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 comprising an appropriately sized lens body capable of being folded, and made of an optically clear material comprising:

• a cross-linked silicone polymer containing approximately 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 an optical refractive index of at least 1.44 and other physical properties, including a combination of hardness, tensile strength, elongation and tear strength, 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 lens body having a 150 percent minimum elongation.

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 elastomeric material comprising:

• a cross-linked silicone polymer containing approximately 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 an optical refractive index of at least 1.44 and an effective combination of hardness, elongation, tensile strength and tear strength 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 lens body having a Shore Type A durometer value of at least 35, a tensile strength of at least 500 psi, and 150 percent minimum elongation and a tear strength of at least 20 pli.