U.S. patent application number 10/213319 was filed with the patent office on 2003-03-06 for ophthalmic lens systems.
This patent application is currently assigned to Allergan Sales, Inc.. Invention is credited to Lang, Alan J..
Application Number | 20030045931 10/213319 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24253989 |
Filed Date | 2003-03-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030045931 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lang, Alan J. |
March 6, 2003 |
Ophthalmic lens systems
Abstract
An ophthalmic lens system for improving the vision of a patient
comprising first and second ophthalmic lenses. Each of these lenses
is adapted for implantation in an eye or to be disposed on or in
the cornea. The first ophthalmic lens is biased for distance vision
and the second ophthalmic lens is biased for intermediate vision.
The ophthalmic lenses may be intraocular lenses which are implanted
in the eyes of a patient without removal of the natural lens.
Inventors: |
Lang, Alan J.; (Long Beach,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STOUT, UXA, BUYAN & MULLINS LLP
4 VENTURE, SUITE 300
IRVINE
CA
92618
US
|
Assignee: |
Allergan Sales, Inc.
Irvine
CA
|
Family ID: |
24253989 |
Appl. No.: |
10/213319 |
Filed: |
August 6, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10213319 |
Aug 6, 2002 |
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09564317 |
May 3, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
623/5.11 ;
623/6.28; 623/6.44 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 2/1621 20130101;
A61F 2/1602 20130101; A61F 2/1613 20130101; A61F 2/1618 20130101;
G02C 7/027 20130101; G02C 7/042 20130101; G02C 7/044 20130101; A61F
2/145 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
623/5.11 ;
623/6.28; 623/6.44 |
International
Class: |
A61F 002/14; A61F
002/16 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An ophthalmic lens system for improving the vision of a patient
comprising: a first multifocal ophthalmic lens for use with one eye
of a patient; a second multifocal ophthalmic lens for use with the
other eye of the patient, said second lens having a power including
an intermediate add power for intermediate vision correction for
the patient and a maximum add power which is less than the add
power required for full near vision correction for the patient;
said second lens providing better visual acuity from intermediate
to near distances than said first lens; and each of said first and
second lenses being adapted for implantation in an eye or to be
disposed on or in a cornea of an eye.
2. An ophthalmic lens system as defined in claim 1 wherein the
maximum add power of any region of the second lens is no greater
than about said intermediate add power.
3. An ophthalmic lens system as defined in claim 1 wherein the
maximum add power of any region of the first lens is no greater
than about said intermediate add power.
4. An ophthalmic lens system as defined in claim 1 wherein the
maximum add powers of any region of the first and second lenses are
no greater than about said intermediate add power.
5. An ophthalmic lens system as defined in claim 1 wherein the
first lens provides better visual acuity for objects at infinity
than the second lens.
6. An ophthalmic lens system as defined in claim 1 wherein the
second lens is biased for intermediate vision and the second lens
focuses sufficient light to an intermediate focus region so as to
contribute to the second lens being intermediate biased.
7. An ophthalmic lens system as defined in claim 1 wherein the
second lens has a zone with said intermediate add power and said
zone has optical aberrations which increase the depth of focus of
said zone.
8. An ophthalmic lens system as defined in claim 7 wherein said
zone extends radially outwardly and has progressively increasing
powers as said zone extends radially outwardly.
9. An ophthalmic lens system as defined in claim 1 wherein each of
the first and second lenses has an optical axis, the power of each
of said first and second lenses changes along a power curve in a
radially outward direction from the associated optical axis and the
power curve for said first lens is different from the power curve
for the second lens.
10. An ophthalmic lens system as defined in claim 9 wherein the
power curve of the first and second lens at least contributes to
the second lens providing better visual acuity from intermediate to
near distances than the first lens.
11. An ophthalmic lens system as defined in claim 1 wherein the
first and second lenses are intraocular lenses.
12. An ophthalmic lens system as defined in claim 1 wherein the
first and second lenses are contact lenses.
13. An ophthalmic lens system as defined in claim 1 wherein the
first and second lenses are corneal inlays.
14. An ophthalmic lens system for improving the vision of a patient
comprising: a first multifocal ophthalmic lens for use with one eye
of a patient, said first lens having a power including a power for
distance vision correction for the patient; a second multifocal
ophthalmic lens for use with the other eye of the patient, said
second lens having a power including an intermediate add power for
intermediate vision correction for the patient and a maximum power
which is less than the full add power required for near vision
correction for the patient; said first lens providing better visual
acuity for objects at infinity than the second lens; and each of
said first and second lenses being adapted for implantation in an
eye or to be disposed on or in a cornea of an eye.
15. An ophthalmic lens system as defined in claim 14 wherein the
maximum add power of any region of the second lens is no greater
than about said intermediate add power.
16. An ophthalmic lens system as defined in claim 14 wherein the
maximum add power of any region of the first lens is no greater
than about said intermediate add power.
17. An ophthalmic lens system as defined in claim 14 wherein the
maximum add powers of any region of the first and second lenses are
no greater than about said intermediate add power.
18. An ophthalmic lens system as defined in claim 14 wherein the
second lens is biased for intermediate vision correction for the
patient.
19. An ophthalmic lens system for improving the vision of a patient
comprising: a first intraocular lens for use with one eye of the
patient said first lens having an optical axis and first, second
and third optical zones arranged radially with respect to the
optical axis, the second zone being intermediate the first and
third zones and having a greater add power than either of the first
and third zones; a second intraocular lens for use with the other
eye of the patient said second lens having an optical axis and
first, second and third optical zones arranged radially with
respect to the optical axis of the second lens, the second zone of
the second lens being intermediate the first and third zones of the
second lens and having a greater add power than either of the first
and third zones of the second lens; the maximum add power of any
region of the second lens being less than the full add power
required for near vision; and the first lens providing better
visual acuity for objects at infinity than the second lens and the
second lens providing better visual acuity from intermediate to
near distance than the first lens.
20. An ophthalmic lens system as defined in claim 19 optical zones
of the first lens are substantially annular and substantially
concentric.
21. An ophthalmic lens system as defined in claim 19 wherein the
first, second and third optical zones of the second lens are
substantially annular and substantially concentric.
22. An ophthalmic lens system as defined in claim 19 wherein the
best visual acuity provided by the second lens is for objects at
intermediate distances.
23. An ophthalmic lens system as defined in claim 19 wherein the
second lens is biased for intermediate vision and the second lens
directs sufficient light to an intermediate focus region so as to
contribute to the second lens being intermediate biased.
24. An ophthalmic lens system as defined in claim 19 wherein the
area of said second zone of the second lens is larger than the area
of said second zone of the first lens.
25. An ophthalmic lens system as defined in claim 19 wherein said
second zone of the second lens extends radially outwardly and has
progressively increasing vision correction powers as said zone
extends radially outwardly.
26. An ophthalmic lens system for improving the vision of a patient
comprising: a first multifocal intraocular lens for use with one
eye of a patient, said first intraocular lens having a power
including a power required for distance vision correction for the
patient; a second multifocal intraocular lens for use with the
other eye of the patient, said second intraocular lens having a
power including a maximum power which is less than the full add
power required for near vision correction for the patient; and the
first intraocular lens having better visual acuity for objects at
infinity than the second intraocular lens and the second
intraocular lens having better intermediate is visual acuity for at
least some intermediate distances than the first intraocular
lens.
27. An ophthalmic lens system as defined in claim 26 wherein the
maximum add power of the first intraocular lens is no greater than
about the power required for intermediate vision correction.
28. An ophthalmic lens system as defined in claim 26 wherein said
maximum power of the second intraocular lens is no greater than
about the power required for intermediate vision correction.
29. An ophthalmic lens system as defined in claim 26 wherein the
maximum add powers of any region of the first and second
intraocular lenses are no greater than about intermediate vision
correction.
30. An ophthalmic lens system comprising: first and second
intraocular lenses for use with first and second eyes of a patient,
respectively, each of said first and second lenses having an
optical axis; the power of each of said first and second
intraocular lenses changing along a power curve in a radially
outward direction from the associated optical axis and the power
curve for said first intraocular lens being different from the
power curve for the second intraocular lens; and the maximum add
power of said first and second intraocular lens being less than the
add power required for full near vision correction.
31. An ophthalmic lens system as defined in claim 30 wherein the
power of the first intraocular lens varies from about a power
required for distance vision correction to said maximum add power
which is about a power required for intermediate vision
correction.
32. An ophthalmic lens system as defined in claim 30 wherein the
best visual acuity provided by the second intraocular lens is for
objects at intermediate distances.
33. A method of correcting the vision of a patient comprising:
placing first and second multifocal ophthalmic lenses on or in the
eyes of the patient, respectively, with the first lens having
better visual acuity for objects at infinity than the second lens,
the second lens providing better visual acuity from intermediate to
near distances than the first lens and the maximum power of the
second lens being less than the add power required for near vision
correction.
34. The method of claim 33 wherein the first and second lenses are
intraocular lenses and the step of placing includes implanting the
first and second lenses in the eyes, respectively, of the
patient.
35. The method of claim 34 wherein the step of implanting is
carried out without removing the natural lenses of the eyes of the
patient whereby the patient retains some accommodation.
36. The method of claim 33 wherein the step of placing includes
placing the first and second lenses on or in the corneas,
respectively, of the patient.
37. A method of correcting the vision of a patient comprising:
implanting first and second intraocular lenses having different
optical characteristics in the eyes, respectively, without removing
the natural lenses of the patient with each of said first and
second lenses having a power which varies between about a far
vision power and about an intermediate vision power and with the
maximum power of each of the first and second lenses being less
than the add power required for near vision for the patient.
38. A method of correcting the vision of a patient comprising:
placing first and second ophthalmic lenses on or in the eyes of the
patient with the first lens being biased for distance vision for
the patient and the second lens being biased for intermediate
vision.
39. The method of claim 38 wherein the first and second lenses are
intraocular lenses and the step of placing includes implanting the
first and second lenses in the eyes, respectively, of the
patient.
40. The method of claim 39 wherein the step of implanting is
carried out without removing the natural lenses of the eyes of the
patient whereby the patient retains some accommodation.
41. An ophthalmic lens system for improving the vision of a patient
comprising: a first multifocal ophthalmic lens for use with one eye
of a patient, said first lens being biased for distance vision; a
second multifocal ophthalmic lens for use with the other eye of the
patient, said second lens being biased for intermediate vision; and
each of said first and second lenses being adapted for implantation
in an eye or to be disposed on or in the cornea.
42. An ophthalmic lens system as defined in claim 41 wherein each
of said lenses is an intraocular lens.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to an ophthalmic lens system which
comprises ophthalmic lenses. The ophthalmic lenses may be adapted
for implantation in an eye such as intraocular lenses (IOLS) or
adapted to be disposed on or in the cornea such as contact lenses
or corneal inlays.
[0002] When functioning normally, the natural lens of the eye is
somewhat elastic and therefore enables good vision of objects at
all distances. This accommodation of the natural lens tends to
deteriorate with age such that the ability to see well at all
distances is lost and eventually the natural lens becomes basically
monofocal.
[0003] Likewise, when the natural lens is removed as a result of
disease or injury and replaced with an IOL, the natural ability of
the eye to accommodate is lost completely. However, an ability to
have adequate vision at different distances without using
spectacles can be provided by the IOL which is implanted following
removal of the natural lens. To this end, the IOL may be multifocal
as shown and described, for example, in Portney U.S. Pat. No.
5,225,858, Roffman et al U.S. Pat. No. 5,448,312 or Menezes et al
U.S. Pat. No. 5,682,223. Alternatively, the IOL may be of the type
which is accommodating in that it can be moved by the eye itself,
or monofocal with a depth of focus feature as shown and described
in Portney U.S. Pat. No. 5,864,378.
[0004] Another approach to overcoming loss of accommodation is to
use ophthalmic lenses, such as contact lenses or IOLS, with
different optical characteristics for each eye. For example with a
system known as monovision one lens has a distance vision
correction power and the other lens has a near vision correction
power. Another example is shown and described in Roffman et al U.S.
Pat. No. 5,485,228. It is also known to implant a distant dominant
multifocal IOL in one eye and a near dominant multifocal IOL in the
other eye as disclosed in the January 1999 issue of Clinical
Sciences by Jacobi et al entitled "Bilateral Implantation of
Asymmetrical Diffractive Multifocal Intraocular Lenses," pages
17-23.
[0005] Ophthalmic multifocal lenses can also be provided with some
depth of focus. This is shown and described, for example, in
Portney U.S. Pat. No. 5,225,858 and Roffman et al U.S. Pat. No.
5,684,560.
[0006] Whether monovision or multifocal ophthalmic lenses are
employed, nighttime images may not be the same for both eyes and/or
possess halos as when the headlights of an oncoming vehicle are
observed. This can significantly reduce the ability of the observer
to identify and locate objects near the headlights. For example,
halos tend to be created when the patient views a distant object
through the near vision portion of the lens, and the greater the
add power, the more perceptible is the halo.
[0007] For example, this is shown and described in commonly
assigned application Ser. No. 09/302,977 filed on Apr. 30, 1999.
This application discloses a reduced add power multifocal IOL which
reduces the effects of halos. This reduced add power IOL is
implanted in a phakic eye in which the natural lens has lost some
degree of accommodation, i.e. in partially presbyopic eyes.
[0008] Commonly assigned application Ser. No. ______ (Atty. Docket
No.: D-2857) filed concurrently herewith also discloses multifocal
reduced add power lenses, such as IOLs, which are asymmetric, i.e.
have different optical characteristics. However, one of these
lenses has an add power for full near vision.
[0009] The disclosure of each of the patent applications and
patents identified herein is incorporated in its entirety herein by
reference.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] This invention provides an ophthalmic lens system which
improves the ability of the observer to identify and locate objects
at near. The invention also significantly reduces nighttime visual
phenomena associated with receiving out of focus simultaneous
images from multifocal IOLS and obtains other important
advantages.
[0011] The ophthalmic lens system of this invention may include
first and second lenses for use with first and second eyes of a
patient, respectively. Each of the first and second lenses has more
than one vision correction power and is therefore multifocal.
Although this invention is particularly adapted for IOLS, it is
also applicable to lenses which can be disposed on or in the cornea
such as contact lenses and corneal inlays.
[0012] The first lens is biased for distance vision or distance
biased. This may be accomplished, for example, by configuring the
first lens so that the best visual acuity provided by the lens is
for distant objects, for example, objects at infinity. The first
lens provides better visual acuity for objects at infinity than the
second lens. Preferably, the first lens substantially optimizes
visual acuity from distance to intermediate distances. The first
lens has a power including a power required for distance vision
correction for the patient. The second lens has a power including a
power required for intermediate vision correction for the patient.
The second lens preferably is intermediate biased. This may be
accomplished, for example, by configuring the second lens so that
the best visual acuity provided by the second lens is for objects
at intermediate distances. Alternatively, or in addition thereto,
the second lens provides better visual acuity from intermediate to
near distances than the first lens. Preferably, the second lens
enhances visual acuity from intermediate to near distances. In
addition to the advantages noted above, this enhanced visual acuity
of the second lens significantly enhances intermediate vision and
provides functional near image quality. It also minimizes potential
undesirable effects by using only a low level of image quality
disparity between the images received by the two eyes.
[0013] The lenses can be made to have the relatively larger ranges
of vision in various ways. For example, this can be accomplished by
appropriately splitting the light between distance and
intermediate. Thus, the second lens may focus sufficient light to
an intermediate focus region so as to contribute to the second lens
providing enhanced vision from intermediate to near distances.
[0014] Alternatively or in addition thereto, the depth of focus of
the zone or zones of the lens which provide intermediate vision
correction may be appropriately increased to make the second lens
have enhanced vision from intermediate to near distances. This may
be accomplished, for example, by controlling the aspheric surface
design of the lenses. More specifically, the second lens may have a
zone with an add power for intermediate vision correction with such
zone having optical aberrations which increase the depth of focus
of such zone. In one preferred embodiment, such zone extends
radially outwardly and has progressively increasing add powers as
the zone extends radially outwardly.
[0015] The add power of the lenses is reduced over what it would be
if one or both of the lenses had the full or even nearly full add
power required for near vision correction. The full add power for
near vision correction can range from greater than about 1.75
diopters of add power, and is typically between about 2.0 diopters
or about 2.5 diopters to about 3.0 or more diopters of add power.
The reduced add power significantly reduces halos. Moreover, when
the invention is embodied in an IOL which is implanted in a phakic
eye with some accommodation, the near visual quality is even
better.
[0016] In the interest of keeping the add power low while providing
adequate vision quality, preferably the maximum add power of either
or both of the first and second lenses is less than the add power
required for complete or full near vision correction. Still more
preferably, the maximum power of any region of either or both of
the first and second lenses is no greater than about the power
required for intermediate vision correction. By way of example, the
maximum add power for both the first and second lenses may be from
about 0.5 diopter to about 1.75 diopters and is preferably from
about 1 diopter to about 1.5 diopters. The complete near vision
correction is typically between 2.5 and 3.0 diopters of add power.
All of the add powers set forth herein are in the spectacle
plane.
[0017] The first and second lenses are adapted to provide some
depth of focus. The first lens provides some depth of focus toward
intermediate vision correction and preferably the second lens also
provides some depth of focus from far vision correction toward
intermediate vision correction.
[0018] Each of the first and second lenses has an optical axis.
Preferably the power of the first lens is different at a plurality
of locations radially outwardly of the optical axis of the first
lens, and the power of the second lens is different at a plurality
of locations radially outwardly of the optical axis of the second
lens.
[0019] Viewed from a different perspective, the power of each of
the first and second lenses changes along a power curve, for
example, in a radially outward direction from the associated
optical axis. The power curve for the first lens is different from
the power curve for the second lens. The power curve of the first
lens may at least contribute to the first lens having good visual
acuity from distance to intermediate distances and the power curve
of the second lens may at least contribute to the second lens
having good visual acuity from intermediate to near distances. Each
of the first and second lenses may have a power which varies from
about the power required for far vision correction to about a power
required for intermediate vision correction. In one embodiment, the
first lens has a larger range of vision for distance to
intermediate distances than the second lens. In the same or a
different embodiment, the second lens has a larger range of vision
for intermediate to near distances than the first lens.
[0020] In one preferred embodiment, the first lens has first,
second and third optical zones arranged radially with respect to
the optical axis of the first lens with the second zone being
intermediate or between the first and third zones and having a
greater add power than either of the first and third zones.
Similarly, the second lens has first, second and third optical
zones arranged radially with respect to the optical axis of the
second lens with the second zone being intermediate the first and
third zones and having a greater add power than either of the first
and third zones of the second lens.
[0021] Although the zones can be of various configurations, they
are preferably substantially annular and substantially concentric.
Preferably, there are at least two zones. Still more preferably,
there are three or five of the zones with the innermost and
outermost of the zones having a power for far vision
correction.
[0022] The power in a radial direction can change either gradually
or abruptly. The maximum power in each of the second zones may be
substantially the same. In one form of the invention, each of the
second zones has a power which is substantially constant, and the
area, for example, the annular area, of the second zone of the
second lens is larger than the area of the second zone of the first
lens. This also contributes to the second lens having better visual
acuity from intermediate to near than the first lens.
[0023] Although IOLS constructed in accordance with this invention
may be implanted following removal of the natural lenses, they are
particularly adapted for implantation in phakic eyes having some
residual accommodation. Even though the lenses of this invention
have a reduced add power, the additional optical power provided by
the natural lens of the early presbyope allows excellent visual
quality from distance through intermediate to near. With the
gradual loss of accommodation with age, the image quality at near
will decrease but some visual acuity will remain even for the
absolute presbyope, i.e. a patient with total loss of
accommodation.
[0024] According to one aspect of the method of this invention
first and second IOLS having different optical characteristics are
implanted in the eyes, respectively, of the patient without
removing the natural lenses of the patient. Each of the IOLS has a
power required for far vision correction and a power required for
intermediate vision correction power with the maximum power of each
of the first and second IOLS being less than the add power required
for near vision correction for the patient.
[0025] According to another feature of the method of this
invention, first and second ophthalmic lenses are placed on or in
the eyes of a patient with the first lens being distance biased and
the second lens being intermediate biased. Although the first and
second lenses may be contacts or corneal inlays, the features of
this invention are particularly adapted for IOLS which can be
implanted, respectively, in the eyes of the patient.
[0026] The invention, together with additional features and
advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the
following description taken in connection with the accompanying
illustrative drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] FIG. 1 is a somewhat schematic elevational view of one
embodiment of an IOL constructed in accordance with this invention
which is substantially optimized for distance-to-intermediate
vision.
[0028] FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 of one embodiment of an
IOL constructed in accordance with this invention which is enhanced
for intermediate to near vision.
[0029] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the IOL of FIG. 1.
[0030] FIG. 4 is a plot of add power of the IOL of FIG. 1 versus
radial distance squared from the optical axis of that IOL.
[0031] FIG. 5 is a plot similar to FIG. 4 for the IOL of FIG.
2.
[0032] FIG. 6A is a plot of visual acuity versus add power for the
IOL of FIG. 1 when implanted in an early presbyope needing 1.5
diopters of add power.
[0033] FIG. 6B is a plot similar to FIG. 6A for the IOL of FIG. 2
for the same early presbyope.
[0034] FIG. 6C is a plot similar to FIG. 6A for binocular vision
for the same early presbyope.
[0035] FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C are plots similar to FIG. 6A, 6B and 6C,
respectively, for the IOLs of FIGS. 1 and 2 implanted in an
absolute presbyope.
[0036] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of an eye with the natural lens
in place and the intraocular lens of FIG. 1 implanted in the
anterior chamber.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0037] FIG. 1 shows an optimized distance-to-intermediate
multifocal IOL 11 and FIG. 2 shows an enhanced intermediate-to-near
multifocal IOL 13 which together with the IOL 11 form a lens pair
or ophthalmic lens system for improving the vision of a patient.
The IOL 11 includes a multifocal lens body or optic 15 an optical
axis 16 and having powers for a vision correction as described more
fully hereinbelow. The IOL 11 also includes generally radially
extending footplate-type fixation members 17 which, in this
embodiment, are integral with the lens body 15 such that the IOL 11
is one piece.
[0038] A variety of configurations can be employed for the fixation
members 17 and 18 in order to provide for effective fixation of the
IOL 11 in the eye. If the IOL 11 is to be implanted following
removal of the natural lens from the eye, then any of those
configurations known in the art for that purpose may be employed.
On the other hand, if the IOL 11 is to be implanted without removal
of the natural lens from the eye, i.e. in an early presbyope, then
the fixation members 17 and 18 should be of a configuration and
construction which will allow the IOL 11 and the natural lens of
the eye to usefully coexist in the eye. In that regard, the
configuration shown in FIG. 1 or any of the configurations shown by
way of example in commonly assigned application Ser. No.
09/302,977, filed on Apr. 30, 1999 may be employed. The IOL may be
fixated to the iris of the eye, may be located in the anterior or
posterior chamber of the eye and/or may be fixated at the sulcus of
the eye. The fixation members 17 and 18 may be made of materials of
construction, such as polymeric materials, for example, acrylic,
polypropylene, silicone, polymethylmethacrylate and the like, many
of which are conventionally used in fixation members. In the
embodiment shown each of the fixation members 17 and 18 has the
form shown by way of example in FIGS. 1 and 3, and this adapts the
IOL 11 for implantation in the anterior chamber of the eye without
removal of the natural lens as shown and described hereinbelow in
connection with FIG. 8.
[0039] The lens body 15 may be constructed of rigid biocompatible
materials such as polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), or flexible,
deformable materials, such as silicone polymeric material, acrylic
polymeric material, hydrogel polymeric material and the like, which
enable the lens body to be rolled or folded before insertion
through a small incision into the eye. Although the lens body 15
shown in FIG. 1 is a refractive lens body, it may be diffractive if
desired.
[0040] As shown in FIG. 3, the lens body 15 has a convex anterior
surface 19 and a substantially plano posterior surface 21; however,
these configurations are merely illustrative. Although the vision
correction power may be placed on either of the surfaces 19 or 21,
in this embodiment, the anterior surface 19 is appropriately shaped
to provide the desired vision correction powers.
[0041] The IOL 13 similarly has a multifocal lens body 23 and
fixation members 25 and 26 suitably joined to the lens body 23. The
optical characteristics of the lens bodies 15 and 23 are different
as described more specifically herein below. However, except for
the optical characteristics of the lens bodies 15 and 23, the IOLs
11 and 13 may be identical.
[0042] With respect to optical characteristics, it can be seen from
FIG. 1 that the IOL 11 has a central zone 27 and additional optical
zones 29, 31, 33 and 35. In this embodiment, the central zone 27 is
circular and the lens body 15 has a circular outer periphery. Also,
in this embodiment, the additional optical zones 29, 31, 33 and 35
are annular and concentric with the central zone 27, and all of
these zones are centered on the optical axis 16.
[0043] With reference to FIG. 4, it can be seen that the central
zone 27 and the outermost annular zone 35 have a base diopter power
which is the power required by the patient for distance vision
correction and is considered as a zero add power. It should also be
noted that the diopter power variation shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is
applicable to any point on the surface of the lens bodies 15 and
23, respectively, at a fixed radial distance from the associated
optical axes. In other words, the power at any given radial
distance from the optical axis 16 is the same, and the power at any
given radial distance from the optical axis 38 is the same.
[0044] The annular zone 31 has about the power required for
distance vision correction. Although the annular zone 31 could have
precisely the power required for distance vision correction, i.e.
zero add power, in this embodiment, the power of the annular zone
31 decreases progressively and slightly from the outer edge of the
zone 29 to about the inner edge of the zone 33 to provide spherical
aberration is correction. Thus, although the optical power of the
zone 31 does diminish in a radial outward direction in this
fashion, it nevertheless is considered to be about the power needed
for far or distance vision correction for the patient. For example,
the vision correction power of the zone 31 may decrease from a zero
add power to about 0.25 diopter below the base diopter power.
[0045] The zones 29 and 33 have greater vision correction power
than the zones 27, 31 and 35 and are preferably at or about the
power required for intermediate vision correction. In terms of a
single power, the power for intermediate vision correction would be
halfway between the base diopter power and the add power for near
vision correction. By way of example, if the base diopter power is
considered to be zero add and the add power for near vision
correction is considered to be 3 diopters, then the power for
intermediate vision correction would be 1.5 diopters of add power.
More broadly, however, the intermediate vision correction power may
be taken to embrace a zone of from about 0.5 diopter to about 1.75
diopters and preferably that zone may be from about 1 diopter to
about 1.5 diopters. When thus considered, the power of the zones 29
and 33 would all be add powers for intermediate vision
correction.
[0046] The vision correction power in the zone 29 reduces
progressively and slightly in a radial outward direction from an
add power for intermediate vision correction such as 1.5 diopters
as shown in FIG. 4 to a slightly less add power for intermediate
vision correction so as to provide for spherical aberration
correction. Again, to correct for spherical aberration, the maximum
power of the zone 33 is about the minimum power of the zone 29 and
reduces progressively and slightly in a radial outward direction as
shown in FIG. 4. By way of example, the power of the zone 29 may
decrease linearly from about 1.5 diopters to about 1.25 diopters
and the vision correction power of the zone 33 may reduce linearly
in a radial outward direction from about 1.25 diopters to about 1.0
diopter. Thus, all of the powers of the zones 29 and 33 may be
considered as add powers for intermediate vision correction. Thus,
it can be readily seen from FIG. 4 that the maximum power of any
region of the first lens is no greater than about the power for
intermediate vision correction.
[0047] The annular areas of the distance correction zones 27, 31
and 35 are intended to be larger than the annular areas of the
intermediate power zones 29 and 33. Moreover, there are three of
the distance power zones 27 and 35 and only two of the intermediate
vision correction zones 29 and 33, although other numbers of these
zones may be employed, if desired. Thus, a larger surface of the
lens body 15 is dedicated to focusing or directing light to a far
focus region than any other focus region. Accordingly, the IOL 11
provides very good visual acuity from distance to intermediate, and
provides better visual acuity for objects at infinity than the IOL
13. The IOL 11 is optimized for distance to intermediate
vision.
[0048] The lens body 23 of the IOL 13 has a circular outer
periphery, an optical axis 38, a circular central zone 37 and
optical zones 39, 41, 43 and 45 which are preferably annular and
concentric with the central zone 37. All of these zones 37, 39, 41,
43 and 45 are centered on the optical axis 38. The nature of the
optical zones 37, 39, 41, 43 and 45 makes the lens body 23
optically different from the lens body 15, but except for this the
IOLs 11 and 13 may be identical, if desired. It can be seen from
FIG. 5 that the central zone 37 and the outer annular zone 45 have
the base diopter power, i.e., the power required for distance
vision correction for the patient or a zero add power. The
intermediate annular zone 41 has about the base diopter power. More
specifically, the annular zone 41 has a maximum power which is the
base diopter power and the vision correction power of this zone
decreases progressively in a radial outward direction to a diopter
power which is slightly less than the base diopter power in order
to correct for spherical aberrations. By way of example, the
minimum power of the zone 41 may be 0.25 diopter below the base
diopter power.
[0049] The zones 39 and 43 have a vision correction power which is
about the add power for intermediate vision correction. In each of
the zones 39 and 43, the vision correction power increases
progressively in a radial outward direction. For example, the
minimum power of each of the zones 39 and 43 may be about 1.25
diopters and the maximum power at the radial outer edge of each of
these zones may be about 1.75 diopters.
[0050] In this embodiment, the IOL 13 has enhanced intermediate to
near vision. In this regard, the intermediate power zones 39 and 43
are provided with optical aberrations which increase the depth of
focus of such zone. Specifically, the progressively increasing
vision correction powers in a radial outward direction in these
zones 39 and 43 increase the spherical aberrations which in turn
increases the depth of focus by effectively creating stronger
diopter power at radial outward locations in each of these zones to
therefore allow closer objects to be in focus. This has the effect
of increasing the near visual quality at the expense of the
intermediate image quality, thereby raising the overall image
quality as described more fully hereinbelow in connection with FIG.
6A-C and 7A-C. Thus, this increased depth of focus contributes to
making the IOL 13 biased or enhanced for intermediate to near
vision and certainly more enhanced for intermediate to near vision
than the IOL 11 which has spherical aberration correction. Stated
differently, the IOL 13 provides better visual acuity from
intermediate to near than the IOL 11. Conversely, the IOL 11 is
biased or optimized for distance to intermediate vision and
certainly provides better visual acuity for distance to
intermediate than the IOL 13.
[0051] In addition a larger portion of the area of the lens body 23
is used to direct light to an intermediate focus region so as to
contribute to the lens body 23 having better visual acuity from
intermediate to near than the IOL 11. Thus, the combined areas,
that is the combined annular areas, of the zones 39 and 43 are
greater than the combined areas of the zones 37, 41 and 45, and
this is shown in FIGS. 2 and 5. Consequently, more of the incident
light is directed to an intermediate focus region than to a
distance or far focus region, and this also contributes to the IOL
13 providing better visual acuity from intermediate to near than
the IOL 11 and to providing enhanced intermediate-to-near image
quality. As compared with the IOL 11, it can also be seen from
FIGS. 4 and 5 that the area of each of the zones 39 and 43 of the
IOL 13 is larger than the area of either of the zones 29 and 33 of
the IOL 11. This also contributes to the IOL 13 having better
visual acuity from intermediate to near than the IOL 11. IOL 13 is
intermediate biased, whereas IOL 11 is distance biased.
[0052] From FIGS. 4 and 5, it is apparent that the maximum powers
of any region of either of the IOLs 11 and 13 are less than the add
power required for full near vision correction, the latter being an
add power which is at least greater than 1.75 diopters and may be
2.5 or 3.0 diopters. Also, the maximum powers of any region of
either of the IOLs 11 and 13 are no greater than about the
intermediate vision correction power. The plots of FIGS. 4 and 5
represent power curves showing how the vision correction power of
each of the IOLs 11 and 13 changes in a radially outward direction
from the optical axes 16 and 38, respectively, and it is apparent
that the power curves of FIGS. 4 and 5 are different. Moreover, the
differences in these power curves contribute to the range of vision
characteristics of IOLs 11 and 13.
[0053] FIGS. 1-3 illustrate one way that this invention may be
embodied in IOLs. However, the invention may also be embodied in
ophthalmic lenses which are adapted to be disposed on or in the
cornea such as contact lenses and corneal inlays. The lens bodies
15 and 23 of FIGS. 1 and 2 may also be considered as schematically
representing contact lenses or corneal inlays. Of course, these
latter two forms of ophthalmic lenses do not have the fixation
members 17, 18, 25 or 26.
[0054] This invention also provides a method of correcting the
vision of a patient which comprises placing first and second
multifocal ophthalmic lenses on or in the eyes of a patient with
the first lens being distance biased and providing better visual
acuity for objects at infinity than the second lens. The second
lens is intermediate biased and provides better visual acuity from
intermediate to near distances than the first lens. The maximum
power of the second lens is less than the add power required for
near vision correction for the patient. With specific reference to
the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-3, the method includes implanting
the IOLs 11 and 13 in the eyes, respectively, of the patient.
Although this implantation can follow the removal of the natural
lens from the eye, this invention is particularly adapted for
carrying out the implantation step without removing the natural
lenses of the eyes of the patient so that the patient retains some
natural accommodation.
[0055] With reference to FIG. 8, the IOL 11 is implanted in an
anterior chamber 47 of an eye 49 with the fixation members 17 and
18 in contact with the angle 51 of the iris 53. The eye 49 has a
natural lens 55 which has some residual accommodation and which has
not been removed. Thus, the IOL 11 is to be used in conjunction
with the natural lens 55. The IOL 13, which has optical
characteristics different from the IOL 11, is similarly implanted
in the other eye of the patient.
[0056] FIGS. 6A-C are of use in gaining a further understanding of
how the IOLs 11 and 13 work in conjunction with the natural lens of
the eye. These figures are through-focus-acuity charts for a
younger, early presbyope retaining 1.5 diopters of natural
accommodation who need 1.5 diopters of add power and has the IOLs
11 and 13 implanted, as shown by way of example in FIG. 8. Each of
these figures shows visual acuity (VA) along the ordinate and add
power in diopters along the abscissa. In addition, the reciprocal
of the diopter add power in meters is also shown along the
abscissa. The add power is the add power required by a patient with
no accommodation at the corresponding distance indicated on the
abscissa. The is units for visual acuity or VA are Regan, and in
FIG. 6B an approximate correspondence to the 20/X scale is shown. A
visual acuity of about 8 corresponds to 20/20 and is considered
normal vision. Functional vision is considered to be about 20/30 up
to nearly 20/20, and is shown by the cross hatched band in FIGS.
6A-C. Although functional vision is clinically not normal, it may
seem normal to the patient. Below about 20/30 vision becomes
progressively more difficult and somewhere about 3 Regan or
slightly worse than 20/60 there is essentially no usable visual
acuity. The visual acuity plots of FIGS. 6A-C and 7A-C are
theoretical.
[0057] FIG. 6A shows the visual acuity with the distance eye, i.e.,
the eye in which the optimized distance to intermediate IOL 11 is
implanted. In a similar fashion, FIG. 6B shows the visual acuity in
the intermediate eye, i.e., the eye in which the enhanced
intermediate to near IOL 13 is implanted, and FIG. 6C shows the
binocular visual acuity, i.e., the visual acuity for both eyes with
the IOLs 11 and 13 implanted. As shown in FIG. 6C, the binocular
visual acuity remains normal for the full range from distance to a
very close reading distance of 33 centimeters, i.e., zero to 3
diopters of add power.
[0058] Because of the reduced add power in both of the IOLs 11 and
13, halos in either eye should be significantly reduced. Also, the
between-eye visual acuity difference never exceeds half an acuity
line which is approximately 20% of the between-eye visual acuity
difference experienced in monovision with a 2.5 diopter add. Thus,
the potential for symptoms associated with failure of monovision is
significantly reduced.
[0059] FIGS. 7A-C show the expected-through-focus-acuity for is an
absolute presbyope with no accommodation using the IOLs 11 and 13.
This is equivalent to a pseudophakic patient with these IOLs
implanted. The IOL 11 (FIG. 7A) has better visual acuity at
infinity than does the IOL 13 (FIG. 7B) as shown by the higher
visual acuity at the ordinate. The IOL 11 optimizes visual acuity
from distance to intermediate distances as shown by the normal and
functional visual acuity (FIG. 7A) from infinity to about 1.75
diopters of add power or about 57 centimeters. By comparing FIGS.
7A and 7B, it can be seen that the IOL 13 provides better visual
acuity from intermediate to near distances than does IOL 11 and
that visual acuity in this range is enhanced. Also, by comparing
FIGS. 7A and 7B, it can be seen that the IOL 13 provides better
visual acuity for objects at near distances than the IOL 11. FIG.
7B shows that the best visual acuity provided by the IOL 13 is for
objects at intermediate distances such as 67 cm which corresponds
to 1.5 diopters of add power.
[0060] The binocular visual acuity remains functional or better for
distance and intermediate objects. However, near reading between 40
centimeters and 33 centimeters becomes difficult. Thus, the
absolute presbyope should perform all active tasks well including
screening of mail. However, it is likely that about a 1 diopter to
1.5 diopter add power will be needed for extended near work.
Nevertheless, the intermediate and near visual acuity for the
absolute presbyope is significantly better than the equivalent
presbyope without the IOLs 11 and 13 or near vision correction.
[0061] It can be seen from FIG. 7B that the intermediate eye has no
near vision peak, but only an intermediate peak at about 1.5
diopters or about 67 cm. Accordingly, the only way to increase the
near image quality for the absolute presbyope is to increase the
depth of focus of the intermediate peak to thereby increase the
intermediate to near range of useable image quality.
[0062] The depth of focus of the intermediate peak in FIG. 7B can
be increased in two ways. First, the shape of the surfaces of the
zones 39 and 43 which provide the intermediate vision correction
powers can be altered as shown by way of example in FIG. 5 to
introduce optical aberrations, e.g., spherical aberrations, which
extend the depth of focus but decrease the overall optical quality.
However, there is a range of useable optical quality within which
there is no impact to clinical vision. For example, many patients
can tolerate clinically significant amounts of refractive error,
e.g., up to .+-.1 diopter, without seeking refractive
correction.
[0063] Secondly, in a simultaneous vision design the visual acuity
for intermediate vision can be increased at the expense of distance
image quality thereby raising the overall image quality and
extending the depth of focus in the useable range of vision. This
to some extent counters the decrease in intermediate visual quality
associated with an increase in depth of focus by the introduction
of optical aberration. The visual acuity for intermediate distances
is increased by increasing the amount of light directed to the
intermediate zones 39 and 43, as described above in connection with
FIG. 5.
[0064] Although an exemplary embodiment of the invention has been
shown and described, many changes, modifications, and substitutions
may be made by one having ordinary skill in the art without
necessarily departing from the spirit and scope of this
invention.
* * * * *