Intraocular Lens Coating Resists Interlenticular Opacification
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Dual optic and piggyback intraocular lens systems are susceptible to interlenticular opacification (ILO), which can impair visual performance.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a hydrophobic material body with a hydrophilic or super-hydrophobic coating on the outer surface of intraocular lenses to prevent ILO, where the coating faces and opposes the surface of an adjacent lens, forming an interlenticular space and potentially reducing opacification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If dual optic or piggyback intraocular lens systems are implanted to improve visual performance, then focal range or visual quality is enhanced, but interlenticular opacification (ILO) develops between the lenses
Solution Approach 1:
A coating layer is introduced as an intermediary between the two intraocular lenses. This coating, formed of hydrophilic material or super-hydrophobic material, acts as a mediator that prevents direct interaction between the lens surfaces that would otherwise lead to opacification. The coating creates a protective interface that maintains lens clarity while allowing the dual-lens system to function.
Solution Approach 2:
The surface properties of the intraocular lenses are modified by changing the chemical composition of the outer surface through coating. The coating material has different wettability characteristics (hydrophilic or super-hydrophobic) compared to the underlying lens material, altering the surface energy and preventing protein adsorption or cellular growth that cause opacification.
2Ease of operation
If acrylate based soft IOLs are used to enable folding and smaller incision implantation, then ease of implantation is improved, but susceptibility to ILO formation increases in two-lens systems
Solution Approach 1:
The coating is applied selectively to specific regions of the intraocular lens, particularly on the outer surface that faces the adjacent lens. This localized treatment modifies only the critical interface area where ILO formation occurs, while maintaining the bulk properties of the acrylate material that enable folding and biocompatibility.
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 hydrophobic-hydrophilic or hydrophobic-super-hydrophobic interface helps prevent opacification between lenses, enhancing the stability and visual performance of dual optic and piggyback intraocular lens systems.
Implementation Method 1
The body is formed of a hydrophobic material and the coating is formed of a hydrophilic material or a super-hydrophobic material
Implementation Method 2
the coating is formed of a hydrophilic material or a super-hydrophobic material
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The present invention is directed to an intraocular lens, an intraocular lens system (10) and a method of producing and/or implanting the lens or system in an eye wherein at least one intraocular lens (12, 14) includes a coating (24) that aids in resisting interlenticular opacification (ILO). The material of the coating is preferably hydrophilic or super-hydrophobic.