A device and method for aspirating graft tissue and delivering the graft tissue to a target delivery site (for example, when performing Descemet's membrane endothelial keratoplasty). In one embodiment, an injector comprises a cylinder and a plunger at least partially located within the cylinder, the plunger being rotatably advanceable and retractable within the cylinder. In one aspect of the embodiment, rotating the plunger in a first direction within the cylinder controllably aspirates a graft tissue into the injector and rotating the plunger in a second direction opposite the first direction controllably ejects the graft tissue from the injector.

Systems and methods for delivering multiple ocular implants to reduce intraocular pressure are disclosed. The ocular implants can be implanted at multiple sites within a single human eye without requiring removal of the delivery apparatus from the eye. A system for delivering multiple ocular implants can include at least two implants preloaded within a delivery device and configured to be implanted within the eye, a metering device configured to transfer energy to the implants for delivery at selected locations within the eye, wherein the metering device is configured to meter a variable amount of energy for each implant delivery event in the eye. The system can further include an injector mechanism configured to serially engage and drive each of the implants.

A method of corneal implantation with cross-linking is disclosed herein. In one or more embodiments, the method includes the steps of: (i) forming a flap in a cornea of an eye so as to expose a stromal tissue of the cornea underlying the flap; (ii) pivoting the flap so as to expose the stromal tissue of the cornea underlying the flap; (iii) inserting an implant under the flap so as to overlie the stromal tissue of the cornea; (iv) applying laser energy and/or microwaves to the implant in the eye so as to modify the refractive power of the implant; (v) applying a cross-linking solution that includes a photosensitizer to the implant; (vi) covering the implant with the flap; and (vii) irradiating the implant so as to activate cross-linkers in the implant, and thereby cross-link the implant and the stromal tissue of the cornea surrounding the implant.

An intraocular lens (IOL) injector is configured for single hand operation and employs a compressed gas to provide a motive force to present an IOL to a surgical site. The IOL injector includes a mechanical brake coupled to a plunger to preclude translation of an IOL absent operator input. The mechanical brake provides for selectively varying the speed and translation of the plunger, and hence IOL during presentation of the IOL to a patient. The IOL injector can also include at least a first stop, which halts movement of the plunger at a predetermined position. The at least first stop is then moved to a passing position, thereby allowing further operator controlled translation of the plunger to present the IOL to the surgical site.

A method of corneal implantation with cross-linking is disclosed herein. In one or more embodiments, the method includes the steps of: (i) forming a flap in a cornea of an eye so as to expose a stromal tissue of the cornea underlying the flap; (ii) pivoting the flap so as to expose the stromal tissue of the cornea underlying the flap; (iii) inserting an implant under the flap so as to overlie the stromal tissue of the cornea, wherein the implant is cross-linked so as to prevent an immune response to the implant and/or rejection of the implant by the patient; and (iv) covering the cross-linked implant with the flap, the cross-linked implant being surrounded entirely by the stromal tissue of the cornea.

Needle injectors and injector carriers for endothelial keratoplasty are provided. Needle injectors include first, second, and third portions each having a respective conduit therein. A first end of the second conduit is fluidly coupled to a second end of the first conduit, where the second conduit has a maximum diameter greater than a maximum diameter of the first conduit. A first end of the third conduit is configured to be fluidly coupled to a second end of the second conduit, where a second end of the third conduit is configured with a cutting surface for cutting and penetrating eye tissue. Injector carriers include a container, a cap configured to seal an opening of the container, and a coupling means configured to couple the needle injector to the cap and allow the needle injector to be disposed within the container.

A tissue holding assembly for endothelial implantation comprising an open frame having legs for engaging a stem, such that said frame is insertable between a stroma and a Descemet's membrane, said frame being coated with a biological adhesive for adhering to a perimeter of a section of the Descemet's membrane to adhere the section of the Descemet's membrane to the frame for surgical separation of said section by cutting therearound, wherein said frame further comprises a heating element around its inner perimeter.

A scleral prosthesis includes an elongated body having a first free end, a second free end opposite the first free end, a central portion extending between and coupling the ends, and a convex top surface extending lengthwise along at least part of the central portion. A maximum width of the body at each end is wider than a maximum width of the body along the central portion. The scleral prosthesis also includes an insert having a convex top surface extending lengthwise along at least part of the insert. The body includes multiple portions that form the first end and part of the central portion. The portions are separated lengthwise along part of a total length of the body by empty space, which tapers and then expands in width. The insert has a shape complementary to the empty space such that the insert tapers and then expands in width.

An ocular implant insertion apparatus that includes a plunger driver that is not manually powered and ocular implant insertion methods. There are a variety of instances where an ocular implant is inserted into the anterior chamber, posterior chamber, cornea, vitreous space and/or other portion of an eye. Exemplary ocular implants include, but are not limited to, lenses, capsular tension rings, ocular prosthesis and lamellar transplants.

The invention relates to an apparatus for changing the refractive power of the cornea (1), in particular for correcting hyperopia or presbyopia, exhibiting injection means (13, 15) having at least one hollow needle (15) for injecting at least one optically transparent filling material having a predetermined refractive index into an intrastromal corneal pocket (7), characterized by a controllable injection drive (17) that is coupled at least indirectly to the injection means (13, 15) and is designed for changing an amount, to be injected, of the at least one filling material; a device for optical coherence tomography (OCT) (19) that is designed for monitoring the area of the corneal pocket (7) by means of measurement of depth profiles of the cornea (1) on a repeatedly cycled-through scan pattern; and a computing unit (21) that is designed and/or configured to determine from the measurement data of the OCT device (19) at least the radius of curvature of the front (3) of the cornea (1) keeping pace temporally with the repetitions of the scan pattern cycle during the injection, wherein the computing unit (21) is designed and/or configured to control the injection drive (17) for changing the injected amount of the at least one filling material, and namely on the basis of the radius of curvature of the front (3) of the cornea (1) and/or such until a predetermined target criterion is fulfilled.