Multi-mechanistic accommodating intraocular lenses

Abstract

An intraocular lens (IOL) includes an optic for focusing light and an accommodation assembly for axially moving and/or deforming the optic in response to naturally occurring actions of the eye, thus allowing a patient to more effectively focus on near objects. In addition, the optic may be multifocal or aspheric, wherein the maximum add power of the lens is combined with the increase in diopter power obtained through axial movement and/or deformation of the optic, resulting in enhanced accommodation.

1 . An intraocular lens for insertion into a capsular bag of an eye, comprising: 
 a deformable optic having a periphery and centered about an optical axis, the optic adapted to focus light toward a retina of an eye; and    an accommodation assembly coupled to the optic, comprising: 
 a outer ring surrounding the optic and spaced therefrom, the outer ring configured for implantation within a capsular bag of an eye; and  
 at least three intermediate members extending between and connecting the optic and the outer ring;  
   the deformable optic configured to provide accommodating deformation of the optic in response to one or more naturally occurring actions of the eye.    
     
     
         2 . The intraocular lens according to  claim 1 , wherein the accommodation assembly is structured to cooperate with the eye to effect accommodating axial movement of the optic in response to one or more naturally occurring actions of the eye.  
     
     
         3 . The intraocular lens according to  claim 1 , wherein each intermediate member of the at least three intermediate members is attached to the periphery of the optic along a radial line passing through the optical axis and through the center of the intermediate member.  
     
     
         4 . The intraocular lens according to  claim 1 , wherein each intermediate member of the at least three intermediate members comprises a hinge.  
     
     
         5 . The intraocular lens according to  claim 4 , wherein each hinge is located closer to the outer ring than to the optic.  
     
     
         6 . The intraocular lens according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the deformable optic has a baseline power for distance vision correction and a maximum add power that is reduced relative to a power for full near vision correction; and    the accommodation assembly is structured to cooperate with the eye to effect deformation of the optic so as to increase the maximum add power.    
     
     
         7 . The intraocular lens according to  claim 6 , wherein the optic has progressive vision powers that vary from the baseline power to the maximum add power.  
     
     
         8 . The intraocular lens according to  claim 7 , wherein the accommodation assembly is structured to deform the optic so as to increase the maximum add power in response to compressive forces exerted by the eye.  
     
     
         9 . The intraocular lens according to  claim 8 , wherein the accommodation assembly is further structured to cooperate with the eye to axially move wherein the axial movement of the optic combines with the maximum add power obtained through deformation to provide enhanced accommodation relative to the deformation alone.  
     
     
         10 . The intraocular lens of  claim 1 , wherein the optic is an aspheric optic  
     
     
         11 . The intraocular lens of  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate members, optic, and outer ring are integrally formed of one material.  
     
     
         12 . The intraocular lens of  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate members are oriented so that none of the intermediate members is diametrically opposed to any of the remaining intermediate members.  
     
     
         13 . An intraocular lens for insertion into a capsular bag of an eye, comprising: 
 a deformable optic having a periphery and centered about an optical axis, the optic adapted to focus light toward a retina of an eye; and    an accommodation assembly, comprising: 
 a continuous outer ring surrounding the optic and spaced therefrom, the outer ring configured for implantation within a capsular bag of the eye; and  
 a plurality of intermediate members extending between and connecting the optic and the outer ring.  
   wherein the accommodation assembly is structured to cooperate with the eye to effect accommodating deformation of the optic.    
     
     
         14 . The intraocular lens according to  claim 13 , wherein each intermediate member of the plurality of intermediate members is attached to the periphery of the optic along a radial line passing through the optical axis and through the center of the intermediate member.  
     
     
         15 . The intraocular lens according to  claim 13 , wherein: 
 the deformable optic has a baseline power for distance vision correction and a maximum add power that is reduced relative to a power for full near vision correction; and    the accommodation assembly is structured to cooperate with the eye to effect deformation of the optic so as to increase the maximum add power.    
     
     
         16 . The intraocular lens according to  claim 15 , wherein the optic has progressive vision powers that vary from the baseline power to the maximum add power.  
     
     
         17 . The intraocular lens according to  claim 13 , wherein the accommodation assembly is structured to deform the optic so as to increase the maximum add power in response to compressive forces exerted by the eye.  
     
     
         18 . The intraocular lens according to  claim 17 , wherein the accommodation assembly is further structured to cooperate with the eye to axially move wherein the axial movement of the optic combines with the maximum add power obtained through deformation to provide enhanced accommodation relative to the deformation alone.  
     
     
         19 . The intraocular lens of  claim 13 , wherein the optic is a multifocal optic having a first zone configured to provide distance vision correction and a second zone having an add power that is reduced relative to a power for full near power correction, the combined axial movement, deformation, and add power is effective to provide enhanced accommodation relative to the axial movement and the deformation without the add power.  
     
     
         20 . The intraocular lens of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of intermediate members comprises three intermediate members.