Abstract: Small organic molecules capable of effecting a “pharmacological trabeculocanalotomy” in an eye by means of reducing juxtacanalicular meshwork as a barrier to outflow of aqueous. The small organic molecules increase Gelatinase A activity in ocular cells by increasing cell membrane expression of membrane-type matrix metalloproteinases (MT-MMPs) to increase aqueous outflow as a treatment for primary open angle glaucoma.

Abstract: Ophthalmic compositions include a polycation material to enhance antimicrobial efficacy against bacteria such as E. coli. The compositions include eye drop and contact lens treating solutions. A preferred polycation material is cationic cellulose derivatives.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an ophthalmic solution for soft contact lenses for controlled release of polyethers into an eye's tear film. Polyether components of the subject solution are released from the soft contact lens material matrix over long time periods to produce longer lasting wetting performance, improved lubricity, improved end-of-the-day comfort and reduced feeling of dryness from wearing contact lenses. The present invention also includes the use of cationic polyelectrolytes for controlling the swelling of hydrogel contact lenses typically caused by the absorption of high concentrations of polyethers.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved sustained release drug delivery device and method of producing such device. The device comprises a drug core in an impermeable cup or impermeable coating layer that is adhered to an uncured suture tab and covered with a permeable polymer coating layer that is similar to the makeup of the suture tab. The permeable polymer coating layer that covers the device, covering the impermeable coating layer and at least a portion of the drug core, is cured (after drying) along with the uncured suture tab. The “cocuring” or one step curing process forms a very strong bond between the outer coating layer to the suture tab preventing leaks.

Abstract: A method for reducing the modulus of polymer silicone hydrogel compositions by employing monomeric polysiloxanes endcapped with trimethylsilyl to reduce the crosslinking density of the hydrogel. The synthesis consists of a single vessel acid catalyzed ring opening polymerization and may be employed to produce copolymers useful as hydrogel contact lens materials.

Abstract: Optically transparent, relatively high refractive index polymeric compositions and ophthalmic devices such as intraocular lenses, contact lenses and corneal inlays made therefrom are described herein. The preferred polymeric compositions are produced through the polymerization of one or more aromatic-based silyl monomers or the copolymerization of one or more aromatic-based silyl monomers with one or more aromatic or non-aromatic non-siloxy-based monomers, hydrophobic monomers or hydrophilic monomers.

Abstract: Apparatus, products, and methods are described that relate to blending various disparate optical surfaces in a smooth and continuous manner. In cross section, the two disparate surfaces are represented as meridional profiles. A blend zone profile is described by a single third-order polynomial. In the case of rotationally symmetric optics, one cross-section suffices for the description of the entire surface. In the case of non-rotationally symmetric optics, an increased number of cross-sections are necessary to produce the desired three-dimensional surface, thus meridional profiles are calculated at selected azimuthal locations to describe the full surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to the determination of higher-order aberrations of an optical element over an optical zone that is larger than the typically limited measured zone over which the aberrations are measured. This is accomplished by apparatus, systems, and methods in which, preferably, the Zernike data from an aberration measurement is fit to a conic function. The conic function smoothly and continuously increases or decreases between the measured zone and the optical zone allowing the extrapolated data to accurately determine the aberrations over the optical zone. According to the invention, a plurality of independent conic plus piston sections that vary azimuthally can very accurately describe a wavefront aberration composed of defocus, astigmatism, spherical aberration, secondary astigmatism, and tetrafoil. The description of primary coma and trefoil will not be as good because they vary with the 3rd order of the radial component. However, the description error is relatively small.

Abstract: An method for providing an objective manifest refraction of a patient's eye includes obtaining at least fourth-order Zernike wavefront aberration information, fitting a second-order only polynomial to the at least fourth-order data, and using this information to predict the patient's manifest refraction with an accuracy approaching the patient's subjective manifest refraction. A method is also described for prescribing an accurate vision correction based upon the objective manifest refraction. A display according to the invention includes higher-order wavefront aberrations, lower order wavefront aberrations, numerical indicia of predicted manifest refraction, and images of qualitative assessments of a patient's vision quality. A device for obtaining an objective manifest refraction is described.

Abstract: A method of designing a contact lens or other correction for providing presbyopia correction to patient relies on wavefront aberration measurement data for providing a best form correction. Preferably the correction is in the form of a multifocal translating style alternating vision contact lens or a simultaneous vision style correcting lens. A method for designing a correction for improving a person's vision is directed to correcting higher order aberrations in such a manner that a residual amount of the higher-order rotationally symmetric aberration is greater than a residual amount of the higher-order rotationally asymmetric aberration after the correction. A design method according to the invention is directed to correcting asymmetric higher order aberrations induced by decentering of a multifocal contact lens that has residual spherical aberration which provides increased depth of field.

Abstract: Wavefront aberration measurements measured in response to design parameter changes in a contact lens, for example, are used to design and prescribe contact lenses offering improved vision quality. In-situ optical performance of trial lenses provides real-time, objectively determined data as a design model for the lenses. Lenses designed by the inventive process are described as well as a method for using an aberrometer to design and prescribe contact lenses.

Abstract: A calibration component for use in calibrating and certifying the accuracy of an ophthalmic wavefront sensor comprises a monolithic, plano-convex refractive optic having known amounts of one or more selected aberrations induced by the spherical, axisymmetric aspherical, or non-axisyrmmetric aspherical convex surface. An alignment tool is described, along with a procedure for calibrating an aberrometer.

Abstract: A wavefront-sensing device for measuring ocular aberrations includes, among other things, a retinal illumination component and a wavefront imaging component (e.g., a microlens array for a Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor). The retinal illumination component includes a laser source and a fixed collimating lens. In one embodiment, an improved device has a beam path between the retinal illumination component and the patient's eye containing no refracting, diffracting, or phase altering components for focusing the illumination beam on the retina. In another embodiment, the retinal illumination component provides a beam having a diameter on the retina that is smaller than the diffraction limit of the wavefront imaging component over a refractive focus range of the patient's eye of between about −12D to +6D.

Abstract: An enucleated eye examination container 10 includes a housing 12 with an interior 14 to be pressurized. An eye retaining member 16 is contained within housing 12. An eye abutment portion 18 receives the eye 20 so that the eye 20 is urged against eye abutment portion 18 by eye retaining member 16. A connector 24 is attached to housing 12 for connection to a pressurized source of gas.

Abstract: A reciprocating tool post assembly is disclosed that may provide substantially linear excursions of a cutting tool mounted therein. The apparatus includes a voice coil assembly having a longitudinal axis that provides for the reciprocating movement of the assembly and to which a pair of coil arms is attached. The assembly also includes a pair of lever arms, each being pivotally attached between a respective coil arm and a draw bar, with a pair of fulcrum members attached to a base of the assembly that engage each respective lever arm to provide a fulcrum about which each respective lever arm may pivot. One end of the draw bar is attached to a tool support that is guided in a substantially axial movement by a guide member, such that, when a cutting tool is attached to the tool support and the movement of the voice coil causes the cutting tool to reciprocate substantially axially with respect to the base.

Abstract: A novel crystal holder for the wavelength dispersive spectrometers of electron microprobes arranges four crystals as a cylinder segment which may be moved to a position in which it partially encompasses the viewing optics assembly so that low Bragg angle settings may be obtained without mechanical interference, while at the same time the interchanging of crystals by oscillation of the cylinder segment on its axis is possible at any position of the crystal holder.

Abstract: An X-ray spectrometer is provided with two channels for detecting characteristic lines of the X-ray source after being scattered by a sample undergoing analysis, in addition to means for detecting electric signals primarily representative of the concentrations of analytes in the sample. In this way, data is collected which facilitates corrections of the measurements corresponding to individual analytes for deviations from linearity of intensity caused by variations in interelement effects, and by variations in total-solids concentration, or density, of the slurry, or matrix, in which the analytes are distributed, and by variations in particle size of the total-solids in the sample. Correction of measurements of total-solids concentration and average particle size of the matrix for each other and for effects of analytes, may also be made.