Axial-displacement accommodating intraocular lens

Abstract

An intraocular lens (IOL) system includes an optic, a pair of haptics located on sides of the optic, and hinge portions at each of the optic haptic junctions. The hinge portions have stressed and non-stressed configurations. One or more restraining elements are provided to maintain the stressed state configuration of the hinge portion during implantation and during a post-operative period during which the capsular bag of the eye heals about the lens. The restraining elements are thereafter removable, preferably via a non-surgically invasive manner, e.g., via dissolution or laser light. Removal of the restraining elements allows anteriorization of the optic as the lens assumes a non-stressed configuration during accommodation. The ciliary body and lens may then interact in a manner substantially similar to the physiological interaction between the ciliary body and a healthy natural crystalline lens.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An intraocular lens for replacement of a natural crystalline lens within a capsular bag of an eye during eye surgery, said lens comprising: 
 a) an optic portion adapted to focus light;    b) a haptic portion about said optic portion;    c) means for urging said optic portion into an anterior configuration relative to said haptic portion; and    d) a restraining element adapted to prevent said optic portion from moving into said anterior configuration relative to said haptic portion, 
 said restraining element adapted to be removed after completion of an eye surgery,  
 wherein upon removal of said restraining element, said optic portion is permitted to move anteriorly relative to said haptic portion.  
   
     
     
         2 . An intraocular lens according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said optic has a fixed power.    
     
     
         3 . An intraocular lens according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said optic is substantially rigid.    
     
     
         4 . An intraocular lens according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said optic is substantially flexible.    
     
     
         5 . An intraocular lens according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 a junction is defined between said optic portion and said haptic portion, and said restraining element is provided at said junction.    
     
     
         6 . An intraocular lens according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said restraining element bridges said optic portion and said haptic portion.    
     
     
         7 . An intraocular lens according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said restraining element at least one of bio-resorbable, chemically resorbable, and laser-removable.    
     
     
         8 . An intraocular lens according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said restraining element is surgically removable.    
     
     
         9 . An intraocular lens according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 a junction is defined between said optic portion and said haptic portion, and said means for urging is integral with said junction.    
     
     
         10 . An intraocular lens according to  claim 9 , wherein: 
 said optic portion and said means for urging are integrally formed from a flexible polymer.    
     
     
         11 . An intraocular lens according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 e) a structure provided on said haptic portion and adapted to force said lens posteriorly when said lens is implanted in the capsular bag of the eye.    
     
     
         12 . An intraocular lens for replacement of a natural crystalline lens within a capsular bag of an eye during eye surgery, said lens comprising: 
 a) an optic portion adapted to focus light;    b) a haptic portion about said optic portion;    c) means for urging said haptic portion from a relatively planar configuration relative to said optic portion into a relatively angled configuration relative to said optic portion; and    d) a restraining element adapted to maintain said haptic portion and said optic portion in said relatively planar configuration, 
 said restraining element adapted to be removed after completion of an eye surgery,  
 wherein upon removal of said restraining element, said haptic portion is permitted to move into said relatively angled configuration.  
   
     
     
         13 . An intraocular lens for replacement of a natural crystalline lens within a capsular bag of an eye during eye surgery, said lens comprising: 
 a) an optic adapted to focus light;    b) a haptic about said optic, said optic and haptic maintained in a stressed configuration;    c) a restraining element that restrains said optic and haptic in a stressed configuration, said restraining element being removable from a lens implanted in the capsular bag of the eye in a non-surgically invasive manner, 
 wherein when said lens is implanted in the capsular bag of the eye and said optic and haptic are in said stressed configuration, said optic is provided in a relatively posterior position in the eye, and  
 when said lens is implanted in the capsular bag of the eye, said restraining element is removed, and said optic and haptic are biased toward said non-stressed configuration, said optic is urged toward a relatively anterior position in the eye.  
   
     
     
         14 . An intraocular lens according to  claim 13 , wherein: 
 said optic has a fixed power.    
     
     
         15 . An intraocular lens according to  claim 13 , wherein: 
 a junction is defined between said optic portion and said haptic portion, said restraining element is provided at said junction.    
     
     
         16 . An intraocular lens according to  claim 13 , wherein: 
 said restraining element bridges said optic portion and said haptic portion.    
     
     
         17 . An intraocular lens according to  claim 13 , wherein: 
 said restraining element at least one of bio-resorbable, chemically resorbable, and laser-removable.    
     
     
         18 . An intraocular lens according to  claim 13 , wherein: 
 said restraining element is surgically removable.    
     
     
         19 . An intraocular lens according to  claim 13 , further comprising: 
 e) a structure provided on said haptic portion and adapted to force said lens posteriorly when said lens is implanted in the capsular bag of the eye.    
     
     
         20 . A method of implanting an intraocular lens into an eye, comprising: 
 a) inducing cycloplegia;    b) providing an intraocular lens in a stressed state, said lens having an optic;    c) inserting the intraocular lens into a capsular bag of the eye;    d) maintaining cycloplegia until the capsular bag physiologically affixes to the intraocular lens; and    e) releasing the intraocular lens from the stressed state such that said optic of said lens in a non-stressed state moves anteriorly in the eye.    
     
     
         21 . A method according to  claim 20 , wherein 
 said releasing is non-surgically invasive.    
     
     
         22 . A method according to  claim 20 , wherein: 
 said intraocular lens includes a restraining means for restraining said lens in the stressed state, and said releasing including bio-resorption, chemical resorption, and laser-removal.    
     
     
         23 . A method of implanting an intraocular lens into an eye, comprising: 
 a) inducing cycloplegia;    b) providing an intraocular lens in an unstressed state, the intraocular lens having an optic portion and a haptic portion;    c) inserting the intraocular lens into a capsular bag of the eye;    d) maintaining cycloplegia, during which the capsular bag physiologically affixes to the intraocular lens; and    e) after the capsular bag physiologically affixes and during cycloplegia, altering a shape of the lens such that the optic portion is urged anteriorly relative to the haptic portion.    
     
     
         24 . A method according to  claim 23 , wherein: 
 said lens is altered in shape with light.    
     
     
         25 . A method of implanting an intraocular lens into an eye, comprising: 
 a) providing in a non-stressed state an intraocular lens having an optic portion and a haptic portion, wherein in said non-stressed state said optic portion is located anteriorly relative to said haptic portion;    b) inserting the intraocular lens in the non-stressed state into a capsular bag of the eye;    c) inducing a ciliary body of the eye into a contracted state; and    d) maintaining the ciliary body of the eye in the contracted state until the capsular bag physiologically affixes to the intraocular lens.