Haptic for accommodating intraocular lens

Abstract

A haptic is provided for use in an accommodating intraocular lens. The haptic has multiple filaments, each connected to the edge of the optic at one end. Each filament has a shape that conforms to an equatorial region of the capsular bag. The haptic couples the forces exerted by the capsular bag of the eye during accommodation radially to the edge of the optic, produce a diametric expansion or compression of the optic. This diametric motion distorts the optic, producing a change in any or all of the anterior radius, the posterior radius, and the thickness. These changes affect the power of the lens and/or location of the image. The haptic may optionally have a thin membrane joining the filaments at the optic end, and may optionally have a connecting ring that joins the filaments at the end opposite that of the optic.

We claim: 
     
         1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A haptic for an intraocular lens for implantation in a capsular bag of an eye, comprising:
 a plurality of filaments, each having a first end extending from a peripheral edge of an adjustable optic to an equatorial region of the capsular bag;   wherein the first ends are connected by a membrane; and   wherein each filament has a generally uniform cross-section along its length.   
     
     
         22 . The haptic of  claim 21 , wherein the membrane is circumferentially compressible. 
     
     
         23 . The haptic of  claim 21 , wherein the membrane is affixed to the adjustable optic at spaced-apart intervals. 
     
     
         24 . The haptic of  claim 21 , wherein the filaments are connected by a ring at an end opposite the first end. 
     
     
         25 . A method of stabilizing an intraocular lens comprising an optic and a haptic, the haptic comprising a plurality of filaments, each filament having a proximal end extending from a peripheral edge of the optic and a distal end distant from the proximal end, the method comprising:
 forming a ring which is parallel to the peripheral edge of the optic and is axially separated from the peripheral edge of the optic; and   joining the filaments at their distal ends to the ring;   whereby the haptic stabilizes the positions of the filaments relative to each other.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising joining the filaments at their distal ends to the ring such that they have uniform spacing therebetween.