A foldable intraocular lens designed to reduce dysphotopsia, enable small incision insertion, and provide high dioptric power
Institute Reference: 6-20034
Background
Intraocular lenses (IOLs) are commonly used in cataract surgery to replace the natural lens of the eye. While modern cataract surgery relies on small incisions to minimize complications like astigmatism and improve healing, existing IOLs are limited in diameter due to the challenges of inserting them through small surgical cuts. This limitation contributes to dysphotopsia, where patients perceive distracting light effects post-surgery.
Technology Overview
The technology addresses these limitations by offering a foldable IOL with a larger diameter (greater than 6 mm) and a thin profile, allowing it to fit through incisions smaller than 3 mm. It incorporates an internal optical feature to achieve the desired dioptric power without surface ridges, which are common in Fresnel lens designs. The optical feature is created using laser-induced refractive index modification, providing high dioptric power while maintaining a thin, flexible profile.
Benefits
The foldable intraocular lens offers several key benefits. Utilizing a larger diameter, effectively closes the gap between the edge of the IOL and the iris, significantly reducing the occurrence of dysphotopsia, which causes distracting peripheral visual disturbances. Additionally, the lens’s design enables it to be folded and inserted through incisions of less than 3 mm, which minimizes surgical complications and facilitates faster healing.
Moreover, the internal optical feature of the lens enhances dioptric power while avoiding common issues like image scattering or glare, which are often found in traditional Fresnel lens designs. This results in a higher quality of vision for patients. Another major advantage is the high degree of customizability—post-implantation, surgeons can make precise laser adjustments to fine-tune the lens, ensuring it meets the specific visual needs of each individual patient.
Applications
This technology is particularly well-suited for use in cataract surgery, where it replaces the clouded natural lens with an intraocular lens that provides superior visual quality and minimizes the risk of dysphotopsia. Beyond cataract treatment, the lens also holds potential for broader applications in vision correction, especially for patients requiring large-diameter lenses to address refractive errors effectively.
Opportunity
The University of Rochester is open to exploring funded research collaborations, licensing agreements, and other partnership opportunities.