U.S. patent application number 10/178920 was filed with the patent office on 2002-10-31 for primary and supplemental intraocular lens system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Allergan. Invention is credited to Portney, Valdemar.
Application Number | 20020161436 10/178920 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24371937 |
Filed Date | 2002-10-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020161436 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Portney, Valdemar |
October 31, 2002 |
Primary and supplemental intraocular lens system
Abstract
A supplemental intraocular lenses may be attached to
conventional primary intraocular lenses using annular wrap-around
clamps or adhesive. New primary intraocular lens configurations
have pockets for accommodating relatively small, supplemental
intraocular lenses therein.
Inventors: |
Portney, Valdemar; (Irvine,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Frank J. Uxa
Stout, Uxa, Buyan & Mullins, LLP
Suite 300
4 Venture
Irvine
CA
92618
US
|
Assignee: |
Allergan
Waco
TX
|
Family ID: |
24371937 |
Appl. No.: |
10/178920 |
Filed: |
June 24, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10178920 |
Jun 24, 2002 |
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09562405 |
May 1, 2000 |
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09562405 |
May 1, 2000 |
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08920209 |
Aug 15, 1997 |
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6113633 |
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08920209 |
Aug 15, 1997 |
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08592754 |
Jan 26, 1996 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
623/6.34 ;
623/6.28 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 2250/0036 20130101;
A61F 2220/0025 20130101; A61F 2/1648 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
623/6.34 ;
623/6.28 |
International
Class: |
A61F 002/16 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A supplemental intraocular lens for attachment to a primary
intraocular lens, comprising: an optic portion having at least one
optical power and an optic-portion periphery; a peripheral zone
surrounding at least 20% of the optic-portion periphery, the
peripheral zone having substantially no optical power and having a
reduced thickness relative to a thickness of the optic-portion
periphery.
2. The supplemental intraocular lens according to claim 1, wherein
the peripheral zone is adapted to be attached to the primary
intraocular lens.
3. The supplemental intraocular lens according to claim 2, wherein
the peripheral zone is adapted to be glued to the primary
intraocular lens using an adhesive.
4. The supplemental intraocular lens according to claim 1, wherein
the optic portion is located in a central area of the supplemental
intraocular lens and the peripheral zone is concentric with the
optic portion, and wherein the optic portion and the peripheral
zone comprise a biocompatible material.
5. The supplemental intraocular lens according to claim 4, wherein
the peripheral zone comprises an approximately uniform thickness,
wherein the optic portion is adapted to contact a first primary
intraocular-lens face of the primary intraocular lens.
6. The supplemental intraocular lens according to claim 5, wherein
the optic portion comprises a convex anterior surface and a concave
posterior surface, the concave posterior surface adapted to contact
the first primary intraocular-lens face.
7. The supplemental intraocular lens according to claim 1, wherein
the primary intraocular lens comprises a first primary
intraocular-lens face, a second primary intraocular-lens face
substantially opposite the first primary intraocular-lens face, and
a primary intraocular-lens periphery connecting the first primary
intraocular-lens face to the second primary intraocular-lens face,
wherein the supplemental intraocular lens is adapted to contact the
first primary intraocular-lens face, and wherein the supplemental
intraocular lens further comprises an additional peripheral zone
connected to the peripheral zone and adapted to be placed around
the primary intraocular-lens periphery to thereby contact the
second primary intraocular-lens face.
8. The supplemental intraocular lens according to claim 7, wherein
the first primary intraocular-lens face comprises an anterior
primary intraocular-lens face, and wherein the second primary
intraocular-lens face comprises a posterior primary
intraocular-lens face.
9. The supplemental intraocular lens according to claim 8, wherein
the optic portion is located in a central area of the supplemental
intraocular lens and both the peripheral zone and the additional
peripheral zone are concentric with the optic portion, and wherein
the optic portion, the peripheral zone, and the additional
peripheral zone comprise a biocompatible material.
10. The supplemental intraocular lens according to claim 1, wherein
the optic portion is adapted to contact a first primary
intraocular-lens face of the primary intraocular lens, and wherein
the supplemental intraocular lens further comprises an additional
peripheral zone, which is integrally formed with the optic portion
and the peripheral zone, the additional peripheral zone adapted to
contact a second primary intraocular-lens face substantially
opposite the first primary intraocular-lens face, when the
supplemental intraocular lens is attached to the primary
intraocular lens.
11. The supplemental intraocular lens according to claim 10,
wherein the peripheral zone comprises an approximately uniform
thickness, and wherein the peripheral zone may be stretched when
the additional peripheral zone contacts the second primary
intraocular-lens face.
12. The supplemental intraocular lens according to claim 11,
wherein the additional peripheral zone comprises a semirigid
annular lip surrounding a majority of the periphery zone and
adapted to contact the second primary intraocular-lens face when
the supplemental intraocular lens is attached to the primary
intraocular lens.
13. A supplemental intraocular lens for attachment to a primary
intraocular lens, comprising: an optic portion having at least one
optical power and contacting a first primary intraocular-lens face;
an additional peripheral zone surrounding at least a part of the
optic portion, the additional peripheral zone having substantially
no optical power and being adapted to contact a second primary
intraocular-lens face located substantially opposite the first
primary intraocular-lens face.
14. The supplemental intraocular lens according to claim 13,
wherein the second primary intraocular-lens face is located
substantially opposite the first primary intraocular-lens face.
15. A supplemental intraocular lens comprising an optic portion
adapted for use in an eye and having at least one optical power,
the supplemental intraocular lens including no structure effective
to independently fix the position of the supplemental intraocular
lens in the eye, the optic portion being sized and adapted to fit
within a primary intraocular lens to thereby provide supplemental
vision correction to the eye in which the primary intraocular lens
is located.
16. The supplemental intraocular lens according to claim 15,
wherein the optic portion being shaped to fit within a pocket of a
primary intraocular lens.
17. A supplemental intraocular lens comprising an optic portion
having at least one optical power, the optic portion sized and
adapted to fit within a pocket of a primary intraocular lens to
thereby provide a supplemental vision correction to the primary
intraocular lens.
18. A primary intraocular lens having at least one optical power,
and having a pocket for accommodating a supplemental intraocular
lens to thereby modify the optical power of the primary intraocular
lens.
19. The primary intraocular lens according to claim 18, wherein the
primary intraocular lens comprises a first primary intraocular-lens
face and a second primary intraocular-lens face, and wherein the
pocket is located between the first primary intraocular-lens face
and the second primary intraocular-lens face.
20. The primary intraocular lens according to claim 19, wherein the
pocket comprises a pocket anterior surface located between the
first primary intraocular-lens face and the second primary
intraocular-lens face, and also comprises a pocket posterior
surface located between the first primary intraocular-lens face and
the second primary intraocular-lens face, the pocket anterior
surface and the pocket posterior surface together forming the
pocket within the primary intraocular lens for accommodating the
supplemental intraocular lens.
21. The primary intraocular lens according to claim 20, wherein the
pocket anterior surface and the pocket posterior surface contact
one another before insertion of the supplemental intraocular lens
into the pocket of the primary intraocular lens, and wherein
insertion of the supplemental intraocular lens into the pocket of
the primary intraocular lens separates the pocket anterior surface
from the pocket posterior surface.
22. The primary intraocular lens according to claim 21, wherein the
pocket anterior surface and the pocket posterior surface are joined
together along respective circumferences of the pocket anterior
surface and the pocket posterior surface, and wherein the
supplemental intraocular lens is inserted into the pocket of the
primary intraocular lens through an area along the respective
circumferences of the pocket anterior surface and the pocket
posterior surface that is not joined together.
23. The supplemental intraocular lens according to claim 22,
wherein the pocket of the primary intraocular lens has three areas
along the respective circumferences of the pocket anterior surface
and the pocket posterior surface that are not joined together, and
wherein the supplemental intraocular lens can be inserted into the
pocket of the primary intraocular lens through any one of the three
areas.
24. A supplemental intraocular lens adapted to be attached to a
primary intraocular lens within an optically-powered area equal to
a reference area, comprising: a supplemental-intraocular-lens body
having an optically-powered face with an area less than the
reference area.
25. A supplemental intraocular lens adapted to be attached within
an optically-powered portion of a primary intraocular lens, the
optically-powered portion having a curvilinear periphery equal to a
reference distance, comprising: a supplemental-intraocular-lens
body having a curvilinear periphery less than the reference
distance.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to intraocular lenses and,
more particularly, to supplemental intraocular lenses, which can be
placed in or on primary intraocular lenses to thereby change the
effective optical power of the primary intraocular lens.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Vision is achieved in the human eye by transmitting an image
through a clear outer portion called the cornea, and focusing this
image via a natural lens onto a retina. When the natural lens
looses its ability to clearly focus the image onto the retina
through, for example, cataracts or injury, the quality of the
focused image on the retina can be severely compromised.
[0003] An accepted treatment for a damaged natural lens is surgical
removal of the natural lens and replacement of the natural lens
with an artificial intraocular lens. One way to accomplish this
procedure is to form a relatively long incision in the eye and
remove the natural lens in one piece. A more popular method for
removing the natural lens is to form a shorter incision in the eye
and insert a probe or a phaco tip of a phacoemulsification
instrument through the incision into the eye to break up the
natural lens using ultrasonic energy. The lens fragments can then
be aspirated from the natural eye through the relatively short
phaco incision, and the phaco tip is then removed.
[0004] A preferred conventional method of removing a natural lens
is accompanied with a subsequent implantation of a replacement
intraocular lens in the same surgical procedure. A typical
intraocular lens includes an optic usually having a diameter of
about 6 mm, and fixation members coupled to (or formed with) the
optic to fix the optic within the eye in the region of the
extracted natural lens. These fixation members are generally in the
form of at least two haptics, which may be flexible, elongated,
open-ended loops that project from the edge of an optic portion of
the intraocular lens. The fixation member may require additional
incision links, depending upon the number, length, and
configuration of the fixation member.
[0005] Intraocular lenses can be of two basic types, those having a
hard or rigid optic formed, for example, of polymethylmethacrylate
(PMMA) and those having a deformable optic which is constructed of
a deformable material such as silicone, hydrogel, or an acrylic.
When a hard intraocular lens is used, the small phaco incision must
be enlarged to approximately the diameter of the hard optic, in
order to permit the hard optic to be inserted through the incision.
A deformable optic, on the other hand, may have a high elongation
so that the optic can be causes to resiliently stretch and flex to
assume a small cross-sectional configuration for passage through a
small phaco incision.
[0006] Before implanting the intraocular lens, the physician must
determine the intraocular lens power needed to achieve the desired
refraction needs of the patient. This procedure can be difficult
and inexact. Errors in measurement, inaccuracy of assumptions, and
the difficulty of achieving precise placement of an intraocular
lens make the physician's selection of an exact corrective power
highly prone to inaccuracies. Post-operative changes to the
patient's eye may also change the refractive power needed for the
intraocular lenses in the patient. Consequently, the intraocular
lens, after implantation, does not always provide a perfect vision
correction. These post-operative refractive errors must often be
corrected by a subsequent surgery to replace the implanted
intraocular lens with another intraocular lens. A subsequent
surgery involves re-entry into the eye through a new incision,
removal of the initial intraocular lens, and implantation of a new
intraocular lens. Needless to say, this conventional subsequent
surgery procedure can be traumatic to the eye.
[0007] One approach for limiting the amount of trauma on the human
eye caused by subsequent replacement of the intraocular lens is
disclosed in Patel U.S. Pat. No. 5,366,502. This patent discloses
supplemental intraocular lenses which may be subsequently attached
to primary intraocular lenses after the initial implantation of the
primary intraocular lens. Addition of a supplemental intraocular
lens to a primary intraocular lens does not entail removal of the
primary intraocular lens, and further requires a relatively small
incision in the eye. The supplemental intraocular lenses, and most
of the primary intraocular lenses, of this patent include specially
configured connectors for mating the supplemental intraocular lens
to the implanted, primary intraocular lens. These connectors can be
in the form of hooks, projections, slots, and loops, which are
suitable for securing the supplemental intraocular lens to the
primary intraocular lens. These various securing means, however,
can be complex and difficult to manufacture and implement.
Additionally, the sizes of these supplemental intraocular lenses
are often unnecessarily large, thus requiring a larger incision and
more trauma to the eye.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] New supplemental intraocular lenses and new primary
intraocular lenses have been discovered. The present supplemental
intraocular lenses may be attached to conventional primary
intraocular lenses, for example, using annular wrap-around clamps
or adhesive. Thus, no special connectors need be included on the
primary intraocular lens. This is a substantial advantage since the
present supplemental intraocular lenses can be attached or secured
to any primary intraocular lens. The primary intraocular lens need
not be specially configured to accept the supplemental intraocular
lens. Put another way, the primary intraocular lens need not be
constructed to anticipate that a supplemental intraocular lens will
be used. In addition, new primary intraocular lenses which have
pockets for accommodating relatively small, supplemental
intraocular lenses therein, and such small, supplemental
intraocular lenses are provided. The present supplemental
intraocular lenses are relatively easy to insert in the eye since,
for example, they are relatively small and/or have no independent
structure effective to fix the supplemental intraocular lens in the
eye.
[0009] In one broad aspect, the present invention is directed to a
supplemental intraocular lens including a central optic portion
having at least one dioptic power, a peripheral zone surrounding
the optic portion, and an added peripheral zone having wrap-around
clamps for securing the supplemental intraocular lens to the
primary intraocular lens. The primary intraocular lens may be
conventional, for example, having no structure or structures
specifically adapted to connect or couple with the supplemental
intraocular lens. The optic portion and the peripheral zone of the
supplemental intraocular lens contact a first primary intraocular
lens face, and the wrap-around clamps contact a second primary
intraocular lens face, which is substantially opposite to the first
primary intraocular lens face. The peripheral zone can be slightly
stretched to facilitate application of the wrap-around clamps
around the periphery of the primary intraocular lens, and the
wrap-around clamps are relatively rigid to facilitate a secure fit
of the supplemental intraocular lens onto the primary intraocular
lens. One or more, for example, two apertures formed in the
supplemental intraocular lens accommodate the fixation member or
members of the primary intraocular lens, to thereby prevent
rotation of the supplemental intraocular lens, thus facilitating
cylinder corrections.
[0010] According to another broad aspect of the present invention,
the supplemental intraocular lens includes only a central optic
portion and a peripheral zone. The peripheral zone has
substantially no optical power, and has a reduced thickness
relative to the thickness of a periphery of the optic portion. The
supplemental intraocular lens is placed onto the first primary
intraocular lens face, and the outer annular portion of the
peripheral zone is attached to the first primary intraocular lens
face. The outer annular portion of the peripheral zone may be
secured to the first primary intraocular lens face using an
adhesive. This supplemental intraocular lens may be replaced with a
second intraocular lens by removing all of the first supplemental
intraocular lens, except for the outer annular portion of the
peripheral zone, and then placing the second supplemental
intraocular lens, having a slightly smaller diameter, onto the
first primary intraocular lens face.
[0011] In another broad aspect of the present invention, the
primary intraocular lens has a pocket for accommodating the
supplemental intraocular lens. The pocket is configured to expand
upon insertion of the supplemental intraocular lens, to thereby
reshape and change the refractive power of the primary intraocular
lens. The supplemental intraocular lenses used for insertion into
the pockets may be relatively small, and may have either convex or
concave surfaces, or both.
[0012] These and other aspects of the present invention are
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.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0013] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a wrap-around
supplemental intraocular lens, coupled to a primary intraocular
lens, according to a first preferred embodiment;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a top planar view of a wrap-around supplemental
intraocular lens, coupled to a primary intraocular lens, according
to the first preferred embodiment;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a adhesion-type
supplemental intraocular lens, attached to a primary intraocular
lens, according to a second preferred embodiment;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a top planar view of a adhesion-type supplemental
intraocular lens, attached to a primary intraocular lens, according
to the second preferred embodiment;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a pocket primary
intraocular lens according to a third preferred embodiment;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a top planar view of the pocket primary
intraocular lens, showing insertion of the supplemental intraocular
lens therein, according to the third preferred embodiment;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a top planar view of the pocket primary
intraocular lens with the supplemental intraocular lens inserted
therein, according to the third preferred embodiment;
[0020] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a convex/concave
supplemental intraocular lens within the pocket primary intraocular
lens, according to the third preferred embodiment; and
[0021] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a concave/concave
supplemental intraocular lens within a pocket primary intraocular
lens, according to the third preferred embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0022] FIG. 1 shows a wrap-around supplemental intraocular lens 12
attached to a primary intraocular lens 10. The primary intraocular
lens 10 is secured within the eye using two conventional fixation
members 26 (FIG. 2). Any reasonable number of fixation members 26
may be used to secure the primary intraocular lens 10 within the
eye.
[0023] The primary intraocular lens 10 can be combined with the
wrap-around supplemental intraocular lens 12 in the form of a
multi-focal optic, for example, either at the time of initial
surgical implant or later. The wrap-around supplemental intraocular
lens 12 may be initially implanted with a multi-focal power, for
example. If the patient cannot tolerate the multi-focal lens, or if
the vision needs changing, the particular supplemental intraocular
lens 12 may subsequently be replaced. The wrap-around supplemental
intraocular lens 12 does not have fixation members 26 and,
accordingly, can be removed or replaced much easier than the
primary intraocular lens 10, thus reducing trauma to the eye. If
the physician initially does not implant the correct primary
intraocular lens 10, or if subsequent complications render the
primary intraocular lens 10 insufficient, a second wrap-around
supplemental intraocular lens 12 may be subsequently surgically
implanted to correct the patient's vision.
[0024] The wrap-around supplemental intraocular lens 12 preferably
comprises an optic portion 14 having at least one optic power and a
periphery, and a peripheral zone 16 connected to the optical
portion 14. The peripheral zone 16 preferably has substantially no
optical power, and has a reduced thickness, relative to the
thickness of the periphery of the optical portion 14. This reduced
thickness of the peripheral zone 16 allows the peripheral zone 16
to stretch, according to one embodiment, when the wrap-around
supplemental intraocular lens 12 is attached onto the primary
intraocular lens 10. As presently preferred, the peripheral zone 16
stretches when the additional peripheral zone 18 is placed around
the outer perimeter of the primary intraocular lens 10. The
semirigid annular lips 20 preferably have bellows 22 for
frictionally contacting the surface 23 of the primary intraocular
lens 10.
[0025] As shown in FIG. 2, the additional peripheral zone 18
preferably fits around most of the outer perimeter of the primary
intraocular lens 10. In alternative embodiments, however, the
additional peripheral zone 18 may comprise a plurality of tabs or
strips contacting the surface 23. For example, the additional
peripheral zone 18 may comprise two small tabs. As another example,
these two small tabs may have apertures 24 for accommodating the
fixation members 26.
[0026] The wrap-around supplemental intraocular lens 12 may correct
spherical refraction error, cylinder, and presbyopia. If the
wrap-around supplemental intraocular lens 12 has cylinder
correction, it is important that it not rotate. The two apertures
24 can be placed in the additional peripheral zone 18 to
accommodate the two fixation members 26. If a different number of
fixation members 26 is used on the primary intraocular lens 10, a
corresponding number of apertures 24 may be used to accommodate
those fixation members 26.
[0027] The apertures 24 may be pre-cut into the wrap-around
supplemental intraocular lens 12 or, alternatively, may be cut by
the physician at the time of the implant of the wrap-around
supplemental intraocular lens 12. As presently embodied, an
incision of approximately one millimeter is needed to insert the
wrap-around supplemental intraocular lens 12 into the eye for
attachment to the primary intraocular lens 10.
[0028] FIG. 3 shows the adhesion-type supplemental intraocular lens
28 attached to the surface 29 of the primary intraocular lens 10.
The adhesion-type supplemental intraocular lens 28 comprises an
optic portion 14, which is surrounded by a peripheral zone 16. As
presently embodied, the peripheral zone 16 does not extend onto the
outer peripheral zone 17 of the primary intraocular lens 10. FIG. 4
shows a top plan view of the adhesion-type supplemental intraocular
lens 28 attached to the primary intraocular lens 10. Similarly to
the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the peripheral zone 16 preferably
comprises substantially no optical power and a reduced thickness,
relative to the thickness of a periphery of the optic portion 14 of
the adhesion-type supplemental intraocular lens 28. This peripheral
zone 16 preferably completely surrounds the central optic portion
14, but may comprise tabs or strips, similarly to the embodiment of
FIGS. 1 and 2. As presently preferred, this peripheral zone 16
surrounds at least 20% of the central optical portion 14.
[0029] Although the peripheral zone 16 preferably does not extend
on to the outer peripheral edge 17 of the primary intraocular lens
10, other embodiments may have a peripheral zone 16 extending onto
the peripheral edge 17. The preferred configuration of the central
optic portion 14 at least partially surrounded by the peripheral
zone 16 allows for a very small supplemental intraocular lens 28
with simple construction. Accordingly, the presently preferred
adhesion-type supplemental intraocular lens 28 may be inserted into
the eye through a very small incision of less than one
millimeter.
[0030] As presently embodied, the outer ends 31 of the peripheral
zone 16 are attached to the face of the primary intraocular lens
10. A biological glue, for example, may be used for this
attachment. The peripheral zone 16, surrounding at least 20% of the
optic portion 14, according to the presently preferred embodiment,
provides sufficient surface area for a secure adhesion.
[0031] Since only the outer ends 31 of the peripheral zone 16 are
adhered to the face of the primary intraocular lens 10, the
majority of the adhesion-type supplemental intraocular lens 28 may
be severed and removed, leaving only the adhered outer ends 31. A
second adhesion-type supplemental intraocular lens 28 may then be
placed on the face of the primary intraocular lens 10. This second
adhesion-type supplemental intraocular lens 28 preferably has a
slightly smaller diameter, to compensate for the remaining outer
ends 31 of the first adhesion-type supplemental intraocular lens
28. Alternatively, the second adhesion-type supplemental
intraocular lens 28 may have a larger diameter, or may have
peripheral zones 16 in different locations along the outer
perimeter of the optic portion 14. When the diameter of the second
adhesion-type supplemental intraocular lens 28 is larger than the
diameter of the first adhesion-type supplemental intraocular lens
28, the peripheral zone 16 of the second adhesion-type supplemental
intraocular lens 28 may overlap the remaining outer ends 31 of the
first adhesion-type supplemental intraocular lens 28. As shown in
FIG. 4, the adhesion-type supplemental intraocular lens 28 easily
fits onto the face of the primary intraocular lens 10, and
preferably has a correspondingly smaller diameter and area than
that of the primary intraocular lens 10.
[0032] FIG. 5 shows the pocket primary intraocular lens 11
according to a third presently preferred embodiment. The pocket
primary intraocular lens 11 comprises a pocket 30, which preferably
is positioned close to either the front surface 31 or the rear
surface 33 of the primary pocket intraocular lens 11. The pocket 30
preferably comprises a "clean" slice through a portion of the
pocket primary intraocular lens 11 but, alternatively, may comprise
other configurations. For example, the two interior walls 35 and 37
may have rugged or bellowed surfaces to assure, for example, that
these two walls 35, 37 do not move relative to one another when the
supplemental intraocular lens 32 (FIG. 6) is not in the pocket
30.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 6, the supplemental intraocular lens 32 can
be folded and held with a pair of stainless steel folding forceps
36. The supplemental intraocular lens 32 is moved in the direction
of arrow A1 into one of the pocket openings 34 of the pocket
primary intraocular lens 11. In embodiments where the supplemental
intraocular lens 32 is not folded, the pocket openings 34 are
larger. The pocket primary intraocular lens 11 preferably comprises
three pocket openings 34, but any reasonable number of pocket
openings 34 may be configured according to preference.
[0034] FIG. 7 shows the supplemental intraocular lens 32 unfolded
and centered within the pocket 30. As presently embodied, a good
frictional fit is achieved between the surfaces of the supplemental
intraocular lens 32 and the walls 35 and 37 of the pocket 30. If
desired, other means of providing a snug and frictional fit between
the supplemental intraocular lens 32 and pocket primary intraocular
lens 11 may be implemented.
[0035] FIG. 8 illustrates a concave/convex supplemental intraocular
lens 32 within the pocket 30, and FIG. 9 illustrates a
concave/concave supplemental intraocular lens 40 within the pocket
30. The concave/convex supplemental intraocular lens 38 may be
placed within the pocket 30 to reduce a refractive power, and the
concave/concave supplemental intraocular lens 40 may be placed
within the pocket 32 to increase a refractive power, for example. A
variety of other configurations of the supplemental intraocular
lens 32, for example, may be used within the pocket 30. As one
example, a multi-focal supplemental intraocular lens 32 may be
placed within the pocket 30. An important feature of this third
embodiment is to reshape the primary pocket intraocular lens 11
through insertion of a supplemental intraocular lens 32 into the
pocket 30.
[0036] While this invention has been described with respect to
various specific examples and embodiments, it is to be understood
that the invention is not limited thereto and that it can be
variously practiced within the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *