Abstract: An intraocular lens (IOL) insertion system, cartridge and/or combination cartridge and folding member that facilitates multiply folding an IOL within a load chamber of the cartridge prior to insertion in an eye. In the system embodiment, a folding member is provided in a handpiece that interacts with the cartridge to multiply fold the IOL therewithin. Alternatively, the cartridge may incorporate the folding member in its structure, or a separate folding member that interacts with the cartridge may be provided in a combination. The folding member may be a planar element that extends through a slot in the wall of the load chamber to displace a midportion of the IOL away from the inner wall of the load chamber. Desirably, the multiply folded configuration that results is an M-shape or a W-shape, depending on orientation. The cartridge may further include structure that retains the multiply folded configuration of the IOL as it passes through an injection tube and into the eye.

Abstract: Intraocular lens combinations are provided which include an axially movable primary intraocular lens (IOL) and a substantially fixed compensating IOL. In certain embodiments, the compensating IOL has no corrective power and serves only to inhibit or reduce the risk of posterior capsular opacification (PCO). In other embodiments, the primary IOL has higher corrective power than required by the patient's prescription in order to amplify the accommodation obtained from axial movement, and the compensating IOL has negative corrective power to compensate for the excessive diopter value of the primary IOL. In a preferred method, the primary IOL is implanted in the capsular bag of an eye, and centered about the optical axis. The compensating IOL is then implanted in the capsular bag, sulcus, or anterior chamber and axially aligned with the primary IOL.

Abstract: An intraocular lens implantable in an eye includes an optic for placement in the capsular bag of the eye and for directing light toward the retina of the eye. The optic has a central optical axis, an anterior face, an opposing posterior face and a peripheral edge between the faces. The peripheral edge has one or more curved or angled surfaces that reduce glare within the IOL. For instance, a rounded transition surface on the anterior side of the peripheral edge diffuses the intensity of reflected light, or a particular arrangement of straight edge surfaces refracts the light so as not to reflect, or does not reflect at all. The intersection of the peripheral edge and at least one of the anterior face and the posterior face, preferably both of such faces, forms a peripheral corner located at a discontinuity between the peripheral edge and the intersecting face or faces.

Abstract: An intraocular lens implantable in an eye includes an optic for placement in the capsular bag of the eye and for directing light toward the retina of the eye. The optic has a central optical axis, an anterior face, an opposing posterior face and a peripheral edge between the faces. The peripheral edge has one or more curved or angled surfaces that reduce glare within the IOL. For instance, a rounded transition surface on the anterior side of the peripheral edge diffuses the intensity of reflected light, or a particular arrangement of straight edge surfaces refracts the light so as not to reflect, or does not reflect at all. The intersection of the peripheral edge and at least one of the anterior face and the posterior face, preferably both of such faces, forms a peripheral corner located at a discontinuity between the peripheral edge and the intersecting face or faces.

Abstract: An intraocular lens (IOL) insertion apparatus including a cartridge with an IOL-receiving chamber, a handpiece into which the cartridge is loaded, and a plunger rod that extends through a lumen in the cartridge to reliably engage the IOL therein. The chamber is stepped in one section to cause the IOL positioned therein to assume a complex curve. A lip or projection on the plunger rod is aligned with the complex curve and intersects the IOL to reliably engage the IOL across its thickness. The cartridge may be a folding type with a pair of arcuate walls and extension wings joined at a living hinge. The stepped section of the chamber may coincide with the location of the hinge.

Abstract: An iris-supported intraocular lens having an optic portion and a plurality of fixation members coupled thereto. Each fixation member has a pair of pincer arms that separate outward of the optic and converge toward one another at aligned end tips. One or both of the end tips are covered with a soft sleeve or cap. The IOL is fixed in the anterior chamber of the eye by pinching the iris tissue between the end tips of each pair of pincer arms. The soft sleeves eliminate damage to the iris tissue.

Abstract: An intraocular lens having an ultrathin and highly pliable optic and relatively more rigid fixation members extending outward therefrom. The optic desirably includes a flange to which a common arm of a pair of joined fixation members attaches. The fixation members extend on opposite sides of the optic in U-shaped flex portions spanning a distance larger than the diameter of the optic. The fixation members may be flexed inward so as to overlap within the diameter of the optic and define an insertion profile of less than about 5 mm. For anterior implantation, four relatively evenly circumferentially spaced pods are provided by the pair of fixation members. The optic center desirably has a thickness of less than about 0.5 mm for meniscus type optics, and may be made of silicone, hydrophilic acrylic, or hydrophobic acrylic. The fixation members have a thickness of about 0.25 mm and are desirably made of poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) or polyether sulfone.

Abstract: An intraocular lens configured to be implanted in the cornea from the posterior aspect. The lens has an optic and a pair fixation members extending outward therefrom. One of the fixation members includes a single enlarged foot, while the other fixation member has two bifurcated feet. The fixation members are sized and shaped to fix within tunnels formed in the cornea. A method of the invention includes forming tunnels in the stroma layer of the cornea, and positioning the fixation members in the tunnels. The tunnels may be formed from outside or inside the cornea. The method may include inserting the folded intraocular lens into the anterior chamber, permitting the lens to unfold, inserting the fixation member with the enlarged foot in one of the tunnels, and bending the two bifurcated feet of the other fixation member together so as to fit within the other tunnel.

Abstract: An IOL insertion apparatus including a cartridge with an IOL-receiving chamber, a handpiece into which the cartridge is loaded, and a plunger rod that extends through a lumen in the cartridge to reliably engage the IOL therein. The chamber has a recess in one wall that creates a space adjacent the proximal edge of the IOL positioned therein. A lip or projection on the plunger rod is aligned with the space to extend underneath the proximal edge of the IOL. The plunger rod may define a forked end with a groove into which the proximal edge of the IOL is captured. The cartridge may be of the type that folds the IOL therein. The recess may continue the entire length of the cartridge to guide the plunger rod therethrough. The cartridge lumen may converge so that the IOL is further compressed therealong. An inwardly-directed wall portion in the cartridge may help guide the lip of the plunger rod into the recess.

Abstract: An intraocular lens configured to be implanted in the cornea from the posterior aspect. The lens has an optic and a pair fixation members extending outward therefrom. One of the fixation members includes a single enlarged foot, while the other fixation member has two bifurcated feet. The fixation members are sized and shaped to fix within tunnels formed in the cornea. A method of the invention includes forming tunnels in the stroma layer of the cornea, and positioning the fixation members in the tunnels. The tunnels may be formed from outside or inside the cornea. The method may include inserting the folded intraocular lens into the anterior chamber, permitting the lens to unfold, inserting the fixation member with the enlarged foot in one of the tunnels, and bending the two bifurcated feet of the other fixation member together so as to fit within the other tunnel.

Abstract: An intraocular lens implantable in an eye includes an optic for placement in the capsular bag of the eye and for directing light toward the retina of the eye. The optic has a central optical axis, an anterior face, an opposing posterior face and a peripheral edge between the faces. The peripheral edge has one or more curved or angled surfaces that reduce glare within the IOL. For instance, a rounded transition surface on the anterior side of the peripheral edge diffuses the intensity of reflected light, or a particular arrangement of straight edge surfaces refracts the light so as not to reflect, or does not reflect at all. The intersection of the peripheral edge and at least one of the anterior face and the posterior face, preferably both of such faces, forms a peripheral corner located at a discontinuity between the peripheral edge and the intersecting face or faces.

Abstract: Apparatus for inserting intraocular lenses (IOLs) into eyes include a hollow tube including a material and having an interior wall defining a hollow space through which an IOL is passed and an outlet through which the IOL is passed from the hollow space into an eye, and a lubricity enhancing component physically secured to said hollow tube and concentrated at or near the interior wall in an amount effective to facilitate the passage of the IOL through the hollow space.

Abstract: An IOL insertion apparatus including a cartridge with an IOL-receiving chamber, a handpiece into which the cartridge is loaded, and a plunger rod that extends through a lumen in the cartridge to reliably engage the IOL therein. The chamber has a recess in one wall that creates a space adjacent the proximal edge of the IOL positioned therein. A lip or projection on the plunger rod is aligned with the space to extend underneath the proximal edge of the IOL. The plunger rod may define a forked end with a groove into which the proximal edge of the IOL is captured. The cartridge may be of the type that folds the IOL therein. The recess may continue the entire length of the cartridge to guide the plunger rod therethrough. The cartridge lumen may converge so that the IOL is further compressed therealong. An inwardly-directed wall portion in the cartridge may help guide the lip of the plunger rod into the recess.

Abstract: Apparatus for holding intraocular lenses and apparatus for holding intraocular lens injectors are provided which provide convenient and effective packaging systems for intraocular lenses and allow convenient and effective transfer of an intraocular lens to an injector in preparation for insertion of the intraocular lens into an eye.

Abstract: A scleral implant includes a body with a central portion and a pair of end portions. Each of the portions has a parametrical dimension. The parametrical dimension of the central portion is greater than the parametrical dimensions of each of the end portions. Accordingly, when the implant is positioned within an incision in the sclera of an eye, the inward force of the incision on the central portion of the body frictionally retains the implant within the incision. The scleral implant may include one or more enlarged portions each having a parametrical dimension greater than the parametrical dimension of the central portion. The implant may structure for engaging with sides of the incision such that extrusion of the implant from the incision is mitigated. The structure may include a plurality of dimples or a plurality of nodes formed in the surface of the body. Each of these structures forms a discontinuity or a purchase on the body to which post-operative cellular and fibrous growth may attached.

Abstract: An intraocular lens (IOL) insertion apparatus including a cartridge with an IOL-receiving chamber, a handpiece into which the cartridge is loaded, and a plunger rod that extends through a lumen in the cartridge to reliably engage the IOL therein. The chamber is stepped in one section to cause the IOL positioned therein to assume a complex curve. A lip or projection on the plunger rod is aligned with the complex curve and intersects the IOL to reliably engage the IOL across its thickness. The cartridge may be a folding type with a pair of arcuate walls and extension wings joined at a living hinge. The stepped section of the chamber may coincide with the location of the hinge.

Abstract: An intraocular lens (IOL) insertion system, cartridge and/or combination cartridge and folding member that facilitates multiply folding an IOL within a load chamber of the cartridge prior to insertion in an eye. In the system embodiment, a folding member is provided in a handpiece that interacts with the cartridge to multiply fold the IOL therewithin. Alternatively, the cartridge may incorporate the folding member in its structure, or a separate folding member that interacts with the cartridge may be provided in a combination. The folding member may be a planar element that extends through a slot in the wall of the load chamber to displace a midportion of the IOL away from the inner wall of the load chamber. Desirably, the multiply folded configuration that results is an M-shape or a W-shape, depending on orientation. The cartridge may further include structure that retains the multiply folded configuration of the IOL as it passes through an injection tube and into the eye.

Abstract: A biocompatible implant for continuous in vivo release of a neurotoxin over a treatment period extending from one month to five years. The implant can be made of casting a solution of a polymer, such as an ethyl vinyl acetate copolymer and the neurotoxin. The neurotoxin can be a botulinum toxin.

Abstract: An iris-supported intraocular lens having an optic portion and a plurality of fixation members coupled thereto. Each fixation member has a pair of pincer arms that separate outward of the optic and converge toward one another at aligned end tips. One or both of the end tips are covered with a soft sleeve or cap. The IOL is fixed in the anterior chamber of the eye by pinching the iris tissue between the end tips of each pair of pincer arms. The soft sleeves eliminate damage to the iris tissue.

Abstract: Apparatus for inserting intraocular lenses (IOLs) into eyes include a hollow tube including a material and having an interior wall defining a hollow space through which an IOL is passed and an outlet through which the IOL is passed from the hollow space into an eye, and a lubricity enhancing component physically secured to said hollow tube and concentrated at or near the interior wall in an amount effective to facilitate the passage of the IOL through the hollow space.