of the contact lens 10. For example, the end face on the inner peripheral surface side of the optical laminate unit 40 is provided between the center position in the thickness direction of the second region 2 and the inner peripheral surface 2A, and is preferably provided on the inner peripheral surface 2A of the second region 2. By arranging the light guide plate 41A and the diffusion sheet 42A in this manner, illuminance and intensity can be ensured.

[0071] Like the contact lens type intraocular illumination device 100A, the contact lens type intraocular illumination device 100B is easily attached to the patient's eye, with the third region 3 placed in contact with the sclera 73. When an external command is input to the light source drive circuit 51 to supply power from the power supply 50 to the light source 52 and light is emitted from the light source 52, the light enters the diffusion sheet 42A via the light guide plate 41A, and the diffused light generated by the diffusion sheet 42A is irradiated into the eye. As a result, light can be irradiated onto any position within the eye, such as the crystalline lens, vitreous body, or fundus.

[0072] According to the contact lens type intraocular illumination device 100B of this embodiment, the illumination unit 4B is provided in the second region 2 of the scleral lens and adjusts the diffusion of light supplied from the light source 52 to illuminate the interior of the eye. This allows the surgeon to illuminate the interior of the eye without holding the intraocular illumination device during surgery. Therefore, the contact lens type intraocular illumination device 100B of this embodiment is suitable for bilateral intraocular treatment. Furthermore, since there is no need to provide a port in the sclera 73 or elsewhere for inserting the intraocular illumination device, the risk of infection can be reduced. Furthermore, since various intraocular regions can be illuminated simply by wearing the contact lens type intraocular illumination device 100B on the eye, a highly versatile illumination device applicable to a variety of surgeries can be provided.

[0073] Furthermore, since the irradiation unit 4B is provided in the second region 2 of the contact lens 10, similar to the contact lens type intraocular illumination device 100A, it is non-invasive, can follow the movement of the eye, and is less likely to damage the eyelids, etc. Therefore, the contact lens type intraocular illumination device 100B is suitable for long-term use during intraocular surgery, etc.

[0074] FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a modified example of the contact lens-type intraocular illumination device shown in FIG. 6 . The contact lens-type intraocular illumination device 100C shown in FIG. 7 includes a contact lens 10 and an illumination unit 4C provided in the second region 2. The illumination unit 4C adjusts the reflection of light supplied from the light source 52 and illuminates the inside of the eye. The illumination unit 4C includes, for example, a light guide plate 41B having a circular ring shape in a planar view and a diffusion sheet 42B having a circular ring shape in a planar view and laminated on the inner peripheral surface (the surface closer to the eye) of the light guide plate 41B. The light guide plate 41B and the diffusion sheet 42B are collectively referred to as an optical laminate unit 40B. In the optical laminate unit 40B, the thickness of the diffusion sheet 42B is greater than the thickness of the light guide plate 41A, for example. The contact lens-type intraocular illumination device 100C can suppress variations in illuminance in the circumferential direction within the eye.

[0075] The contact lens type intraocular illumination devices 100B and 100C are manufactured in the same manner as the contact lens type intraocular illumination device 100A, except that the irradiation unit 4B or 4C is formed in the irradiation unit forming step.

[0076] Although the contact lens type intraocular illumination devices 100B and 100C have been shown with the same number of light sources 52, light guide plates 41A and 41B, and diffusion sheets 42A and 42B, the numbers do not have to be the same. For example, there may be more light sources 52 than light guide plates 41A and 41B, and light from multiple light sources may be irradiated onto each light guide plate 41A and 41B. This configuration can further increase illuminance. Alternatively, there may be more light guide plates 41A and 41B than diffusion sheets 42A and 42B, and each diffusion sheet 42A and 42B may be stacked with multiple light guide plates 41A and 41B.

[0077] Alternatively, for example, a contact lens type intraocular illumination device as shown in Fig. 8 may be used. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the contact lens type intraocular illumination device of Fig. 5. In the following figures, the same components as those in Figs. 1 to 3 are designated by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

[0078] 8 includes a contact lens 10X including a ring-shaped third region 3 provided in contact with the sclera 73 and a ring-shaped second region 2 extending radially inward from the inner periphery of the third region 3, and an illumination unit 4B provided in the second region 2 of the contact lens 10X for adjusting the diffusion of light supplied from a light source 52 and illuminating the intraocular space with the light. The contact lens 10X differs from the contact lens 10 in that it does not include the first region 1. The contact lens 10X includes, for example, the second region 2 and the third region 3, and further includes an anti-reflection coating 30 on the surface opposite to the wearing surface 3A.

[0079] The contact lens type intraocular illumination device 100Y is manufactured by a method that further includes, after manufacturing the contact lens type intraocular illumination device 100, an opening step of forming an opening in the center of the contact lens 10 in a plan view.

[0080] The contact lens type intraocular illumination device 100Y can also provide the same effects as the contact lens type intraocular illumination device 100.

[0081] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention as described in the claims.

[0082] In vitreous surgery, whereas conventional techniques required the intraocular illumination device to be supported with one hand, the use of the contact lens-type intraocular illumination device of the above embodiment enables bilateral techniques, which is effective.In scleral buckling surgery for retinal detachment, conventional techniques required the use of a binocular indirect ophthalmoscope to observe the fundus, which is a cumbersome procedure, but the use of the contact lens-type intraocular illumination device of the above embodiment in combination with a wide-angle fundus observation system makes fundus observation easy and effective.

[0083] 1: first region, 2: second region, 3: third region, 3A: wearing surface, 4A, 4B: irradiation unit, 10, 10X: contact lens, 20: holographic lens unit, 21: holographic lens, 22: holographic lens driving circuit, 30: anti-reflection film, 40A, 40B: optical laminate unit, 41A, 41B: light guide plate, 42A, 42B: diffusion sheet, 50: power supply, 51: light source driving circuit, 52: light source, 70: cornea, 71: crystalline lens, 72: iris, 73: sclera, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100X, 100Y: contact lens type intraocular illumination device

Claims

1. A contact lens including: a dome-shaped first region provided in a central portion and through which light is transmitted; a ring-shaped second region extending radially outward from an outer peripheral portion of the first region; and a ring-shaped third region extending radially outward from an outer peripheral portion of the second region and provided so as to be in contact with the sclera. An irradiation unit provided in the second region of the contact lens, for adjusting refraction or diffusion of light supplied from a light source and irradiating light into the eye. A contact lens type intraocular illumination device comprising the above.

2. The irradiation unit includes: A holographic lens that refracts light supplied from the light source and guides it into the eye. A holographic lens drive circuit that is electrically connected to the holographic lens and changes the orientation of the holographic lens. The contact lens type intraocular illumination device according to Claim 1, having the above.

3. The irradiation unit has a plurality of holographic lens units each composed of the holographic lens and the holographic lens drive circuit. The contact lens type intraocular illumination device according to Claim 2, wherein the plurality of holographic lens units are arranged side by side along the same circumference of the contact lens in a plan view of the contact lens.

4. The contact lens type intraocular illumination device according to Claim 3, wherein the plurality of holographic lens units are arranged rotationally symmetrically about the center of the contact lens in a plan view of the contact lens.

5. The contact lens type intraocular illumination device according to Claim 1 or 2, further having a light source drive circuit provided in the second region for driving the light source.

6. The irradiation unit includes: A light guide plate that guides light supplied from the light source to a diffusion sheet. A diffusion sheet laminated on the light guide plate for diffusing the light from the light guide plate and guiding it into the eye. The contact lens type intraocular illumination device according to Claim 1, having the above.

7. The irradiation unit has a plurality of optical laminate units each composed of the light guide plate and the diffusion sheet. The contact lens type intraocular illumination device according to Claim 6, wherein the plurality of optical laminate units are arranged side by side along the same circumference of the contact lens in a plan view of the contact lens.

8. The plurality of the optical laminate units are arranged rotationally symmetrically with respect to the center of the contact lens in a plan view of the contact lens, the contact lens type intraocular illumination device according to claim 7.

9. Further comprising an antireflection film provided along an outer surface on a side opposite to the mounting surface of the contact lens, The antireflection film is arranged to cover the irradiation unit in a plan view of the contact lens, the contact lens type intraocular illumination device according to claim 1.

10. The thickness of the first region is 0.15 mm or more and less than 0.25 mm, the contact lens type intraocular illumination device according to claim 1.

11. The contact lens is a scleral lens having a diameter of 13 mm or more, the contact lens type intraocular illumination device according to claim 1.

12. The light source is provided in the second region, Power is supplied to the light source from outside the contact lens type intraocular illumination device, the contact lens type intraocular illumination device according to claim 1.

13. The outer surface on the side opposite to the mounting surface of the contact lens has a spherical surface corresponding to the first region, a first ring surface corresponding to the second region and continuous with the spherical surface, and a second ring surface corresponding to the third region, the contact lens type intraocular illumination device according to claim 1.

14. A contact lens including a ring-shaped third region provided to be in contact with the sclera, and a ring-shaped second region extending radially inward from the inner peripheral portion of the third region, An irradiation unit provided in the second region of the contact lens and adjusting refraction or diffusion of light supplied from a light source to irradiate the inside of the eye with light, A contact lens type intraocular illumination device comprising.

15. Further comprising an antireflection film provided along an outer surface on a side opposite to the mounting surface of the contact lens, The antireflection film is arranged to cover the irradiation unit in a plan view of the contact lens, the contact lens type intraocular illumination device according to claim 1 or 14.

16. The light source is a substrate stacked type LED, the contact lens type intraocular illumination device according to claim 1 or 14.