Abstract: A scleral prosthesis includes an elongated body configured to be implanted into scleral tissue of an eye. The elongated body includes opposing first and second ends. Multiple portions form the first end of the body and part of a remainder of the body between the first and second ends. The first and second ends are wider than the remainder of the body. The multiple portions of the body are separated by empty space such that the multiple portions meet at a point between the first and second ends of the body and are not connected to each other between that point and the first end of the body. The second end of the body is integral with the remainder of the body and not divided into multiple separated portions.

Abstract: A scleral prosthesis includes an elongated body configured to be implanted into scleral tissue of an eye. The elongated body includes (i) opposing first and second ends and (ii) multiple first portions that form the first end of the body and part of a remainder of the body between the first and second ends. The first portions of the body are separated by empty space, and the first and second ends are wider than the remainder of the body. The scleral prosthesis also includes an insert configured to be placed and retained between the first portions of the body. At least part of the insert, prior to insertion between the first portions of the body, has a shape complementary to a shape of the empty space.

Abstract: A scleral prosthesis includes an elongated body configured to be implanted into scleral tissue of an eye. The elongated body includes (i) opposing first and second ends and (ii) multiple first portions that form the first end of the body and part of a remainder of the body between the ends. The first and second ends are wider than the remainder of the body. The first portions of the body are separated lengthwise along the body by empty space such that the first portions meet at a point between the first and second ends of the body and are not connected to each other between that point and the first end. The scleral prosthesis also includes an insert configured to be placed and retained between the first portions of the body. The insert has a length that is at least about half of a length of the elongated body.

Abstract: A system includes a scleral prosthesis and an insert. The scleral prosthesis includes an elongated body having a first free end and a second free end opposite the first end. A maximum width of the body at each end is wider than a maximum width of the body between the ends. The body includes multiple first portions that form the first end of the body and a part of the body between the ends. The first portions are separated lengthwise along a substantial portion of a total length of the body. The first portions are biased so that they maintain separation from one another without external interference but are configured to be pushed towards each other. The insert is configured to be placed between the first portions to maintain a separation of the first portions. The body and/or the insert could be formed using one or more magnetic materials.

Abstract: A system includes a scleral prosthesis and an insert. The scleral prosthesis includes an elongated body having a first free end and a second free end opposite the first end. A maximum width of the body at each end is wider than a maximum width of the body between the ends. The body includes multiple first portions that form the first end of the body and a part of the body between the ends. The first portions are separated lengthwise along a substantial portion of a total length of the body. The first portions are biased so that they maintain separation from one another without external interference but are configured to be pushed towards each other. The insert is configured to be placed between the first portions to maintain a separation of the first portions. The body and/or the insert could be formed using one or more magnetic materials.

Abstract: Various ocular fixation devices are disclosed. One ocular fixation device includes first and second rings, where at least one of the rings includes means for fixating ocular tissue of an eye. The means for fixating are arranged to grasp the ocular tissue of the eye and to release the ocular tissue of the eye based on rotation of at least one of the first and second rings. The ocular fixation device may also include one or more structures on which a surgical tool can be mounted on the ocular fixation device at one or more locations. For instance, a dome of the ocular fixation device could include one or more holes that are configured to receive one or more projections from the surgical tool. As another example, a base of the ocular fixation device could include one or more notches configured to receive a projection from the surgical tool.

Abstract: One example scleral prosthesis includes a first free end and a second free end, each wider than a middle portion of the scleral prosthesis. Multiple first portions form the first end of the scleral prosthesis. The first portions are separated along at least half of a length of the scleral prosthesis. Multiple second portions may form the second end of the scleral prosthesis, and the second portions may be separated along less than a quarter of the length of the scleral prosthesis. An implantation device can be used to facilitate implantation of a scleral prosthesis. The implantation device includes a first end portion configured to be inserted into a scleral tunnel of an eye. The implantation device also includes a second end portion configured to receive the scleral prosthesis. A rod with a tapered and rounded end can be partially inserted into the first end portion of the implantation device.

Abstract: A method includes identifying an actual location of a ciliary body in a patient's eye. The method also includes identifying a position for a scleral prosthesis to be inserted into scleral tissue of the patient's eye based on the identified location of the ciliary body. The method could also include forming a scleral tunnel in the scleral tissue of the patient's eye based on the identified position and inserting the scleral prosthesis into the scleral tunnel. Identifying the actual location of the ciliary body could include illuminating a first portion of the patient's eye using illumination provided at a second portion of the patient's eye. The illumination provided at the second portion of the patient's eye may be provided through an eyelid of the patient and may travel under a cornea of the patient's eye to the first portion of the patient's eye.

Abstract: A method includes identifying an actual location of a ciliary body in a patient's eye. The method also includes identifying a position for a scleral prosthesis to be inserted into scleral tissue of the patient's eye based on the identified location of the ciliary body. The method could also include forming a scleral tunnel in the scleral tissue of the patient's eye based on the identified position and inserting the scleral prosthesis into the scleral tunnel. Identifying the actual location of the ciliary body could include illuminating a first portion of the patient's eye using illumination provided at a second portion of the patient's eye. The illumination provided at the second portion of the patient's eye may be provided through an eyelid of the patient and may travel under a cornea of the patient's eye to the first portion of the patient's eye.

Abstract: A prosthesis for scleral expansion includes a central body portion and at least one end portion having a width greater than the width of the central body portion. The end portion therefore inhibits rotation of the prosthesis about a long axis when the prosthesis is implanted within a scleral pocket or tunnel. The other end of the central body portion may have a blunted end portion including grooves for receiving a edge or lip of an incision forming the scleral tunnel to inhibit the prosthesis from sliding within the scleral tunnel. Curvature of the bottom surface of the central body portion may be greater than the curvature of the innermost surface of the scleral tunnel so that contact between the scleral and the bottom surface of the prosthesis is primarily with the end portions.

Abstract: A prosthesis for scleral expansion includes a central body portion and at least one end portion having a width greater than the width of the central body portion. The end portion therefore inhibits rotation of the prosthesis about a long axis when the prosthesis is implanted within a scleral pocket or tunnel. The other end of the central body portion may have a blunted end portion including grooves for receiving a edge or lip of an incision forming the scleral tunnel to inhibit the prosthesis from sliding within the scleral tunnel. Curvature of the bottom surface of the central body portion may be greater than the curvature of the innermost surface of the scleral tunnel so that contact between the scleral and the bottom surface of the prosthesis is primarily with the end portions.