Apparatus For Phototherapy Of The Eye

Abstract

A device and method for applying light to the cornea of the eye as, for example, to promote crosslinking of collagen in the cornea for vision correction. The device may include a structure having form and size similar to a conventional contact lens. The structure may include an optically dispersive element such as a mass of an optically dispersive material that may be contained in a cavity of a reflective element. Light applied to the dispersive mass as, for example, by an optical fiber connected to the structure is dispersed in the structure and passes into the cornea. The patient may blink or close the eye during the procedure, which increases patient comfort and aids in maintaining hydration of the cornea.

1 . A device for applying light to the eye of the subject comprising:
 a structure having an inner surface facing in an inward direction and adapted to rest on a surface of the eye so that the inner surface and the surface of the eye define a space, the structure including an optically scattering dome or disc adapted to transmit light to the eye; and a conduit extending from the structure and communicating with the inner surface.   
     
     
         2 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a source of a liquid connected to the conduit. 
     
     
         3 . The device as claimed in  claim 2 , further comprising a pump connected to the source of liquid and the conduit. 
     
     
         4 . The device as claimed in  claim 3 , further comprising a sensor for monitoring liquid in the space between the inner surface of the structure and the surface of the eye, and a control circuit connected to the sensor and to the pump for controlling operation of the pump. 
     
     
         5 . The device as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the pump and the liquid source are operable to supply a fluid containing a photoactive agent so as to fill the space between the eye and the device with the fluid containing the photoactive agent, and then to flush the reservoir space with a wetting liquid without the photoactive agent. 
     
     
         6 . The device as claimed in  claim 3  or  claim 5 , further including a fiber extending from the structure for supplying light to the optically scattering dome or disc. 
     
     
         7 . The device as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the optically scattering dome or disc has an axis extending in the inward direction and an outward direction opposite to the inward direction, and an edge surface extending around the axis, and , the structure further including a reflector defining a reflective circumferential surface extending around the edge surface, the reflector being adapted to reflect light emitted from the fiber into the scattering dome or disc transverse to the axis so that the reflected light passes into mass in directions generally parallel to the inner surface so that the light will be scattered and at least some of the scattered light will pass through the inner surface into the eye. 
     
     
         8 . The device as claimed in  claim 7  further wherein the scattering dome or disc has an exterior surface facing in the outward direction, the device further comprising a reflector overlying the exterior surface of the scattering dome or disc. 
     
     
         9 . The device as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the fiber extends from the structure in a direction transverse to the axis. 
     
     
         10 . The device as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the conduit extends alongside the fiber. 
     
     
         11 . The device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the structure is in the form of a contact lens and is adapted to permit the subject to blink while the inner surface of the structure is resting on a surface of the eye. 
     
     
         12 . A method of corneal crosslinking comprising placing a device as claimed in  claim 1  on an eye of a subject so that the scattering dome or disc overlies the cornea of the eye, directing liquid through the conduit into the space between the eye of the subject and the inner surface of the device while the device is in place on the eye, and irradiating the cornea by directing light into the optically scattering dome or disc so that light scattered by the disc is directed into the cornea. 
     
     
         13 . A method as claimed in  claim 12  wherein the step of directing liquid into the space through the conduit includes directing a liquid containing a photoactive agent into the space and then directing a liquid without the photoactive agent into the space before the irradiating step.