Ophthalmic lens

Claim 2

An ophthalmic lens, comprising: a biocompatible lens body having a size and shape adapted to be supported by a human eye in the optical path of the eye; the lens body having an optical portion with anterior and posterior surfaces; the optical portion having a grooved portion defining a modified echelon lens pattern in at least one of the anterior and posterior surfaces; and the modified echelon lens pattern including annular zones that are configured so that at least some of the annular zones exhibit optical characteristics that vary circumferentially in order to at least partially correct for astigmatism.

Claim 3

An ophthalmic lens as recited in Claim 1, further comprising: retaining means for use in retaining the lens in or on the eye.

Claim 4

An ophthalmic lens as recited in Claim 2, wherein: the lens body has a size and shape adapted to be inserted in the anterior chamber of the eye as an intraocular lens; and the retaining means includes a separate fixation member attached to the lens body in the form of a fixation member extending generally radially from the lens body.

Claim 5

An ophthalmic lens as recited in Claim 2, wherein: the lens body has a size and shape adapted to be inserted in the posterior chamber of the eye as an intraocular lens; and the retaining means includes a fixation member extending generally radially from the lens body.

Claim 6

An ophthalmic lens as recited in Claims 1 or 2, wherein: the lens body is composed of a resilient material that can be folded for implantation purposes.

Claim 7

An ophthalmic lens as recited in Claim 2, wherein: the lens body has a size and shape adapted to be placed against the eye as a contact lens; the retaining means includes a curved portion of the posterior surface adapted to be retained against the eye by surface tension of tears; the lens body is composed of an oxygen permeable material; and the lens body is composed of a material selected from the group consisting of a polyhydroxyethylmethachrylate material, a vinylpylrolidone/methylmethachrylate material, and a silicone acrylate material.

Claim 8

An ophthalmic lens as recited in Claim 2, wherein: the lens body has a size, shape, and composition adapted to be implanted in the cornea of the eye as a corneal implant lens; the retaining means includes a periphery portion of the lens body adapted to be retained within a pocket formed in the cornea of the eye; the lens body is composed of a glucose permeable material; and the lens body is composed of a material selected from the group consisting of a polyhydroxyethylmethachrylate material and a vinylpylrolidone/methylmethachrylate material.

Claim 9

An ophthalmic lens as recited in Claim 1, wherein: the grooved portion is in one of the anterior surface and the posterior surface; the one of the anterior and posterior surfaces in which the modified echelon lens pattern is defined is either concave or convex; the modified echelon lens pattern includes a series of concentric prismatic grooves; the prismatic grooves define step widths less than 0.5 millimeter; the modified echelon lens pattern includes annular grooves; the annular zones extend substantially 360 degrees; the modified echelon lens pattern covers substantially all of the optical portion; the biocompatible lens body includes a body of transparent, resilient material; the lens body can be folded for implantation purposes; the lens body has a size, shape, and composition adapted to be implanted in the eye as an intraocular lens; and the lens includes retaining means, including a separate fixation member extending generally radially from the lens body, for use in retaining the lens in the eye; the lens including at least one echelon surface in the modified echelon lens pattern that is inclined relative to an optical axis of the lens an amount that varies circumferentially for astigmatism correction purposes.

Claim 10

An opthalmic lens as recited in Claim 2, wherein: the lens body has a size and shape adapted to be inserted in the anterior chamber of the eye without removing the natural lens; and the retaining means includes a fixation member extending generally radially from the lens body.