Method of implanting an intraocular lens

Abstract

A method is provided for implanting an accommodating intraocular lens system in a capsular bag of an eye. The method includes providing the accommodating intraocular lens having an anterior viewing element and a posterior viewing element. The anterior viewing element has a width in a range between approximately 4.5 millimeters and approximately 6.5 millimeters. The method further includes forming an opening in an anterior portion of the capsular bag. The opening has a minimum width not less than approximately 4 millimeters and has a maximum width not greater than approximately 6.0 millimeters. The method further includes placing the accommodating intraocular lens system within the capsular bag. The capsular bag overlaps at least a portion of the anterior viewing element and defines an overlap region with a width in a range between approximately 0.1 millimeters and approximately 0.75 millimeters.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of implanting an accommodating intraocular lens system in a capsular bag of an eye, the method comprising:
 providing an accommodating intraocular lens, the accommodating intraocular lens having a central region and a peripheral region, at least a portion of the central region being optically transmissive;   forming an opening in an anterior region of the capsular bag; and   placing the accommodating intraocular lens within the capsular bag such that the capsular bag extends inwardly from the peripheral region of the intraocular lens towards the central region so that the capsular bag overlaps with at least a portion of the central region and defines an overlap region having a width AW, the width AW of the overlap region having a size such that the intraocular lens is properly positioned in the capsular bag.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the width of the overlap region is constant over the overlap region. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the width of the overlap region varies over the overlap region. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the portion of the central region that overlaps the capsular bag includes a plurality of fluid conduits. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the intraocular lens includes an anterior viewing element and a posterior viewing element and the central region includes a portion of the anterior viewing element. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the peripheral region includes an anterior biasing element connected to the anterior viewing element and a posterior biasing element connected to the posterior viewing element, the anterior and posterior biasing elements meeting at first and second apices. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the anterior biasing element includes a first anterior translation member extending from the anterior viewing element to the first apex and a second anterior translation member extending from the anterior viewing element to the second apex. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the accommodating intraocular lens comprises at least one retention member configured to contact at least a portion of the capsular bag and to space the portion of the capsular bag from the central region.