BACKGROUND

Field

This application relates generally to the field of intraocular devices.

Description of the Related Art

The human eye functions to provide vision by transmitting and focusing light through a clear outer portion called the cornea, and further refining the focus of the image onto a retina by way of a crystalline lens. The quality of the focused image depends on many factors including the size and shape of the eye, and the transparency of the cornea and the lens.

The optical power of the eye is determined by the optical power of the cornea and the crystalline lens. In a normal, healthy eye, sharp images of distant objects are formed on the retina (emmetropia). In many eyes, images of distant objects are either formed in front of the retina because the eye is abnormally long or the cornea is abnormally steep (myopia), or formed in back of the retina because the eye is abnormally short or the cornea is abnormally flat (hyperopia).

Some people suffer from cataracts in which the crystalline lens undergoes a loss of transparency. In such cases, the crystalline lens can be removed and replaced with an intraocular lens (IOL). However, some intraocular lenses may leave defects in a patient's non-distance eyesight.

SUMMARY

Intraocular lenses are often uniquely molded and then machined to include the appropriate optical properties. However, if the intraocular lens is not perfectly milled across the entire anterior and posterior surfaces of the intraocular lens, the intraocular lens can have the incorrect power and become unusable. To remove this manufacturing complexity, an intraocular lens, or implant, can be formed where only a central region of the intraocular implant has optical power. This powered portion of the implant (also referred to herein as a lens or optic) can interface or mechanically couple with a lens holder having negligible (e.g., less than 0.25 diopters) or no optical power. In this configuration, the same lens holder can interface with different powered lenses. Because the lens holder has negligible or no power, the anterior and posterior surfaces of the lens holder do not need to be perfectly milled to specification. This reduces the number of unique steps needed to create an intraocular lens and, in particular, an IOL with a small aperture to increase depth of focus.

As an example, the intraocular implant can include a lens holder and an optic. The lens holder can include an outer periphery and an inner periphery. The inner periphery of the lens holder can define an aperture extending from an anterior surface of the lens holder to a posterior surface of the lens holder. At least a portion of the lens holder can be substantially opaque to visible light. The substantially opaque portion can be disposed about the aperture. An optic can be positioned in the aperture and mechanically coupled or interlocked with the inner periphery of the lens holder. The aperture may be configured to increase depth of focus in a human patient when the intraocular implant is implanted in an eye of the human patient.

As another example, the intraocular implant can include a lens holder and a powered optic. The lens holder can include an outer periphery and an inner periphery. The inner periphery of the lens holder can define an aperture extending from an anterior surface of the lens holder to a posterior surface of the lens holder. The lens holder can have negligible or no power, or can be powered. The powered optic can be positioned in the aperture and mechanically coupled or interlocked with the lens holder. The aperture may be configured to increase depth of focus in a human patient when the intraocular implant is implanted in an eye of the human patient.

A method of manufacturing the intraocular implant can include forming a lens holder. The lens holder can include an outer periphery and an inner periphery. The inner periphery of the lens holder can include an aperture extending from an anterior surface of the lens holder to a posterior surface of the lens holder. The method can also include forming an optic. After forming the lens holder and the optic, the method can include inserting the optic into the aperture and mechanically coupling or interlocking the optic with the inner periphery of the lens holder.

Any feature, structure, or step disclosed herein can be replaced with or combined with any other feature, structure, or step disclosed herein, or omitted. Further, for purposes of summarizing the disclosure, certain aspects, advantages, and features of the inventions have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily any or all such advantages are achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment of the inventions disclosed herein. No aspects of this disclosure are essential or indispensable.

