Aberration-correcting vision prosthesis

Abstract

A vision prosthesis includes an optical element having a characteristic function associated with refraction therethrough. The characteristic function is selected to reduce aberration in an eye when the optical element is implanted at a location therein.

1 . A method, comprising:
 implanting an optical element into an eye;   measuring aberration in the eye when the optical element is implanted in the eye;   selecting a high-order aberration correction based on the measured aberration to modify a characteristic function associated with refraction through the optical element to reduce high-order aberration in the eye when the optical element is implanted at a location therein; and   applying the high-order aberration correction to the optical element.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein selecting a high-order aberration correction based on the measured aberration comprises determining wavefront data based on the measured aberration. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein applying the high-order aberration correction to the optical element comprises storing the wavefront data in a memory element in electrical communication with the optical element. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the wavefront data stored in the memory element is used to control an index of refraction profile of the optical element. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the index of refraction profile of the optical element is modifiable to reduce a different high-order aberration in response to different wavefront data being stored in the memory element. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the high-order aberration correction is based on a first wavefront aberration measurement of anatomical features of a patient's eye while the patient is focusing on an object at a first distance and based on a second wavefront aberration measurement of the anatomical features of the eye while the patient is focusing on an object at a second distance different from the first distance. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the first and second wavefront aberration measurements are used to provide wavefront data that provides high-order aberration correction that depends on an estimate of a distance to an object-of-regard. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the dependence of the high-order aberration correction on an estimate of a distance to an object-of-regard is incorporated into the wavefront data based on predicted changes to optical path lengths in the eye that occur during accommodation. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the wavefront data, when configured according to a first selected high-order aberration correction, modifies the characteristic function based on a first predetermined position or orientation for the optical element within the eye. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the wavefront data, when configured according to a second selected high-order aberration correction, modifies the characteristic function based on a second predetermined position or orientation for the optical element within the eye. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the second selected high-order aberration correction includes adjustments based on postoperative deviations in the second position or orientation of the optical element from the first predetermined position or orientation. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein selecting a high-order aberration correction based on the measured aberration comprises shaping a wavefront component based on the measured aberration. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein applying the high-order aberration correction to the optical element comprises inserting the shaped wavefront component into the eye and attaching the shaped wavefront component to the optical element. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein attaching the shaped wavefront component to the optical element comprises aligning the wavefront component and the optical element using relative orientation features. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein shaping the wavefront component comprises shaping a surface of the wavefront component using wavefront-guided laser ablation. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein shaping the wavefront component comprises shaping a deformable material whose shape is configured to change in response to an actuator. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 generating, from a stimulus received by a range-finder, an estimate of a distance to an object-of-regard;   based on the estimate from the range-finder, providing a first signal that controls a focusing power of the optical element using an actuator in communication with the optical element.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein applying the high-order aberration correction to the optical element comprises providing a second signal that controls the characteristic function associated with refraction through the optical element using an actuator in communication with the optical element based on the selected high-order aberration correction. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the second signal provides different high-order aberration correction for different estimates provided by the range-finder. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the second signal is a parallel signal carried over a plurality of signal lines addressing a corresponding plurality of electrodes on the actuator. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the characteristic function of the optical element changes in response to the second signal by changing an index of refraction of material within the optical element at a plurality of locations. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the characteristic function of the optical element changes in response to the second signal by changing shape of a surface of the optical element. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the location in the eye is selected from the group consisting of:
 the anterior chamber;   the posterior chamber;   the lens-bag; and   the cornea.   
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the optical element is implanted in a phakic human patient. 
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the optical element is implanted in an aphakic human patient. 
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the high-order aberration comprises at least one of spherical aberration, coma, astigmatism, field curvature, and distortion.