Accommodating intraocular lens device

Abstract

An accommodating intraocular lens (IOL) device adapted for implantation in the lens capsule of a subject's eye. The IOL device includes an anterior refractive optical element and a membrane coupled to the refractive optical element. The anterior refractive optical element and the membrane define an enclosed cavity configured to contain a fluid. At least a portion of the membrane is configured to contact a posterior area of the lens capsule adjoining the vitreous body of the subject's eye. The fluid contained in the enclosed cavity exerts a deforming or displacing force on the anterior refractive optical element in response to an anterior force exerted on the membrane by the vitreous body. The IOL device may further include a haptic system to position the anterior refractive optical element and also to engage the zonules and ciliary muscles to provide additional means for accommodation.

1 . An accommodating intraocular lens (IOL) device adapted for implantation in the lens capsule of a subject's eye, the IOL device comprising:
 an anterior portion comprising a refractive optical element;   an elastic posterior portion; and   an enclosed cavity defined between the anterior and posterior portions;   wherein the cavity is configured to contain a volume of fluid to space apart the anterior and posterior portions;   wherein the posterior portion is configured to contact a posterior area of the lens capsule adjoining the vitreous body at least in the area at and surrounding the optical axis when the IOL device is implanted in the eye and the cavity contains the fluid; and   wherein the posterior portion actuates in response to an anterior force exerted by the vitreous body, causing the fluid to exert a deforming or displacing force on the refractive optical element.   
     
     
         2 . The accommodating IOL device of  claim 1 , wherein the refractive optical element increases its degree of curvature in response to the anterior force and decreases its degree of curvature in the absence of the anterior force. 
     
     
         3 . The accommodating JUL device of  claim 2 , wherein the refractive optical element is resiliently biased to having a degree of curvature that is substantially equal to the degree of curvature of the anterior portion of the subject's natural lens capsule. 
     
     
         4 . The accommodating IOL device of  claim 1 , wherein the IOL device is biased to a configuration having a width that is substantially equal to the width of the unaccommdated natural lens capsule along the optical axis. 
     
     
         5 . The accommodating IOL device of  claim 1 , wherein the IOL device has an equatorial diameter that is substantially equal to the equatorial diameter of the subject's natural lens capsule in the unaccommodated state. 
     
     
         6 . The accommodating IOL device of  claim 1 , wherein the anterior portion is dimensioned to engage the zonules when the IOL device is implanted in the subject's eye. 
     
     
         7 . The accommodating IOL device of  claim 1 , further comprising a haptic system coupled to the anterior portion. 
     
     
         8 . The accommodating IOL device of  claim 7 , wherein the haptic system is configured to substantially center the refractive optical element in the path of the optical axis when implanted in the subject's eye. 
     
     
         9 . The accommodating IOL device of  claim 8 , wherein the haptic system is configured to bilaterally displace the refractive optical element along the optical axis in response to the contraction and relaxation of the ciliary muscles when the IOL device is implanted in the subject's eye. 
     
     
         10 . The accommodating IOL device of  claim 1 , wherein the volume of fluid contained in the cavity is sufficient to space apart the anterior and posterior portions at a distance d 3  along the optical axis that is substantially equal to the width d 2  of the subject's natural lens capsule along the optical axis in the unaccommodated state. 
     
     
         11 . An accommodating intraocular lens (IOL) device adapted for implantation in the lens capsule of a subject's eye, the IOL device comprising:
 an anterior refractive optical element; and   a membrane comprising a posterior surface, the membrane coupled to the anterior optical element and defining an enclosed cavity configured to contain a volume of fluid;   wherein the posterior portion is configured to contact a posterior area of the lens capsule adjoining the vitreous body at least in an area at and surrounding the optical axis when the IOL device is implanted in the eye and the cavity contains the fluid; and   wherein the fluid deforms the anterior refractive optical element in response to an anterior force exerted on the posterior surface by the vitreous body.   
     
     
         12 . The accommodating IOL of  claim 11 , wherein the anterior optical element further comprises a self-sealing valve to permit the injection of the fluid. 
     
     
         13 . The accommodating IOL device of  claim 11 , wherein the fluid is viscoelastic. 
     
     
         14 . The accommodating IOL device of  claim 11 , wherein the fluid is an aqueous solution of saline or hyaluronic acid. 
     
     
         15 . The accommodating IOL device of  claim 11 , wherein the fluid has substantially the same viscosity as the vitreous humor. 
     
     
         16 . The accommodating IOL device of  claim 11 , wherein the fluid has substantially the same refractive index as the aqueous humor or the vitreous humor. 
     
     
         17 . The accommodating IOL device of  claim 11 , wherein the membrane is coupled to the anterior refractive optical element about its periphery. 
     
     
         18 . The accommodating IOL device of  claim 11 , wherein the anterior refractive optical element is contained within the enclosed cavity of the membrane. 
     
     
         19 . The accommodating IOL device of  claim 11 , wherein the posterior portion further comprises a reinforced portion. 
     
     
         20 . A method for implanting an accommodating intraocular accommodating lens (IOUL) device in a subject's eye comprising:
 introducing an IOL device in the lens capsule of the subject's eye through an incision in the subject's eye, wherein the IOL device comprises a refractive optical element coupled to an elastic membrane to define an internal cavity;   positioning the IOL device within the lens capsule of the subject's eye to substantially center the refractive optical element along an optical axis; and   injecting a volume of fluid into the internal cavity of the IOL device sufficient to cause the elastic membrane to contact a posterior area of the lens capsule adjoining the vitreous body in at least an area at and surrounding the optical axis.