Abstract: The invention contemplates a template or mask for use in aid of a photorefractory keratectomy procedure for recurvature of a cornea. The template or mask is of flexible sheet material that is so fenestrated or otherwise configured as to be self-adherent to the cornea in the region outside of and surrounding the central optically used area of tissue-ablating recurvature, the template being configured to provide ready centering on the visual axis. The self-adherence is relative, intended only to serve for correct centering, and for moisture-retention, regardless of the corneal curvature to which it is applied.

Abstract: A template of flexible material that is so fenestrated or otherwise configured as to be self-adherent to the cornea and to readily conform to the curvature of the cornea, the template being further configured to provide ready centering on the visual axis and to establish a removable pattern of knife-guiding slits, wherein the pattern is selected as a particular one, from a plurality of available patterns, each of which has been designed to serve a different but predetermined optical change via an RK and/or an AK procedure. The self-adherence is relative, intended only to serve correctly guided use of a knife, in that the template is readily removable after the intended cuts have been made. A variety of embodiments is disclosed.

Abstract: Epithelial-cell and protein-strand development, following eye surgery such as an intracapsulary lens extraction and intraocular-lens implantation, is retarded or impeded by providing small amounts of metal and/or basic salt in the environment or in the construction of an intraocular lens. It is believed that the use of one or more metals or a basic salt will provide an electrolytic action within the capsule and that cell growth and motility are thereby materially reduced. The electrolytic action is accompanied by an associated change in the oxygen availability that would otherwise have aided cell regrowth. Stated in other words, the changed Ph, temperature and chemical balance that result from a metal or basic-salt presence within the capsule reduces or eliminates the ability of epithelial cells to multiply.

Abstract: Epithelial-cell and protein-strand development, following eye surgery such as an intracapsulary lens extraction and intraocular-lens implantation, is retarded or impeded by providing small amounts of metal and/or basic salt in the environment or in the construction of an intraocular lens. It is believed that the use of one or more metals or a basic salt will provide an electrolytic action within the capsule and that cell growth and motility are thereby materially reduced. The electrolytic action is accompanied by an associated change in the oxygen availability that would otherwise have aided cell regrowth. Stated in other words, the changed Ph, temperature and chemical balance that result from a metal or basic-salt presence within the capsule reduces or eliminates the ability of epithelial cells to multiply.

Abstract: The invention contemplates a combined contact lens and haptic wherein the outer edge of the haptic has peripherally continuous integrity and wherein the haptic is so axially compliant that it is self-adapting to the curvature of the cornea to which it is applied. The construction is such as to be self-cleansing in conjunction with natural moisture on the surface of the cornea, and to be inherently non-promoting of enzyme development on the cornea.

Abstract: The invention contemplates eye-medicating contact-lens constructions wherein a small central optical component is retained by surrounding fenestrated haptic structure which is the vehicle for eye medication. The haptic structure is initially flat but axially flexible as to be self-adapting to the surface of the cornea and to be self-retaining of its position, via moisture at the surface of the cornea. Medication carried by the haptic is made available to the surface of the cornea by mild pumping action of haptic structure on corneal fluid, the medication being drawn from storage in the haptic, by the wash of liquid involved in the pump action.

Abstract: The invention contemplates eye-medicating haptic constructions which are fenestrated and provide the vehicle for eye medication. The haptic structure is initially flat but axially flexible as to be self-adapting to the surface of the cornea and to be self-retaining of its position, via moisture at the surface of the cornea. Medication carried by the haptic is made available to the surface of the cornea by mild pumping action of haptic structure on corneal fluid, the medication being drawn from storage in the haptic, by the wash of liquid involved in the pump action.

Abstract: The invention contemplates improved extraocular-lens structures for contact with the cornea of a human eye, to be worn in place of spectacles. The construction features a lens element of requisite prescription power but of diameter which substantially equals or only slightly exceeds the fully dilated pupil size of the wearer, and fenestrated haptic structure engaged to the lens extends radially outwardly and is so thin and axially compliant as to be self-conforming to the curvature of the cornea and to effectively adhere thereto, thus stabilizing the lens for retention of its position on the optical axis of the eye.

Abstract: The invention contemplates effectively integral lens-and-haptic structure and a technique of making the same, using composite laminated sheet material as the only ingredient of the ultimate product, which may be an intraocular implant or for extraocular (i.e., cornea-contact) application. The composite sheet material is of substantially the combined ultimate thickness of the lens and haptic, one of the laminations being of a material destined to be substantially only the lens component, and another of the laminations being of a material destined to be substantially only the haptic component. The lens-component lamination may be of optical-quality glass or of a transparent plastic which is inert to body fluids. Suitably coordinated masking and etching steps determine the contour of the ultimate central circular lens as well as the thickness and fenestration detail of the ultimate thin flexible haptic formations which are integral with and extend radially outward of the lens blank.

Abstract: The invention contemplates integral lens-and-haptic structure and a technique of making the same, using sheet material as the only ingredient of the ultimate product, which may be an intraocular implant or for extraocular (i.e., cornea-contact) application. The sheet material is of substantially the ultimate thickness of the lens, and may be of optical-quality glass or of a transparent plastic which is inert to body fluids. Suitably coordinated masking and etching steps determine the contour of the ultimate central circular lens as well as the thickness and fenestration detail of the ultimate thin flexible haptic formations which are integral with and extend radially outward of the lens blank. Lens-surface curvature may be developed before or after haptic formation.

Abstract: The invention contemplates effectively integral lens-and-haptic structure and a technique of making the same, using composite laminated sheet material as the only ingredient of the ultimate product, which may be an intraocular implant or for extraocular (i.e., cornea-contact) application. The composite sheet material is of substantially the combined ultimate thickness of the lens and haptic, one of the laminations being of a material destined to be substantially only the lens component, and another of the laminations being of a material destined to be substantially only the haptic component. The lens-component lamination may be of optical-quality glass or of a transparent plastic which is inert to body fluids. Suitably coordinated masking and etching steps determine the contour of the ultimate central circular lens as well as the thickness and fenestration detail of the ultimate thin flexible haptic formations which are integral with and extend radially outward of the lens blank.

Abstract: The invention contemplates an intra-ocular-lens structure for implantation in place of a cataracted natural lens. The construction features a lens element of requisite prescription power, and multiple-sheet fenestrated haptic structure engaged to the lens extends radially outwardly for stabilizing contact with wall features of the anterior chamber of the eye. The haptic sheets are in permanently bonded laminated relation to each other, with circumferentially continuous supporting engagement to front and back sides of the rim of the lens element.

Abstract: The invention contemplates haptic construction for support of a finished intraocular lens element, wherein the haptic has plural radially outward stabilizing-leg formations, which incorporate a feature of radial adaptability in terms of the anterior-chamber wall size to which the lens may be fitted. Various embodiments are described to illustrate application to a single-piece and to multiple-piece haptics, and to illustrate radially compliant yieldability as well as ratchet-retention of a selected radial span of the stabilizing leg formations.

Abstract: The invention contemplates improved extraocular-lens structures for contact with the cornea of a human eye, to be worn in place of spectacles. The construction features a lens element of requisite prescription power but of diameter which substantially equals or only slightly exceeds the fully dilated pupil size of the wearer, and fenestrated haptic structure engaged to the lens extends radially outwardly and is so thin and axially compliant as to be self-conforming to the curvature of the cornea and to effectively adhere thereto, thus stabilizing the lens for retention of its position on the optical axis of the eye.

Abstract: The invention contemplates integral lens-and-haptic structure and a technique of making the same, using sheet material as the only ingredient of the ultimate product, which may be an intraocular implant or for extraocular (i.e., cornea-contact) application. The sheet material is of substantially the ultimate thickness of the lens, and may be of optical-quality glass or of a transparent plastic which is inert to body fluids. Suitably coordinated masking and etching steps determine the contour of the ultimate central circular lens as well as the thickness and fenestration detail of the ultimate thin flexible haptic formations which are integral with and extend radially outward of the lens blank. Lens-surface curvature may be developed before or after haptic formation.

Abstract: The invention contemplates improved extraocular-lens structures for contact with the cornea of a human eye, to be worn in place of spectacles. The construction features a lens element of requisite prescription power but of diameter which substantially equals or only slightly exceeds the fully dilated pupil size of the wearer, and fenestrated haptic structure engaged to the lens extends radially outwardly and is so thin and axially compliant as to be self-conforming to the curvature of the cornea and to effectively adhere thereto, thus stabilizing the lens for retention of its position on the optical axis of the eye.

Abstract: The invention contemplates improved techniques for making lens implants for use in ophthalmological surgery, the lens being a replacement for a cataract-clouded natural lens. The lens of the invention is particularly adapted for posterior-chamber implantation, with position stability derived from the inner wall of the natural-lens sac (from which cataracted material has been removed). A manipulative tool in combination with the lens assembly (1) provides safe stabilizing support during storage and transit prior to the surgeon's access for operative use, and (2) is configurated to facilitate operative placement of compliant retaining feet within the sac, permitting posterior-chamber positioning of the lens prior to tool removal.

Abstract: The invention contemplates improved techniques for making lens implants for use in ophthalmological surgery, the lens being a replacement for a cataract-clouded natural lens, and the replacement being installed in the pupil at the iris as the operative step following removal of the cataracted lens. The lens produced by the inventive method features adapter structure assembled to an intra-ocular lens element and having first and second pluralities of radially outward stabilizing feet, in angularly spaced and interlaced relation with the feet of the other plurality; and the respective pluralities of stabilizing feet are on opposite sides of the iris, thus enabling the iris to retain and position the implanted lens.

Abstract: The invention contemplates intraocular lens configurations wherein a haptic element is secured to an optically-finished glass lens element and is particularly adapted for implantation in the anterior chamber of an eye and for stabilized central positioning solely through plural positioning contacts with the inner confines of the anterior chamber, at the angle of adjacency to the iris, commonly referred to as the anterior-chamber angle. All-glass configurations are described, wherein the haptic element is glass and is fused or otherwise secured to the lens element.

Abstract: The invention contemplates a cauterizing tool in which the localized working surface of a cauterizing electrode is at an offset end of an elongate tubular body which may be of hypodermic-needle proportions and which is adapted for syringe connection to enable manipulation and irrigation of the region of cauterizing surgery, without need to remove the cauterizing tool. In ophthalmological surgery, the tool enables trans-iris placement and manipulation of the electrode region for clean circular cutting and irrigation of the anterior wall of the lens capsule, as a preliminary to removal of cataracted lens material from within the capsule.