Abstract: A method of correcting refractive error in an eye, comprising the steps of marking at least one axis on the surface of the cornea. A portion of the cornea is then separated, forming a first anterior facing surface and a second posterior facing surface. An inlay having at least one axis indicated on the surface thereof is positioned between the first and second surfaces, and the at least one axis on the inlay is aligned with the at least one axis on the surface of the cornea. This results in precise positioning and orientation of the inlay and thus correction of astigmatic error in the cornea.

Abstract: Disclosed is a two-step method of making soft, high refractive index, acrylic ophthalmic device materials. In the first step, a copolymer containing pendant oxirane groups is formed by copolymerizing one or more aryl acrylic hydrophobic monomers with one or more compounds of the formula wherein X is H or CH3; and n is 1-4. In the second step, the copolymer containing pendant oxirane groups formed in the first step is reacted with a compound of the formula W—T—H wherein W is H, CH3(CH2)a, or Z(OCH2CH2)b; a is 0-3; b is 1-5; Z is H, or CH3(CH2)p; p is 0-3; and T is O, NH, S; provided that if T≠O, then W≠H.

Abstract: This invention is a pre-formed intrastromal corneal insert. It is made of a physiologically compatible polymer and may be used to adjust corneal curvature and thereby correct vision abnormalities. The insert or segment may also be used to deliver therapeutic or diagnostic agents to the interior of the cornea or of the eye. The insert subtends only a portion of a ring, or “arc”, encircling the anterior cornea outside of the cornea's field of view. The invention also includes a procedure for inserting the device into the cornea.

Abstract: A surgical method for vision correction includes the step of first determining the type, size and shape of a corneal implant and a location within the stroma for placement of the corneal implant. Next, the dimensions of a stromal pocket suitable for accommodating the corneal implant are prescribed. To create the stromal pocket, a pulsed laser beam is focused to a point within the stromal tissue and then moved within the stromal tissue to photodisrupt the prescribed volume of stromal tissue. Once the stromal pocket is established, an entry channel extending from the anterior surface of the eye to the stromal pocket is created. The entry channel is sized to allow the prescribed corneal implant to pass through the entry channel and into the stromal pocket.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an artificial skin formation promoting agent and skin basement membrane stabilizing agent comprising matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor or matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor and matrix protein production promoting agent; as well as a production method of artificial skin comprising adding matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor or matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor and matrix protein production promoting agent to an artificial skin formation medium.

Abstract: Prosthetic implants designed to be implanted in the cornea for modifying the cornea curvature and altering the corneal refractive power for correcting myopia, and myopia with astigmatism, such implants formed of a micro-porous hydrogel material.

Abstract: Prosthetic implants designed to be implanted in the cornea for modifying the cornea curvature and altering the corneal refractive power for correcting myopia, and myopia with astigmatism, such implants formed of a micro-porous hydrogel material.

Abstract: It is an intraocular ring of open ring shape when inserting, so that it can be inserted from a small incision, and after being inserted into the capsule, by engaging the engaging mechanisms having mutually complementary male and female structures provided at ends of the intraocular ring, the intraocular ring having a nearly same compressive load as in closed ring is presented. Being made of an elastic material, it is an intraocular ring composed to contact with the entire inner circumference of the equatorial area in the capsule when inserted into the lenticular capsule, and engaging mechanisms are disposed at both ends in a partially cut-off state of the intraocular ring, and by engagement of the engaging mechanisms, a continuous ring shape without cut section is formed.

Abstract: A device and method for refractive correction of the eye in order to improve the vision of the eye. The device is an intrastromal corneal ring (ICR) where the cone angle &thgr; is varied according to the desired change in corneal refractive properties. The method involves the insertion of the ICR with appropriate cone angle for the desired change those properties.

Abstract: This invention involves an improved surgical method and associated apparatus for correcting refractive defects of the vision, using an intracorneal implant. A small radial incision is made in the periphery of the cornea, near the limbus and a blunt spatula is used to separate the lamellae of the corneal stroma. A circular interlamellar pathway through the stroma is formed using either a single 360 degree blunt, arc-shaped dissector tool or a pair of clockwise and counterclockwise 180-200 degree dissector tools. The circular pathway created defines the margin or outer boundary of an intracorneal channel that will be formed. The intracorneal channel is then expanded radially inward in a controlled stepwise fashion to widen the channel or to create an intracorneal pocket. This is done by introducing a dissector tool with a side leg into the incision and moving the dissector tool in an arc-shaped path to widen the intracorneal channel.

Abstract: A corneal ring for the correction of the refractive power of an eye consists of a part of metal or plastic which is formed into a split ring having at least one turn, or into a ring segment having a diameter or effective diameter matched to the periphery of the cornea of an eye. The ring or ring segment is inserted into a ring channel which is formed with a special instrument in the cornea of the eye and the radius of curvature of the ring or ring segment is subsequently adjusted by a laser beam, or by radiation, or electromagnetic induction, or magnetism to achieve a fine correction of the refractive power of the eye.

Abstract: An intracorneal implant has a geometry bounded by a ring-shaped section of a cone, approximating a section of a sphere. The intracomeal implant has at least one region of modified elasticity. Typically, the intracorneal implant will have two or more regions of modified elasticity circumferentially spaced around the implant. The regions of modified elasticity affect the cone angle of the implant within each region and hence the corrective power of each region on the cornea. The intracorneal ring implant can be used for correction of various refractive defects of the vision, in particular, astigmatism or astigmatism combined with myopia or hyperopia. The implant may be formed as a ring, split ring, gapped ring or one or more segments of a ring.

Abstract: It is an intraocular ring of open ring shape when inserting, so that it can be inserted from a small incision, and after being inserted into the capsule, by engaging the engaging mechanisms having mutually complementary male and female structures provided at ends of the intraocular ring, the intraocular ring having a nearly same compressive load as in closed ring is presented. Being made of an elastic material, it is an intraocular ring composed to contact with the entire inner circumference of the equatorial area in the capsule when inserted into the lenticular capsule, and engaging mechanisms are disposed at both ends in a partially cut-off state of the intraocular ring, and by engagement of the engaging mechanisms, a continuous ring shape without cut section is formed.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting the corneal curvature of the eye comprising a corneal implant having an elongated, hollow tubular shell which is implantable into the cornea in encircling relation to the central optic zone of the cornea. The implant has hinged portions along its the inner and outer arcs, and the corneal implant is filled with a predetermined amount of a biocompatible material in various forms such as rings or strands. The biocompatible material is strategically located within the flexible shell to alter its dimensions in thickness or diameter and thereby adjust the corneal curvature to correct refractive error.

Abstract: This invention is an intrastromal corneal ring having comprising at least one outer layer of a physiologically compatible polymer having a low modulus of elasticity, which polymer may be hydratable and may be hydrophilic. The inner portion of the hybrid intrastromal corneal ring may be hollow or may contain one or more physiologically compatible polymers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adjusting corneal curvature of the eye comprising an adjustable corneal arcuate segment or segments which is implantable into the cornea. The arcuate segment is a flexible hollow shell composed of a synthetic or a natural material, with an annular chamber that is filled with a predetermined amount of a biocompatible material. The corneal curvature is adjusted by removing or augmenting the predetermined amount of biocompatible material contained in the arcuate segment.