Optically clear reinforced silicone elastomers of high optical refractive index and improved mechanical properties for use in intraocular lenses

An intraocular lens suitable for surgical implantation into a human eye including a lens body capable of being folded and comprising an optically clear material comprising:

• a cross-linked polymer containing 12 to 18 mol percent of aryl siloxane units of the formula R.sub.4 R.sub.5 -Si-O wherein R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 are independently selected from phenyl, or mono- or di-lower alkyl substituted phenyl, and end blockers containing siloxane units of the formula R.sub.1 R.sub.2 R.sub.3 -SiO.sub..5 wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are independently selected alkyl, aryl or substituted alkyl or substituted aryl, and R.sub.3 is alkenyl, said polymer including dialkyl siloxane units of the formula R.sub.6 R.sub.7 -SiO wherein R.sub.6 and R.sub.7 are independently selected from methyl or ethyl, said polymer having a degree of polymerization in the range of about 100 to about 2000;
• and
• silica reinforcer dispersed in said polymer in an amount in the range of about 15 to about 45 parts per 100 parts, by weight, of said polymer, said lens body having physical properties sufficient to enable said lens body to be placed in a folded shape for insertion into a human eye and to unfold into an unfolded shape after said insertion, said physical properties including:
• an optical refractive index of at least 1.44;
• a Shore Type A durometer value of at least 35 to about 40;
• a tensile strength of at least 500 to about 750 psi;
• and
• a tear strength of at least 20 pli to about 40 pli.

An intraocular lens suitable for surgical implantation into a human eye comprising an appropriately sized lens body capable of being folded, and made of an optically clear material comprising:

• a cross-linked silicone polymer containing 12 to 18 mol percent of aryl siloxane units;
• and
• silica reinforcer present in an amount effective to reinforce said polymer, said lens body having physical properties sufficient to enable said lens body to be placed in a folded shape for insertion into a human eye and to unfold into an unfolded shape after said insertion, said physical properties including:
• an optical refractive index of at least 1.44;
• a Shore Type A durometer value of at least 35 to about 40;
• a tensile strength of at least 500 to about 750 psi;
• and
• a tear strength of at least 20 pli to about 40 pli.