Laminate optic with interior Fresnel lens

Composite intraocular lens for insertion through an incision in an eye, which comprises a generally flat, partially hollow, unitary laminate optic, formed by a pair of opposed, relatively thin, sheet-like elements of flexible, temporarily deformable material, of conforming perimetric shape and of selective index of refraction, and having a corresponding pair of opposed interior surfaces,

• at least one of the elements comprising a protected Fresnel lens defining the interior surface of the element as a discontinuous surface formation including a concentric series of annular prisms composed of optical step areas interconnected by offset riser areas,
• the interior surfaces being peripherally sealed together to define therebetween a counterpart concentric series of permanent captive gas enclosing, liquid free, annular spaces of different index of refraction from the selective index of refraction of the elements, and which collectively form a permanently sealed, leakproof, captive gas chamber which internally protects said Fresnel lens from any contact with the surrounding aqueous humor environment in the eye interior, and
• the elements together being sized to provide the optic with a comparatively thin thickness in relation to its diameter sufficiently to permit temporary deformation of the optic into a generally cylindrical shape of reduced apparent girth capable of insertion into the eye through a minimum size incision.