Correction of defects in the eye and compositions therefor

Claim 1

A method of replacing the lens in the eye of a human being or other animal in vivo which comprises: introducing into the lens capsule, from which the natural lens has been removed, a curable liquid silicone polymer composition comprising crosslinkable silicone polymer and a crosslinker through a needle inserted into a hole in the lens capsule; sealing the hole in the lens capsule by curing the polymer composition that is in the vicinity of the hole to an extent sufficient to prevent loss of said composition from the lens capsule prior to withdrawing the needle from the hole; and; curing said composition to form in situ a clear, synthetic lens.

Claim 2

A method of replacing the lens in the eye of a human being or other animal in vivo which comprises: introducing into the lens capsule, from which the natural lens has been removed, a curable liquid silicone polymer composition comprising crosslinkable silicone polymer and a crosslinker through a needle inserted into a hole in the lens capsule; sealing the hole in the lens capsule by curing the polymer composition that is in the vicinity of the hole to an extent sufficient to prevent loss of said composition from the lens capsule prior to withdrawing the needle from the hole; and; curing said composition to form in situ a clear, synthetic lens.

Claim 3

A method of using the lens capsule in the eye of a human being or other animal as a mold to form a synthetic lens in vivo which comprises: removing the natural lens from said lens capsule to leave said capsule intact; replacing said natural lens with a mobile crosslinkable silicone polymer composition through a needle inserted into a hole in the lens capsule; sealing the hole in the lens capsule by curing the polymer composition that is in the vicinity of the hole to an extent sufficient to prevent loss of said composition from the lens capsule prior to withdrawing the needle from the hole; and curing said composition to a solid shape determined by the lens capsule.

Claim 4

A method of using the lens capsule in the eye of a human being or other animal as a mold to form a synthetic lens in vivo which comprises: removing the natural lens from said lens capsule to leave said capsule intact; replacing said natural lens with a mobile crosslinkable silicone polymer composition through a needle inserted into a hole in the lens capsule; sealing the hole in the lens capsule by curing the polymer composition that is in the vicinity of the hole to an extent sufficient to prevent loss of said composition from the lens capsule prior to withdrawing the needle from the hole; and curing said composition to a solid shape determined by the lens capsule.

Claim 5

A method of forming in vivo a replacement lens in the eye of a human being or other animal which comprises: introducing into the lens capsule, from which the natural lens has been previously removed, a silicone lens composition, which undergoes a physical change in said capsule to form said replacement lens, through a needle inserted into a hole in the lens capsule; and sealing the hole in the lens capsule by curing the composition that is in the vicinity of the hole to an extent sufficient to prevent loss of said composition from the lens capsule prior to withdrawing the needle from the hole.

Claim 6

A method of forming in vivo a replacement lens in the eye of a human being or other animal which comprises: introducing into the lens capsule, from which the natural lens has been previously removed, a silicone lens composition, which undergoes a physical change in said capsule to form said replacement lens, through a needle inserted into a hole in the lens capsule; and sealing the hole in the lens capsule by curing the composition that is in the vicinity of the hole to an extent sufficient to prevent loss of said composition from the lens capsule prior to withdrawing the needle from the hole.

Claim 8

A method of forming a synthetic lens in the lens capsule of an eye which is without a lens which comprises: introducing a curable silicone composition into said capsule, where said composition forms a self-supportable lens, through a needle inserted into a hole in the lens capsule, and sealing the hole in the lens casule by curing the composition that is in the vicinity of the hole to an extent sufficient to prevent loss of said composition from the lens capsule prior to withdrawing the needle from the hole.

Claim 9

A method of forming a synthetic lens in the lens capsule of an eye which is without a lens which comprises: introducing a curable silicone composition into said capsule, where said composition forms a self-supportable lens, through a needle inserted into a hole in the lens capsule, and sealing the hole in the lens casule by curing the composition that is in the vicinity of the hole to an extent sufficient to prevent loss of said composition from the lens capsule prior to withdrawing the needle from the hole.

Claim 10

A method as claimed in any of claims 1, 3, 4 or 5 which comprises the preliminary step of gradually breaking up and removing the natural lens to leave the lens capsule substantially intact.

Claim 12

A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said silicone composition comprises: (a) a crosslinkable organosiloxane polymer; (b) a crosslinker; and (c) a catalyst for the crosslinking reaction between (a) and (b).

Claim 27

A method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5 wherein said silicone composition comprises: (a) a high molecular weight, organosiloxane polymer containing crosslinkable groups; (b) a high molecular weight organosiloxane crosslinker containing groups crosslinkable with said crosslinkable groups in component (a); and (c) a catalyst which promots the crosslinking reaction between components (a) and (b).

Claim 32

A method as claimed in any of claims 23 to 27, wherein said composition is curable, substantially at body temperature, from an optically clear composition that remains so in the presence of physiological fluids.

Claim 33

A method of replacing the lens in the eye of a human being or other animal in vivo which comprises: introducing into the lens capsule, from which the natural lens has been removed, a curable liquid silicone polymer composition comprising crosslinkable silicone polymer and a crosslinker and curing said composition to form in situ a clear, synthetic lens, said composition being substantially curable at body temperature to form a lens which is optically clear and remains so in the presence of physiological fluids, said composition comprising: (a) a crosslinkable organosiloxane polymer containing crosslinkable hydrogen or alkenyl groups and having the average formula: ##STR24## wherein: M is a monofunctional, silicon-containing, chain capping residue D is a difunctional, siloxane monomer unit, T is a trifunctional, siloxane monomer unit; and Q is a tetrafunctional siloxane monomer unit; and m and n are average numbers whose total is from about 2 to about 1000, n being a positive number greater than zero, m being zero or a positive number greater than zero; the average degree of polymerization of said polymer being from about 100 to about 20000, the value of said degree of polymerization and m and n determining the average value of x; (b) an organosiloxane crosslinker polymer containing alkenyl groups when polymer (a) contains said crosslinkable hydrogen groups or hydrogen groups when said polymer (a) contains said crosslinkable alkenyl groups, polymer (b) having at least one of the following general formula (i), (ii) and (iii): ##STR25## wherein the R substituents are substituted or unsubstituted and are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aryl, alkaryl and aralkyl; R 1 is hydrogen or alkenyl; and q is an average number from about 1 to 250 times the value of q', q' being an average number of from about 3 to 20; the material of Formula VIII having an average degree of polymerization of from about 50 to 5,000, the average value of q being determined by the difference between the degree of polymerization and the average value of q'; ##STR26## wherein M is a monofunctional, silicon-containing, chain-capping residue which is free of said crosslinkable groups; D is a difunctional siloxane monomer unit; T is a trifunctional siloxane monomer unit; and Q is a tetrafunctional siloxane monomer unit; and wherein n and x are average positive numbers, m and 0 or an average positive number, the total of n+m being from about 2 to 100 and, when m=0, n alone has these values, the degree of polymerization (DP) being from 50 to 5,000; and ##STR27## wherein R and R 1 are as defined above, n is an average number substantially equal to the average degree of polymerization of the material which is from about 50 to 5,000; and (c) a platinum complex catalyst capable of promoting a crosslinking reaction between said hydrogen or alkenyl groups in polymer (a) and said alkenyl or hydrogen groups in polymer (b).

Claim 34

A method of replacing the lens in the eye of a human being or other animal in vivo which comprises: introducing into the lens capsule, from which the natural lens has been removed, a curable liquid silicone polymer composition comprising crosslinkable silicone polymer and a crosslinker and curing said composition to form in situ a clear, synthetic lens, said composition being substantially curable at body temperature to form a lens which is optically clear and remains so in the presence of physiological fluids, said composition comprising: (a) a crosslinkable organosiloxane polymer containing crosslinkable hydrogen or alkenyl groups and having the average formula: ##STR24## wherein: M is a monofunctional, silicon-containing, chain capping residue D is a difunctional, siloxane monomer unit, T is a trifunctional, siloxane monomer unit; and Q is a tetrafunctional siloxane monomer unit; and m and n are average numbers whose total is from about 2 to about 1000, n being a positive number greater than zero, m being zero or a positive number greater than zero; the average degree of polymerization of said polymer being from about 100 to about 20000, the value of said degree of polymerization and m and n determining the average value of x; (b) an organosiloxane crosslinker polymer containing alkenyl groups when polymer (a) contains said crosslinkable hydrogen groups or hydrogen groups when said polymer (a) contains said crosslinkable alkenyl groups, polymer (b) having at least one of the following general formula (i), (ii) and (iii): ##STR25## wherein the R substituents are substituted or unsubstituted and are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aryl, alkaryl and aralkyl; R 1 is hydrogen or alkenyl; and q is an average number from about 1 to 250 times the value of q', q' being an average number of from about 3 to 20; the material of Formula VIII having an average degree of polymerization of from about 50 to 5,000, the average value of q being determined by the difference between the degree of polymerization and the average value of q'; ##STR26## wherein M is a monofunctional, silicon-containing, chain-capping residue which is free of said crosslinkable groups; D is a difunctional siloxane monomer unit; T is a trifunctional siloxane monomer unit; and Q is a tetrafunctional siloxane monomer unit; and wherein n and x are average positive numbers, m and 0 or an average positive number, the total of n+m being from about 2 to 100 and, when m=0, n alone has these values, the degree of polymerization (DP) being from 50 to 5,000; and ##STR27## wherein R and R 1 are as defined above, n is an average number substantially equal to the average degree of polymerization of the material which is from about 50 to 5,000; and (c) a platinum complex catalyst capable of promoting a crosslinking reaction between said hydrogen or alkenyl groups in polymer (a) and said alkenyl or hydrogen groups in polymer (b).

Claim 35

A method of using the lens capsule in the eye of a human being or other animal as a mold to form a synthetic lens in vivo which comprises: removing the natural lens from said lens capsule to leave said capsule intact; replacing said natural lens with a mobile crosslinkable silicone polymer composition and curing said composition to a solid shape determined by the lens capsule, said composition being substantially curable at body temperature to form a lens which is optically clear and remains so in the presence of physiological fluids, said composition comprising: (a) a crosslinkable organosiloxane polymer containing crosslinkable hydrogen or alkenyl groups and having the average formula: ##STR28## wherein: M is a monofunctional, silicon-containing, chain capping residue D is a difunctional, siloxane monomer unit, T is a trifunctional, siloxane monomer unit; and Q is a tetrafunctional siloxane monomer unit; and m and n are average numbers whose total is from about 2 to about 1000, n being a positive number greater than zero, m being zero or a positive number greater than zero; the average degree of polymerization of said polymer being from about 100 to about 20000, the value of said degree of polymerization and m and n determining the average value of x; (b) an organosiloxane crosslinker polymer containing alkenyl groups when polymer (a) contains said crosslinkable hydrogen groups or hydrogen groups when said polymer (a) contains said crosslinkable alkenyl groups, polymer (b) having at least one of the following general formula (i), (ii) and (iii): ##STR29## wherein the R substituents are substituted or unsubstituted and are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aryl, alkaryl and aralkyl; R 1 is hydrogen or alkenyl; and q is an average number from about 1 to 250 times the value of q', q' being an average number of from about 3 to 20; the material of Formula VIII having an average degree of polymerization of from about 50 to 5,000, the average value of q being determined by the difference between the degree of polymerization and the average value of q'; ##STR30## wherein M is a monofunctional, silicon-containing, chain-capping residue which is free of said crosslinkable groups; D is a difunctional siloxane monomer unit; T is a trifunctional siloxane monomer unit; and Q is a tetrafunctional siloxane monomer unit; and wherein n and x are average positive numbers, m is 0 or an average positive number, the total of n+m being from about 2 to 100 and, when m=0, n alone has these values, the degree of polymerization (DP) being from 50 to 5,000; and ##STR31## wherein R and R 1 are as defined above, n is an average number substantially equal to the average degree of polymerization of the material which is from about 50 to 5,000; and (c) a platinum complex catalyst capable of promoting a crosslinking reaction between said hydrogen or alkenyl groups in polymer (a) and said alkenyl or hydrogen groups in polymer (b).

Claim 36

A method of using the lens capsule in the eye of a human being or other animal as a mold to form a synthetic lens in vivo which comprises: removing the natural lens from said lens capsule to leave said capsule intact; replacing said natural lens with a mobile crosslinkable silicone polymer composition and curing said composition to a solid shape determined by the lens capsule, said composition being substantially curable at body temperature to form a lens which is optically clear and remains so in the presence of physiological fluids, said composition comprising: (a) a crosslinkable organosiloxane polymer containing crosslinkable hydrogen or alkenyl groups and having the average formula: ##STR28## wherein: M is a monofunctional, silicon-containing, chain capping residue D is a difunctional, siloxane monomer unit, T is a trifunctional, siloxane monomer unit; and Q is a tetrafunctional siloxane monomer unit; and m and n are average numbers whose total is from about 2 to about 1000, n being a positive number greater than zero, m being zero or a positive number greater than zero; the average degree of polymerization of said polymer being from about 100 to about 20000, the value of said degree of polymerization and m and n determining the average value of x; (b) an organosiloxane crosslinker polymer containing alkenyl groups when polymer (a) contains said crosslinkable hydrogen groups or hydrogen groups when said polymer (a) contains said crosslinkable alkenyl groups, polymer (b) having at least one of the following general formula (i), (ii) and (iii): ##STR29## wherein the R substituents are substituted or unsubstituted and are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aryl, alkaryl and aralkyl; R 1 is hydrogen or alkenyl; and q is an average number from about 1 to 250 times the value of q', q' being an average number of from about 3 to 20; the material of Formula VIII having an average degree of polymerization of from about 50 to 5,000, the average value of q being determined by the difference between the degree of polymerization and the average value of q'; ##STR30## wherein M is a monofunctional, silicon-containing, chain-capping residue which is free of said crosslinkable groups; D is a difunctional siloxane monomer unit; T is a trifunctional siloxane monomer unit; and Q is a tetrafunctional siloxane monomer unit; and wherein n and x are average positive numbers, m is 0 or an average positive number, the total of n+m being from about 2 to 100 and, when m=0, n alone has these values, the degree of polymerization (DP) being from 50 to 5,000; and ##STR31## wherein R and R 1 are as defined above, n is an average number substantially equal to the average degree of polymerization of the material which is from about 50 to 5,000; and (c) a platinum complex catalyst capable of promoting a crosslinking reaction between said hydrogen or alkenyl groups in polymer (a) and said alkenyl or hydrogen groups in polymer (b).

Claim 37

A method of forming in vivo a replacement lens in the eye of a human being or other animal which comprises: introducing into the lens capsule, from which the natural lens has been previously removed, a silicone lens composition which undergoes a physical change in said capsule to form said replacement lens, said composition being substantially curable at body temperature to form a lens which is optically clear and remains so in the presence of physiological fluids, said composition comprising: (a) a crosslinkable organosiloxane polymer containing crosslinkable hydrogen or alkenyl groups and having the average formula: ##STR32## wherein: M is a monofunctional, silicon-containing, chain capping residue D is a difunctional, siloxane monomer unit, T is a trifunctional, siloxane monomer unit; and Q is a tetrafunctional siloxane monomer unit; and m and n are average numbers whose total is from about 2 to about 1000, n being a positive number greater than zero, m being zero or a positive number greater than zero; the average degree of polymerization of said polymer being from about 100 to about 20000, the value of said degree of polymerization and m and n determining the average value of x; (b) an organosiloxane crosslinker polymer containing alkenyl groups when polymer (a) contains said crosslinkable hydrogen groups or hydrogen groups when said polymer (a) contains said crosslinkable alkenyl groups, polymer (b) having at least one of the following general formula (i), (ii) and (iii): ##STR33## wherein the R substituents are substituted or unsubstituted and are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aryl, alkaryl and aralkyl; R 1 is hydrogen or alkenyl; and q is an average number from about 1 to 250 times the value of q', q' being an average number of from about 3 to 20; the material of Formula VIII having an average degree of polymerization of from about 50 to 5,000, the average value of q being determined by the difference between the degree of polymerization and the average value of q'; ##STR34## wherein M is a monofunctional, silicon-containing, chain-capping residue which is free of said crosslinkable groups; D is a difunctional siloxane monomer unit; T is a trifunctional siloxane monomer unit; and Q is a tetrafunctional siloxane monomer unit; and wherein n and x are average positive numbers, m is 0 or an average positive number, the total of n+m being from about 2 to 100 and, when m=0, n alone has these values, the degree of polymerization (DP) being from 50 to 5,000; and ##STR35## wherein R and R 1 are as defined above, n is an average number substantially equal to the average degree of polymerization of the material which is from about 50 to 5,000; and (c) a platinum complex catalyst capable of promoting a crosslinking reaction between said hydrogen or alkenyl groups in polymer (a) and said alkenyl or hydrogen groups in polymer (b).

Claim 38

A method of forming in vivo a replacement lens in the eye of a human being or other animal which comprises: introducing into the lens capsule, from which the natural lens has been previously removed, a silicone lens composition which undergoes a physical change in said capsule to form said replacement lens, said composition being substantially curable at body temperature to form a lens which is optically clear and remains so in the presence of physiological fluids, said composition comprising: (a) a crosslinkable organosiloxane polymer containing crosslinkable hydrogen or alkenyl groups and having the average formula: ##STR32## wherein: M is a monofunctional, silicon-containing, chain capping residue D is a difunctional, siloxane monomer unit, T is a trifunctional, siloxane monomer unit; and Q is a tetrafunctional siloxane monomer unit; and m and n are average numbers whose total is from about 2 to about 1000, n being a positive number greater than zero, m being zero or a positive number greater than zero; the average degree of polymerization of said polymer being from about 100 to about 20000, the value of said degree of polymerization and m and n determining the average value of x; (b) an organosiloxane crosslinker polymer containing alkenyl groups when polymer (a) contains said crosslinkable hydrogen groups or hydrogen groups when said polymer (a) contains said crosslinkable alkenyl groups, polymer (b) having at least one of the following general formula (i), (ii) and (iii): ##STR33## wherein the R substituents are substituted or unsubstituted and are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aryl, alkaryl and aralkyl; R 1 is hydrogen or alkenyl; and q is an average number from about 1 to 250 times the value of q', q' being an average number of from about 3 to 20; the material of Formula VIII having an average degree of polymerization of from about 50 to 5,000, the average value of q being determined by the difference between the degree of polymerization and the average value of q'; ##STR34## wherein M is a monofunctional, silicon-containing, chain-capping residue which is free of said crosslinkable groups; D is a difunctional siloxane monomer unit; T is a trifunctional siloxane monomer unit; and Q is a tetrafunctional siloxane monomer unit; and wherein n and x are average positive numbers, m is 0 or an average positive number, the total of n+m being from about 2 to 100 and, when m=0, n alone has these values, the degree of polymerization (DP) being from 50 to 5,000; and ##STR35## wherein R and R 1 are as defined above, n is an average number substantially equal to the average degree of polymerization of the material which is from about 50 to 5,000; and (c) a platinum complex catalyst capable of promoting a crosslinking reaction between said hydrogen or alkenyl groups in polymer (a) and said alkenyl or hydrogen groups in polymer (b).

Claim 39

A method of forming a synthetic lens in the lens capsule of an eye which is without a lens which comprises: introducing a curable silicone composition into said capsule where said composition forms a self-supportable lens said composition being substantially curable at body temperature to form a lens which is optically clear and remains so in the presence of physiological fluids, said composition comprising: (a) a crosslinkable organosiloxane polymer containing crosslinkable hydrogen or alkenyl groups and having the average formula: ##STR36## wherein: M is a monofunctional, silicon-containing, chain capping residue D is a difunctional, siloxane monomer unit, T is a trifunctional, siloxane monomer unit; and Q is a tetrafunctional siloxane monomer unit; and m and n are average numbers whose total is from about 2 to about 1000, n being a positive number greater than zero, m being zero or a positive number greater than zero; the average degree of polymerization of said polymer being from about 100 to about 20000, the value of said degree of polymerization and m and n determining the average value of x; (b) an organosiloxane crosslinker polymer containing alkenyl groups when polymer (a) contains said crosslinkable hydrogen groups or hydrogen groups when said polymer (a) contains said crosslinkable alkenyl groups, polymer (b) having at least one of the following general formula (i), (ii) and (iii): ##STR37## wherein the R substituents are substituted or unsubstituted and are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aryl, alkaryl and aralkyl; R 1 is hydrogen or alkenyl; and q is an average number from about 1 to 250 times the value of q', q' being an average number of from about 3 to 20; the material of Formula VIII having an average degree of polymerization of from about 50 to 5,000, the average value of q being determined by the difference between the degree of polymerization and the average value of q'; ##STR38## wherein M is a monofunctional, silicon-containing, chain-capping residue which is free of said crosslinkable groups; D is a difunctional siloxane monomer unit; T is a trifunctional siloxane monomer unit; and Q is a tetrafunctional siloxane monomer unit; and wherein n and x are average positive numbers, m is 0 or an average positive number, the total of n+m being from about 2 to 100 and, when m=0, n alone has these values, the degree of polymerization (DP) being from 50 to 5,000; and ##STR39## wherein R and R 1 are as defined above, n is an average number substantially equal to the average degree of polymerization of the material which is from about 50 to 5,000; and (c) a platinum complex catalyst capable of promoting a crosslinking reaction between said hydrogen or alkenyl groups in polymer (a) and said alkenyl or hydrogen groups in polymer (b).

Claim 40

A method of forming a synthetic lens in the lens capsule of an eye which is without a lens which comprises: introducing a curable silicone composition into said capsule where said composition forms a self-supportable lens said composition being substantially curable at body temperature to form a lens which is optically clear and remains so in the presence of physiological fluids, said composition comprising: (a) a crosslinkable organosiloxane polymer containing crosslinkable hydrogen or alkenyl groups and having the average formula: ##STR36## wherein: M is a monofunctional, silicon-containing, chain capping residue D is a difunctional, siloxane monomer unit, T is a trifunctional, siloxane monomer unit; and Q is a tetrafunctional siloxane monomer unit; and m and n are average numbers whose total is from about 2 to about 1000, n being a positive number greater than zero, m being zero or a positive number greater than zero; the average degree of polymerization of said polymer being from about 100 to about 20000, the value of said degree of polymerization and m and n determining the average value of x; (b) an organosiloxane crosslinker polymer containing alkenyl groups when polymer (a) contains said crosslinkable hydrogen groups or hydrogen groups when said polymer (a) contains said crosslinkable alkenyl groups, polymer (b) having at least one of the following general formula (i), (ii) and (iii): ##STR37## wherein the R substituents are substituted or unsubstituted and are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aryl, alkaryl and aralkyl; R 1 is hydrogen or alkenyl; and q is an average number from about 1 to 250 times the value of q', q' being an average number of from about 3 to 20; the material of Formula VIII having an average degree of polymerization of from about 50 to 5,000, the average value of q being determined by the difference between the degree of polymerization and the average value of q'; ##STR38## wherein M is a monofunctional, silicon-containing, chain-capping residue which is free of said crosslinkable groups; D is a difunctional siloxane monomer unit; T is a trifunctional siloxane monomer unit; and Q is a tetrafunctional siloxane monomer unit; and wherein n and x are average positive numbers, m is 0 or an average positive number, the total of n+m being from about 2 to 100 and, when m=0, n alone has these values, the degree of polymerization (DP) being from 50 to 5,000; and ##STR39## wherein R and R 1 are as defined above, n is an average number substantially equal to the average degree of polymerization of the material which is from about 50 to 5,000; and (c) a platinum complex catalyst capable of promoting a crosslinking reaction between said hydrogen or alkenyl groups in polymer (a) and said alkenyl or hydrogen groups in polymer (b).

Claim 41

A method as claimed in claims 29, 30, 31 or 32, wherein both before and after cure, less than about 40% to 50% by weight of said composition is extractable by solvent.

Claim 43

A method as claimed in claims 29, 30, 31 or 32, wherein said composition is curable to a lens having a refractive index of about 1.4.

Claim 62

A method of replacing the lens in the eye of a human being in vivo which comprises: introducing into the lens capsule, from which the natural lens has been removed, a curable liquid silicone polymer composition curable at body temperature and comprising (a) crosslinkable silicone polymer and (b) a crosslinker, said component (a) comprises polymer having the average formula: ##STR46## wherein: M is a monofunctional, silicon-containing, chain capping residue; D is a difunctional, siloxane monomer unit, T is a trifunctional, siloxane monomer unit; and Q is a tetrafunctional siloxane monomer unit; and m and n are average numbers whose total is from about 2 to about 1000, n being a positive number greater than zero, M being zero or a positive number greater than zero; the average degree of polymerization of said polymer being from about 100 to about 20000, the value of said degree of polymerization and m and n determining the average value of x; and curing said composition to form in situ a lens which is optically clear and remains so in the presence of physiological fluids.

Claim 63

A method of replacing the lens in the eye of a human being in vivo which comprises: introducing into the lens capsule, from which the natural lens has been removed, a curable liquid silicone polymer composition curable at body temperature and comprising (a) crosslinkable silicone polymer and (b) a crosslinker, said component (a) comprises polymer having the average formula: ##STR46## wherein: M is a monofunctional, silicon-containing, chain capping residue; D is a difunctional, siloxane monomer unit, T is a trifunctional, siloxane monomer unit; and Q is a tetrafunctional siloxane monomer unit; and m and n are average numbers whose total is from about 2 to about 1000, n being a positive number greater than zero, M being zero or a positive number greater than zero; the average degree of polymerization of said polymer being from about 100 to about 20000, the value of said degree of polymerization and m and n determining the average value of x; and curing said composition to form in situ a lens which is optically clear and remains so in the presence of physiological fluids.