Corneal Crosslinked Onlay for Tissue-Sparing Refractive Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing refractive laser surgeries for correcting refractive errors and corneal irregularities, such as PRK, LASIK, and SMILE, face limitations including corneal thinning, regression over time, and complications like corneal haze and long recovery periods, and are less effective for higher corrections.

Innovation Solution

Applying a crosslinkable composition onto the anterior corneal surface, crosslinking it in situ, and optionally correcting the curvature without subtracting corneal tissue, using a mold to fit the patient's geometry, thereby forming a crosslinked onlay.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If subtractive refractive laser surgery is performed to correct refractive errors, then the corneal curvature is adjusted to improve vision, but corneal tissue is removed which can lead to corneal thinning and ectasia

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecorneal curvature correctionVSAvoidcorneal thickness and structural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of removing corneal tissue to reshape the cornea (subtractive approach), the invention applies a crosslinkable composition that adds material to the corneal surface (additive approach). This inverted strategy achieves corneal reshaping without compromising corneal thickness or structural integrity, thereby resolving the contradiction between curvature correction precision and corneal strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the fundamental parameter of the treatment approach from subtractive (removing tissue) to additive (adding crosslinkable composition). By applying a liquid composition that crosslinks in situ to form a corneal onlay, the method achieves refractive correction while preserving and even enhancing corneal structural integrity through crosslinking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If photoablation is used to reshape the cornea for refractive correction, then vision is improved, but the effect regresses over time due to epithelial cell overgrowth

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecorneal curvatureVSAvoiddurability of refractive correction

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention creates a composite structure by applying a crosslinkable composition that integrates with the corneal tissue. The crosslinked network formed within the corneal stroma provides long-term structural stability and resistance to epithelial overgrowth, maintaining the refractive correction effect permanently without the regression seen in conventional photoablation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the purely mechanical/thermal ablation process with a chemical crosslinking mechanism. The photopolymerization reaction creates stable covalent bonds within the corneal matrix, providing durable structural change that resists biological remodeling and epithelial overgrowth, thereby ensuring long-term stability of the refractive correction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If conventional refractive surgery is performed to achieve higher corrections, then more tissue must be removed, but this increases the risk of corneal perforation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverefractive correction magnitudeVSAvoidrisk of corneal perforation

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the traditional approach by adding crosslinkable material rather than removing corneal tissue. This allows for higher magnitude refractive corrections to be achieved safely, as the corneal onlay provides the necessary optical power without compromising corneal thickness or increasing the risk of perforation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Manufacturing precision

If PRK is performed to correct refractive error, then vision is improved, but long visual recovery periods and corneal haze occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverefractive correctionVSAvoidvisual recovery period

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the mechanical/thermal ablation process of PRK with a chemical photopolymerization process. This substitution eliminates the need for extensive epithelial healing and reduces corneal haze, significantly shortening the visual recovery period while maintaining effective refractive correction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Provides a long-term, reversible solution with reduced complications, allowing higher corrections for refractive errors and corneal irregularities, including hyperopia, presbyopia, and high astigmatism, without affecting corneal nerves or stromal tissue.

Implementation Method 1

crosslinking the composition in situ

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotopolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 2

reshaping the cornea by means of refractive laser surgery, termed laser ablation or photoablation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoablation: Laser Ablation

Data Source

PatentUS20260077099A1Methods of Treating an Eye Disorder

Publication Date: 2026.03.19 UNIVIR ZIEKENHUSNTWERPEN

AI summary

The invention provides methods of treating an eye disorder and compositions for use therein, the methods comprising applying a crosslinkable liquid composition onto an anterior corneal surface of said eye using a mold; crosslinking the crosslinkable liquid composition on the anterior corneal surface of the eye, thereby obtaining a crosslinked composition on the anterior corneal surface of the eye; and correcting the curvature of the crosslinked composition.