Abstract: An improved opthalmic lens is disclosed which has a plurality of alternating power zones with a continuously varying power within each zone, as well as in transition from one zone to another. In other words, a plurality of concentric zones (at least two) are provided in which the variation from far to near vision correction is continuous, i.e., from near correction focal power to far correction focal power, then back to near, and again back to far, or vice versa. This change is continuous (progressive), without any abrupt correction changes, or “edges”. Two versions of the invention are disclosed. In the first version continuous, alternating power variation is accomplished by a continuously changing curvature of the lens posterior surface, thereby altering the angle of impact of light rays on the eye.

Abstract: There is disclosed an accommodating intraocular lens for implantation in an eye having an optical axis. The lens has an anterior portion which in turn includes an anterior viewing element and an anterior biasing element. The lens also has a posterior portion which in turn includes a posterior viewing element in spaced relationship to the anterior viewing element and a posterior biasing element. The anterior portion and posterior portion meet at first and second apices of the intraocular lens. The anterior portion and the posterior portion and/or the apices are responsive to force thereon to cause the separation between the viewing elements to change. Additional embodiments and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An intraocular lens system adapted to be implanted within an eye includes an anterior optic movable in a forward direction within the eye. The intraocular lens system further includes at least two anterior haptic arms, each anterior haptic arm having a first end coupled to the anterior optic and a second end adapted to be coupled to the eye. The intraocular lens system further includes a posterior optic movable in the forward direction within the eye and coupled to the anterior haptic arms. The intraocular lens system further includes at least one posterior haptic member adapted to be coupled to the eye and coupled to the posterior optic. The anterior haptic arms are responsive to a first forward movement of the posterior optic by actuating a second forward movement of the anterior optic substantially larger than the first forward movement.

Abstract: There is disclosed an accommodating intraocular lens for implantation in an eye having an optical axis. The lens comprises an anterior portion which in turn comprises an anterior viewing element and an anterior biasing element. The lens further comprises a posterior portion which in turn comprises a posterior viewing element in spaced relationship to the anterior viewing element and a posterior biasing element. The anterior portion and posterior portion meet at first and second apices of the intraocular lens. The anterior portion and the posterior portion and/or the apices are responsive to force thereon to cause the separation between the viewing elements to change. Additional embodiments and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: There is disclosed an accommodating intraocular lens for implantation in an eye having an optical axis. The lens comprises an anterior portion which in turn comprises an anterior viewing element and an anterior biasing element. The lens further comprises a posterior portion which in turn comprises a posterior viewing element in spaced relationship to the anterior viewing element and a posterior biasing element. The anterior portion and posterior portion meet at first and second apices of the intraocular lens. The anterior portion and the posterior portion and/or the apices are responsive to force thereon to cause the separation between the viewing elements to change. Additional embodiments and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An instrument for double-folding an elastically deformable IOL and for inserting the IOL into the anterior chamber of a patient's eye has a first elongate member and a second elongate member which are independently slidable within a handle. The distal ends of the first elongate member and the second elongate member protrude outwardly from the handle to provide a pair of forceps jaws suitable for gripping an IOL. The forceps jaws can be thrust through a double-folding member wherein the IOL is double-folded. After being double-folded, the IOL can be inserted into a patient's eye where it can be released by the forceps and allowed to unfold.

Abstract: An adjustable intraocular lens system is provided by detachably attaching a secondary intraocular lens having a thin, contact lens-type optic onto a primary intraocular lens that has previously been implanted into an individual's eye. The preliminary intraocular lenses have two or more shallow, narrow slits formed adjacent the optical peripheries thereof. These slits may be formed in or through the preliminary intraocular lens optic itself or outside the optic in tabs, in haptic attachment regions or in plate-type haptics. The associated secondary intraocular lens optics are formed having two or more insertion tabs extending radially from the optical peripheries thereof. The secondary intraocular insertion tabs are shaped and located to penetrate corresponding ones of the primary intraocular lens slits and have wedge-shaped free end regions to facilitate slit insertion. The secondary intraocular lens provides a required power correction to the primary intraocular lens to which it is attached.

Abstract: A narrow profile, glare reducing, posterior chamber intraocular lens comprises an optic having an anterior surface and a posterior surface and an optical axis. The posterior surface is formed having two adjacent peri-axial, stepped imaging zones, the two imaging zones having the substantially the same optical power. A transition zone between the two imaging zones preferably has a surface of continuous curvature shaped to reduce direct glare from light incident on the transition zone in an individual's eye in which the intraocular lens is implanted by internal reflection of direct light incident on the transition zone. Attachment members joined to the optic position the intraocular lens in an eye with the optical axis of the optic generally aligned with the optical axis of the eye. In variations, the transition zones are formed at the optic edge to minimize direct and indirect in the eye of an individual wearing the intraocular lens.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for modifying the optical characteristics of a intraocular lens implanted in a patient's eye, the primary intraocular lens having a primary optic with a narrow annular recess formed into an anterior surface generally parallel to the anterior surface and relatively adjacent the primary optic periphery, an entrance to the recess having an overhanging lip directed toward the primary optic optical axis. The method includes forming a thin, elastically deformable secondary optic having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the primary optic recess entrance, and having first and second tabs extending radially outward at generally opposite peripheral regions for inserting into the primary optic recess. A secondary optic manipulation hole is formed in each of the tabs and small first and second, spaced far apart ocular incisions are made in opposite regions of the patient's eye.

Abstract: An improved opthalmic lens is disclosed which has a plurality of alternating power zones with a continuously varying power within each zone, as well as in transition from one zone to another. In other words, a plurality of concentric zones (at least two) are provided in which the variation from far to near vision correction is continuous, i.e., from near correction focal power to far correction focal power, then back to near, and again back to far, or vice versa. This change is continuous (progressive), without any abrupt correction changes, or “edges”.

Abstract: A narrow profile, glare reducing, refractive mono-focal intraocular lens is described that comprises an optic having an anterior surface and a posterior surface and an optical axis. One of the anterior and posterior surfaces is formed having two adjacent peri-axial, stepped imaging zones, the two imaging zones having the substantially the same optical power that is preferably outside the −5 to +5 diopter range. A transition zone between the two imaging zones preferably has a continuously variable surface curvature that reduces both indirect glare (caused by light refraction) and direct glare (caused by light diffraction) in an individual's eye in which the intraocular lens is implanted. The transition zone surface may alternatively be continuously curved or variably curved to reduce direct glare and indirect glare, respectively. Attachment members joined to the optic position the intraocular lens in an eye with the optical axis of the optic generally aligned with the optical axis of the eye.

Abstract: An accommodating intraocular lens is disclosed that provides vision accommodation in response to contraction of an eye's ciliary muscle. The intraocular lens comprises a deformable elastic dynamic lens having a non-accommodating surface curvature and a lens-shaping member having flexible portions in contact with peripheral edge regions of the dynamic lens for enabling compressive deformation thereof for changing the lens surface curvature to achieve accommodation. Included are an elastically flexible coil member mounted around the lens-shaping member flexible portions. A first lens-supporting member has a proximal end region that engages the flexible coil member and a second lens-supporting member has a proximal end region connected to the lens-shaping member.

Abstract: A multifocal ophthalmic lens, having outer annular zones with vision correction powers less than a far vision correction power of the patient, is disclosed. These additional annular zones come into play, when the pupil size increases under dim lighting conditions, to thereby compensate for the near-vision powered annular zones. The net effect of the additional near vision annular zones and the additional annular zones having power less than the far vision correction power is to shift the best quality image from in front of the retina to an area on the retina of the eye, to thereby reduce halo effects and improve image contrast.

Abstract: Ophthalmic lenses, for example, intraocular lenses, contact lenses, corneal implant lenses and the like, have multifocal characteristics which provide beneficial reductions in at least the perception of one or more night time visual symptoms such as “halos”, and “glare or flare”.

Abstract: There is disclosed an accommodating intraocular lens for implantation in an eye having an optical axis. The lens comprises an anterior portion which in turn comprises an anterior viewing element and an anterior biasing element. The lens further comprises a posterior portion which in turn comprises a posterior viewing element in spaced relationship to the anterior viewing element and a posterior biasing element. The anterior portion and posterior portion meet at first and second apices of the intraocular lens. The anterior portion and the posterior portion and/or the apices are responsive to force thereon to cause the separation between the viewing elements to change. Additional embodiments and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A corrective intraocular lens system comprises a primary intraocular lens for implanting into an individaual'aphakic or phakic eye. The primary intraocular lens includes an optic portion having an optical axis and an anterior surface and a posterior surface, and includes attachment means for maintaining the optic portion centered along the optical axis of the individual's eye. The optic portion is formed having a narrow recess or groove formed into the anterior surface adjacent peripheral regions of the optical portion. The recess may extend completely or only partially around the optic. Included is an elastically deformable, corrective secondary intraocular lens having an optic portion with an anterior surface and a posterior surface.

Abstract: An improved ophthalmic lens is disclosed which has a plurality of alternating power zones with a continuously varying power within each zone, as well as in transition from one zone to another. In other words, a plurality of concentric zones (at least two) are provided in which the variation from far to near vision correction is continuous, i.e., from near correction focal power to far correction focal power, then back to near, and again back to far, or vice versa. This change is continuous (progressive), without any abrupt correction changes, or “edges”. Two versions of the invention are disclosed. In the first version continuous, alternating power variation is accomplished by a continuously changing curvature of the lens posterior surface, thereby altering the angle of impact of light rays on the eye.

Abstract: Intraocular lenses include a lens body sized and adapted for placement in a mammalian eye and having a plurality of different optical powers, and a movement assembly joined to the lens body and adapted to cooperate with the mammalian eye to effect accommodating movement of the lens body in the eye. Such intraocular lenses provide enhanced accommodation relative to the accommodation attainable using a single optical power IOL adapted for accommodating movement.

Abstract: There is described an instrument for double folding an elastically deformable intraocular lens (IOL) into a general C-shape for insertion through a small incision into the anterior chamber of a patient's eye for controlled unfolding. The instrument comprises an elongate, slender IOL insertion tube having an IOL receiving station located in the tube adjacent a cutaway opening. A support element is provided for holding a central optic region of an IOL received in the IOL receiving station against an inner surface of the tube during the double folding of the IOL. An IOL double folding member installed on the tube has a converging recess facing the IOL receiving station, the recess being along the longitudinal tube axis and having an IOL discharge opening facing the insertion tube distal end.

Abstract: An instrument for implanting an elastically foldable intraocular lens in an eye is described. The instrument comprises a barrel having proximal and distal ends and a nozzle having a slender ocular insertion end region sized for insertion through an ocular incision no greater than about 3.7 mm., the nozzle being attached to the distal end of the nozzle. The barrel includes an intraocular lens holding chamber upstream of the nozzle. First and second shield elements are disposed inside along opposite side regions of the nozzle, each of the shield elements having an elastically deformable protective shield region disposed in the nozzle in an elastically deformed state.