Intraocular prostheses

An accommodating intraocular lens for implantation within the capsular bag comprising:

• (a) a rounded, transparent, flexible optic having a peripheral edge;
• (b) an annular skirt extending radially from the periphery of the optic and generally encircling the optic, said skirt being positioned to extend radially into the periphery of the capsular bag;
• and
• (c) the optic and skirt flexing to change the position of the optic with respect to the cornea responsive to expansion and contraction of the ciliary body as occurs during accommodation;
• and
• (d) wherein the skirt has a tissue receptive surface that allows tissue ingrowth and/or tissue adhesion thereto to support the optic in position, so that the tissue can tension the skirt during accommodation.

A method of implanting an intraocular prosthesis in the eye, comprising the steps of;

• (a) making an incision in the eye;
• (b) removing the natural lens of the eye from the capsular bag;
• (c) inserting a flexible optical element into the capsular bag, the element having at least one convex surface and an annular, flexible, portion extending radially outward from the periphery of the element;
• (d) manipulating the optical element and the skirt into the capsular bag between the iris and the vitreous body wherein the flexibility of the annular skirt allows the insertion of the intraocular prosthesis into the capsular bag;
• (e) placing the optical element in the capsular bag so that the skirt is placed in contact with the internal peripheral tissue of the capsular bag;
• and
• (f) closing the incisions;
• and
• (g) allowing the surrounding capsular bag internal peripheral tissue to form a mechanical attachment to the skirt via tissue ingrowth and/or tissue adhesion sufficient to tension the skirt during accommodation.