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  Treatment of photic disturbances in the eyeUSPTO Application #: 20070276482Title: Treatment of photic disturbances in the eye Abstract: An ocular lens treated so that at least a portion of the lens perimeter diminishes peripheral light focus on the interior of the eye in use, so as to ameliorate photic eye disturbances. The lens perimeter of intraocular lenses, artificial corneas and contact lenses are treated to diminish peripheral light focus. (end of abstract) Agent: Sughrue Mion, PLLC - Washington, DC, US Inventor: Minas Theodore Coroneo USPTO Applicaton #: 20070276482 - Class: 623006170 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Prosthesis (i.e., Artificial Body Members), Parts Thereof, Or Aids And Accessories Therefor, Eye Prosthesis (e.g., Lens Or Corneal Implant, Or Artificial Eye, Etc.), Intraocular Lens, Having Structure For Blocking Or Reducing Amount Of Light Transmitted (e.g., Glare Reduction, Etc.) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070276482. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/660,704 filed Sep. 12, 2003. The entire disclosure of the prior application Ser. No. 10/660,704 is hereby incorporated by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention is directed to ocular lenses, including intraocular lenses, artificial corneas and contact lenses, treated so as to prevent photic disturbances in the eye. [0003] Cataract extraction and intraocular lens insertion may be regarded as one of the most successful human body part replacement procedures ever developed. It has been said that "cataract surgery, the most successful procedure in modern medicine, yields outcomes that are unsurpassed by any other surgical procedure" (Obstbaum S. A. "Effective cataract surgery--an undervalued procedure", J Cataract Refract Surg. 1998;24: 1417). [0004] The deformable intracoular lens (IOL) was developed in the early 1980s. Formed of polymeric material, IOLs are sufficiently soft and flexible to allow the lens to be folded for insertion into the eye through an incision of reduced size. [0005] IOLs typically incorporate a disk-shaped, transparent lens optic and may include smoothly curved attachment arms referred to as haptics. The lens optic typically is formed of polymeric material such as polymethyl methacrylate, virgin silicon or acrylic based materials, which are suitable for lathe turning or by moulding by injection, compression or cast moulding techniques. [0006] IOL design developments over the years include: square edges to minimise posterior capsular opacity when the IOL is inserted into the posterior capsule of the eye during cataract surgery (Nagata T, Watanabe I. "Optic sharp edge or convexity: comparison of effects on posterior capsular opacification", Jpn J Ophthalmol, 1996;40:397-403; Nishi 0. et al "Inhibition of migrating lens epithelial cells at the capsular bend created by the rectangular optic edge of a posterior chamber intraocular lens" Ophthalmic Surg Lasers, 1998;29:587-94; Nishi 0. et al "Preventing posterior capsule opacification by creating a discontinuous sharp bend in the capsule" J Cataract Refract Surg., 1999;25:521-6.); textured or frosted haptics to increase friction in the interface between tissue and the haptic portions so as to anchor the IOL in the eye (U.S. Pat. No. 6,129,759); and differential anterior and posterior coloration of haptics to facilitate lens orientation for insertion into the eye (U.S. Pat. No. 6,325,055). [0007] Notwithstanding the tremendous developments in cataract treatment, including IOL design, visual disturbances are reported by patients which include glare, streaks and/or dark shadows in the temporal visual field (Nadler D. J, et al "Glare disability in eyes with intraocular lenses" Am J Ophthalmol 1984;97:43-47; Masket S. et al "Undesired light images associated with ovoid intraocular lenses" J Cataract Ref Surg 1999;19:690-694; Tester R. et al "Dysphotopsia in phakic and pseudophakic patients: incidence and relation to intraocular lens type" J Cataract Ref Surg 2000;26:810-816; Haring G. et al "Subjective photic phenomena with refractive multifocal and monofocal intraocular lenses" J Cataract Ref Surg 2001;27:245-249; Davidson J. A. "Positive and negative dysphotopsia in patients with acrylic intraocular lenses" J Cataract Ref Surg 2000;26:1346-1355. These visual disturbances may be referred to as "photic disturbances". In the pseudophakic human eye in particular (where the crystalline lens has been surgically removed) photic disturbances (termed pseudophakic dysphotopsia--Tester R. et al in phakic and pseudophakic patients: incidence and relation to intraocular lens type" J Cataract Ref Surg 2000;26:810-816) can adversely impact the quality of vision and may affect 7-90% of patients implanted with intraocular lenses (Haring G. et al "Subjective photic phenomena with refractive multifocal and monofocal intraocular lenses" J Cataract Ref Surg 2001;27:245-249; Meacock W. R. et al "The effect of texturing the intraocular lens edge on postoperative glare symptoms. A randomized, prospective, double-masked study" Arch Ophthalmol 2002;120:1294-1298.) [0008] Unwanted image formation is a troublesome problem in the pseudophakic eye after IOL insertion. Holliday (Holladay J. T. et al "Analysis of edge glare phenomenon in intraocular lens designs" J Cataract Ref Surg 1999;25:748-752) using ray tracing techniques has investigated the edge glare effects in IOLs. Holliday concluded that rounded edges of the IOL reduce edge glare phenomenon. However, edge glare remains a problem in these conventional designs (Masket S. et al "Undesired light images associated with ovoid intraocular lenses" J Cataract Ref Surg 1999;19:690-694; Tester R. et al "Dysphotopsia in phakic and pseudophakic patients: incidence and relation to intraocular lens type" J Cataract Ref Surg 2000;26:810-816; Davidson J. A. "Positive and negative dysphotopsia in patients with acrylic intraocular lenses" J Cataract Ref Surg 2000;26:1346-1355; Meacock W. R. et al "The effect of texturing the intraocular lens edge on postoperative glare symptoms. A randomized, prospective, double-masked study" Arch Ophthalmol 2002;120:1294-1298; Holladay J. T. et al "Analysis of edge glare phenomenon in intraocular lens designs" J Cataract Ref Surg 1999;25:748-752; Erie J. C. et al "Analysis of postoperative glare and intraocular lens design" J Cataract Ref Surg 2001;27:614-21; Masket S. "Truncated edge design, dysphotopsia, and inhibition of posterior capsule opacification" J Cataract Ref Surg 2000;26:145-147; Ellis M. F. "Sharp-edged intraocular lens design as a cause of permanent glare" J Cataract Ref Surg 2001;27:1061-1064; Kohnen T. "The squared, sharp-edged optic intraocular lens design" J Cataract Ref Surg 2001;27:485-486). Further, such rounded edge designs may be associated with an increased risk of posterior capsular opacification (Kruger A. J. et al "Two year results: sharp versus rounded optic edges on silicone lenses" J Cataract Refract Surg., 2000;26:566-70). [0009] Photic disturbances may also occur in IOLs located outside of the lens capsule, for example for vision correction, with artificial corneas and contact lenses. [0010] This invention is concerned with the problems of photic disturbances associated with ocular lenses, including IOLs, artificial corneas and contact lenses. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0011] The inventors have found that refracted rays of obliquely instant light may degrade vision in the pseudophakic eye, with oblique or off-axis light from the temporal field posing unexpected optical problems after the crystalline lens has been replaced by an intraocular lens. This is based on their previous findings (Coroneo M. T. et al "Peripheral light focusing by the anterior eye and the ophthalmohelioses" Ophthalmic Surg 1991; 22: 705-711; Maloof A. J. et al "Influence of corneal shape on limbal light focusing" Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 1994; 35: 2592-98; Maloof A. J. et al "Anterior segment peripheral light concentration and the crystalline lens" [ARVO Abstract] Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 1994; 35: 1327. Abstract nr 332; Coroneo M. T. "Albedo concentration in the anterior eye: a phenomenon that locates some solar diseases" Ophthalmic Surg 1990;21:60-6; Kwok L. S. et al "Prevention of the adverse photic effects of peripheral light-focusing using UV-blocking contact lenses" Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2003;44:1501-7; Sliney D. H. "Epidemiological studies of sunlight and cataract: the critical factor of ultraviolet exposure geometry" Ophthalmic Epidemiol 1994; 1:107-19--who referred to the pioneering work of the inventor as the "Coroneo Effect") in normal eyes that this peripheral light can be refracted and focused by the temporal corneal periphery into locations inside the eye (the phenomenon of peripheral light focusing, PLF). PLF is due to the convexity of the cornea which can concentrate light by up to twenty times affecting the distal cornea and lens. [0012] The inventor has found that the dimensional difference of the IOL compared to the natural lens enables oblique light to strike the nasal perimeter of the IOL and thereafter be focused onto sites in the nasal interior of the eye, including the nasal retina causing photic disturbances such as unwanted image formation. This effect may also occur with the natural lens. Such unwanted image formation can adversely impact the quality of vision in the pseudophakic eye. Known as pseudophakic dysphotopsia (PDP), the visual disturbances reported by patients include glare, streaks and dark shadows in the temporal visual field. The prior art has only contemplated the role of on-axis instant light in PDP formation, and has failed to consider the effects of off-axis oblique incident light (such as 65.degree.-89.degree.) in PDP. Thus, prior art attempts to treat photic disturbances such as PDP have been unsatisfactory. [0013] The inventor has surprisingly found that oblique, off-axis light is further focused by the nasal perimeter of an IOL into intraocular locations, such as the nasal retina, causing photic disturbances. [0014] In accordance with a first aspect of the invention there is provided an ocular lens adapted so that at least a portion of the lens periphery diminishes oblique light focusing on the interior of the eye in use, so as to treat photic disturbances. [0015] In accordance with another aspect of this invention there is provided an intraocular lens configured to reduce or eliminate oblique incident light photic disturbances in the eye, said lens comprising anterior and posterior surfaces defining a central visually transparent lens optic extending from said anterior to said posterior surfaces and a peripheral portion outside of the central lens optic, wherein the optical properties of the peripheral portion are selected such that oblique incident light focusing on said peripheral portion is diminished or refracted laterally or anteriorly as opposed to posteriorly. [0016] The peripheral portion of the lens or a part thereof may include a light absorbing material. Alternatively the lens periphery portion may be treated in any manner which diminishes peripheral light focusing including, for example, laser etching or other laser treatment, treatment with a light absorbing material and deposition of opaque or pigment particles. [0017] Alternatively, the peripheral optics of the intraocular lens are modified such that when struck by oblique incident light, the light is refracted sideways or anteriorly (as opposed to posteriorly) thereby the foci now occur in the ciliary body which is light-insensitive instead of the retina which is light sensitive. This can be achieved by modifying the anterior and or posterior curvature of the intraocular lens such that an effective prismatic effect occurs to achieve the desired refraction of light foci away from the nasal retina. [0018] In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided a method for the production of an intraocular lens configured to reduce or eliminate incident light photic disturbances, said lens having an anterior surface and a posterior surface defining a central visually transparent lens optic extending from said anterior surface to said posterior surface and a peripheral portion outside of the central optic, wherein the optical properties of the peripheral portion are selected such that oblique incident light focusing said peripheral portion is minimised, or refracted laterally or anteriorly as opposed to posteriorly. [0019] In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided a method for the production of an intraocular lens configured to reduce or eliminate oblique incident light photic disturbances, said lens having an anterior surface and a posterior surface defining a central visually transparent lens optic extending from said anterior to said posterior surface, and a peripheral portion outside of the central lens optic, comprising selecting an anterior surface radius, selecting a posterior surface radius, selecting a centre thickness, selecting a lens diameter and refractive index and calculating ray traces at an angle of incidence of light in the range 71.degree. to 89.degree. and selecting those conditions which focus light laterally or anteriorly. [0020] Other embodiments of the invention are described hereinafter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0021] FIG. 1 shows a schematic drawing of an eye in cross-section, showing oblique light striking an IOL at the nasal perimeter or edge and being focused into the eye striking the nasal retina as different areas depending on the angle of incidence (.crclbar.) causing visual disturbance. Continue reading... Full patent description for Treatment of photic disturbances in the eye Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Treatment of photic disturbances in the eye patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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