Abstract: An intraocular lens is disclosed with an optic that changes shape in response to forces exerted by the zonules of the eye. A haptic with an inner and outer ring couples the optic to the capsular bag of the eye. The haptic stresses the optic when the intraocular lens is in a natural state such that the internal stress is present throughout the accommodation range in order to prevent ripples and/or waves in the optic.

Abstract: An intraocular lens having a light-transmitting optic (32, 94a, 94b, 142, 216) comprised of a synthetic light-refractive material (40, 102) operably coupled with a flexible optic positioning member (34, 62, 74, 84, 100, 210) to refract light onto the retina in order to correct refractive errors in the eye (10). The refractive material has an index of refraction of from about 1.36 to 1.5 or higher. The optic positioning member (34, 62, 74, 84, 100, 210) is constructed of a flexible synthetic resin material such as polymethylmethacrylate and permits focusing upon objects located near to and far from the viewer. The optic (32, 94a, 94b, 142, 216) of the present invention possess greater refractive capability than optics conventionally used in IOL construction, and permits retinal receipt of the image being viewed in order to correct refractive errors.

Abstract: An intraocular lens having a light-transmitting optic (32, 94a, 94b, 142, 148, 216) comprised of a synthetic light-refractive material (40, 102) operably coupled with a flexible optic positioning member (34, 62, 74, 84, 100, 150, 210) to refract light onto the retina in order to correct refractive errors in the eye (10). The refractive material has an index of refraction of from about 1.36 to 1.5 or higher. The optic positioning member (34, 62, 74, 84, 100, 150, 210) is constructed of a flexible synthetic resin material such as polymethylmethacrylate and permits focusing upon objects located near to and far from the viewer. The optic (32, 94a, 94b, 142, 148, 216) of the present invention possess greater refractive capability than optics conventionally used in IOL construction, and permits retinal receipt of the image being viewed in order to correct refractive errors.

Abstract: An intraocular lens is disclosed, with an optic that changes shape in response to a deforming force exerted by the zonules of the eye. A haptic supports the optic around its equator and couples the optic to the capsular bag of the eye. The haptic may be pre-stressed before the optic is placed within it. After such placement, the pre-stress may be relieved, and the haptic may produce stress in the optic. The pre-stress may produce a radial tension or a radial compression in the optic. Alternatively, once the optic is placed within the haptic, both may undergo a process that changes the size and/or shape of one with respect to the other, causing a stress within the optic. This process may produce a radial tension or a radial compression in the optic. The haptic may include an annular ring having outer and inner diameters that may depend on the stiffness of the haptic.

Abstract: An intraocular lens is provided having focusing capabilities permitting shiftable focusing movement of the lens in response to normal ciliary muscle movement incident to changes in range between the eye and an object under observation. The lens is designed for surgical implantation within the capsule of an eye and includes an optic and rearwardly extending haptics oriented for central optic positioning and continuous anterior biasing of the optic against the anterior wall of the capsule. When distant objects are viewed and the ciliary muscle is retracted, the capsule is relatively discoid shaped thus moving the optic posteriorly and loading the haptics in compression. During near object viewing, when the ciliary muscle is contracted, the capsule assumes a relatively more spherical configuration and the loaded haptics urge the optic against the anterior capsule wall for proper focusing.

Abstract: An improved, iris retaining device (10) adapted for placement within the pupillary opening of a human eye so as to engage the inner margin (32) of the iris (34), so as to enlarge and maintain the pupillary opening during eye surgery. The device (10) preferably comprises an elongated, arcuate, flexible, resilient body (12) including a generally U-shaped in cross section iris-receiving sidewall; the latter presents an inboard central bight portion (18) and a pair of spaced apart wall sections (20, 22) extending outwardly therefrom. The ends (14, 16) of the body (12) are slidably interengaged, and a drawstring (24) is provided for manually contracting the body (12) for initial placement thereof. After such contraction and initial placement, the drawstring (24) and may be released so that the resilient body (12) expands to engage, expand and protect the margin (32) of the iris (34).

Abstract: An improved, easily installable intraocular lens is provided which makes use of a single, specially configured fixation haptic so as to ease the rotational installation of the lens in the restricted area of the patient's eye, while assuring that the haptic remains in place during use to avoid lens tilting. In preferred forms, the lens includes a central optic with a single haptic secured thereto. Both ends of the haptic are secured to the optic at circumferentially spaced points, and the haptic is oriented in an arcuate fashion about a substantially portion of the periphery of the optic and includes a hairpin-type U-shaped section between the haptic ends. By virtue of this design, the surgeon can initially place the U-shaped leading haptic section within a desired eye chamber or bag and rotate the lens to readily place the entire device therein.

Abstract: In the surgical art of extracapsular cataract extraction, the lens capsule of the eye is irrigated and aspirated for cortex removal through use of a simple, inexpensive system of circulation of an irrigating solution, accompanied by automatic filtering of the aspirated material out of the solution such that the filtered liquid may be reintroduced. Means are included to produce unidirectional flow, and a manually operable bypass feature provides for safety and operator control of the entire procedure to assure accuracy, efficiency, exactitude and the best possible end results. The system is kept filled with the liquid solution in substantial absence of air therewithin.

Abstract: An intraocular lens for use following extracapsular cataract extraction is provided with an optic that has one or more resilient haptics secured at the inner end thereof to the optic and normally extending outwardly from the optic, terminating in a free outermost end spaced from the peripheral edge of the optic. Prior to lens implantation the elongated haptic is placed under tension until its outer end is adjacent the optic, forming a loop, and the outer end is adjacent the optic, forming a loop, and the outer end of the haptic is then releasably attached to the optic, maintaining the tension and the loop. After implantation of the lens the outer end of the haptic is detached from the optic and, by virtue of the memory retaining characteristic thereof, the position fixation haptic returns toward its normal position extending outwardly from the optic, eliminating the loop.

Abstract: A cystotome for producing a continuous series of perforations in the anterior lens capsule of a human eye preparatory to cortex removal in extracapsular cataract extraction has a rectilinearly reciprocable, essentially poniard-shaped cutter for piercing the capsule while it is held taut along the base of an indentation pressed into the capsule such that the cutter moves into and out of a tubular support therefor along a path which is perpendicular to the base of the indentation, the movement of the cystotome along the capsule taking place only while it is out of engagement with the capsule with the cutter fully retracted.