Accommodating Intraocular Lens System and Method

Abstract

An accommodating intraocular lens is provided having optical parameters that are altered in-situ, wherein an optic portion of the lens includes an actuator that deflects a lens element to alter the optical power of the lens, responsive to forces applied to a haptic portion to the lens by contraction of the ciliary muscles. Forces applied to the haptic portion may result in fluid displacements from or to the haptic portion from the actuator. Displacement of fluid to the actuator may either increase or reduce the degree of deflection imposed on the lens element by the actuator.

1 . An intraocular lens configured for implantation in a capsule following extraction of a lens, the intraocular lens accommodating responsive to contraction of a patient's ciliary muscles, the intraocular lens comprising: 
 a substrate having a portion defining a fluid channel;    a lens element;    an actuator interposed between the lens element and the substrate and in fluid communication with the fluid channel, the actuator disposed in contact with the lens element;    a haptic having an interior volume coupled in fluid communication with the fluid channel; and    a fluid disposed in the actuator, fluid channel and the interior volume of the haptic,    wherein movement of the patient's ciliary muscles displaces fluid from the interior volume of the haptic and the actuator to change a deflection of the lens element.    
     
     
         2 . The intraocular lens of  claim 1  wherein the actuator is disposed along the optical axis of the intraocular lens.  
     
     
         3 . The intraocular lens of  claim 1  wherein the fluid has a refractive index substantially the same as a refractive index of the lens element, substrate and actuator.  
     
     
         4 . The intraocular lens of  claim 1  wherein, the haptic comprises a support element that provides a predetermined arc to the haptic.  
     
     
         5 . The intraocular lens of  claim 1  wherein, further comprising a ring-shaped fulcrum disposed in contact with the lens element to enhance deflection of the lens element caused by movement of the actuator.  
     
     
         6 . The intraocular lens of  claim 1  further comprising an expansion reservoir disposed at the periphery of the intraocular lens to equalize pressure differentials within the intraocular lens arising from movement of the actuator.  
     
     
         7 . The intraocular lens of  claim 6  further comprising a fluid-filled space interposed between the lens element and the substrate, wherein a volume of the space fluctuates during transitioning of the intraocular lens between an accommodated state and an unaccommodated state.  
     
     
         8 . The intraocular lens of  claim 1  wherein haptic has an undeformed state and a deformed state and the interior volume of the haptic is greater in the deformed state than in the undeformed state.  
     
     
         9 . The intraocular lens of  claim 8  wherein, during transitioning to the deformed state, the haptic causes fluid to be displaced from the actuator to reduce a deflection of the lens element.  
     
     
         10 . The intraocular lens of  claim 1  wherein haptic has an undeformed state and a deformed state and the interior volume of the haptic is smaller in the deformed state than in the undeformed state.  
     
     
         11 . The intraocular lens of  claim 10  wherein, during transitioning to the deformed state, the haptic causes fluid to be displaced to the actuator to reduce a deflection of the lens element.  
     
     
         12 . The intraocular lens of  claim 11  wherein the actuator comprises a primary actuator coupled to move in unison with a secondary actuator, the secondary actuator disposed in fluid communication with the fluid channel.  
     
     
         13 . The intraocular lens of  claim 12  wherein the haptic is coupled in fluid communication to a first reservoir, the fluid channel is coupled in fluid communication to a second reservoir, and fluid displacements in the first reservoir induce corresponding fluid displacements in the second reservoir.  
     
     
         14 . The intraocular lens of  claim 13  wherein the first and second reservoirs are disposed in a haptic portion of the intraocular lens.  
     
     
         15 . The intraocular lens of  claim 11  wherein the actuator shortens when fluid is displaced from the interior volume of the haptic to the actuator.  
     
     
         16 . The intraocular lens of  claim 1  further comprising a fluid-filled space interposed between the lens element and the substrate, wherein a volume of the space remains constant during transitioning of the intraocular lens between an accommodated state and an unaccommodated state.  
     
     
         17 . The intraocular lens of  claim 16  wherein a peripheral zone of the lens element deflects inward during accommodation of the intraocular lens.  
     
     
         18 . The intraocular lens of  claim 1  wherein the substrate further comprises a convex anterior surface that supports the lens element with a predetermined deflection in an unaccommodated state.  
     
     
         19 . The intraocular lens of  claim 1  further comprising a barrier coating disposed within fluid channels within the intraocular lens to reduce diffusion of the fluid into the lens element or substrate.  
     
     
         20 . The intraocular lens of  claim 1  further comprising a barrier coating disposed on the exterior of the intraocular lens to reduce diffusion of body fluids into the intraocular lens.