Method of treatment of refractive errors using subepithelial or intrastromal corneal inlay with bonding coating
A method of treatment of refractive errors of an eye, the eye including a central visual axis and a cornea with a first corneal layer overlying a second corneal layer, comprising the steps of separating a first surface of the first corneal layer from a second surface of the second corneal layer, thereby forming a flap and exposing the second surface, implanting on the second surface an inlay adapted to correct a refractive error of the eye, coating a surface of the inlay with a compound that promotes bonding with the cornea, and replacing the flap over the inlay.
1 . A method of treatment of refractive errors of an eye, the eye including a central visual axis and a cornea with a first corneal layer overlying a second corneal layer, comprising the steps of:
separating a first surface of the first corneal layer from a second surface of the second corneal layer, thereby forming a flap and exposing the second surface;
implanting on the second surface an inlay adapted to correct a refractive error of the eye;
coating a surface of the inlay with a compound that promotes bonding with the cornea; and
replacing the flap over the inlay.
2 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein
the coating step takes place before the implanting step.
3 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein
the coating step takes place after the implanting step.
4 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein
the first corneal layer is the epithelium.
5 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein
the second corneal layer is the stroma.
6 . A method according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of:
drying the compound coating on the surface of the inlay and thereby forming a drape on the inlay.
7 . A method according to claim 4 , wherein
the drying step comprises applying ultraviolet light to the compound and crosslinking the compound.
8 . A method according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of
coating the exposed second surface adjacent the inlay with the compound for bonding the inlay to the exposed second surface of the second corneal layer.
9 . A method according to claim 8 , further comprising the step of
drying the compound coating on the exposed second surface and thereby forming a drape on the inlay and bonding the inlay to the exposed second surface.
10 . A method according to claim 9 , wherein
the drying step comprises applying ultraviolet light to the compound.
11 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein
the compound is an organic polymer.
12 . A method according to claim 11 , wherein
the compound is formed of one of the group consisting of fibronectin, collagen, vitronectin, and polysaccande.
13 . A method according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of:
ablating the inlay prior to coating the surface of the inlay with the compound.
14 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein
the inlay is organic.
15 . A method according to claim 14 , wherein
the inlay is formed of one of the group consisting of laminin, collagen, and vitronectin.
16 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein
the inlay is synthetic.
17 . A method according to claim 16 , wherein
the inlay is formed of one of the group consisting of silicone, hydrogel and hilafilcon.
18 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein
the inlay is a mixture of organic and synthetic materials.
19 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein
the coating step comprises substantially enclosing the inlay.
20 . A method according to claim 19 , wherein
the coating step comprises substantially enclosing the inlay in a membrane.
21 . A method according to claim 20 , wherein
the membrane is made of amniotic material.
22 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein
the inlay is formed using diffractive technology.
23 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein
the coating step comprises coating a second surface of the inlay.
24 . A method according to claim 23 , wherein
the coating step comprises coating a third surface of the inlay.
25 . A method of treatment of refractive errors of an eye, the eye including a central visual axis and a cornea with a first corneal layer overlying a second corneal layer, comprising the steps of:
separating a first surface of the first corneal layer from a second surface of the second corneal layer, thereby exposing the second surface;
implanting on the second surface an inlay adapted to correct a refractive error of the eye;
coating a surface of the inlay after implanting the inlay with a compound that promotes bonding with the cornea;
coating the exposed second surface adjacent the inlay with the compound; and
drying the compound coating the inlay and the exposed second surface, thereby forming a drape over the inlay and bonding the inlay to the second surface.
26 . A method according to claim 25 , further comprising the step of
replacing the first surface of the first corneal layer over the inlay and the second surface of the second corneal layer.
27 . A method according to claim 25 , wherein
the drying step comprises applying ultraviolet light to the compound.
28 . A method according to claim 25 , wherein
the first corneal layer is the epithelium.
29 . A method according to claim 25 , wherein
the second corneal layer is the stroma.