Sterile ocular cover and method

Abstract

A sterile ocular cover for an eye during surgery which includes a sheet member with a centrally located hole. The sheet member is made from a flexible material and it is designed to be placed over and in contact with the surface of the conjunctiva. The hole is slightly larger than the size of the cornea and it extends through the central portion of the sheet member.

1 - 16 . (canceled)  
   
   
       17 . A surgical method comprising the steps of 
 placing a sterile ocular cover over a bulbar conjunctiva of an eye wherein the sterile cover includes a sheet member constructed from an opaque material and wherein the sheet member includes a hole therethrough, the hole being a diameter of 11-12 mm plus no more than about 6 mm larger than the hole diameter, and    performing an ocular surgery with the conjunctiva covered.    
   
   
       18 . The surgical method of  claim 17 , wherein the step of placing a sterile ocular cover over a conjunctiva includes using the cover with the sheet member further being of an opaque material.  
   
   
       19 . The surgical method of  claim 17 , wherein the step of placing a sterile ocular cover over a conjunctiva includes using a cover impregnated with an antiseptic.  
   
   
       20 . The surgical method of  claim 17 , wherein the step of placing a sterile ocular cover over a conjunctiva includes using a cover impregnated with an antibiotic.  
   
   
       21 . The surgical method of  claim 17 , wherein the step of placing a sterile ocular cover over a conjunctiva includes using a cover with a flap in opening.  
   
   
       22 . A surgical method comprising the steps of 
 placing a sterile ocular cover over a conjunctiva of an eye, the sterile cover including a sheet member including a hole centrally therethrough, wherein the sheet member is constructed from an opaque flexible material and sized for placement over and in contact with the surface of the conjunctiva of the eye, the hole being a diameter of 11-12 mm plus no more than about 6 mm larger than the hole diameter; and    performing an ocular surgery with the conjunctiva covered.    
   
   
       23 . The surgical method of  claim 22 , wherein the step of placing a sterile ocular cover over a conjunctiva includes using the cover with the sheet member further being of an opaque material.  
   
   
       24 . The surgical method of  claim 22 , wherein the step of placing a sterile ocular cover over a conjunctiva includes using the cover impregnated with an antiseptic.  
   
   
       25 . The surgical method of  claim 22 , wherein the step of placing a sterile ocular cover over a conjunctiva includes using the cover impregnated with an antibiotic.  
   
   
       26 . The surgical method of  claim 22 , wherein the step of placing a sterile ocular cover over a conjunctiva includes using the cover with a flap in opening.  
   
   
       27 - 29 . (canceled)  
   
   
       30 . An ocular cover for an eye during surgery, comprising 
 a sterile, flexible sheet member of generally ovoid shape sized such that when constructed it is congruous with the conjunctiva surface of an eye, extending from the medial canthus to the lateral canthus and from the upper fornix to the lower fornix;    a circular hole in the center of said sheet member having a diameter larger than the cornea surface diameter of an eye, but not more than about 11-12 mm plus no more than about 6 mm larger than the hole diameter.    
   
   
       31 . The ocular cover of  claim 30  wherein said sheet member is further defined as opaque.