Eye covering and refractive correction methods for LASIK and other applications
First Claim
1. A method of treating an eye of a patient following LASIK refractive surgery, the eye comprising a cornea having an anterior surface, an ablated stroma, and a flap having an anterior surface, the flap surrounded by epithelium and a sclera, the ablated stroma providing the anterior surface of the flap a post-ablation profile when the flap is disposed on the ablated stroma, the method comprising:
- providing a covering comprising;
an inner portion characterized by an inner rigidity, and comprising an upper surface, a lower surface, and a material characterized by an inner modulus from 10 MPa to 70 MPa; and
an outer portion characterized by an outer rigidity, and comprising an upper surface, a lower surface, and a material characterized by an outer modulus;
applying the covering against the eye so that the covering flexes with the lower surface of the inner portion disposed along the anterior surface of the flap and partially conforming to the post-ablation profile of the anterior surface; and
resisting movement of the inner portion relative to the flap by engaging the lower surface of the outer portion with the eye along the epithelium, the sclera, or a combination thereof.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for providing faster visual and functional recovery of patients following refractive surgery such as laser assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) is disclosed. The method comprises providing a covering to the eye of a patient comprising an inner portion having an inner rigidity and at least one inner radius of curvature; and an outer portion having an outer rigidity and at least one outer radius of curvature; wherein the inner rigidity is greater than the outer rigidity.
208 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method of treating an eye of a patient following LASIK refractive surgery, the eye comprising a cornea having an anterior surface, an ablated stroma, and a flap having an anterior surface, the flap surrounded by epithelium and a sclera, the ablated stroma providing the anterior surface of the flap a post-ablation profile when the flap is disposed on the ablated stroma, the method comprising:
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providing a covering comprising; an inner portion characterized by an inner rigidity, and comprising an upper surface, a lower surface, and a material characterized by an inner modulus from 10 MPa to 70 MPa; and an outer portion characterized by an outer rigidity, and comprising an upper surface, a lower surface, and a material characterized by an outer modulus; applying the covering against the eye so that the covering flexes with the lower surface of the inner portion disposed along the anterior surface of the flap and partially conforming to the post-ablation profile of the anterior surface; and resisting movement of the inner portion relative to the flap by engaging the lower surface of the outer portion with the eye along the epithelium, the sclera, or a combination thereof. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17)
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15. A method of treating an eye of a patient following LASIK, the eye comprising a cornea comprising an anterior surface, an ablated stroma, an epithelium, and a sclera, the ablated stroma characterized by a post-ablation profile, the method comprising:
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providing a covering comprising; an inner portion comprising a first lower surface characterized by at least one inner radius of curvature and a material characterized by an inner modulus from 10 MPa to 70 MPa, wherein the at least one inner radius of curvature comprises a radius of curvature less than a radius of curvature of the post-ablation profile of the anterior surface of the cornea, wherein the inner portion is characterized by a substantially uniform thickness; and an outer portion comprising a second lower surface characterized by at least one outer radius of curvature; and applying the covering against the eye so that the covering flexes, with the inner portion at least partially disposed along and deforming so that an upper surface of the inner portion opposite the first lower surface of the inner portion optically conforms to the anterior surface of the cornea and at least a part of the outer portion engages the eye along the epithelium, the sclera, or a combination thereof. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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Specification