Accommodating intraocular lenses

Abstract

An intraocular lens adapted to be implanted inside a capsular bag, comprising a peripheral portion comprising an anterior annular portion adapted to engage an anterior capsule portion, the anterior annular portion defining an anterior opening through which an optical axis passes, a posterior annular portion adapted to engage a posterior capsule portion, the anterior and posterior annular portions being adapted to keep the capsular bag open after implantation, and an optic portion disposed within the anterior opening and secured to and radially inward relative to the peripheral portion.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method of adjusting an accommodating intraocular lens, comprising:
 implanting the accommodating intraocular lens within a capsular bag, wherein the accommodating intraocular lens comprises:
 an optic portion comprising an anterior element and a posterior element, wherein the anterior and posterior elements at least partially defining a fluid filled optic chamber, and wherein the anterior element is deformable, 
 wherein a plurality of polymer portions are disposed peripherally relative to the optic portion; and 
   applying an external light energy to the plurality of polymer portions, wherein the plurality of polymer portions are adapted to swell and become larger in response to the application of the external light energy resulting in a change in a fluid pressure within the fluid filled optic chamber.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the accommodating intraocular lens further comprises a peripheral portion extending peripherally from the optic portion, wherein the peripheral portion comprises a plurality of haptics, wherein the plurality of haptics are positioned to engage the capsular bag when the accommodating intraocular lens is implanted, wherein the plurality of haptics are adapted to deform in response to capsular bag reshaping, and wherein deformation of the plurality of haptics causes deformation of the optic portion to change the power of the lens, and wherein the anterior element comprises an anterior-most location of the optic portion and the posterior element comprises a posterior-most location of the optic portion, and wherein a portion of each of the plurality of haptics extends further anteriorly than the anterior-most location of the optic portion when the plurality of haptics are deformed in response to capsular bag reshaping. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein no portion of any of the plurality of haptics extends further posteriorly than the posterior-most location of the optic portion. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the external light energy is light energy having a wavelength between 380 nm and 1800 nm. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein applying the external light energy to the plurality of polymer portions raises a temperature of the plurality of polymer portions. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein each of the plurality of haptics comprises a free end that is not secured directly to the optic portion. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein each of the plurality of haptics comprises a haptic fluid chamber in communication with the fluid filled optic, and wherein the plurality of polymer portions are positioned such that when they swell and become larger they modify a volume of the haptic fluid chamber. 
     
     
         8 . A method of adjusting an accommodating intraocular lens, comprising:
 applying an external light energy to a plurality of polymer portions of the accommodating intraocular lens, wherein the accommodating intraocular lens comprises:
 an optic portion comprising an anterior element and a posterior element, wherein the anterior and posterior elements at least partially defining a fluid filled optic chamber, and wherein the anterior element is deformable,
 wherein the plurality of polymer portions are disposed peripherally relative to the optic portion, and 
 wherein the plurality of polymer portions are adapted to swell and become larger in response to the application of the external light energy resulting in a change in a fluid pressure within the fluid filled optic chamber. 
 
   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the accommodating intraocular lens further comprises a peripheral portion extending peripherally from the optic portion, wherein the peripheral portion comprises a plurality of haptics, wherein the plurality of haptics are positioned to engage the capsular bag when the accommodating intraocular lens is implanted, wherein the plurality of haptics are adapted to deform in response to capsular bag reshaping, wherein deformation of the plurality of haptics causes deformation of the optic portion to change the power of the lens, wherein the anterior element comprises an anterior-most location of the optic portion and the posterior element comprises a posterior-most location of the optic portion, and wherein a portion of each of the plurality of haptics extends further anteriorly than the anterior-most location of the optic portion when the plurality of haptics are deformed in response to capsular bag reshaping. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein no portion of any of the plurality of haptics extends further posteriorly than the posterior-most location of the optic portion. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the external light energy is light energy having a wavelength between 380 nm and 1800 nm. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein each of the plurality of haptics comprises a free end that is not secured directly to the optic portion. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein each of the plurality of haptics comprises a haptic fluid chamber in communication with the fluid filled optic, and wherein the plurality of polymer portions are positioned such that when they swell and become larger they modify a volume of the haptic fluid chamber. 
     
     
         14 . A method of adjusting an accommodating intraocular lens, comprising:
 implanting the accommodating intraocular lens within a capsular bag, wherein the accommodating intraocular lens comprises:
 an optic portion comprising an anterior element and a posterior element, wherein the anterior and posterior elements at least partially defining a fluid filled optic chamber, and wherein the anterior element is deformable, and 
 wherein a plurality of polymer portions are disposed peripherally relative to the optic portion; and 
   applying an external stimulus generated by an energy source to the plurality of polymer portions, wherein the plurality of polymer portions are adapted to swell and become larger in response to the application of the external stimulus resulting in a change in a fluid pressure within the fluid filled optic chamber.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the external stimulus is light energy. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the light energy has a wavelength between 380 nm and 1800 nm. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the energy source is an electrical source and the energy is electrical energy. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein applying the external stimulus to the plurality of polymer portions raises a temperature of the plurality of polymer portions. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the accommodating intraocular lens further comprises a peripheral portion extending peripherally from the optic portion, wherein the peripheral portion comprises a plurality of haptics, wherein the plurality of haptics are positioned to engage the capsular bag when the accommodating intraocular lens is implanted, wherein the plurality of haptics are adapted to deform in response to capsular bag reshaping, and wherein deformation of the plurality of haptics causes deformation of the optic portion to change the power of the lens, and wherein each of the plurality of haptics comprises a free end that is not secured directly to the optic portion. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein each of the plurality of haptics comprises a haptic fluid chamber in communication with the fluid filled optic, and wherein the plurality of polymer portions are positioned such that when they swell and become larger they modify a volume of the haptic fluid chamber.