Intraocular Lens with Accommodation

Abstract

An intraocular lens (IOL) assembly for correcting myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism using the intraocular lens assembly are provided. In particular, the intraocular lens assembly comprises a lens extending along an optical axis between an anterior optical surface and a posterior optical surface. The IOL has a circumferential edge disposed about the optical axis at a junction of anterior and posterior optical surfaces. The IOL assembly further has N haptics, where N is an integer greater than 1. Each haptic extends from an associated portion of the circumferential edge and along an associated haptic axis. In addition, each haptic is loop-like or paddle-like and extends between end portions at opposite ends thereof. The end portions are joined to the lens at the circumferential edge. The resultant vaulted structure provides an intraocular lens assembly that, when implanted in the eye, allows accommodation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An intraocular lens assembly comprising:
 a lens extending along an optical axis between an anterior optical surface and a posterior optical surface and having a circumferential edge disposed about said optical axis at a junction of said anterior and posterior optical surfaces, and having N haptics, each of said haptics extending from an associated portion of said circumferential edge and along an associated haptic axis, where N is an integer greater than 1,   wherein each of said haptics has a smooth, curved peripheral edge and extends between end portions at opposite ends thereof, said end portions being joined to said lens at said circumferential edge.   
     
     
         2 . An intraocular lens assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said haptics are loop-like. 
     
     
         3 . An intraocular lens assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said haptics are paddle-like. 
     
     
         4 . An intraocular lens assembly according to  claim 1 , having a first pair of haptics extending from opposite portions of said circumferential edge along an associated first pair of haptic axes, and
 having a second pair of haptics extending from opposite portions of said circumferential edge along an associated second pair of haptic axes,   wherein said first pair of haptic axes and said optic axis are coplanar in a first haptic plane   wherein said second pair of haptic axes and said optic axis are coplanar in a second haptic plane.   
     
     
         5 . An intraocular lens assembly according to  claim 4  wherein said first haptic plane is perpendicular to said second haptic plane. 
     
     
         6 . An intraocular lens assembly according to  claim 5  wherein said haptics are angularly displaced with respect to said optical axis in a direction away from said anterior optical surface by an angle A from a plane transverse to said optical axis. 
     
     
         7 . An intraocular lens assembly according to  claim 6  wherein A is in the approximate range 4-7 degrees. 
     
     
         8 . An intraocular lens assembly according to  claim 4  wherein each of said haptics includes M footplates extending therefrom symmetrically about its associated haptic axis, where M is an integer greater than 0. 
     
     
         9 . An intraocular lens assembly according to  claim 8  where M=1 for each of said haptics. 
     
     
         10 . An intraocular lens assembly according to  claim 4  wherein each of said haptics includes M footplates, where M=0. 
     
     
         11 . An intraocular lens assembly according to  claim 5  wherein each of said haptics includes M footplates extending therefrom symmetrically about its associated haptic axis, where M is an integer greater than 0. 
     
     
         12 . An intraocular lens assembly according to  claim 11  where M=1 for each of said haptics. 
     
     
         13 . An intraocular lens assembly according to  claim 5  wherein each of said haptics includes M footplates, where M=0. 
     
     
         14 . An intraocular lens assembly according to  claim 6  wherein each of said haptics includes M footplates extending therefrom symmetrically about its associated haptic axis, where M is an integer greater than 0. 
     
     
         15 . An intraocular lens assembly according to  claim 14  where M=1 for each of said haptics. 
     
     
         16 . An intraocular lens assembly according to  claim 6  wherein each of said haptics includes M footplates, where M=0. 
     
     
         17 . An intraocular lens assembly according to  claim 7  wherein each of said haptics includes M footplates extending therefrom symmetrically about its associated haptic axis, where M is an integer greater than 0. 
     
     
         18 . An intraocular lens assembly according to  claim 17  where M=1 for each of said haptics. 
     
     
         19 . An intraocular lens assembly according to  claim 7  wherein each of said haptics includes M footplates, where M=0. 
     
     
         20 . An intraocular lens assembly according to  claim 1  wherein each of said haptic axis is coplanar with said optic axis in an associated haptic plane. 
     
     
         21 . An intraocular lens assembly according to  claim 1  where N is odd. 
     
     
         22 . An intraocular lens assembly according to  claim 21  where N=3. 
     
     
         23 . An intraocular lens assembly according to  claim 21  where N=5. 
     
     
         24 . An intraocular lens assembly according to  claim 1  where N is even. 
     
     
         25 . An intraocular lens assembly according to  claim 24  where N=2. 
     
     
         26 . An intraocular lens assembly according to  claim 24  where N=4. 
     
     
         27 . An intraocular lens assembly according to  claim 1  wherein each of said haptics includes M footplates extending therefrom symmetrically about its associated haptic axis, where M is an integer greater than 0. 
     
     
         28 . An intraocular lens assembly according to  claim 27  where M=1 for each of said haptics. 
     
     
         29 . An intraocular lens assembly according to  claim 1  wherein each of said haptics includes M footplates, where M=0. 
     
     
         30 . An intraocular lens assembly according to  claim 20  wherein each of said haptics includes M footplates extending therefrom symmetrically about its associated haptic axis, where M is an integer greater than 0. 
     
     
         31 . An intraocular lens assembly according to  claim 30  where M=1 for each of said haptics. 
     
     
         32 . An intraocular lens assembly according to  claim 20  wherein each of said haptics includes M footplates, where M=0. 
     
     
         33 . An intraocular lens assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the intraocular lens assembly includes either a monofocal or multifocal lens. 
     
     
         34 . A method for implanting a phakic intraocular lens assembly in an eye, comprising:
 inserting into the eye, a lens extending along an optical axis between an anterior optical surface and a posterior optical surface and having a circumferential edge disposed about said optical axis at a junction of said anterior and posterior optical surfaces, and N haptics, each of said haptics extending from an associated portion of said circumferential edge and along associated haptic axis, where N is an integer greater than 1,   wherein each of said haptics has a smooth, curved peripheral edge and extends between end portions at opposite ends thereof, said end portions being joined to said lens at said circumferential edge.   
     
     
         35 . An intraocular lens assembly according to  claim 34 , wherein said haptics are loop-like. 
     
     
         36 . An intraocular lens assembly according to  claim 34 , wherein said haptics are paddle-like. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 34  wherein said haptic axis are angulated away from said anterior surface by angle A with respect to a plane transverse to said optical axis. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37  wherein A is in the approximate range 4-7 degrees. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 34  wherein the intraocular lens assembly includes an aphakic intraocular lens assembly. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 34  permitting the eye to heal in the absence of a ciliary muscle relaxant; wherein the implanted intraocular lens provides an accommodating lens to the eye.