Central-Peripheral Corneal Ablation for Presbyopia Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for presbyopia, such as lenses, implants, and multifocal refractive surgery, fail to provide satisfactory results in certain situations.
Innovation Solution
An ophthalmic surgical system comprising controllable components and a computer that generates a light beam and scanner to ablate the cornea, creating a protrusion in the central region for near-vision and correcting the peripheral region to emmetropia, with customizable dimensions and alignment to the visual axis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multifocal refractive surgery is performed to treat presbyopia, then near-vision ability is improved, but visual quality and satisfaction are reduced due to halos and glare
Solution Approach 1:
The cornea is divided into distinct functional zones: a central presbyopia treatment zone that creates a protrusion for near-vision, and a peripheral refractive treatment zone for distance correction. This segmentation allows each zone to independently address specific visual needs without the overlapping optical paths that cause halos and glare in multifocal treatments.
Solution Approach 2:
Different ablation profiles are applied to different regions of the cornea. The central region receives a profile designed to create a protrusion for near-vision enhancement, while the peripheral region receives a profile optimized for distance correction to emmetropia. This local differentiation eliminates the uniform multifocal pattern that generates visual disturbances.
2Reliability
If tissue is removed from the central region to create a protrusion for near-vision, then near-vision ability is improved, but corneal strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The ablation removes only the necessary amount of tissue to create the protrusion shape required for near-vision correction, avoiding excessive tissue removal that would weaken the cornea. The peripheral region retains sufficient tissue integrity to maintain corneal strength while still achieving refractive correction.
Solution Approach 2:
The ablation profile is locally optimized: the central region undergoes controlled tissue removal to create the protrusion, while the peripheral region maintains greater tissue integrity. This localized approach ensures that critical structural areas of the cornea preserve sufficient strength while the central zone achieves the desired optical modification.
3Ease of manufacture
If the ablation profile treats both eyes symmetrically, then procedural simplicity is maintained, but individual visual dominance and binocular vision quality are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment plan incorporates asymmetric ablation profiles tailored to each eye's visual dominance and refractive needs. The dominant eye receives a profile optimized for its specific visual requirements, while the non-dominant eye receives a corresponding asymmetric profile. This asymmetry ensures optimal binocular vision by respecting the natural dominance hierarchy and individual optical characteristics of each eye.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively corrects presbyopia by providing near-vision through a corneal protrusion and emmetropia in the peripheral region, improving visual acuity for both near and far objects.
Implementation Method 1
a light source that generates a light beam... to ablate the cornea
Data Source
AI summary
According to certain embodiments, an ophthalmic surgical system for treating presbyopia comprises controllable components and a computer. The controllable components comprise a light source that generates a light beam and a scanner that directs a focal point of the light beam. The computer determines an ablation profile to remove tissue from a central region and a peripheral region of a cornea of a first eye of a pair of eyes. The ablation profile is designed to remove tissue from the central region to yield a protrusion to provide for near-vision, and to remove tissue from the peripheral region to correct to emmetropia.