Hydrophilic iol packaging system

Abstract

A method of maintaining a hydrophilic intraocular lens in a foldable state without immersing the intraocular lens in liquid water includes the step of storing the foldable intraocular lens within a substantially air tight package containing a water reservoir not in direct contact with the lens.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of maintaining a hydrophilic intraocular lens in a foldable state without immersing the intraocular lens in liquid water, the method comprising the step of storing the foldable intraocular lens within a substantially air tight package containing a water reservoir not in direct contact with the lens. 
     
     
         2 . A combination comprising:
 a) a substantially air tight container having a water reservoir; and   b) a foldable hydrophilic intraocular lens disposed within the container so as not to be in direct contact with the water reservoir.   
     
     
         3 . The combination of  claim 2  wherein the container has interior surfaces comprising blind holes and wherein the water reservoir comprises water retained within the blind holes. 
     
     
         4 . The combination of  claim 2  wherein the container has interior surfaces with non-smooth textures and wherein the water reservoir comprises water retained within the surfaces with non-smooth textures. 
     
     
         5 . The combination of  claim 2  wherein the container comprises void volumes and wherein the water reservoir comprises water retained within the void volumes. 
     
     
         6 . The combination of  claim 2  wherein the container contains a water permeable pouch and wherein the water reservoir comprises water retained within the water permeable pouch. 
     
     
         7 . The combination of  claim 6  wherein the pouch contains an absorbent towel and wherein the water reservoir comprises water retained within the towel. 
     
     
         8 . The combination of  claim 6  wherein the pouch contains a sheet having blind holes and wherein the water reservoir comprises water retained within the blind holes. 
     
     
         9 . The combination of  claim 6  wherein the pouch contains a water absorbing polymer and wherein the water reservoir comprises water retained within the water absorbing polymer. 
     
     
         10 . The combination of  claim 2  wherein the container comprises a tray having an elongate compartment bounded by a bottom wall, side walls and an elongate top opening, the top opening being sealed by a cover, and wherein the water reservoir comprises water retained within a water permeable pouch disposed below the cover and spanning substantially the entirety of the top opening. 
     
     
         11 . The combination of  claim 10  wherein the container has a non-permeable foil lid. 
     
     
         12 . The combination of  claim 2  wherein the container the water reservoir retains between about 0.5 and 3 ml of water. 
     
     
         13 . The combination of  claim 2  wherein the combination is disposed within an autoclavable foil pouch. 
     
     
         14 . A combination comprising:
 a) a substantially air tight container comprises a tray having an elongate compartment bounded by a bottom wall, side walls and an elongate top opening, the top opening being sealed by a cover; comprises water retained within a water permeable pouch disposed below the cover and spanning substantially the entirety of the top opening;   b) a water reservoir comprising between about 0.5 and 3 ml of water retained within a water permeable pouch disposed below the cover and spanning substantially the entirety of the top opening; and   c) a foldable hydrophilic intraocular lens disposed unfolded within an injector, the injector being adapted to fold and inject the intraocular lens into the eye of a patient through a cylindrical injection tube having an inside diameter of 2 mm or less;   
       wherein, the hydrophilic intraocular lens is disposed within the container so as not to be in direct contact with the water reservoir. 
     
     
         15 . The combination of  claim 14  wherein the pouch contains an absorbent towel and wherein the water reservoir comprises water retained within the towel. 
     
     
         16 . The combination of  claim 14  wherein the pouch contains a sheet having blind holes and wherein the water reservoir comprises water retained within the blind holes. 
     
     
         17 . The combination of  claim 14  wherein the pouch contains a water absorbing polymer and wherein the water reservoir comprises water retained within the water absorbing polymer. 
     
     
         18 . The combination of  claim 14  wherein the combination is disposed within an autoclavable foil pouch.