Accommodating intraocular lens

An intraocular lens for replacement of a natural crystalline lens within a capsular bag during eye surgery, said lens comprising:

• a) an optic portion adapted to focus light, said optic portion having a first flexibility;
• b) a peripheral portion about said optic portion, said peripheral portion having a second flexibility less than said first flexibility;
• and
• c) a dissolvable restraining element provided to said peripheral portion and adapted to maintain said optic portion in a stressed state until dissolution in an environment of the eye wherein said optic portion is then biased toward an unstressed state.

An intraocular lens for replacement of a natural crystalline lens within a capsular bag during eye surgery, said lens comprising:

• a) an optic portion adapted to focus light, said optic portion having a first flexibility;
• b) a peripheral portion about said optic portion, said peripheral portion having a second flexibility less than said first flexibility;
• c) a restraining element provided to said peripheral portion in a restraining configuration such that said restraining element is adapted to maintain said optic portion in a stressed state;
• and
• d) a dissolvable or laser-removable element which upon dissolution or removal releases said restraining element from said restraining configuration and permits said optic portion to enter an unstressed state.

A method of implanting an intraocular lens into an eye, comprising:

• a) inducing cycloplegia;
• b) providing an intraocular lens in a stressed state;
• c) inserting the intraocular lens into a capsular bag of the eye;
• d) maintaining cycloplegia until the capsular bag physiologically affixes to the intraocular lens;
• and
• e) releasing the intraocular lens from the stressed state.

A method of implanting an intraocular lens into an eye, comprising:

• a) providing an intraocular lens in a relaxed non-stressed state;
• b) inserting the intraocular lens into a capsular bag of the eye;
• c) inducing a ciliary body of the eye into a contracted state;
• and
• d) maintaining the ciliary body of the eye in the contracted state until the capsular bag physiologically affixes to the intraocular lens.

A method of implanting an intraocular lens into an eye, comprising:

• a) inducing cycloplegia;
• b) providing an intraocular lens in an unstressed state;
• c) inserting the intraocular lens into a capsular bag of the eye;
• d) maintaining cycloplegia, during which the capsular bag physiologically affixes to the intraocular lens;
• and
• e) after the capsular bag physiologically affixes and during cycloplegia, changing a size of said lens such that the lens enters into a stressed state.