System and method for increasing the depth of focus of the human eye
A method and apparatus for increasing the depth of focus of the human eye is comprised of a lens body, an optic in the lens body configured to produce light interference, and a pinhole-like optical aperture substantially in the center of the optic. The optic may be configured to produce light scattering or composed of a light reflective material. Alternatively, the optic may increase the depth of focus via a combination of light interference, light scattering, light reflection and/or light absorption. The optic may also be configured as a series of concentric circles, a weave, a pattern of particles, or a pattern of curvatures. One method involves screening a patient for an ophthalmic lens using a pinhole screening device in the lens to increase the patient's depth of focus. Another method comprises surgically implanting a mask in the patient's eye to increase the depth of focus.
1. A method for implanting a mask in a cornea comprising an epithelial sheet, a Bowman's membrane, and a stroma, the stroma having a top layer, the method comprising:
creating a flap in a portion of the cornea;
creating a depression in the top layer of the stroma by completely removing a portion of the stroma from the cornea, the depression being of sufficient depth and width to accommodate a mask, the mask comprising a centrally located pinhole-like optical aperture and a structure surrounding the aperture, the structure further having varying degrees of opacity, each of the varying degrees of opacity preventing transmission of a substantial portion of visible light incident on the structure;
placing the mask in the depression; and
placing the flap over the mask,
wherein the mask increases the depth of focus of the eye and a curvature of the cornea is not substantially changed after placing the mask.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the mask is configured to produce light interference.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the mask is configured to produce light scattering.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the mask is configured to produce reflection.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the mask is configured to block visual aberrations.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
placing a contact lens over at least a portion of the cornea until the epithelial sheet has grown over the hinged Bowman's membrane.
7. A method for implanting an ophthalmic device in a cornea comprising an epithelial sheet, a Bowman's membrane, and a stroma, the stroma having a top layer, the method comprising:
creating a channel in the stroma by completely removing a portion of the stroma from the cornea, the channel being in a plane parallel to the cornea's surface; and
placing an ophthalmic device in the channel, the ophthalmic device comprising a mask comprising a centrally located pinhole-like optical aperture and a structure surrounding the aperture, the structure further having varying degrees of opacity, each of the varying degrees of opacity preventing transmission of a substantial portion of visible light incident on the structure,
wherein the mask increases the depth of focus of the eye and a curvature of the cornea is not substantially changed after implanting the mask.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the mask is configured to produce light interference.
9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the mask is configured to produce light scattering.
10. The method of claim 7 , wherein the mask is configured to produce light reflection.
11. The method of claim 7 , wherein the mask is configured to block visual aberrations.
12. The method of claim 7 , further comprising threading the mask into the channel.
13. The method of claim 7 , further comprising injecting the mask into the channel.
14. A method for implanting a mask in a cornea, the mask configured to increase the depth of focus of the human eye, the cornea comprising an epithelium sheet, the method comprising:
forming a corneal flap, the corneal flap comprising substantially the outermost 20% of the cornea;
placing a mask on a portion of the cornea exposed by the flap, the mask configured to provide an optical effect whereby the depth of focus of the human eye is increased, the mask comprising a centrally located pinhole-like optical aperture and a structure surrounding the aperture, the structure further having varying degrees of opacity, each of the varying degrees of opacity preventing transmission of a substantial portion of visible light incident on the structure; and
placing the corneal flap over the mask,
wherein a curvature of the cornea is not substantially changed after implanting the mask.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the mask is configured to produce light interference.
16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the mask is configured to produce light scattering.
17. The method of claim 14 , wherein the mask is configured to produce light reflection.
18. The method of claim 14 , wherein the mask is configured to block visual aberrations.
19. The method of claim 14 , further comprising:
placing a contact lens over a portion of the cornea until the epithelial sheet has grown over the hinged corneal flap.
20. A method for implanting an ophthalmic device in a cornea comprising a stroma, the method comprising:
creating a pocket in the stroma, the pocket being of sufficient size to accommodate an ophthalmic device, the ophthalmic device comprising a mask configured to provide an optical effect whereby the depth of focus of the human eye is increased, the mask comprising a centrally located pinhole-like optical aperture and a structure surrounding the aperture, the structure further having varying degrees of opacity, each of the varying degrees of opacity preventing transmission of a substantial portion of visible light incident on the structure; and
placing the ophthalmic device in the pocket,
wherein a curvature of the cornea is not substantially changed after implanting the mask.
21. The method of claim 20 , wherein the mask is configured to produce light interference.
22. The method of claim 20 , wherein the mask is configured to produce light scattering.
23. The method of claim 20 , wherein the mask is configured to produce light reflection.
24. The method of claim 20 , wherein the mask is configured to block visual aberrations.