Intraocular lens with post-implantation adjustment capabilities

Abstract

Disclosed are accommodating intraocular lenses for implantation in an eye having an optical axis. In certain embodiments, an intraocular lens includes an anterior optic, a posterior optic, and a support structure configured to move the optics relative to each other along an optical axis between an accommodated state and an unaccommodated state. In certain embodiments, at least a portion of the support structure can be modified in situ to alter reaction forces between the support structure and at least one structure of the eye. In certain embodiments, a refractive property of one of the anterior or posterior optics can be modified in situ while leaving the refractive properties of the remaining one of the anterior or posterior optics substantially unaffected. Additional embodiments and methods are also disclosed.

1 . A method of adjusting an intraocular lens after implantation in an eye, the intraocular lens having an anterior optic, a posterior optic, and a support structure configured to move the optics relative to each other along an optical axis between an accommodated state and an unaccommodated state, the method comprising:
 non-invasively applying energy to at least a portion of said support structure while the lens is in the eye to alter reaction forces between the support structure and at least one structure of the eye.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said support structure comprises an anterior biasing element, a posterior biasing element, a first apex, and a second apex, and wherein said step of non-invasively applying energy comprises applying energy to at least one of said anterior biasing element, said posterior biasing element, said first apex, or said second apex. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said step of non-invasively applying energy is configured to alter at least one of a stiffness, a spring constant, or a shape of said support structure. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said step of non-invasively applying energy is configured to stiffen said at least portion of said support structure. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said step of non-invasively applying energy is configured to adjust a relative separation of said anterior optic and said posterior optic when said lens is in the accommodated state. 
     
     
         6 . A method of adjusting an intraocular lens after implantation in an eye, the intraocular lens having a first optic and a second optic, the method comprising:
 non-invasively applying energy to at least a portion of said first optic while the lens is in the eye to adjust a refractive property of said first optic while leaving refractive properties of said second optic substantially unaffected;   non-invasively applying energy to at least a portion of said second optic while the lens is in the eye to adjust a refractive property of said second optic while leaving refractive properties of said first optic substantially unaffected.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said step of non-invasively applying energy to said first optic comprises applying energy from a first energy source and wherein said step of non-invasively applying energy to said second optic comprises applying energy from a second source different from said first source. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said step of applying energy from a first source comprises applying UV radiation in a first band and wherein said step of applying energy from a second source comprises applying UV radiation in a second band. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said step of applying energy from a first energy source to said first optic is performed at a first time, and wherein said step of applying energy from a second energy source to said second optic is performed at a second time after said first time. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said anterior optic is adjusted at said first time and said posterior optic is adjusted at said second time. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said step of adjusting said anterior optic at said first time shields said posterior optic from undesired radiation. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said steps of applying energy from a first source and applying energy from a second source are performed at approximately the same time. 
     
     
         13 . A method of adjusting an intraocular lens after implantation in an eye, the intraocular lens having an anterior optic and a posterior optic, the method comprising:
 non-invasively applying energy to at least a portion of one of said anterior optic and said posterior optic while the lens is in the eye to alter a refractive property of said one of said optics while leaving refractive properties of a remaining one of said optics substantially unaffected.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , the method further comprising subsequently applying energy to a remaining portion of said one of said optics to thereby prevent subsequent alteration of said remaining portion. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , the method further comprising non-invasively applying energy to said portion of said one of said optics to prevent subsequent alteration of said one of said optics. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said step of non-invasively applying energy comprises non-invasively applying energy to at least a portion of said posterior optic to thereby alter a refractive property of said posterior optic and wherein said anterior optic is configured such that refractive properties of said anterior optic are substantially unaffected by said applied energy. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising at least partially shielding said posterior optic from UV rays with said anterior optic to thereby prevent undesired polymerization of said posterior optic prior to desired adjustment by a medical professional. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said step of non-invasively applying energy comprises exposing said posterior optic to an energy source to which said anterior optic is substantially transparent. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said step of non-invasively applying energy comprises applying energy that is substantially single-wavelength. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said step of non-invasively applying energy comprises applying energy having a band of wavelengths. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said step of non-invasively applying energy comprises applying one or more of electron beam, microwave, radio frequency, or acoustic energy. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said step of non-invasively applying energy changes a shape of said one of said optics.