Flexible contact lens

Abstract

A self-adhering, flexible, contact lens for adhering to cornea and sclera regions of an eye, the cornea and sclera each having a radius of curvature with the radius of curvature of the sclera being greater than the radius of curvature of the cornea, includes a central lens having a body including a contact surface and a viewing surface, the contact surface having a radius of curvature R1 that approximates the radius of curvature of the cornea, and an eye fixation system attached to the perimeter of the contact surface of the central lens.

1 . A self-adhering, flexible, contact lens for adhering to cornea and sclera regions of an eye, the cornea and sclera each having a radius of curvature with the radius of curvature of the sclera being greater than the radius of curvature of the cornea, the contact lens comprising:
 (a) a central lens having a body including a contact surface and a viewing surface, the contact surface having a radius of curvature R1 that approximates the radius of curvature of the cornea; and   (b) an eye fixation system attached to the perimeter of the contact surface of the central lens, at least a portion of the fixation system having a radius of curvature R2 that is less than R1 or equal to R1 and less than the radius of curvature of the sclera.   
     
     
         2 . The contact lens of  claim 1 , wherein the contact lens is molded as a single piece. 
     
     
         3 . The contact lens of  claim 1 , wherein the contact lens is made from silicone. 
     
     
         4 . The contact lens of  claim 1 , wherein the eye fixation system is continuous as it extends around the perimeter of the contact surface of the central lens. 
     
     
         5 . The contact lens of  claim 1 , wherein the eye fixation system is non-continuous as it extends around the perimeter of the contact surface of the central lens. 
     
     
         6 . The contact lens of  claim 1 , wherein the eye fixation system includes a flange portion. 
     
     
         7 . The contact lens of  claim 1 , wherein the contact lens has a cut-out portion. 
     
     
         8 . The contact lens of  claim 7 , wherein the cut-out portion is shaped such that at least one surgical tool can access to the cornea without moving the contact lens. 
     
     
         9 . The contact lens of  claim 1 , wherein the viewing surface is flat. 
     
     
         10 . The contact lens of  claim 1 , wherein the viewing surface is prismatic. 
     
     
         11 . The contact lens of  claim 1 , wherein the viewing surface is rounded. 
     
     
         12 . The contact lens of  claim 1 , wherein the central lens includes at least one hole extending from the viewing surface into the body of the central lens, the at least one hole adapted to accept a surgical tool for manipulation of the contact lens. 
     
     
         13 . The contact lens of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one hole is a blind hole. 
     
     
         14 . The contact lens of  claim 1 , wherein the contact lens is configured for movement on the eye of the patient. 
     
     
         15 . A method of performing a surgical procedure on an eye having a cornea and a sclera, the method comprising:
 (a) placing a lens on the eye, the lens having a central lens including a contact surface and a viewing surface, the contact surface having a radius of curvature R1 that approximates the radius of curvature of the cornea, and an eye fixation system attached to the central lens having a radius of curvature R2 that is less than R1 and less than the radius of curvature of the sclera; and   (b) moving the lens to a first position to view a first area of the anterior chamber of the eye through the viewing surface.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising moving the lens to a second position on the eye to view a second area of the anterior chamber of the eye through the viewing surface. 
     
     
         17 . A method of performing a surgical procedure on an eye having a cornea and a sclera, the method comprising:
 (a) placing a lens on the eye, the lens having a central lens including a contact surface and a viewing surface, the contact surface having a radius of curvature R1 that approximates the radius of curvature of the cornea, and an eye fixation system attached to the central lens;   (b) moving the lens to a first position to view a first area of the anterior chamber of the eye through the viewing surface; and   (c) moving the lens to a second position on the eye to view a second area of the anterior chamber of the eye through the viewing surface.   
     
     
         18 - 35 . (canceled)