Foldable unitary intraocular lens
An intraocular lens has an optic made of a foldable material and at least two haptics integrally formed with the optic. The optic comprises an optical element with optical power, a transition region disposed around the entire perimeter of the optical element, and a support disposed about at least a portion of the transition region, the thickness of the support being greater than the thickness of the transition region. The transition region advantageously has a thickness of between at least about 0.07 mm and about 0.40 mm.
1 . An intraocular lens, comprising:
an optic made of a foldable material having:
an optical element with optical power;
a transition region disposed around the entire perimeter of the optical element, the transition region having a thickness of between at least about 0.07 mm and about 0.40 mm; and
a support disposed about at least a portion of the transition region, the thickness of the support being greater than the thickness of the transition region;
at least two haptics integrally formed with the optic and coupled to the support.
2 . The intraocular lens of claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the support is between at least about 0.25 mm and about 0.60 mm.
3 . The intraocular lens of claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the transition region is at least about 0.12 mm.
4 . The intraocular lens of claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the haptics is less than or equal to the thickness of the support.
5 . The intraocular lens of claim 1 , wherein the material is selected from a group of deformable materials consisting of hydrogel, silicone, acrylic, and hybrid combinations of the same.
6 . The intraocular lens of claim 1 , wherein the support is disposed around the entire perimeter of the transition region.
7 . The intraocular lens of claim 1 , wherein each haptic attaches at least at one location on the support.
8 . The intraocular lens of claim 1 , wherein each haptic attaches at least at two locations on the support.
9 . The intraocular lens of claim 1 , wherein each haptic forms a substantially planar surface.
10 . The intraocular lens of claim 1 , wherein each haptic comprises a pair of pincer arms.
11 . The intraocular lens of claim 1 , wherein the intraocular lens is adapted for insertion into the capsular bag of an eye.
12 . The intraocular lens of claim 1 , wherein the intraocular lens is adapted for insertion into the anterior chamber of an eye.
13 . The intraocular lens of claim 1 , wherein the intraocular lens is adapted for insertion into the posterior chamber of an eye.
14 . The intraocular lens of claim 1 , wherein the optic further comprises a peripheral edge configured to inhibit cell growth on the intraocular lens.
15 . An intraocular lens, comprising:
an optic made of a foldable material having:
an optical element with optical power; and
a transition region around the entire perimeter of the optical element, the transition region having a thickness of between at least about 0.07 mm and about 0.40 mm; and
at least two haptics integrally formed with the optic adapted to produce a positioning force when inserted into an eye;
means for isolating the positioning force from the optical element and the transition region.
16 . The intraocular lens of claim 15 , wherein the thickness of the transition region is at least about 0.12 mm.
17 . The intraocular lens of claim 15 , wherein the foldable material is selected from a group of deformable materials consisting of hydrogel, silicone, acrylic, and hybrid combinations of the same.
18 . The intraocular lens of claim 15 , wherein each haptic forms a substantially planar surface.
19 . The intraocular lens of claim 15 , wherein each haptic comprises a pair of pincer arms.
20 . The intraocular lens of claim 15 , wherein the intraocular lens is adapted for insertion into the capsular bag of an eye.
21 . The intraocular lens of claim 15 , wherein the intraocular lens is adapted for insertion into the anterior chamber of an eye.
22 . The intraocular lens of claim 15 , wherein the intraocular lens is adapted for insertion into the posterior chamber of an eye.
23 . The intraocular lens of claim 15 , wherein the optic further comprises a peripheral edge configured to inhibit cell growth on the intraocular lens.
24 . A method of manufacturing an intraocular lens, comprising:
providing a foldable material;
forming the material to produce an optic having:
an optical element with optical power;
a transition region disposed around the entire perimeter of the optical element, the transition region having a thickness of between at least about 0.07 mm and about 0.40 mm; and
a support disposed about at least a portion of the transition region, the thickness of the support being greater than the thickness of the transition region;
further forming the material to produce at least two haptics, the thickness of the haptics being less than or equal to the thickness of the support.
25 . A method of inserting an intraocular lens into an eye, comprising:
providing an intraocular lens having:
an optic made of a foldable material having:
an optical element with optical power;
a transition region disposed around the entire perimeter of the optical element, the transition region having a thickness of between at least about 0.07 mm and about 0.40 mm; and
a support disposed about at least a portion of the transition region, the thickness of the support being greater than the thickness of the transition region;
at least two haptics integrally formed with the optic, the thickness of the haptics being less than or equal to the thickness of the support
folding the intraocular lens;
creating an incision in an eye; and
inserting the intraocular lens through the incision and into a portion of the eye.