Intraocular lenses

Claim 1

In an intraocular lens which includes at least a non-toxic, biocompatible, hydrolytically and enzymatically stable, photodegradation resistant, polymeric optical zone portion, wherein the improvement comprises said polymeric optical zone portion having the following characteristics, when in osmotic equilibrium with body liquids: (a) softening temperature T s between about 0° C. and about 42° C.; (b) damaging temperature T d higher than 42° C.; (c) refractive index greater than 1.39; and (d) temperature range of elastic deformation Te, above T s but below T d , and when said polymeric optical zone portion is heated to T e and one of its original dimensions is reduced by at least 20%, then cooled to at least 5° C. below T s and, upon reheating to T e said polymeric optical zone portion will return to its original dimensions existing prior to said first heating to T e , dimensional reduction and cooling.

Claim 15

A method of introducing and implanting an artificial intraocular lens for replacement of a surgically removed crystalline lens, through an incision in an eye, comprising the steps of: providing an intraocular lens of non-toxic, biocompatible, hydrolytically and enzymatically stable, photodegradation resistant, elastomeric, polymeric material having the following characteristics: (a) T s between about 0° C. and about 42° C.; (b) T d above 42° C.; and (c) refractive index greater than 1.39; said lens having an optical axis and an axis transverse thereto designated as the longitudinal axis where said longitudinal axis is substantially coaxial with the direction of insertion of said lens into said incision in said eye; heating said lens to a temperature above T s and below T d ; reducing at least one dimension of said lens, in a direction transverse to said longitudinal axis, to a dimension at least 20% less than the pre-reduction dimension in said direction; cooling said lens to a temperature above -5° C. which is at least 5° C. less than T s while maintaining the reduced dimension of the lens; inserting said lens into said incision in said eye; and permitting the lens to warm to a temperature below 42° C. and above T d ; whereby said lens will return to its original dimensions of full size and fixed focal length to provide a safer, more convenient surgical procedure and a more comfortable fit in the eye.

Claim 16

A method of introducing and implanting an artificial intraocular lens for replacement of a surgically removed crystalline lens, through an incision in an eye, comprising the steps of: providing an intraocular lens of non-toxic, biocompatible, hydrolytically and enzymatically stable, photodegradation resistant, elastomeric, polymeric material having the following characteristics: (a) T s between about 0° C. and about 42° C.; (b) T d above 42° C.; and (c) refractive index greater than 1.39; said lens having an optical axis and an axis transverse thereto designated as the longitudinal axis where said longitudinal axis is substantially coaxial with the direction of insertion of said lens into said incision in said eye; heating said lens to a temperature above T s and below T d ; reducing at least one dimension of said lens, in a direction transverse to said longitudinal axis, to a dimension at least 20% less than the pre-reduction dimension in said direction; cooling said lens to a temperature above -5° C. which is at least 5° C. less than T s while maintaining the reduced dimension of the lens; inserting said lens into said incision in said eye; and permitting the lens to warm to a temperature below 42° C. and above T d ; whereby said lens will return to its original dimensions of full size and fixed focal length to provide a safer, more convenient surgical procedure and a more comfortable fit in the eye.