POSTERIOR CHAMBER PHAKIC INTRAOCULAR LENS

Abstract

A posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens including a central optical part, a peripheral haptic part including a plurality of support elements arranged to lie on a ciliary zonule of an eye, and at least one flexible haptic including a reticulated distal region arranged to lay into a ciliary sulcus of the eye.

Claims

1. A posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens comprising: an anterior surface and a posterior surface; a central optical part comprising a lens, and extending radially relative to an optical axis directed from said anterior surface to said posterior surface; a peripheral haptic part extending radially outward relative to said central optical part, said peripheral haptic part comprising: a proximal portion extending circumferentially around said central optical part; a distal portion at least around said proximal portion and comprising a plurality of support elements extending both radially outward and posteriorly relative to said central optical part, said support elements being configured for supporting said phakic intraocular lens on a ciliary zonule when the phakic intraocular lens is an implantation position in an eye; said central optical part and said peripheral haptic part forming a dome; at least one flexible haptic comprising: a proximal region mounted on said proximal portion of said peripheral haptic part; a distal region mounted on said proximal region and comprising a plurality of distal elongated flexible footplates that: extend at least partially radially outward relative to said central optical part, and that border distal cavities extending between said anterior and said posterior surfaces, a first diameter of said phakic intraocular lens being strictly greater than a second diameter of an optical assembly consisting of said central optical part and said peripheral haptic part, measured perpendicularly to said optical axis; at least one of said distal elongated flexible footplates extending substantially from said second to said first diameters; said distal region comprising a distal border connecting at least two of said distal elongated flexible footplates, said distal border being configured for stabilizing said phakic intraocular lens into a ciliary sulcus when the phakic intraocular lens is in the implantation position in the eye.

2. The posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens according to claim 1, wherein: said distal border is transverse to said distal elongated flexible footplates; said distal region comprises a proximal border transverse to said distal elongated flexible footplates; each of said distal elongated flexible footplates, said distal border and said proximal border being continuously constituted of a solid material; in such a way that said distal elongated flexible footplates are able to curve as a whole when axial and/or radial compression is exerted on said at least one flexible haptic.

3. The posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens according to claim 2, wherein each of said distal elongated flexible footplates comprises a proximal extremity and a distal extremity, the proximal extremities of said distal elongated flexible footplates being joined by said proximal border, and the distal extremities of said distal elongated flexible footplates being joined by said distal border.

4. The posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens according to claim 1, wherein said distal border extends both circumferentially and radially outward relative to said central optical part.

5. The posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens according to claim 1, wherein said distal border comprises smooth ripples arranged to hook smoothly into a ciliary sulcus when said phakic intraocular lens is in the implantation position in the eye.

6. The posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens according to claim 1, wherein said distal cavities are open cavities.

7. The posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens according to claim 1, wherein said distal elongated flexible footplates are configured for extending substantially along a plane whose normal vector forms an angle comprised between −15° and 15° with said optical axis when the phakic intraocular lens is in the implantation position in the eye.

8. The posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens according to claim 7, wherein the area of said distal cavities measured in said plane is at least twice greater than the area of said distal elongated flexible footplates measured in said plane.

9. The posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens according to claim 1, wherein the distal elongated flexible footplates are substantially flat.

10. The posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens according to claim 1, wherein said distal region has a geometry mimicking a net made of distal reticles bordering said distal cavities, said distal reticles comprising said distal elongated flexible footplates and said distal border.

11. The posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens according to claim 1, wherein said proximal region comprises a plurality of proximal elongated flexible footplates that: extend at least partially radially outward and posteriorly relative to said central optical part, and border proximal cavities extending between said anterior and said posterior surfaces.

12. The posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens according to claim 11, wherein said distal region and said proximal region share a common connecting border transverse to said distal elongated flexible footplates and to said proximal elongated flexible footplates, each of said distal elongated flexible footplates, said proximal elongated flexible footplates, said distal border and said common connecting border being continuously constituted of a solid material; in such a way that said proximal elongated flexible footplates are able to curve as a whole when axial and/or radial compression is exerted on said at least one flexible haptic.

13. The posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens according to claim 12, wherein said common connecting border extends substantially circumferentially around said central optical part along an arc of a circle of said second diameter.

14. The posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens according to claim 12, wherein the proximal elongated flexible footplates extend from the proximal portion of the peripheral haptic part to the common connecting border.

15. The posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens according to claim 11, wherein: said proximal elongated flexible footplates are oriented and substantially parallel to a first direction; and/or said distal elongated flexible footplates are oriented and substantially parallel to a second direction transverse to said first direction.

16. The posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral haptic part has a thickness, measured in parallel to the optical axis, significantly larger, on average, than that of the flexible haptic, so that the dome is resistant under axial and/or radial compression when the phakic intraocular lens is the implantation position in the eye.

17. The posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens according to claim 16, wherein the support elements have a flared and/or wide and/or thick shape.

18. The posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens according to claim 1, wherein each of the support elements has a free distal extremity arranged for resting on a ciliary zonule when the phakic intraocular lens is the implantation position in the eye.

19. The posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens according to claim 1, wherein said lens comprises: two such flexible haptics oriented and diametrically opposed; and four such support elements oriented according to diagonals of a planar rectangle.

20. The posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens according to claim 1, wherein the lens is shape invariant under a rotation of 180° around said optical axis.

21. The posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens according to claim 1, wherein: said first diameter is comprised between 12.5 and 14.5 mm; said second diameter is comprised between 11 and 12 mm.

22. The posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens according to claim 1, wherein a radius of curvature of a smooth posterior surface of said dome is comprised between 8 and 10 mm.

23. The posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens according to claim 1, wherein a smooth posterior surface of said dome is concave.

24. The posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens according to claim 1, wherein said lens comprises a flexible and biocompatible material comprising between 20 and 45% water, and having a Young modulus of less than 1 GPa.

25. The posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens according to claim 1, wherein said central optical part comprises a through bore extending between said anterior and said posterior surfaces and arranged to allow a fluid flow.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0101] The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of the claimed subject matter will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0102] FIG. 1A illustrates a first simplified planar representation of the top of a posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens according to an embodiment of the disclosure, provided with abstract geometric guiding marks;

[0103] FIG. 1B illustrates an enlarged view of a flexible haptic of the posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens represented in FIG. 1A;

[0104] FIG. 2 illustrates a second simplified planar representation of a side of the posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens represented in FIG. 1A;

[0105] FIG. 3 illustrates a third simplified planar representation of a front of the posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens represented in FIG. 1A;

[0106] FIG. 4A illustrates a simplified three-dimensional representation of the side and partially of the posterior surface of a posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0107] FIG. 4B illustrates a simplified three-dimensional representation of the anterior surface of the posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens illustrated in FIG. 4A;

[0108] FIG. 5 illustrates a simplified cross-sectional view of part of an eye in which a posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens according to an embodiment of the disclosure has been fitted;

[0109] FIG. 6 illustrates a simplified planar representation of the side of a posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0110] Each one of FIGS. 7A-C illustrates an enlarged view of a flexible haptic of a posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens according to embodiments of the disclosure; and

[0111] FIG. 8 illustrates a graphic representation of an axial position of a posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens according to an embodiment of the disclosure on the basis of a ciliary sulcus diameter.

[0112] The drawings in the figures are not scaled. Generally, similar elements are assigned by similar references in the figures. In the framework of the present disclosure, identical or analogous elements may have the same references. Moreover, the presence of reference numbers in the drawings cannot be considered to be limiting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0113] The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter and is not intended to represent the only embodiments. Each embodiment described in this disclosure is provided merely as an example or illustration and should not be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. The illustrative examples provided herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the claimed subject matter to the precise forms disclosed.

[0114] The geometric elements and/or measures designated by references 81, 82, 83, 83′, 89A, 89B, X, Y, Z, K, d, P, R, α, r1 and r2 are represented in some of the figures as an illustration in order to quantify and/or visualize technical properties of embodiments of the disclosure. These geometric elements are substantially abstract and do not correspond to concrete material objects.

[0115] Similarly, various dotted lines are represented in FIGS. 1A-B, 4A-B and 7A-C for the only purpose of showing some limits of regions and/or parts of the phakic intraocular lens according to some embodiments of the disclosure. These lines do not materially exist.

[0116] The present disclosure provides an example of a posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens 1 that is both adapted to any eye anatomy and postoperatively stable in an implantation position in an eye 9, both axially along the optical axis Z, radially and in rotation in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis Z based on the vectors X and Y. The optical axis Z is directed from an anterior surface 11 of the phakic intraocular lens 1 to a posterior surface 12 of the phakic intraocular lens 1.

[0117] As it is illustrated in the figures, the phakic intraocular lens 1 comprises a central optical part 2 extending radially relative to the optical axis Z, and in an essentially planar and/or substantially convex way, with a diameter comprised between 5.5 and 6.5 mm, preferentially equivalent to 6 mm. It comprises a through bore 21 elongated along the optical axis Z and extending between anterior 11 and posterior 12 surfaces, so as to allow fluid communication between these surfaces.

[0118] As it is illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the phakic intraocular lens 1 comprises, for example, a peripheral haptic part 3 extending radially outward relative to the central optical part 2, and comprising: [0119] a proximal portion 31 extending circumferentially and substantially symmetrically around and from the central optical part 2; [0120] a distal portion 32 prolonging at least partially in a radial way, the proximal portion 31 and comprising a plurality of support elements 4A-D extending radially outward along the diagonals r1 and r2 of a planar rectangle R perpendicular to the optical axis Z, and also extending posteriorly relative to the central optical part 2; [0121] so that the central optical parts 2 and peripheral haptic parts 3 form a dome K supported by broad feet consisting in support elements 4A-D.

[0122] Dome K is represented in FIG. 2. A sufficient wall thickness confers rigidity to the dome K so that it is resistant under axial and/or radial compression. A posterior surface of the dome K is curved and its preferential radius of curvature k is approximately 9 mm, so that the dome K can be inscribed into a sphere with radius k as illustrated in FIG. 2. A height 89A of the dome K, measured along the optical axis Z, and as illustrated in FIG. 2, and the “inherent vault”, constitute a height of a vault inherent to the phakic intraocular lens 1. It accepts a preferential value comprised between 1.5 and 2.2 mm, more preferably between 1.7 and 2 mm, even more preferably it is 1.87 mm. The width of a base of dome K corresponds typically to a second diameter 82 of the central optical 2 and peripheral haptic 3 parts. This second diameter 82 corresponds approximately to 11.25 mm. The “top” portion of the dome K corresponds substantially to the central optical part 2 and the proximal portion 31 of the peripheral haptic part 3, and extends with a diameter corresponding approximately to 7 mm.

[0123] As presented in detail in the summary of the disclosure, these values are selected so that the assembly composed of the central optical 2 and peripheral haptic 3 parts are apt to constitute a sufficiently rigid and sufficiently broad structure to surround and sit anteriorly above a natural crystalline lens 94 of an eye, as diagrammed in FIG. 3, and thereby to be implanted in a very broad range of anatomies of eye posterior chambers, while being stable in parallel to the optical axis Z.

[0124] As illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the phakic intraocular lens 1 also comprises at least one, more precisely two, flexible haptics 5, each one extending radially outward with respect to the central optical part 2 between two support elements 4A-D, and radially beyond the peripheral haptic 3 so as to inscribe in a cylinder of a first diameter 81 with a value comprised preferentially between 13.5 and 14.5 mm, more preferably corresponding to 14 mm, in a non-implanted state, without axial or radial compression exerted on the phakic intraocular lens 1.

[0125] These two flexible haptics 5, more specifically their distal border 56 for example, are configured for stabilizing the phakic intraocular lens 1 into a ciliary sulcus when it is in normal use in an eye. As it is detailed in the summary of the disclosure, these flexible haptics 5 allow to compensate for the size variations of a ciliary sulcus with the phakic intraocular lens 1 is in an implantation position. They also act as lateral anchors for stabilizing the phakic intraocular lens 1 in rotation in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis Z.

[0126] As showed in FIGS. 1A-B and 4A-B, each of the flexible haptic 5 consists of: [0127] a (at least locally) reticulated proximal region 51 mounted on the peripheral haptic part 3, preferentially on its proximal portion 31; [0128] and a reticulated distal region 52 mounted on the proximal region 51.

[0129] The proximal region 51 extends typically radially outward and posteriorly relative to the central optical part 2, between two of the support elements 4A-D. The distal region 52 is mounted on a common connecting border 55 extending substantially along an arc of circle of the second diameter 82. This common connecting border 55 is a proximal border of the distal region 52 and a distal border of the proximal region 51. The distal region 52 comprises a distal border 56 comprising smooth ripples 56A for laying (and/or hooking and/or stabilizing itself) into a ciliary sulcus when the phakic intraocular lens 1 is in normal use in an eye.

[0130] As more clearly showed in FIGS. 4A-B, each of the flexible haptic 5 has a form of a curved perforated tree leaf with two lobes corresponding respectively to the proximal 51 and distal 52 regions. The above-mentioned term “perforated” is linked to the (at least locally) “reticulated” technical characteristic of the proximal 51 and distal 52 regions. As a consequence of these characteristics these regions comprises a plurality of interlacing reticles forming a net. This geometry is very particular and very specific for an haptic geometry. It is fully part of the disclosure. Its main advantage is to provide the phakic intraocular lens 1 with very flexible haptics that is sufficiently connected to the peripheral haptic part 3 to avoid any flipping of the flexible haptics 5 during an implantation process of the phakic intraocular lens 1. Moreover, such a flexible haptic 5 is easier to see into the eye during this process, which is very important for handling position adjustment of the phakic intraocular lens 1 into an eye. In brief, this reticulated geometry for the flexible haptics 5 is specifically design for improving maneuverability of the phakic intraocular lens 1 into an eye, while allowing for its rotational stability as described above.

[0131] The reticles of the (at least locally) reticulated proximal 51 and distal 52 regions are now specifically described in view of FIG. 1B. The reticles of the proximal region 51 comprise oriented elongated flexible footplates 53 extending substantially in parallel from the peripheral haptic part 3 to the common connecting border in a first direction. The reticles of the distal region 52 comprise oriented elongated flexible footplates 54 extending substantially in parallel from the common connecting border 55 to the distal border 56 of the distal region 52 in a second direction transverse to the first direction, preferentially with a (smallest) angle comprises between 80 and 120° between these two directions. The elongated flexible footplates 53, 54 extend then at least partially radially outward relative to the central optical part 2. They are preferentially similar elongated thin reticles with a width 84B measured transversally to the second direction comprised between 0.05 and 0.20 mm, preferably corresponding substantially to the value 0.10 mm. Each elongated flexible footplates 53 (respectively 54) comprises a proximal 53.sub.1 (respectively 54.sub.1) and a distal 53.sub.2 (respectively 54.sub.2) extremities. The common connecting border 55 constitutes a reticle of both proximal 51 and distal 52 regions transverse to the elongated flexible footplates 53, 54 and joining together the distal 53.sub.2 extremities of the elongated flexible footplates 53 and the proximal 54.sub.1 extremities of the elongated flexible footplates 54. The distal border 56 constitutes a reticle of the distal region 52 transverse to the elongated flexible footplates 54 and joining together the distal 54.sub.2 extremities of the elongated flexible footplates 54. The smooth ripples 56A of the distal border 56 follow preferentially a joining shape of distal extremities 54.sub.2 extremities of the elongated flexible footplates 54 as it is illustrated in FIGS. 4A-B. Two elongated flexible footplates 54A and 54B extend substantially between the second 82 and the first 81 diameters. In other words, the phakic intraocular lens 1 comprises elongated flexible footplates 54A-B with distal extremities 54A-B.sub.2 for laying into a ciliary sulcus when it is in normal use in an eye. These elongated flexible footplates 54A-B are joined advantageously into a reticulated flexible haptic 5 as described above which allows to improve its flexibility and its maneuverability. The proximal 53.sub.1 extremities of the elongated flexible footplates 53 are preferably joined together on the proximal portion 31 of the peripheral haptic part 3. As a consequence, the elongated flexible footplates 53, 54 are joined and work as a whole flexible accordion grid curving and/or moving under axial and/or radial compression exerted on the flexible haptics 5 when the phakic intraocular lens 1 is in an implanted position. In some embodiments, the proximal 51 and distal 52 regions only comprise reticles as a solid matter constituting them. There are then open cavities (or, equivalently, spaces empty of such solid matter) extending between the anterior 11 and posterior 12 surfaces and being bordered by the reticles. These cavities are denoted by the reference numbers 57 and 58 respectively for the proximal 51 and distal 52 regions. They are typically oriented and elongated similarly to the elongated flexible footplates 53, 54. A width 84A of the cavities 58 measured transversally to the second direction is comprised between 0.10 and 0.50 mm, preferably between 0.20 and 0.30 mm, more preferably it corresponds substantially to the value 0.26 mm. As a consequence, the distal region 52 is preferably much emptier of the solid matter that full of the solid matter. The same can apply for the proximal region 51.

[0132] The number of reticles and their arrangement was described previously in view of FIGS. 1A-B and 4A-B. For example, in this case, the open cavities 57, 58 have oblong shapes. Nevertheless, in the framework of the disclosure, it is possible to consider an arrangement of reticles providing open cavities 57, 58 with other shapes such as rhombus, ellipses or circles as it is illustrated in a non limitative way in FIGS. 7A-C. The dotted lines on these figures represent extension directions of the reticles. In FIG. 7C, it is illustrated a proximal 51 (respectively distal 52) region comprising an additional intermediary reticle 55″ (respectively 55′) transverse to the elongated flexible footplates 53 (respectively 54).

[0133] The (at least locally) reticulated geometry of the flexible haptics 5 allows advantageously them to be both strongly resistant and flexible. It also confers great solidity and resistance to the connections between the distal 52 and the proximal 51 regions, as well as between the proximal region 51 and the proximal portion 31 of the peripheral haptic part 3. The flexible haptics 5 are constituted from a flexible and resistant material comprising preferably 38% water, which combined with their geometry contributes to their strong resistance and flexibility.

[0134] As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4A, a thickness 83 of the distal region 52 measured along the optical axis Z is preferably substantially constant, and comprised between 0.10 and 0.40 mm, more preferably between 0.15 and 0.35 mm, and greater than a thickness 83′ of the central optical part 2. Optionally, it corresponds either to 20 or to 30 mm. Nevertheless, it is possible to consider a distal region 82 whose thickness 83 decreases substantially from the common connecting border 55 to the distal border 56 in order to be inserted and/or to stabilize more easily into a ciliary sulcus of an eye.

[0135] The distal region 52 is designed for folding and/or curving when compression is exerted axially and/or radially on the phakic intraocular lens 1, in such a way that an adjustable angle α between a line d perpendicular to the optical axis Z and a plane P of extension of the distal region 52 is preferentially comprised between −15° and 15°, as illustrated in FIG. 6.

[0136] The two flexible haptics 5 as represented in FIGS. 1A-B and 4A-B are disposed and designed to provide the phakic intraocular lens 1 with an “aerodynamic” rotationally symmetric shape. In some embodiments, the distal border 56 is extends circumferentially and radially outward with respect to the central optical part 2. Moreover, the shape of the whole phakic intraocular lens 1 is invariant under a rotation of 180° around the optical axis Z. This shape of the phakic intraocular lens 1, and more particularly of the flexible haptics 5, is advantageous for handling axis adjustment in rotation after having implanted the phakic intraocular lens 1 in an eye. In fact, it is important to avoid a flipping of the flexible haptics 5 or damages to intraocular tissues of the eye during such an axis adjustment, and the shape of the flexible haptics is particularly adapted for that.

[0137] FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-section of an eye 9, in which a phakic intraocular lens 1 according to the present disclosure is implanted according to the disclosure. On this cross-section the following are represented: a cornea 91, an iris 92, a pupil 93, a lens 94, and anterior chamber 95, a posterior chamber 96, a ciliary zonule 97 and a ciliary sulcus 98 of the eye 9. The phakic intraocular lens 1 is placed in the posterior chamber 96. The support elements 4A-D of the peripheral haptic part 3 rest on the ciliary zonule 97 while the flexible haptics 5 are made to lay into the ciliary sulcus 98 as described and commented on in the summary of the disclosure. A distance of security 89B, referred to as the vault, between the lens 94 and the posterior surface of the phakic intraocular lens 1 measured along the optical axis Z is preferentially comprised and adjustable between 350 and 700 microns. The double structure of haptics 4A-D and 5 allow advantageously axial and radial stabilization and rotational stability of the phakic intraocular lens 1 in its implantation position. The distance of security 89B advantageously does not depend either on the eye sizing or on the compression in implanted state.

[0138] FIG. 8 represents a graphic representation 74 of an axial position of a posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens according to the disclosure, indicated on the axis 72 and measured in microns on the basis of a mimicked ciliary sulcus diameter, indicated on axis 71 and measured in millimeters. A desirable equilibrium position is represented by a line 76 at 1500 microns measured on the axis 72, this value corresponding to an aforementioned distance 89B of 500 microns. An axially accepted margin of variation according to the optical axis Z around this equilibrium position 76 is of 350 microns. This margin is represented at its high and low limits by two dotted lines 75A and 75B respectively. The graph 74 shows that the axial displacements of the phakic intraocular lens 1 on the basis of the size of the ciliary sulcus vary very little and remain within the accepted values between lines 75A-B for a broad range of sizes of ciliary sulci comprised between 11.5 and 13.5 mm. The curve 73 illustrated by a dotted line represents a measurement trend of an average axial displacement of an average posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens according to the prior art and with a diameter of 12.6 mm. Comparison of chart 74 and the tendency curve 73 illustrates the performances and the improvements in terms of axial stability of the phakic intraocular lens 1 according to the disclosure.

[0139] In other words, the present disclosure relates to a posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens 1 comprising a central optical part 2, a peripheral haptic part 3 comprising a plurality of support elements 4A-D arranged to lie on a ciliary zonule of an eye, and at least one flexible haptic 5 comprising a reticulated distal region 52 arranged to lay into a ciliary sulcus of the eye.

[0140] The present disclosure was described in relation to the specific embodiments which have a value that is purely illustrative and should not be considered to be limiting. Generally speaking, it seems obvious for the person skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to the examples illustrated and/or described above. The disclosure comprises each of the new characteristics described throughout the present document, as well as all their combinations.

[0141] The present disclosure was also described in relation to the advantageous technical development of a posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens both adapted to any eye anatomy and postoperatively stable in an implantation position in an eye, axially along the optical axis, and radially and in rotation in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis. As described previously, this phakic intraocular lens comprises at least one flexible haptic with a preferred reticulated geometry. The inventors also propose a very advantageous inclusion of this at least one flexible haptic in an (aphakic or phakic) intraocular lens. The inventors also propose to replace at least one known haptic of an intraocular lens by such claimed flexible haptic.

[0142] Another aim of the disclosure is to provide an (aphakic or phakic) intraocular lens stable in rotation in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis in implantation position in an eye and particularly easy to see and to maneuver during an implantation process in an eye.

[0143] For this purpose, the inventors propose an (aphakic or phakic) intraocular lens comprising: [0144] an anterior surface and a posterior surface; [0145] a central optical part comprising a lens, and extending radially relative to an optical axis directed from the anterior surface to the posterior surface; [0146] at least one flexible haptic 5 (in one piece) comprising: [0147] a (reticulated and preferably distal) region 52 at least around the central optical part and comprising a plurality of elongated flexible footplates 54 that: [0148] extend at least partially radially outward relative to the central optical part, and that [0149] border (preferably open) cavities 58 that extend between the anterior and posterior surfaces;

[0150] the region 52 also comprising a distal border 56 [0151] connecting at least two of the elongated flexible footplates 54, and [0152] being configured for stabilizing the intraocular lens when it is in normal use in an eye.

[0153] The above mentioned reference numbers typically echo the shape of the flexible haptic 5 in FIG. 1B that can widely be adapted to a large class of (aphakic or phakic) intraocular lens. The whole set of embodiments of the flexible haptic 5 described and claimed for the phakic intraocular lens according to the disclosure and the advantages of these embodiments use apply mutatis mutandis to the present flexible haptic 5 and (aphakic or phakic) intraocular lens. For example, this flexible haptic 5 provide the (aphakic or phakic) intraocular lens with an improved stability in rotation in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis and an improved resistance under radial compression. This disclosure is more general than the claimed posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens, but the fact that claimed (reticulated) flexible haptic provides these advantageous effects by itself is fully part of the present disclosure. The claimed peripheral haptic part forming a dome is important for targeting a full stability of the claimed posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens, but it is not necessary for obtaining the technical effect of stability of a more general (aphakic or phakic) intraocular lens in rotation in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis and the other technical effect of having haptic particularly easy to see and to maneuver during an implantation process in an eye. Therefore, the inventors also propose the intraocular lens so without a peripheral haptic part forming a dome.

[0154] The term “reticulated” has to be interpreted as previously as having a geometry mimicking a net, the reticles of the region comprising at least the elongated flexible footplates and the distal border. As explained previously in the summary, the flexibility of the flexible haptic is at least partially due to the “reticulated” geometry and/or to the flexibility of the elongated flexible footplates. The region is particularly flexible so that it allows a postoperatively stable implantation of the intraocular lens in an eye independently of size variations of the implantation position. The distal border connects at least two of the elongated flexible footplates, one of them being preferably said a longest elongated flexible footplate, which provides at least locally the region with sais “reticulated” structure and contributes to the one-piece structure retention of the region. As explained previously in the summary, it is practical to consider flexible footplates as reticles of a reticulated distal region of a one piece flexible haptic because this reticulated structure allows to use flexible footplates for stabilizing the intraocular lens while being very easy to see and to maneuver during an implantation process in an eye, and to self-position within the eye compared to single flexible footplates.

[0155] In some embodiments, the (aphakic or phakic) intraocular lens comprises at least two diametrically opposed flexible haptics endowed with such (reticulated distal) regions. Such combination of two flexible haptics improved the stability of the intraocular lens in normal use in an eye. The (aphakic or phakic) intraocular lens is preferably rotationally symmetric around the optical axis.

[0156] In some embodiments, the distal border 56 is transverse to (all) the elongated flexible footplates. In some embodiments, the region 52 comprises a proximal border 55 transverse to (all) the elongated flexible footplates. In this way, the elongated flexible footplates 54 are able to curve as a whole when axial and/or radial compression is exerted on the flexible haptic 5, for example when the (aphakic or phakic) intraocular lens is in normal use in an eye. In some embodiments, each of the elongated flexible footplates 54 comprises a proximal extremity 54.sub.1 and a distal extremity 54.sub.2, the proximal extremities 54.sub.1 of the elongated flexible footplates 54 being joined by the proximal border 55, and the distal extremities 54.sub.2 of the elongated flexible footplates 54 being joined by the distal border 56. The distal border 56 extends preferably circumferentially and/or radially outward relative to the central optical part proposing then a large contact surface and greater stability for the (aphakic or phakic) intraocular lens.

[0157] The region 52 can be any sufficient portion of the flexible haptic 5. In particular, as previously, it is possible to consider a flexible haptic 5 comprising a proximal region 51 connected to the (reticulated distal) region 52 along the proximal border 55. Any particular realization of these proximal 51 and distal 52 region can applies mutatis mutandis to this embodiment of the (aphakic or phakic) intraocular lens.

[0158] The present application may reference quantities and numbers. Unless specifically stated, such quantities and numbers are not to be considered restrictive, but exemplary of the possible quantities or numbers associated with the present application. Also in this regard, the present application may use the term “plurality” to reference a quantity or number. In this regard, the term “plurality” is meant to be any number that is more than one, for example, two, three, four, five, etc. The terms “about,” “approximately,” “near,” etc., mean plus or minus 5% of the stated value. For the purposes of the present disclosure, the phrase “at least one of A, B, and C,” for example, means (A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B, and C), including all further possible permutations when greater than three elements are listed.

[0159] The principles, representative embodiments, and modes of operation of the present disclosure have been described in the foregoing description. However, aspects of the present disclosure which are intended to be protected are not to be construed as limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. Further, the embodiments described herein are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. It will be appreciated that variations and changes may be made by others, and equivalents employed, without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all such variations, changes, and equivalents fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, as claimed.