HYDROPHILIC IOL PACKAGING SYSTEM

1 . A method of maintaining a hydrophilic intraocular lens in a foldable state without immersing the intraocular lens in liquid water, the method comprising the step of storing the foldable intraocular lens within a substantially air tight package containing a water reservoir not in direct contact with the lens.

2 . A combination comprising:

a) a substantially air tight container having a water reservoir; and

b) a foldable hydrophilic intraocular lens disposed within the container so as not to be in direct contact with the water reservoir.

3 . The combination of claim 2 wherein the container has interior surfaces comprising blind holes and wherein the water reservoir comprises water retained within the blind holes.

4 . The combination of claim 2 wherein the container has interior surfaces with non-smooth textures and wherein the water reservoir comprises water retained within the surfaces with non-smooth textures.

5 . The combination of claim 2 wherein the container comprises void volumes and wherein the water reservoir comprises water retained within the void volumes.

6 . The combination of claim 2 wherein the container contains a water permeable pouch and wherein the water reservoir comprises water retained within the water permeable pouch.

7 . The combination of claim 6 wherein the pouch contains an absorbent towel and wherein the water reservoir comprises water retained within the towel.

8 . The combination of claim 6 wherein the pouch contains a sheet having blind holes and wherein the water reservoir comprises water retained within the blind holes.

9 . The combination of claim 6 wherein the pouch contains a water absorbing polymer and wherein the water reservoir comprises water retained within the water absorbing polymer.

10 . The combination of claim 2 wherein the container comprises a tray having an elongate compartment bounded by a bottom wall, side walls and an elongate top opening, the top opening being sealed by a cover, and wherein the water reservoir comprises water retained within a water permeable pouch disposed below the cover and spanning substantially the entirety of the top opening.

11 . The combination of claim 10 wherein the container has a non-permeable foil lid.

12 . The combination of claim 2 wherein the container the water reservoir retains between about 0.5 and 3 ml of water.

13 . The combination of claim 2 wherein the combination is disposed within an autoclavable foil pouch.

14 . A combination comprising:

a) a substantially air tight container comprises a tray having an elongate compartment bounded by a bottom wall, side walls and an elongate top opening, the top opening being sealed by a cover; comprises water retained within a water permeable pouch disposed below the cover and spanning substantially the entirety of the top opening;

b) a water reservoir comprising between about 0.5 and 3 ml of water retained within a water permeable pouch disposed below the cover and spanning substantially the entirety of the top opening; and

c) a foldable hydrophilic intraocular lens disposed unfolded within an injector, the injector being adapted to fold and inject the intraocular lens into the eye of a patient through a cylindrical injection tube having an inside diameter of 2 mm or less;

wherein, the hydrophilic intraocular lens is disposed within the container so as not to be in direct contact with the water reservoir.

15 . The combination of claim 14 wherein the pouch contains an absorbent towel and wherein the water reservoir comprises water retained within the towel.

16 . The combination of claim 14 wherein the pouch contains a sheet having blind holes and wherein the water reservoir comprises water retained within the blind holes.

17 . The combination of claim 14 wherein the pouch contains a water absorbing polymer and wherein the water reservoir comprises water retained within the water absorbing polymer.

18 . The combination of claim 14 wherein the combination is disposed within an autoclavable foil pouch.