Intraocular lens and method of implantation thereof

An intraocular lens adapted to be implanted in a human eye, said lens comprising:

• an optic having a peripheral edge;
• an elongated, resilient, memory retaining, position fixation haptic having an innermost end and a predetermined, normal configuration;
• means securing the haptic at the innermost end thereof to the optic adjacent said edge,
• said haptic normally extending outwardly beyond the optic, terminating in an outermost, free end in spaced relationship to said edge, and being yieldable to a tensioned position prior to and during implantation of the lens in the eye, disposing its outermost end proximal to said edge, forming a loop spaced radially outwardly from said edge whereby, upon release of said tension after implantation, the haptic will return toward its normal configuration with its outermost end spaced from said edge,
• releasable means for holding the haptic in its tensioned position,
• said releasable means being an attachment of the haptic to the optic,
• said attachment being preformed at said free end,
• said optic having a locking hole adapted to loosely receive the attachment;
• and
• means in the optic for draining substances tending to collect in said hole.

A method of implanting an intraocular lens in a human eye wherein the lens comprises an optic having a peripheral edge, an elongated, resilient, memory retaining, position fixation haptic having an innermost end and a predetermined, normal configuration, means securing the haptic at the innermost end thereof to the optic adjacent said edge, said haptic normally extending outwardly beyond the optic, terminating in an outermost, fee end in spaced relationship to said edge, said haptic having readily releasable means for attaching its free end to the optic, said method comprising the steps of:

• tensioning the haptic inwardly toward the optic to form a loop adjacent said edge;
• attaching the free end of the haptic to the optic to hold the haptic tensioned, said tensioned loop presenting a bight spaced from said edge;
• inserting the lens into the eye while the haptic is tensioned;
• and
• detaching the free end of the haptic from the optic to release the tension thereon for return to its normal configuration with its outermost end spaced from said edge;
• said detaching step comprising the step of exerting a force on the bight of said loop in a direction toward said edge for causing the free end of said haptic to be shifted away from said edge until said free end is released from the optic.

An intraocular lens adapted to be implanted in a human eye, said lens comprising:

• an optic having a peripheral edge;
• an elongated, resilient, memory retaining, position fixation haptic having an innermost end and a predetermined, normal configuration;
• means securing the haptic at the innermost end thereof to the optic adjacent said edge,
• said haptic normally extending outwardly beyond the optic, terminating in an outermost, free end in spaced relationship to said edge, and being yieldable to a tensioned position prior to and during implantation of the lens in the eye, disposing its outermost end proximal to said edge, forming a loop spaced radially outwardly from said edge whereby, upon release of said tension after implantation, the haptic will return toward its normal configuration with its outermost end spaced from said edge;
• and
• releasable means for holding the haptic in its tensioned position,
• said releasable means being an attachment of the haptic to the optic,
• said attachment being preformed at said free end,
• said optic having a locking hole for receiving said attachment;
• and
• means in the optic for draining substances tending to collect in said hole.