Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing intraocular pressure in a patient's eye is provided. A deformable intraocular member having a relaxed state with a relaxed profile having a first width, a first energized state with a first profile having a second width, and a second energized state with a second profile having a third width is provided. The deformable intraocular member relaxed state width is greater than the width of a lens capsule which surrounds a lens of the patient's eye prior to cataract surgery. The second energized state width is greater than the patient's lens capsule width after cataract surgery and smaller than the width in the relaxed state. The deformable intraocular member in the second energized state is configured to urge deformation of the lens capsule to thereby promote opening of a trabecular meshwork and canal of Schlemm of the patient's eye to promote drainage of aqueous humor from an anterior chamber and reduce intraocular pressure in the patient's eye.

Abstract: A method and instruments for cracking a cataract nucleus into smaller segments and repositioning them within the lens capsule for removal from the eye by phakoemulsification. After a trough has first been formed in the nucleus, a "cracker" instrument having two separable blades is inserted into the trough and the blades are moved apart so that they press outwardly against the opposite sides of the trough and thereby split the nucleus in half. A "rotator" instrument having an enlarged angulated foot at the end of a narrow shank may be used to rotate the split segments in the capsule to position them for phakoemulsification. The cracking and rotating technique is easier and safer than the prior technique.

Abstract: Apparatus for folding an intraocular lens about a blade-like inserter to reduce its width, and then rigidifying the folded lens in situ by chilling it until it remains folded on the inserter for insertion into the eye. The lens is positioned for folding on a seat in the folding apparatus, and the inserter blade is placed on the lens. A hinged arm folds one half of the lens over the blade. The lens is then chilled until rigid so that it remains folded around the blade, as by a cryogenic fluid circulated through the inserter. Also disclosed is a lens package having a removable carrier by which the lens can easily be removed from the package and positioned in the folding apparatus, without loss of sterility.

Abstract: An intraocular lens, folded on itself for insertion into an eye, is retained in the folded configuration by chilling until it becomes inflexible and loses its tendency to unfold. The folded, frozen lens is inserted into the eye and thaws in situ to restore it to its original unfolded configuration. The chilling obviates the need for special retaining means to hold the lens in the folded configuration for insertion, thereby facilitating the surgical procedure and enabling a smaller incision to be used. The lens may be frozen onto an inserter for positioning it within the eye. Apparatus for folding and freezing the lens is also disclosed.

Abstract: A resilient intraocular lens, folded on itself to reduce its transverse dimension for implanting, is releasably held in the folded configuration by a retainer in the form of a pliable, severable band which extends circumferentially around the lens. Preferably the retainer is securable by a pull strip along a line of weakness, to permit the lens to unfold. The pull strip remains attached to the retainer for removing it from the eye after the lens has been released.

Abstract: A foldable intraocular lens is releasably retained in folded configuration for implanting, by suturing through apertures adjacent its peripheral edge, or by structure which is integral with the lens. An elongated lens is disclosed, wherein the retaining means and haptics are located on extended upper and lower ends of the lens, out of the field of vision.

Abstract: An intraocular lens is folded on itself one or more times and is releasably held in the folded configuration by a very small, flexible retainer so as to be implantable in an eye through a smaller incision than would otherwise be required. The retainer is secured around the folded lens in a transverse direction and is held taut by the resiliency of the lens. The retainer is released in the eye as by severing, following which the lens is unfolded and positioned in the eye and the retainer is removed. The technique is especially useful following removal of a cataract by the phako-emulsification technique, because the same small incisions can be used for implanting the lens.

Abstract: An intraocular lens is folded on itself one or more times and is releasably held in the folded configuration by a very small, flexible retainer so as to be implantable in an eye through a smaller incision than would otherwise be required. The retainer is secured around the folded lens in a transverse direction and is held taut by the resiliency of the lens. The retainer is released in the eye as by severing, following which the lens is unfolded and positioned in the eye and the retainer is removed. The technique is especially useful following removal of a cataract by the phako-emulsification technique, because the same small incisions can be used for implanting the lens.