Intraoccular lenses capable of in vivo power adjustment and method for same

Abstract

A method for evaluating the effectiveness of adjustable optical implants is provided The implants are first inserted into a test subject. The implant is then exposed to an external stimulus, such as light, to induce a change in the properties of the implant. The implants are then evaluated to determine the nature and extent of the change in properties.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for testing biocompatibility of an optical element containing a refraction modulating composition, comprising the steps of: 
 a) forming an optical element of a polymer with macromers dispersed therein, wherein the macromers is capable of stimulus-induced polymerization, such that a stimulus causes a desired change of refraction;    b) sterilizing the optical element;    c) implanting the optical element in an eye;    d) extracting the optical element from the eye after a period of time and testing for toxicity.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , and further including the step of: 
 a) forming the optical element with a refraction modulating composition selected from the group consisting of an acrylate, methacrylate, vinyl, siloxane and phosphazene.    
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , and further including the step of: 
 a) forming the optical element of polysiloxane matrix and a refraction modulating composition dispersed therein.    
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , and further including the step of: 
 a) exposing at least a portion of the optical element to a stimulus after the step of implanting the optical element, whereby the stimulus induces the polymerization of the refraction modulating composition, such that the stimulus causes a desired change of refraction.    
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , and further including the step of: 
 a) waiting an interval of time after the step of exposing, and    b) re-exposing the portion of the optical element to the stimulus to induce the further polymerization of the refraction modulation composition which the portion, such that the stimulus produces a desired change of refraction.    
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , and further including the step of: 
 a) the step of exposing includes exposing at least a portion of the optical element to stimulus from a light source.    
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4 , and further including the steps of: 
 a) implanting a plurality of optical elements in a like number of rabbit eyes;    b) exposing at least a portion of a number of the optical elements to a stimulus after the step of implanting the optical elements, whereby the stimulus induces the polymerization of the refraction modulating composition, such that the stimulus causes a desired change of refraction; and    c) explanting the optical elements from the rabbit eyes and testing for toxicity.    
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , and further including the steps of: 
 a) maintaining at least some of the optical elements in the rabbit eyes without exposing the optical elements to a stimulus; and    b) explanting the optical elements from the rabbit eyes and testing for toxicity.    
     
     
         9 . A method of evaluating an adjustable optical implant comprising: 
 a) Inserting an adjustable optical implant into a test subject.    b) Adjusting the optical properties of said implant in vivo; and    c) Evaluating the change in optical properties of the implant.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the implant comprises macromers capable of inducing changes in the optical properties of the implant when the macromers are exposed to an external stimulus.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the adjusting of the optical properties of the implant is accomplished by exposing at least a portion of said implant to an external stimulus.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the external stimulus is light.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the external stimulus is ultraviolet light.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the implant is an intraoccular lens.  
     
     
         15 . A method for evaluating an adjustable optical implant comprising 
 a) Inserting an adjustable optical implant in a test subject;    b) Adjusting the optical properties of the implant in vivo; and    c) Evaluating the changes in optical properties and the biocompatability of the implant.    
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said optical implant comprises macromers which can induce changes in the optical properties of the implant upon exposure to an external stimulus.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said adjusting step is accomplished by exposing at least a portion of said implant to an external stimulus.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein said external stimulus is light.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein said light is ultraviolet light.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising the step of evaluating the biocompatibility of the implant.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the implant is an intraoccular lens.  
     
     
         22 . A method of evaluating an adjustable optical implant comprising: 
 a) Inserting an adjustable optical implant into a test subject.    b) Adjusting the optical properties of said implant in vivo; and    c) Evaluating the change in optical properties in the implant in vivo.    
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the adjusting of the optical properties of the implant is accomplished by exposing at least a portion of said implant to an external stimulus.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the external stimulus is light.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the external stimulus is ultraviolet light.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the implant is an intraoccular lens.