System and method for increasing the depth of focus of the human eye
First Claim
1. A method for implanting a mask in a cornea comprising an epithelial sheet, a Bowman'"'"'s membrane, and a stroma, the stroma having a top layer, the method comprising:
- creating a flap in a portion of the cornea;
creating a depression in the top layer of the stroma by completely removing a portion of the stroma from the cornea, the depression being of sufficient depth and width to accommodate a mask, the mask comprising a centrally located pinhole-like optical aperture and a structure surrounding the aperture, the structure further having varying degrees of opacity, each of the varying degrees of opacity preventing transmission of a substantial portion of visible light incident on the structure;
placing the mask in the depression; and
placing the flap over the mask,wherein the mask increases the depth of focus of the eye and a curvature of the cornea is not substantially changed after placing the mask.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for increasing the depth of focus of the human eye is comprised of a lens body, an optic in the lens body configured to produce light interference, and a pinhole-like optical aperture substantially in the center of the optic. The optic may be configured to produce light scattering or composed of a light reflective material. Alternatively, the optic may increase the depth of focus via a combination of light interference, light scattering, light reflection and/or light absorption. The optic may also be configured as a series of concentric circles, a weave, a pattern of particles, or a pattern of curvatures. One method involves screening a patient for an ophthalmic lens using a pinhole screening device in the lens to increase the patient'"'"'s depth of focus. Another method comprises surgically implanting a mask in the patient'"'"'s eye to increase the depth of focus.
-
Citations
24 Claims
-
1. A method for implanting a mask in a cornea comprising an epithelial sheet, a Bowman'"'"'s membrane, and a stroma, the stroma having a top layer, the method comprising:
-
creating a flap in a portion of the cornea; creating a depression in the top layer of the stroma by completely removing a portion of the stroma from the cornea, the depression being of sufficient depth and width to accommodate a mask, the mask comprising a centrally located pinhole-like optical aperture and a structure surrounding the aperture, the structure further having varying degrees of opacity, each of the varying degrees of opacity preventing transmission of a substantial portion of visible light incident on the structure; placing the mask in the depression; and placing the flap over the mask, wherein the mask increases the depth of focus of the eye and a curvature of the cornea is not substantially changed after placing the mask. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
-
-
7. A method for implanting an ophthalmic device in a cornea comprising an epithelial sheet, a Bowman'"'"'s membrane, and a stroma, the stroma having a top layer, the method comprising:
-
creating a channel in the stroma by completely removing a portion of the stroma from the cornea, the channel being in a plane parallel to the cornea'"'"'s surface; and placing an ophthalmic device in the channel, the ophthalmic device comprising a mask comprising a centrally located pinhole-like optical aperture and a structure surrounding the aperture, the structure further having varying degrees of opacity, each of the varying degrees of opacity preventing transmission of a substantial portion of visible light incident on the structure, wherein the mask increases the depth of focus of the eye and a curvature of the cornea is not substantially changed after implanting the mask. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. A method for implanting a mask in a cornea, the mask configured to increase the depth of focus of the human eye, the cornea comprising an epithelium sheet, the method comprising:
-
forming a corneal flap, the corneal flap comprising substantially the outermost 20% of the cornea; placing a mask on a portion of the cornea exposed by the flap, the mask configured to provide an optical effect whereby the depth of focus of the human eye is increased, the mask comprising a centrally located pinhole-like optical aperture and a structure surrounding the aperture, the structure further having varying degrees of opacity, each of the varying degrees of opacity preventing transmission of a substantial portion of visible light incident on the structure; and placing the corneal flap over the mask, wherein a curvature of the cornea is not substantially changed after implanting the mask. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. A method for implanting an ophthalmic device in a cornea comprising a stroma, the method comprising:
-
creating a pocket in the stroma, the pocket being of sufficient size to accommodate an ophthalmic device, the ophthalmic device comprising a mask configured to provide an optical effect whereby the depth of focus of the human eye is increased, the mask comprising a centrally located pinhole-like optical aperture and a structure surrounding the aperture, the structure further having varying degrees of opacity, each of the varying degrees of opacity preventing transmission of a substantial portion of visible light incident on the structure; and placing the ophthalmic device in the pocket, wherein a curvature of the cornea is not substantially changed after implanting the mask. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
-
Specification