Intraocular lens with haptics for scleral fixation and method for using it

A method of implanting an intraocular lens in the posterior chamber of an eye, comprising the steps off:

• providing an intraocular lens having a disk-shaped lens optic with a transverse plane and first and second curved, flexible haptics projecting outwardly from opposite points on the lens optic's periphery, substantially in the lens optic's transverse plane, wherein the haptics each project outwardly from, and then back inwardly toward, the lens optic so as to define an apex, and wherein the haptics each include one or more suture holes having a circular cross-section with a diameter of less than or equal to 0.25 millimeters;
• and
• implanting the lens in the posterior chamber of the eye, the step of implanting including steps of
• flexing the first and second haptics radially inwardly a combined distance of at least about 1 millimeter, such that they engage the ciliary sulcus of the eye, and
• passing a suture through the one or more suture holes of each of the first and second haptics and through the sclera of the eye, to secure the haptics, and thereby the lens, in place;
• wherein the step of providing includes a step of locating the one or more suture holes in each of the first and second haptics such that when the lens is implanted in the eye, at least one suture hole in each haptic is located substantially at the haptic's apex, with the center of the suture hole within the first 1.50 millimeters of tangential contact with the ciliary sulcus.