Abstract: Methods of manufacturing a corneal implant that include creating an implant body that has a meniscus shape, a diameter of approximately 2.5 mm or less, and an index of refraction of 1.376. The implant body can further have a central thickness and an outer edge thickness.

Abstract: A method of corneal transplantation with cross-linking following implantation of a corneal graft is disclosed herein. The method includes the steps of: (i) removing a diseased central portion of a host cornea from an eye of a patient; (ii) implanting a corneal graft into the eye of the patient in a location previously occupied by the diseased central portion of the host cornea; and (iii) cross-linking a peripheral portion of the host cornea and the corneal graft after implanting the corneal graft so as to prevent an immune response to the corneal graft and to prevent a rejection of the corneal graft by the patient. A method of corneal transplantation with cross-linking following implantation of a corneal inlay is also disclosed herein. Also, methods disclosed herein utilize nanoparticles, antibody-coated nanoparticles, and cell penetrating agents to enhance the penetration of a photosensitizer in the cornea of a patient.

Abstract: An improved process for producing a regenerated corneal endothelial cell sheet, comprising the steps of allowing corneal endothelial cells collected from a tissue to be cultivated on a cell culture support having its surface covered with a polymer of which the hydrating force varies in a temperature range of 0-80° C., and after the culture, (1) adjusting the temperature of the culture solution to the temperature at which the polymer on the substrate surface is hydrated, (2) bringing the cultured corneal endothelial cell sheet into close contact with a carrier, and (3) detaching the sheet together with the carrier. The regenerated corneal endothelial cell sheet obtained by the process will adhere very well to living tissues.

Abstract: A treatment apparatus for operatively correcting myopia or hyperopia in an eye includes a laser device controlled by a control device and that separates the corneal tissue by applying a laser beam. The control device controls the laser device to emit the laser beam into the cornea such that a lenticule-shaped volume is isolated in the cornea. The control device, when controlling the laser device, predefines the lenticule-shaped volume such that the volume has a minimum thickness of between 5 and 50 ?m. For myopia correction, the minimum thickness occurs on the edge of the volume, and for hyperopia correction the minimum thickness occurs in the region of the visual axis.

Abstract: A method of inserting and securing a corneal implant in engaging and fluid-flow limiting relation to the posterior cornea, such as to treat edema. The method includes securing a corneal implant in fluid flow limiting relation to the posterior cornea through an incision in the eye and securing it in place by a variety of steps such as corneal insertion or laser bonding, and preferably by inserting a removable corneal implant including a central region and a plurality of retention member(s) disposed on the periphery thereof into the eye so as to releaseably and removably engage a portion of the eye and thereby retain the corneal implant in abutting and engaging relation with the posterior cornea. The retention members of the corneal implant may also comprise haptic leg(s) extending from the central region and having a biasing configuration structured to be disposed in contacting relation with the iris and/or iridocorneal angle in biasing relation of the central region against the posterior cornea.

Abstract: A sealing device for use inside a capsular bag after the natural lens has been removed comprises a plug part adapted to seal a rhexis in a capsular bag, thus preventing displacement through the rhexis of a lens-forming liquid material injected through the rhexis and adapted to replace the natural lens and form an intraocular lens implant. The plug part has a slightly larger area than the capsulorhexis and is made of a deformable polymer. The sealing device further comprises a removable adjusting means connected to the plug part, the adjusting means protruding anteriorly from an outer surface of the plug part and being capable of positioning the plug part to a desired location.

Abstract: The present invention includes an ophthalmic device and system of mounting for correcting hyperopia and presbyopia. The present invention includes a limbus ring mountable in an encircling relation to a central optic zone of a cornea on a limbus annulus surrounding the cornea. In the limbus ring defines a substantially annular toroid defining a first average diameter that is selectable and has a hydrophilic coating disposed thereon. The inner radius of the limbus ring is selectable such that, upon mounting on the limbus annulus, the limbus ring causes the limbus annulus to contract thereby causing the curvature of the cornea and the eye length to increase. The mounting system of the present invention is adapted to receive a limbus ring and further adapted to selectively place the limbus ring on a limbus annulus.

Abstract: An implant (20) for reshaping a cornea (30) includes a peripheral supporting ring structure (22), a plurality of filaments (26), and an inlay (24). The filaments (26) span between the inlay (24) and the peripheral ring structure (22) and provide support to the inlay (24). The implant is surgically positioned with the inlay (24) generally directly over an ectatic region of the cornea (30) to provide direct re-contouring of the cornea (30). The inlay (24) can be provided with a predetermined optical curvature and/or optical prescription to further correct the patient's vision.

Abstract: A synthetic cornea for placing in a recess formed in the cornea, the recess opening out into the anterior face of the cornea so as to leave Descemet's membrane intact. The synthetic cornea comprises a piece (42) of flexible transparent material having an axis of circular symmetry and presenting an anterior face (44) in the form of a spherical cap of radius Ra and a posterior face (46) in the form of a spherical cap of radius Rp, the central zones of the two faces being separated by a distance e, and a side wall (48) substantially in the form of a truncated cone whose axis coincides with the axis of symmetry and whose apex lies in front of the anterior face, the angle a made between the section of the side wall and the section of the posterior face in a section plane containing the axis of revolution being less than or equal to 45°.

Abstract: A method of preventing rotation, de-centering, and/or backwards implantation of a corneal inlay relative to a cornea is disclosed. According to one embodiment, the corneal inlay includes a plurality of microscopic spike like protrusions disposed on the bottom of a corneal inlay that engage the surface the cornea. Alternatively, apertures may be ablated in the cornea that are sized and shaped to accept at least a portion of the corneal inlay such as a protrusion. The apertures and protrusions form a “lock and key” type arrangement that prevents movement of the corneal inlay and aid in the precise placement and maintenance of the placement of the inlay. The corneal inlay and aperture preferably include a non-circular shape.

Abstract: An intra-ocular implant exhibits an interior and a posterior surface and includes an arcuate core element capable of optically transmitting light from an exterior of an eye to its retina, the core formed of an alloplastic material. An arcuate first skirt extends integrally and annularly about the optical core. An outer skirt extends integrally and annularly about the first skirt in which the outer skirt is formed of an hydrophilic material capable of receiving vascular invasion and formation of fibrous tissue. The outer skirt is characterized by a substantially flat posterior surface furnished with microgrooves having respective widths in a range of between about two to about twenty micrometers and a depth within a like range of micrometers.

Abstract: A one-piece capsulorhexis device is presented comprising a membrane having a curved, flexible substantially discoid flap-valve member shaped to align with an ocular lens capsular bag inner surface, and at least one integral, flexible retainer shaped to align with an ocular lens capsular bag outer surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a synthetic cornea for placing in a recess formed in the cornea of the eye, said recess opening out into the anterior face of the cornea and not into the posterior face so as to leave Descemet's membrane intact. The synthetic cornea comprises a piece (42) of flexible transparent material having an axis of circular symmetry and presenting an anterior face (44) in the form of a spherical cap of radius Ra and a posterior face (46) in the form of a spherical cap of radius Rp, the central zones of the two faces being separated by a distance e, and a side wall (48) substantially in the form of a truncated cone whose axis coincides with the axis of symmetry and whose apex lies in front of said anterior face, the angle a made between the section of the side wall and the section of the posterior face in a section plane containing said axis of revolution being less than or equal to 45°.

Abstract: Prosthetic implants designed to be implanted in the cornea for modifying the cornea curvature and altering the corneal refractive power for correcting myopia, and myopia with astigmatism, such implants formed of a micro-porous hydrogel material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of insertion of keratoprostheses, and in particular, a method of surgical insertion and placement of a soft hydrogel prosthetic corneal device into the host cornea. The method of the invention provides a greatly improved rate of success for the implantation and retention of the device.

Abstract: An artificial cornea comprising an optical element made of an optically transparent material, having a front surface and a posterior surface, and a skirt provided so as to support with surrounding at least a part of the optical element, characterized in that the skirt is provided with a flange on its side facing the interior of eyes during implantation of the artificial cornea and the flange radially protrudes outward from the skirt. The artificial cornea can be well compatible with ocular tissue, prevent leakage of intraocular aqueous humor and intraocular invasion of bacteria, reduce stimulation on palpebral conjunctiva and further, inhibit progression of the down growth, and which has no possibility of reduction in transparency of the optical element due to the down growth as well as detachment and extrusion from the implanted state.