Method for altering the curvature of the cornea

• US 4,565,198 A
• Filed: 12/27/1983
• Issued: 01/21/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Barnes-Hind/Hydrocurve Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Barnes-Hind Incorporated
• Inventors: Koeniger, Erich A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Frinks, Ronald L.
• Application Number:
  US06/566,105
• Time in Patent Office: 756 Days
• Field of Search: 128/1 R, 128/303 R, 128/305, 3/13, 3/1, 604/895, 604/893, 604/294, 351/160
• US Class Current: 606/166
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/14 Eye parts, e.g. lenses, corneal implants; Implanting instruments specially adapted therefor; Artificial eyes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00 Methods or devices for treatment of the eyes; Devices for putting-in contact lenses; Devices to correct squinting; Apparatus to guide the blind; Protective devices for the eyes, carried on the body or in the hand caps with means for protecting the eyes A42B1/018; visors for helmets A42B3/22; retractors A61B17/02; manipulators specially adapted for use in surgery A61B34/70; appliances to aid invalids to move about A61H3/00; exercisers for the eyes A61H5/00; eye baths A61H35/02; sunglasses or goggles having the same features as spectacles G02C
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/013 Instruments for compensation of ocular refraction A61F9/008 takes precedence; Instruments for use in cornea removal, for reshaping or performing incisions in the cornea
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/04 Contact lenses for the eyes disinfection or sterilisation of contact lenses A61L12/00

Abstract

A method for altering the radius of curvature of the cornea which includes the steps of making incisions into the cornea and affixing a rigid gas permeable contact lens, having predetermined radius of curvature, to the eye to have the cornea conform to the shape of the lens.

Claims

1. A method for altering the radius of curvature of a cornea comprising the steps of

a, measuring the corneal curvature with a keratometer;

b, calculating the correction factor necessary to obtain proper focusing;

c, making sufficient incisions into the cornea to allow reduction of its curvature as determined by the correction factor calculated in step b;

d, placing a rigid gas permeable contact lens, having a radius of curvature, on the eye, said radius having been determined by using the correction factor calculated in step b;

e, applying light pressure on the contact lens by bandaging technique or surgical suturing so that the cornea will conform to the shape of the lens;

f, allowing the cornea to heal under the applied pressure; and

g, after healing, removing the contact lens from the eye.

2. A method of decreasing the radius of curvature of a cornea comprising the steps of:

a, measuring the corneal curvature with a keratometer;

b, calculating the correction factor necessary to obtain proper focusing;

c, removing, by cutting, at least one wedge of the cornea in the flattest meridian on both sides of the pupil to allow reduction of the curvature of the cornea as determined by the correction factor calculated in step b;

d, placing a corrective rigid, gas permeable contact lens onto the cornea, said corrective rigid, gas permeable contact lens having a radius that has been determined by using the correction factor calculated in step b;

e, applying sufficient pressure on the contact lens by bandaging technique or surgical suturing to effect closing of the wedges;

f, allowing the cornea to heal under the applied pressure; and

g, after healing, removing the contact lens from the cornea.