Accommodating intraocular lenses and associated systems, frames, and methods

Abstract

An intraocular lens for providing accommodative vision to a subject includes a frame disposed about an optical axis, a first optical element, a second optical element, and a connecting element operably coupling the frame to the optical elements. The frame comprises an anterior frame element and a posterior frame element. The connecting element is configured to convert a first displacement between the frame elements in a direction that is substantially parallel to the optical axis into a second displacement between the optical elements that is substantially perpendicular to the optical axis. The second displacement may be translational and/or rotation. In some embodiments, the optical elements are two varifocal lenses.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . An accommodating intraocular lens, comprising:
 an anterior optic having a center and a posterior optic having a center, both anterior and posterior optics disposed about an optical axis;   a frame element; and   a plurality of connecting elements for operably coupling the frame element to the anterior optic and the posterior optic;   wherein the center of both the anterior optic and the posterior optic are symmetrically offset from the optical axis in an unaccommodated state.   
     
     
         2 . The accommodating intraocular lens of  claim 1 , wherein the connecting element is a resilient element. 
     
     
         3 . The accommodating intraocular lens of  claim 1 , wherein a deflection of the connecting element has a radial component with respect to the optical axis of the eye. 
     
     
         4 . The accommodating intraocular lens of  claim 1 , wherein the frame is sized for being, once implanted in a capsular bag of an eye, in contact with the interior surface of the capsular bag. 
     
     
         5 . The accommodating intraocular lens of  claim 1 , wherein the net effect of the forces on a capsular bag is to generally urge the intraocular lens towards the accommodating shape. 
     
     
         6 . The accommodating intraocular lens of  claim 1 , wherein the anterior optic and the posterior optic are varifocal lenses with a combined focal length that depends on a rotational and/or linear displacement between the anterior optic and the posterior optic that is substantially perpendicular to the optical axis. 
     
     
         7 . The accommodating intraocular lens of  claim 1 , further comprising an interconnection for providing a centre of rotation for the anterior optic and the posterior optic with respect to one another. 
     
     
         8 . The accommodating intraocular lens of  claim 1 , further comprising a guide for providing a substantially linear displacement of the anterior optic and the posterior optic. 
     
     
         9 . The accommodating intraocular lens of  claim 1 , wherein the anterior optic and the posterior optic define a default configuration in which an eye is emmetropic. 
     
     
         10 . The accommodating intraocular lens of  claim 1 , wherein the anterior optic and the posterior optic define a default configuration in which a capsular bag into which the intraocular lens is placed is in an accommodating shape. 
     
     
         11 . The accommodating intraocular lens of  claim 1 , wherein the frame has a maximum diameter in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis that is less than 10 mm.