Intraocular Lenses With Interlenticular Opacification Resistance

Abstract

The present invention is directed to an intraocular lens, an intraocular lens system and a method of producing and/or implanting the lens or system in an eye wherein at least one intraocular lens includes a coating that aids in resisting interlenticular opacification (ILO). The material of the coating is preferably hydrophilic or super-hydrophobic.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An intraocular lens for use as part of a set of dual optic intraocular lenses or piggyback intraocular lenses, the intraocular lens comprising:
 a body formed of a hydrophobic material, the body defining an outer surface; and   a coating disposed on a region of the outer surface of the body, the coating being formed of a hydrophilic material or a super-hydrophobic material wherein:   i) the body and coating cooperatively form a first intraocular lens; and   ii) the coating of the first intraocular lens is configured to face and oppose an outer surface of a second intraocular lens when both the first and the second intraocular lens have been implanted within an eye.   
     
     
         2 . An intraocular lens as in  claim 1  wherein the first intraocular lens and the second intraocular lens define an interlenticular space therebetween and the coating is located directly adjacent and at least partially defines the interlenticular space. 
     
     
         3 . An intraocular lens as in  claim 1  wherein the coating is disposed only on the region of the body leaving a substantial portion of the body uncovered by the coating. 
     
     
         4 . An intraocular lens as in  claim 3  wherein the substantial portion is at least 40% of the surface of the body. 
     
     
         5 . An intraocular lens as in  claim 1  wherein the hydrophobic material is an acrylate based material. 
     
     
         6 . An intraocular lens as in  claim 1  wherein the coating is formed of a silicone based material. 
     
     
         7 . An intraocular lens as in  claim 1  wherein the hydrophobic material has a contact angle that is at least 40 degrees but no greater than 85 degrees, the super-hydrophobic material has a contact angle that is at least 90 degrees, the hydrophilic material has a contact angle that is no greater than 50 degrees. 
     
     
         8 . An intraocular lens system of dual optic intraocular lenses or piggyback intraocular lenses, the intraocular lens system comprising:
 a first intraocular lens that includes a body defining an outer surface and a coating disposed on a region of the outer surface of the body, the body of the first intraocular lens being formed of a hydrophobic material and the coating of the first intraocular lens being formed of a hydrophilic material or a super-hydrophobic material; and   a second intraocular lens that includes a body defining an outer surface, the second intraocular lens being disposed adjacent the first lens thereby forming an interlenticular space between the first lens and the second lens, wherein:   i) the coating of the first intraocular lens faces and opposes the outer surface of the second intraocular lens;   ii) the coating of the first intraocular lens is located directly adjacent and at least partially defines the interlenticular space.   
     
     
         9 . An intraocular lens system as in  claim 8  wherein the second intraocular lens includes a coating formed of a hydrophilic material or a super-hydrophobic material. 
     
     
         10 . An intraocular lens system as in  claim 9  wherein the first intraocular lens and the second intraocular lens define an interlenticular space therebetween and the coating of the first lens, the coating of the second lens or both are located directly adjacent and at least partially define the interlenticular space. 
     
     
         11 . An intraocular lens system as in  claim 8  wherein the coating of the first lens is disposed only on the region of the body leaving a substantial portion of the body uncovered by the coating. 
     
     
         12 . An intraocular lens system as in of  claim 11  wherein the substantial portion is at least 60% of the surface of the body. 
     
     
         13 . An intraocular lens system as in  claim 8  wherein the hydrophobic material is an acrylate based material. 
     
     
         14 . An intraocular lens system as in  claim 8  wherein the coating if formed of a silicone based material. 
     
     
         15 . An intraocular lens system as in  claim 8  wherein the hydrophobic material has a contact angle that is at least 40 degrees but no greater than 85 degrees, the super-hydrophobic material has a contact angle that is at least 90 degrees, the hydrophilic material has a contact angle that is no greater than 50 degrees. 
     
     
         16 . A method of producing and/or implanting an intraocular lens system of dual optic intraocular lenses or piggyback intraocular lenses, the method comprising:
 providing a first intraocular lens having a body defining an outer surface and a coating disposed upon a region of the outer surface, the body being formed of a hydrophobic material and the coating being formed of a hydrophilic material or a super-hydrophobic material;   implanting the first intraocular lens in an eye such that the first intraocular lens is disposed adjacent a second intraocular lens within the eye, the second lens having a body defining an outer surface, the first and second lenses cooperatively forming the intraocular lens system and the first and second lenses defining a intralenticular space between the first and second lens, wherein:   i) the coating of the first intraocular lens faces and opposes the outer surface of the second intraocular lens;   ii) the coating of the first intraocular lens is located directly adjacent and at least partially defines the interlenticular space.   
     
     
         17 . A method as in  claim 16  wherein the hydrophobic material is an acrylate material. 
     
     
         18 . A method as in  claim 17  wherein the coating if formed of a silicone material. 
     
     
         19 . A method as in  claim 16  wherein the second intraocular lens includes a coating. 
     
     
         20 . A method as in  claim 16  wherein the hydrophobic material has a contact angle that is at least 40 degrees but no greater than 85 degrees, the super-hydrophobic material has a contact angle that is at least 90 degrees, the hydrophilic material has a contact angle that is no greater than 50 degrees.