Contact lens for increasing tear production

Abstract

Described here are devices, systems, and methods for increasing tear production by stimulating the cornea, conjunctiva, and/or subconjunctiva. In some variations, the devices may be in the form of a contact lens. The contact lens may comprise a lens body and a stimulator chip, where the stimulator chip is embedded in the lens body. An external power source wirelessly transmits energy to the stimulator chip, where the stimulator chip may convert the energy to an electric waveform to stimulate the cornea, conjunctiva, and/or subconjunctiva. Stimulation may activate the lacrimal reflex to increase tear production. The devices and systems for increasing tear production may be used in methods of treating dry eye, reducing the symptoms of tired eye, increasing comfort for contact lens wearers, and extending the number of years a contact lens user can wear contacts. Also described are methods of manufacturing a contact lens.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method of treating dry eye disease in an eye of a subject, comprising:
 receiving, by a stimulator, energy from an external power source, the stimulator configured to be positioned in a subconjunctival space of the eye and deliver a stimulus to a lacrimal nerve for increasing tear production, the stimulator comprising:
 a photodiode for receiving the energy from the external power source to activate the stimulator, the photodiode configured to convert the energy to the stimulus; and 
   delivering, from the stimulator, the stimulus to the lacrimal nerve of the subject to cause an increase in tear production, thereby treating the dry eye disease in the subject.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising: periodically replacing the stimulator in the eye of the subject, the replacing including removing the stimulator from a first location in the eye and placing a new stimulator in a second location in the eye. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the external power source comprises a laser diode. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the photodiode receives light from the external power source, the light comprising wavelengths between approximately 880 nm and 930 nm. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the external power source comprises an infrared light-emitting diode. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the stimulator comprises one or more anchors configured to be pushed into the sclera to secure the stimulator to the sclera. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein each of the one or more anchors comprises a length between approximately 50 microns and approximately 100 microns. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the one or more anchors comprises one or more of an angled pick and a nail. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the stimulator further comprises an atraumatic and non-irritating coating. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the coating comprises a hydrogel configured to allow for ionic conduction. 
     
     
         31 . A device for treating dry eye disease in an eye of a subject, the device comprising:
 a stimulator configured to increase tear production in the eye of the subject by delivering a stimulus to a lacrimal nerve of the subject thereby treating the dry eye disease, the stimulator comprising:
 a photodiode configured to receive energy from an external power source and convert the energy to the stimulus. 
   
     
     
         32 . The device of  claim 31 , wherein the stimulator is configured to be positioned in a subconjunctival space of the eye of the subject. 
     
     
         33 . The device of  claim 31 , wherein the external power source comprises a laser diode. 
     
     
         34 . The device of  claim 31 , wherein the photodiode receives light from the external power source, the light comprising wavelengths between approximately 880 nm and 930 nm. 
     
     
         35 . The device of  claim 31 , wherein the external power source comprises an infrared light-emitting diode. 
     
     
         36 . The device of  claim 31 , wherein the external power source comprises an optical modifier to produce non-collimated light. 
     
     
         37 . The device of  claim 32 , wherein the stimulator comprises one or more anchors configured to be pushed into the sclera to secure the stimulator to the sclera. 
     
     
         38 . The device of  claim 37 , wherein each of the one or more anchors comprises a length between approximately 50 microns and approximately 100 microns. 
     
     
         39 . The device of  claim 37 , wherein the one or more anchors comprises one or more of an angled pick and a nail. 
     
     
         40 . The device of  claim 31 , wherein the stimulator further comprises an atraumatic and non-irritating coating.