Scleral lens with fenestration and pockets

Abstract

A scleral lens with a fenestration and pockets. One fenestration or a plurality of annularly-distributed fenestrations are provided in an optic zone of the scleral lens; and two or more pockets are provided in a pocket annular zone on a posterior surface of the optic zone. The pockets are configured to trap gas bubbles near the fenestration, where the fenestration is located radially outward from the pocket annular zone and not located in a transition zone of the scleral lens, and the transition zone is configured to be located above the limbus of the eyeball during wearing of the scleral lens. The lens of the present invention will not be adsorbed to the cornea and can be worn comfortably and maintain clear visual acuity for up to 12 hours.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of wearing a scleral lens, which comprises:
 obtaining a scleral lens comprising:
 i. an optic zone that extends over the cornea of an eyeball of a wearer upon wearing of the scleral lens; 
 ii. a landing zone that is configured to land at a conjunctiva corresponding to a scleral surface of the eyeball upon wearing of the scleral lens; and 
 iii. a transition zone that connects the optic zone and the landing zone and is configured to be located above a limbus when associated with the eyeball upon wearing of the scleral lens, 
   
       wherein the optic zone comprises:
 (1) an annular zone in which a plurality of pockets are provided, the annular zone having an inner circumference and an outer circumference and being disposed on a posterior surface of the optic zone; and 
 (2) a fenestration located radially outward from the annular zone and not located in the transition zone, and 
 wherein the pockets are configured to retain gas bubbles near the fenestration, and wherein the number of pockets in the annular zone is at least 2 times more than the number of fenestration(s); and 
 placing the scleral lens over the eyeball, wherein the eyeball has a cornea and wherein the scleral lens is configured to allow delivery of a fluid from the outside of the scleral lens to the cornea while wearing the scleral lens. 
 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the wearer suffers from an ocular disease or disorder. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the ocular disease or disorder comprises Stevens-Johnson syndrome, keratoconjunctivitis sicca, graft rejection, ocular cicatricial pemphigoid, persistent corneal epithelial injury, irregular cornea, spherical cornea, keratoconus, pellucid marginal corneal degeneration, irregular cornea, spherical cornea, irregular astigmatism, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the wearer has undergone ophthalmic surgery. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the ophthalmic surgery comprises transplantation, keratoplasty, photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), or laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK), or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid comprises tears or eye drops. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the scleral lens is further configured to allow metabolites generated on an ocular surface under the scleral lens to be discharged. 
     
     
         8 . A method of using a scleral lens, which comprises:
 obtaining a scleral lens comprising:
 i. an optic zone that extends over the cornea of an eyeball of a user upon wearing of the scleral lens; 
 ii. a landing zone that is configured to land at a conjunctiva corresponding to a scleral surface of the eyeball upon wearing of the scleral lens; and 
 iii. a transition zone that connects the optic zone and the landing zone and is configured to be located above a limbus when associated with the eyeball upon wearing of the scleral lens, 
   
       wherein the optic zone comprises:
 (1) an annular zone in which a plurality of pockets are provided, the annular zone having an inner circumference and an outer circumference and being disposed on a posterior surface of the optic zone; and 
 (2) a fenestration located radially outward from the annular zone and not located in the transition zone, and 
 wherein the pockets are configured to retain gas bubbles near the fenestration, wherein the depth d of at least one pocket is within the range of 0.05 mm to 0.3 mm and the opening of at least one pocket has a maximum dimension t ranging from 0.2 mm to 1 mm, and wherein t≥2d, or the horizontal cross-section of the fenestration has a maximum dimension ranging from 0.2 mm to 1 mm; and 
 treating an ocular disease or disorder by placing the scleral lens over the eyeball, wherein the scleral lens is configured to allow fluid to enter a corneal clearance between the scleral lens and the cornea during wearing of the scleral lens. 
 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the ocular disease or disorder comprises Stevens-Johnson syndrome, keratoconjunctivitis sicca, graft rejection, ocular cicatricial pemphigoid, persistent corneal epithelial injury, irregular cornea, spherical cornea, keratoconus, pellucid marginal corneal degeneration, irregular cornea, spherical cornea, irregular astigmatism, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the user has undergone ophthalmic surgery. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the ophthalmic surgery comprises transplantation, keratoplasty, photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), or laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK), or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the fluid comprises tears or eye drops. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the scleral lens is further configured to allow metabolites generated on an ocular surface under the scleral lens to be discharged. 
     
     
         14 . A method of treating an ocular disease or disorder in an individual in need thereof, which comprises:
 providing a scleral lens comprising:
 i. an optic zone that extends over the cornea of an eyeball of the individual upon wearing of the scleral lens; 
 ii. a landing zone that is configured to land at a conjunctiva corresponding to a scleral surface of the eyeball upon wearing of the scleral lens; and 
 iii. a transition zone that connects the optic zone and the landing zone and is configured to be located above a limbus when associated with the eyeball upon wearing of the scleral lens, 
   
       wherein the optic zone comprises:
 (1) an annular zone in which a plurality of pockets are provided, the annular zone having an inner circumference and an outer circumference and being disposed on a posterior surface of the optic zone; and 
 (2) a fenestration located radially outward from the annular zone and not located in the transition zone, and 
 wherein the pockets are configured to retain gas bubbles near the fenestration, and wherein the number of pockets in the annular zone is at least 2 times more than the number of fenestration(s); and 
 administering a fluid to a corneal clearance between the scleral lens and the cornea, wherein the scleral lens is configured to provide a fluid reservoir located on the cornea. 
 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the ocular disease or disorder comprises Stevens-Johnson syndrome, keratoconjunctivitis sicca, graft rejection, ocular cicatricial pemphigoid, persistent corneal epithelial injury, irregular cornea, spherical cornea, keratoconus, pellucid marginal corneal degeneration, irregular cornea, spherical cornea, irregular astigmatism, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the individual has undergone ophthalmic surgery. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the ophthalmic surgery comprises transplantation, keratoplasty, photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), or laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK), or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the fluid comprises tears or eye drops. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the scleral lens is further configured to allow metabolites generated on an ocular surface under the scleral lens to be discharged. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the fluid comprises artificial tears.