A TORIC INTRAOCULAR LENS

BACKGROUND

Intraocular lenses (lOLs) are implanted in patients' eyes either to replace a patient's lens or, in the case of a phakic IOL, to complement the patient's lens. For example, the IOL may be implanted in place of the patient's lens during cataract surgery. Alternatively, a phakic IOL may be implanted in a patient's eye to augment the optical power of the patient's own lens. FIG. 1 depicts a conventional system 10 in which a conventional IOL 20 has been placed in the eye 12 of a patient, replacing the patient's lens. The conventional IOL 20 is a spherical lens having an optic axis 22, anterior surface 24, and posterior surface 26. The conventional IOL refracts light 14 incident to the patient's eye 20, in order to form an image on the retina improving the patient's vision.

Although the conventional IOL 20 functions, the IOL may also retroreflect light 14 incident to the patient's eye 12. In some instances, the retroreflected light is aligned along a single direction. This is shown as occurring from the anterior surface 24 of the conventional IOL 20 in FIG. 1 . Typically this phenomenon occurs when the radius of the wavefront converging from the cornea (not explicitly depicted) matches radius of curvature of the anterior surface 24 of the conventional IOL 20. However, a similar phenomenon may also occur from the posterior surface 26 of the conventional IOL 20. Although only a small percentage of the energy incident to the eye 12 may be retroreflected, this light may be visible to observers. For example, the retroreflected light 14 may be visible for small, bright light sources. The retroreflected light 14 appears to originate in the patient's eye 12. Although harmless to the patient, the retroreflected light may still be disturbing to observers. Thus, this phenomenon is known as "scary eye". A conventional method for reducing the occurrence of retroreflected light is to adjust the radius of curvature of the anterior surface 24 or posterior surface 26. However, this change may not be possible for all lens powers. Thus, for certain conventional lOLs 24, retroreflection of light may still be an issue for patients.

Accordingly, what is needed is a system and method for reducing the occurrence of "scary eye" in patients.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A method and system provide an ophthalmic device and treat a patient using the ophthalmic device. The ophthalmic device includes an ophthalmic lens having an anterior surface, a posterior surface and an optic axis. At least one of the anterior surface and the posterior surface is an aspheric surface. The aspheric surface has a toricity configured to spread retroreflected light incident in a plurality of directions canted from the optic axis. In one aspect, the method includes selecting the ophthalmic device for implantation in an eye of the patient and implanting the ophthalmic device in the patient's eye.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a conventional ophthalmic device as used in a patient's eye.

FIG. 2 depicts a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of an ophthalmic device.

FIGS. 3-4 depict side and top views of an exemplary embodiment of a portion of an ophthalmic device as used in a patient's eye.

FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a portion of an ophthalmic device.

FIG. 6 depicts the spread in intensity of reflected light from a spherical lens and a toric lens.

FIGS. 7-8 depict side and top views of another exemplary embodiment of a portion of an ophthalmic device as used in a patient's eye.

FIGS. 9-10 depict side and top views of another exemplary embodiment of a portion of an ophthalmic device as used in a patient's eye.

FIGS. 1 1 -12 depict side and top views of another exemplary embodiment of a portion of an ophthalmic device as used in a patient's eye.

FIG. 13 is flow chart depicting an exemplary embodiment of a method for utilizing an ophthalmic device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 2-5 depict various views of an exemplary embodiment of an ophthalmic device 100 that may be used as an IOL. FIG. 2 depicts a plan view of the ophthalmic device 100, which includes an ophthalmic lens 1 10, haptics 120, and an optic axis 130. FIGS. 3-4 depict side and top views of the ophthalmic lens 1 10 of the ophthalmic device 100 as used in a patient's eye 102. FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of the ophthalmic lens 1 10. For clarity, FIGS. 2-5 are not to scale. Haptics 120 are used to hold the ophthalmic device 100 in place in a patient's eye 102. However, in other embodiments, other mechanism(s) might be used to retain the ophthalmic device in position in the eye 102. For clarity, the haptics are not depicted in FIGS. 3-5. Although the ophthalmic lens 102 is depicted as having a circular cross section in the plan view of FIG. 2, in other embodiments, other shapes may be used.

As can be seen in FIGS. 3-5, the ophthalmic lens 1 10 has an anterior surface 1 12 configured to be closer to the front of the patient's eye (e.g. the cornea) and a posterior surface 1 14. In the embodiment shown, the anterior surface 1 12 is aspheric, while the posterior surface 1 14 is spheric. More specifically, the anterior surface 1 12 is toric. Thus, as can be seen in FIG. 5, the anterior surface 1 12 has meridians 1 16 and 1 18 that are orthogonal. Because the anterior surface 1 12 is toric, the meridians 1 16 and 1 18 have different radii of curvature. The toricity of the anterior surface 1 12 may be characterized by the difference in the radii of curvature. For example, in some embodiments, the anterior surface 1 12 has at least 1 .5 and not more than six diopters of astigmatism. In some such embodiments, the anterior surface 1 12 has at least two diopters of astigmatism. However, in other embodiments, the toricity of the anterior surface 1 12 may be different. Further, although shown as spheric, the posterior surface 1 14 may have another shape. For example, the posterior surface 1 14 may be toric. In some embodiments, the combination of the shapes of the anterior surface 1 12, the shape of the posterior surface 1 14 and/or other characteristics of the ophthalmic lens 1 10 (such as thickness) may correct for various vision issues of the patient. For example, the ophthalmic lens 1 10 may correct for near-sightedness, farsightedness and/or astigmatism.

FIGS. 3 and 4 depict the ophthalmic lens 1 10 along different meridians 1 16 and 1 18, respectively. In FIGS. 3 and 4, the ophthalmic lens 1 10 has been implanted in an eye 102 of a patient and may be retained in place using haptics 120 (not shown in FIGS. 3-5). The anterior surface 1 12 of the ophthalmic lens 1 10 retroreflects light. Although not depicted as doing so, the posterior surface 1 14 may also retroreflect light. The view shown in FIG. 3 is along the meridian 1 16 of the anterior surface 1 12. The view shown in FIG. 4 is along the meridian 1 18 of the anterior surface 1 12. Thus, the radius of curvature for the section of the ophthalmic lens 1 10 shown in FIG. 3 is greater than for the section of the ophthalmic lens 1 10 shown in FIG. 4. The radius of curvature for the meridian 1 16 happens to match the radius of curvature for the wavefront of the light 104 incident on the anterior surface 1 12. Thus, as is shown in FIG. 3, the light 104 is retroreflected back substantially along a single direction that happens to be substantially parallel to the optic axis 130. If the anterior surface 1 12 were spherical and had the radius of curvature of the meridian 1 16, the patient would be subject to "scary eye". However, the other meridian 1 18 has a different radius of curvature that does not match the radius of curvature for the wavefront of the light 104. Along the meridian 1 18, therefore, light reflected by the anterior surface 1 12 is spread in directions away from the optic axis 130 and away from the direction at which light 104 was incident to the ophthalmic lens 1 10. This situation is shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 depicts spot diagrams 150 and 160 for light retroreflected from a spherical lens (not shown) and a toric lens such as the ophthalmic lens 1 10. The spot diagrams 150 and 160 are for explanatory purposes only and not meant to reflect a particular real-world ophthalmic device. Referring to FIGS. 2-6, each spot in the spot diagrams 150 and 160 includes the same power as the spot directly above/below. The spot diagram 150 corresponds to a spherical lens (such as the conventional lens 20) having a radius of curvature corresponding to the meridian 1 16. The spot diagram 160 corresponds to the ophthalmic lens 1 10 in which the meridians 1 16 and 1 18 have different radii of curvature. The meridian 1 16 may be considered to retroreflect light vertically, while the meridian 1 18 may be considered to retroreflect light horizontally in the spot diagram 160. .As can be seen in comparing the spot sizes, the toric lens 1 10 spreads the same power over a larger area because reflections along the meridian 1 18 tend to be spread over multiple directions. In some cases, the area of a spot for the toric lens diagram 160 may be at least ten times that of the corresponding spot in the spherical lens diagram 150. Thus, the ophthalmic lens 1 10 may have a lower intensity (power divided by solid angle) of retroreflected light than a conventional spherical lens.

The ophthalmic device 100 including ophthalmic lens 1 10 may reduce the effect of "scary eye" for a patient. Because the ophthalmic lens 1 10 has a toricity (different radii of curvature for the meridians 1 16 and 1 18), light incident on the anterior surface 1 12 generally does not have a wavefront that matches the radius of curvature for both meridians 1 16 and 1 18. This may be accomplished by designing the meridians 1 16 and 1 18 to have radii of curvature that differ by at least 1 .5 diopters, at least 2.0 diopters, or more. Because of the toricity of the anterior surface 1 12, the wavefront does not match the radii of curvature for both meridians 1 16 and 1 18 and the anterior surface 1 12 spreads retroreflected light in multiple directions. Thus, a lower intensity of retroreflected light may be observed by individuals viewing the patient and the effect of "scary eye" reduced. Although the toricity and attendant correction of "scary eye" is described in the context of the anterior surface 1 12, the posterior surface 1 14, or both the anterior surface 1 12 and the posterior surface 1 14 may be similarly configured.

FIGS. 7 and 8 depict side and top views, respectively, of another exemplary embodiment of an ophthalmic device 100'. For clarity, FIGS. 7-8 are not to scale. The ophthalmic device 100' corresponds to the ophthalmic device 100. Similar components have analogous labels. The ophthalmic device 100' includes an ophthalmic lens 1 10' having an anterior surface 1 12', posterior surface 1 14', and optic axis 130' that corresponds to ophthalmic lens 1 10 having anterior surface 1 12, posterior surface 1 14 and optic axis 130, respectively. Thus, the components 1 10', 1 12', 1 14' and 130' have a similar structure and function to the components 1 10, 1 12, 1 14 and 130, respectively. The ophthalmic device 100' may also have haptics (not shown in FIGS. 7-8) or other mechanism for retaining the ophthalmic device in place that correspond to the haptics 120. In FIGS. 7 and 8, the ophthalmic lens 1 10' has been implanted in an eye 102' of a patient and may be retained in place using haptics or another mechanism. The ophthalmic device 100' utilizes the curvature(s) of the posterior surface 1 14' to account for the toricity of the anterior surface introduced to reduce "scary eye" and/or to address other vision issues.

In the embodiment shown, the anterior surface 1 12' and the posterior surface 1 14' are both aspheric. The anterior surface 1 12' is toric. Thus, the anterior surface 1 12' has meridians (not shown) that are orthogonal. Because the anterior surface 1 12' is toric, the meridians have different radii of curvature. In some embodiments, the anterior surface 1 12' has at least 1 .5 and not more than six diopters of astigmatism. In some such embodiments, the anterior surface 1 12' has at least two diopters of astigmatism. However, in other embodiments, the toricity of the anterior surface 1 12' may be different. The posterior surface 1 14' is also toric. Thus, like the anterior surface 1 12, the posterior surface 1 12' is characterized by different radii of curvature along different meridians, which may be perpendicular. However, the toricity of the posterior surface 1 14' is different from the toricity of the anterior surface 1 12'.

Because side and top views are shown, FIGS. 7 and 8 depict the ophthalmic lens 1 10' along different meridians. The anterior surface 1 12' of the ophthalmic lens 1 10' retroreflects light. Although not depicted as doing so, the posterior surface 1 14' may also retroreflect light. For the meridian depicted in FIG. 7, the radius of curvature for the meridian happens to match the radius of curvature for the wavefront of the light 104' incident on the anterior surface 1 12'. Thus, as is shown in FIG. 7, the light 104' is retroreflected back substantially along a single direction that happens to be substantially parallel to the optic axis 130'. If the anterior surface 1 12' were spherical, the patient would be subject to "scary eye". However, for the meridian depicted in FIG. 8, the anterior surface 1 12' does not retroreflect the light along a single direction. Instead, light reflected by the anterior surface 1 12' is spread in directions away from the optic axis 130' and away from the direction at which light 104' was incident to the ophthalmic lens 1 10' in FIG. 8. Thus, "scary eye" may be reduced or eliminated through the configuration of the anterior surface 1 12'.

In addition, the posterior surface 1 14' is configured to account for the toricity of the anterior surface 1 12' introduced to reduce "scary eye". Thus, the lens 1 10' as a whole functions as desired. For example, in some embodiments, the lens 1 10' is desired to function as a spherical lens. In such an embodiment, the meridians for the posterior surface 1 14' are opposite to those of the anterior surface 1 12'. In such embodiments, the radius of curvature along one meridian for the anterior surface 1 12' is the same as the radius of curvature along an orthogonal meridian for the posterior surface 1 14'. Thus, the combination of the shape of the anterior surface 1 12' and the shape of the posterior surface 1 14 can reduce the incidence of "scary eye", yet functions as a spherical lens. Further, the posterior surface 1 14' may provide correction for astigmatism, near-sightedness, far-sightedness and/or other issues with the patient's vision. For example, the toricity of the posterior surface 1 14' may be such that the entire lens 1 10' (e.g. anterior surface 1 12' and posterior surface 1 14' together) together correct for astigmatism of the patient. This toricity would be in addition to the toricity of the anterior surface 1 12' that reduces "scary eye". Thus, the ophthalmic device 100' including ophthalmic lens 1 10' may reduce the effect of "scary eye" for a patient while addressing other aspects of the patient's vision. Although the toricity and attendant correction of "scary eye" is described in the context of the anterior surface 1 12', the posterior surface 1 14' or both the surfaces 1 12' and 1 14' may be similarly configured.

FIGS. 9 and 10 depict side and top views, respectively, of another exemplary embodiment of an ophthalmic device 100". For clarity, FIGS. 9-10 are not to scale. The ophthalmic device 100" corresponds to the ophthalmic devices 100 and/or 100'. Similar components have analogous labels. The ophthalmic device 100" includes an ophthalmic lens 1 10" having an anterior surface 1 12", posterior surface 1 14", and optic axis 130" that corresponds to lens 100/100' having anterior surface 1 12/1 12', posterior surface 1 14/1 14' and optic axis 130/130', respectively. Thus, the components 1 10", 1 12", 1 14" and 130" have a similar structure and function to the components 1 10/1 10', 1 12/1 12', 1 14/1 14' and 130/130', respectively. The ophthalmic device 100" may also have haptics (not shown) or other mechanism for retaining the ophthalmic device in place that correspond to the haptics 120. In FIGS. 9 and 10, the ophthalmic lens 1 10" has been implanted in an eye 102" of a patient and may be retained in place using haptics or other mechanism. The ophthalmic device 100" utilizes the curvature(s) of the posterior surface 1 14" and, optionally, the anterior surface 1 12" in order to account for the toricity of the anterior surface introduced to reduce "scary eye" and/or to correct other aspect(s) of the patient's vision .

In the embodiment shown, the anterior surface 1 12" is aspheric. In some embodiments, the posterior surface 1 14" is also aspheric. The anterior surface 1 12" is toric. For example, in some embodiments, the anterior surface 1 12" has at least 1 .5 and not more than six diopters of astigmatism. In some such embodiments, the anterior surface 1 12" has at least two diopters of astigmatism. However, in other embodiments, the toricity of the anterior surface 1 12" may be different. The posterior surface 1 14" may also be toric. Thus, like the anterior surface 1 12", the posterior surface 1 12" may be characterized by different radii of curvature along different meridians, which may be perpendicular. The toricity of the posterior surface 1 14" may be different from the toricity of the anterior surface 1 12".

The toricity of the anterior surface 1 12" may correct for both "scary eye" and additional issues with the patient's vision. As discussed above for other embodiments and seen in FIGS. 9-10, the radius of curvature for the meridian shown in FIG. 9 happens to match the radius of curvature for the wavefront of the light 104" incident on the anterior surface 1 12". If the anterior surface 1 12" were spherical, the patient would be subject to "scary eye". However, for the meridian depicted in FIG. 10, the anterior surface 1 12" does not retroreflect the light along a single direction. Instead, light reflected by the anterior surface 1 12" is spread in directions away from the optic axis 130" and away from the direction at which light 104" was incident to the ophthalmic lens 1 10" in FIG. 10. Thus, "scary eye" may be reduced or eliminated. In addition, the anterior surface 1 12' may have an additional toricity that accounts in full or in part for other aspects of the patient's vision. For example, a portion of the total toricity of the anterior surface 1 12" may correct for astigmatism in the patient's vision.

The posterior surface 1 14" is configured to account for the toricity of the anterior surface 1 12" introduced to reduce "scary eye". Thus, the lens 1 10" as a whole functions as desired. For example, the lens 1 10" may be desired to both reduce "scary eye" and correct for astigmatism in the patient's vision. In such an embodiment, the meridians for the posterior surface 1 14" are opposite to the curvature in the meridians of the anterior surface 1 12" that are responsible for the reduction in "scary eye". However, the portion of the toricity of the anterior surface 1 12" that is used to correct for the patient's astigmatism is not opposed by the geometry of the posterior surface 1 14". Thus, the ophthalmic device 100" including ophthalmic lens 1 10" may reduce the effect of "scary eye" for a patient while correcting other aspects of the patient's vision.

FIGS. 1 1 and 12 depict side and top views, respectively, of another exemplary embodiment of an ophthalmic device 100"'. For clarity, FIGS. 1 1 - 12 are not to scale. The ophthalmic device 100"' corresponds to the ophthalmic devices 100, 100' and/or 100". Similar components have analogous labels. The ophthalmic device 100"' includes an ophthalmic lens 1 10"' having an anterior surface 1 12"', posterior surface 1 14"', and optic axis 130"' that corresponds to lens 100/1007100" having anterior surface 1 12/1 1271 12", posterior surface 1 14/1 1471 14" and optic axis 130/1307130", respectively. Thus, the components 1 10"', 1 12"', 1 14"' and 130"' have a similar structure and function to the components 1 10/1 1071 10", 1 12/1 1271 12", 1 14/1 1471 14" and 130/1307130", respectively. The ophthalmic device 100"' may also have haptics (not shown) or other mechanism for retaining the ophthalmic device in place that correspond to the haptics 120. In FIGS. 1 1 and 12, the ophthalmic lens 1 10"' has been implanted in an eye 102"' of a patient and may be retained in place using haptics or other mechanism. The ophthalmic device 100"' utilizes the curvature(s) of the posterior surface 1 14" and, optionally, the anterior surface 1 12" in order to reduce "scary eye" and/or to correct other aspect(s) of the patient's vision. In the embodiment shown, the posterior surface 1 14"' is aspheric. The anterior surface 1 12"' may be spheric or aspheric. The posterior surface 1 14"' is toric. For example, in some embodiments, the posterior surface 1 14"' has at least 1 .5 and not more than six diopters of astigmatism. In some such embodiments, the posterior surface 1 14"' has at least two diopters of astigmatism. However, in other embodiments, the toricity of the posterior surface 1 14"' may be different. The anterior surface 1 12"' may be toric or, as is shown in FIGS. 1 1 -12, spheric. The toricity of the posterior surface 1 14"' may be different from the toricity of the anterior surface 1 12"'. The toricity of the posterior surface 1 14"' may correct for "scary eye" and, optionally, additional issues with the patient's vision. Thus, the radii of curvature of the posterior surface 1 14"' shown in FIGS. 1 1 and 12 are different. The radius of curvature on the meridian shown in FIG. 1 1 or 12 may happen to match the radius of curvature for the wavefront of the light (not shown) incident on the posterior surface 1 14"'. If the posterior surface 1 14"' were spherical, the patient would be subject to "scary eye". However, for the other meridian in FIG. 12 or 1 1 , the radius of curvature of the posterior surface 1 14"' does not match the radius of curvature of the wavefront. Instead, light will be spread away from the optic axis upon reflection by the posterior surface 1 14"'. Thus, "scary eye" may be reduced or eliminated. In addition, the posterior surface 1 14"' and/or anterior surface 1 12"' may have an additional toricity that accounts in full or in part for other aspects of the patient's vision. For example, a portion of the total toricity of the lens 1 10"' may correct for astigmatism in the patient's vision. Further, the anterior surface 1 12"' may be configured to account for the toricity of the posterior surface 1 14"' introduced to reduce "scary eye". For example, the anterior surface 1 12"' and/or posterior surface 1 14"' may be configured in a manner analogous as described above for the posterior surface 1 1471 14" and/or anterior surface 1 1271 12", respectively. Thus, the lens 1 10"' as a whole functions as desired. Thus, the ophthalmic device 100"' including ophthalmic lens 1 10"' may reduce the effect of "scary eye" for a patient while correcting other aspects of the patient's vision. Thus, ophthalmic devices 100, 100', 100", and/or 100"' may be used to address "scary eye" in patients. In some embodiments, another ophthalmic device including one or more of the characteristics of the ophthalmic devices 100, 100', 100", and/or 100"' may be used to achieve the benefits of the ophthalmic devices 100, 100', 100", and/or 100"'. Thus, outcomes for patients may be improved.

FIG. 13 is an exemplary embodiment of a method 200 for treating an ophthalmic condition in a patient. For simplicity, some steps may be omitted, interleaved, and/or combined. The method 200 is also described in the context of using the ophthalmic device 100. However, the method 200 may be used with one or more of ophthalmic devices 100, 100', 100", 100"' and/or an analogous ophthalmic device.

An ophthalmic device 100 for implantation in an eye of the patient is selected, via step 202. The ophthalmic device 100 includes an ophthalmic lens 1 10 having an anterior surface 1 12, a posterior surface 1 14 and an optic axis 130. At least one of the anterior surface and the posterior surface is aspheric surface and has a toricity configured to spread retroreflected light in a plurality of directions canted from to the optic axis. Stated differently, the anterior surface and/or the posterior surface may be configured to reduce "scary eye". In addition, the surfaces may be configured to address other conditions in the patient's eye or for other purposes. Thus, the ophthalmic device 100, 100', 100", or 100"' may be selected in step 202. In some embodiments, another ophthalmic device including one or more of the characteristics of the ophthalmic device(s) 100, 100', 100", and/or 100"' may be used.

The ophthalmic device 100 is implanted in the patient's eye, via step 204. Step 204 may include replacing the patient's own lens with the ophthalmic device 100 or augmenting the patient's lens with the ophthalmic device. Treatment of the patient may then be completed. In some embodiments implantation in the patient's other eye of another analogous ophthalmic device may be carried out.

Using the method 200, the ophthalmic device(s) 100, 100', 100", 100"' and/or ophthalmic device may be used. Thus, the benefits of one or more of the transducers 100, 100', 100", and/or 100"'may be achieved.