Prosthesis (i.e. – artificial body members) – parts thereof – or ai – Eye prosthesis – Intraocular lens
Reexamination Certificate
2000-11-21
2002-11-19
Willse, David H. (Department: 3738)
Prosthesis (i.e., artificial body members), parts thereof, or ai
Eye prosthesis
Intraocular lens
C623S006530, C623S006360
Reexamination Certificate
active
06482229
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to intraocular lenses and, in particular, to an anterior chamber intraocular lens adapted to be fastened to the posterior aspect of the cornea.
Intraocular lenses (IOLs) are commonly used to modify or enhance vision. IOLs can be placed at various positions or locations within the eye. For example, IOLs can be placed in the anterior chamber (AC) of the eye, that is, the region of the eye posterior of the cornea and anterior of the iris.
IOLs may generally be classed by material. Hard or rigid IOLs are distinguished from soft IOLs that may be folded to facilitate implantation through a small incision in the cornea or sclera.
Although there are substantial advantages to placing the IOL in the anterior chamber of the eye, various complications have been reported as a result of the presence of IOLs in such anterior chambers. For example, anterior chamber IOLs have been reported to cause detrimental endothelial cell loss in the eye; pupil retraction or ovalling, which can be both cosmetically and functionally detrimental; pupillary block, which can cause glaucoma; and decentration or offsetting displacement of the IOL away from a preferred optical axis. Such complications are particularly troublesome when the anterior chamber IOL is structured to be fixated against the iridio/corneal angle, a very delicate region of the eye. One solution to this problem for acrylic lenses, which are foldable but relatively harder than silicone lenses, has been to provide enlarged feet or pods on the end of the fixation members or haptics. In this manner, a larger surface area contact reduces irritation to the iridio/corneal angle. It would be advantageous to provide anterior chamber IOLs which result in reduced incidences of one or more of these complications.
IOLs advantageously have been foldable for insertion through small incisions in eyes, particularly for insertion in the capsular bags in the posterior chambers of the eyes. Anterior chamber IOLs have a tendency to move in a relatively uncontrolled manner after implantation in the eye. Such uncontrolled movement of an IOL in the anterior chamber can detrimentally affect the iris and/or the cornea. For example, the IOL touching the cornea can result in harmful endothelial cell loss.
It would be advantageous to provide anterior chamber IOLs which have a reduced tendency to cause or do not cause one or more of: endothelial cell loss in the eye; pupil retraction or ovalling, which can be both cosmetically and functionally detrimental; pupillary block, which can cause glaucoma; and decentration or offsetting displacement of the IOL away from a preferred optical axis. Further, it would be advantageous to eliminate problems associated with IOL fixation against the delicate iridio/corneal angle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
New IOLs for implantation in eyes, in particular in anterior chambers of the eyes, have been discovered.
The present invention provides a method of implanting an intraocular lens in an eye having a cornea, an optical axis, and an anterior chamber. The method includes introducing the intraocular lens into the anterior chamber of the eye, and suspending the lens from the cornea. The intraocular lens may have at least one (and desirably two) fixation member(s) extending outward from an optic, where the method includes implanting the fixation member(s) in the cornea from the posterior aspect. Desirably, the fixation member is implanted in the stroma layer of the cornea for better support. An elongate tunnel in the cornea may be formed into which the fixation member inserts, the tunnel preferably being formed from the exterior of the eye. Where the intraocular lens has two fixation members, two incisions in the cornea are formed generally diametrically across the optical axis, and the method includes suspending the intraocular lens by positioning each of the two fixation members in a respective incision. One of the incisions may be used to introduce the intraocular lens, preferably in a deformed, e.g., folded, configuration, to the anterior chamber. A first incision may be formed from the exterior of the eye, and a second incision may be formed from the posterior aspect of the cornea.
The present invention further includes a method of implanting an intraocular lens in an eye having a cornea defining an anterior aspect and a posterior aspect, an optical axis, and an anterior chamber. The method includes forming a least two incisions in the cornea open to the anterior chamber and suspending the intraocular lens in the anterior chamber from the incisions. The incisions may be disposed generally diametrically across the optical axis, whereby the method includes positioning each of two generally diametrically oppositely-directed fixation members of the intraocular lens in a respective incision. One of the incisions may be formed from the posterior aspect, or both of the incisions may be formed from the anterior aspect. Desirably, at least one of the incisions is sized to permit introduction of the intraocular lens in a deformed insertion configuration therethrough. At least one of the incisions may have a tunnel portion that extends within the stroma layer of the cornea, preferably for about 2 mm. Furthermore, the incision having the portion that extends within the stroma layer may have a stepped configuration, with a portion opening to the posterior aspect, and an optional portion opening to the anterior aspect.
In a further embodiment, an intraocular lens, for example, an acrylic intraocular lens for corneal implantation in the anterior chamber of an eye is provided. The intraocular lens has an optic with an optical axis and an outer edge. A pair of fixation members extends outward from the optic outer edge. A first fixation member comprises an elongate, curved strut terminating in an enlarged foot, and a second fixation member comprises an elongate, curved strut bifurcated into two outer struts each terminating in a foot that is approximately the same thickness as the associated outer strut. Desirably, each of the feet is angled respect to the associated outer strut so that the feet point away from one another. The fixation members may be angled with respect to the optical axis in an anterior direction, preferably at an angle between about 15 and about 65 degrees.
Each and every feature described herein, and each and every combination of two or more of such features, is included within the scope of the present invention provided that the features included in such a combination are not mutually inconsistent.
These and other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description and claims, particularly when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like parts bear like reference numerals.
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Brady Daniel G.
Gwon Arlene
Advanced Medical Optics, Inc.
Glack Peter Jon
Jackson Suzette J.
Stout, Uxa Buyan & Mullins, LLP
Uxa Frank J.
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