Surface treatments for accommodating intraocular lenses and associated methods and devices

Abstract

An accommodating intraocular lens (AIOL) for implantation within a capsular bag of a patient's eye comprises first and second components coupled together to define an inner fluid chamber and an outer fluid chamber. The inner region of the AIOL provides optical power with one or more of the shaped fluid within the inner fluid chamber or the shape of the first or second components. A surface treatment or coating may be applied to one or more surfaces of the first and second components. The surface treatment is expected to decrease the roughness of the machined surfaces of the boundary surfaces of the first and second components, and thereby reduce the mass of water coalescing at such boundary surfaces. The disclosed surface treatments are also expected to increase the hydrophobicity (i.e., decrease the surface energy) of the corresponding surface(s), thereby decreasing the “wettability” of these surfaces.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present technology relates to medical devices and methods. In particular, embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to surface treatments for accommodating intraocular lenses (hereinafter “AIOLs” or “AIOL” for singular).

BACKGROUND

Cataracts can affect a large percentage of the worldwide adult population with clouding of the native crystalline lens and resulting loss of vision. Patients with cataracts can be treated by native lens removal and surgical implantation of a synthetic intraocular lens (“IOL”). Worldwide, there are millions of IOL implantation procedures performed annually. In the U.S., there are 3.5 million cataract procedures performed, while worldwide there are over 20 million annual procedures performed.

Although IOL implantation procedures can be effective at restoring vision, conventional IOLs have several drawbacks. For example, many prior IOLs are not able to change focus as a natural lens would (known as accommodation). Other drawbacks of conventional IOLs include refractive errors that occur after implantation and require glasses for correcting distance vision, or in other cases the IOLs can be effective in providing good far vision but patients need glasses for intermediate and near vision.

AIOLs have been proposed to provide accommodative optical power for patients. In particular, AIOLs for use in the replacement of the native lens, within the lens capsule, allow the brain to control the natural focusing of an external image on the retina of the eye in the native fashion. AIOLs typically comprise a central optical portion and a peripheral non-optical portion. The optical portion is used to focus the image on the retina within the eye and the non-optical structural portion provides the support structure to hold the optical portion in place and the focusing or accommodating control mechanism which interfaces to the lens capsule. Native accommodation results from changing the focal length of the lens (natural or artificial in this case) within the lens capsule by tightening or relaxing the ciliary muscles, which connect to the perimeter of the capsule via the zonules. Hence the brain, via a control feedback loop and action on the ciliary muscles, controls the optical power of the AIOL to accommodate the distance of the object being focused on the retina.

However, prior AIOLs are generally still in development and have different drawbacks. For example, prior AIOLs can provide insufficient accommodation after implantation or produce suboptimal refractive correction of the eye. The amount of accommodation of the prior AIOLs can also decrease after implantation in at least some instances. The prior AIOLs can also be too large to be inserted through a small incision of the eye and may require the incision to be somewhat larger than would be ideal. Also, at least some of the prior AIOLs can be unstable when placed in the eye, which can lead to incorrect accommodation and other errors. Many prior AIOLs are also susceptible to internal reflections associated with non-optical portions of the AIOL structure scattering into the optical field of view—referred to as dysphotopsia. For purposes of this disclosure, all such internal reflections will be termed “dysphotopsia.”

Improved implantable intraocular lenses that accommodate with the natural mechanisms of controlling focusing of the eye that overcome at least some of the above deficiencies would be desirable. Ideally, such improved AIOLs would provide increased amounts of accommodation when implanted, provide refractive stability, introduce few if any perceptible visual artifacts, and allow the optical power of the eye to change from far vision to near vision in response to the distance of the object viewed by the patient.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide improved AIOLs and methods for making and using AIOLs. In many embodiments, the AIOLs include accommodating structure comprising a substantially hydrophilic outer structure and a substantially hydrophobic fluid interior. The hydrophilic structure is expected to provide a stable and very compliant structure capable of controlled deformation via minimal forces sustainable by the focusing mechanisms of the native lens.

The hydrophobic fluid provides a high refractive index while minimizing osmotic effects. The high refractive index providing good optical power. The substantially hydrophilic structural material is typically made or fabricated from copolymers of acrylics, copolymers of hydrophilic acrylics and hydrophobic acrylics, or other optically transparent polymeric material. The hydrophilicity of the material will vary as a function of the relative proportion of hydrophilic and hydrophobic monomers which have been polymerized to create the materials.

In many embodiments, the hydrophilic outer structure is comprised of components that are machined from the hydrophilic materials in a relatively dry form, assembled in the dry form, the structure hydrated after assembly, the refractive oil introduced after hydration.

The machining step may leave portions of the surface with different degrees of roughness and/or hydrophilicity.

The substantially hydrophobic fluid interior is comprised a hydrophobic oil chosen but not limited to any of silicone, copolymers of silicone and hydrocarbon oils.

When AIOL is placed in the capsule bag (implanted), following a conventional cataract surgery, the AIOL comprising the substantially hydrophilic outer structure and a substantially hydrophobic fluid interior prevents the water from coalescing at the boundary surface defined as the interface of the hydrophilic material and the hydrophobic fluid. In another embodiment, the AIOL comprising the substantially hydrophilic outer structure and a substantially hydrophobic fluid interior, retards the water from coalescing at the boundary surface defined as the interface of the hydrophilic material and the hydrophobic fluid. However, in some instances water may coalesce at the boundary surface. Without being bound by any particular theory, it is believed the likelihood of water coalescence can increase as a function of surface roughness or surface irregularities of the hydrophilic structure at the boundary of the hydrophobic fluid and hydrophilic structure. Similarly, without being bound by any particular theory, it is believed the likelihood of water coalescence can increase with changes in the equilibrium moisture content of the hydrated hydrophilic structure with changes in temperature. Such temperature changes can occur when the AIOL is placed from its storage at room temperature to the temperature existing in the eye. Again, without being bound by any particular theory, it is believed the likelihood of water coalescence can increase with changes in internal to external pressure.

Over time, such coalesced water may be forced out of the inner chamber into the hydrophilic structure. In one embodiment, this process will be enhanced by a positive pressure gradient from the interior to the outer environment. In another embodiment, as the AIOL equilibrates over time, the hydrophobic fluid pushes the water back from the boundary surface into the more compatible hydrophilic outer structure which is surrounded by the hydrophilic environment existing in the eye and thus acts as a sink for additional moisture diffusing out.

In one possible scenario, neighboring coalesced water may form an agglomerate or water drops that may take longer to be driven out of the interior or the boundary surface in a reasonable amount of time. Such water drops can also negatively affect optical quality of the AIOL. Further, in some instances, water may form into droplets at the surface. Additionally, in some instances, these droplets may comprise a micelle. In one embodiment of the present technology, the possibility of water drops coalescing within the fluid interior or at the interface of the hydrophilic material and the hydrophobic fluid is reduced by providing a surface treatment to increase the hydrophobicity (i.e., decrease the surface energy) of the boundary surfaces thereby decreasing the “wettability” of these surfaces. In some embodiments, the present technology is expected to reduce the possibility of water drops coalescing within the fluid interior or at the interface of the hydrophilic material and the hydrophobic fluid by providing a surface treatment to increase the hydrophobicity of the boundary surfaces thereby making it more compatible to the hydrophobic fluid. In further embodiments, the present technology is expected to reduce the possibility of water drops coalescing within the fluid interior or at the interface of the hydrophilic material and the hydrophobic fluid by application or addition of hydrophobic surface treatment or hydrophobic coating that can adhere to hydrophilic material to retard or minimize or block the moisture diffusion to the interface between the of the hydrophilic material and the hydrophobic fluid.

In some embodiments, surface treatments in accordance with the present technology modify a boundary volume of the hydrophilic structural material at and adjacent the boundary surface to some depth into the structural material. In such embodiments, the relative proportion of hydrophobic to hydrophilic molecules and/or end or pendant groups is increased within this boundary volume. For purposes of this disclosure, the terms “molecules” and “end or pendant groups” are used interchangeably.

In some such embodiments the proportion of hydrophobic molecules within the volume after treatment varies as a function of depth. In such embodiments the proportion of hydrophobic molecules is greatest at the boundary surface and decreases deeper into the structural material. Although such a distribution or gradient in concentration is not strictly a coating, for purposes of this disclosure, “coating” will be used to describe both a material lying on top of another, and the formation of a gradient in molecular distribution in material adjacent a coated surface, or a combination of both.

When choosing a coating material, it will be appreciated that depending up on the proportion of hydrophilic material to hydrophobic material, swelling of the coating can vary from swelling of the base material upon hydration of both materials. Such differential swelling may cause internal stresses, strains, and or delamination which may be detrimental to the function of the AIOL.

In many of the embodiments described herein a treatment comprises applying a coating material, which comprises a solution of monomers (and/or in some instances oligomers), crosslinkers, and a catalyst to initiate crosslinking of the monomers. Although the treatments described herein typically increase the hydrophobicity of the surfaces or materials, such treatments and coating materials may be modified such that the hydrophilicity may be increased.

In other aspects of the present technology, the same or similar surface treatments are applied to the interior surfaces of the AIOL device to minimize to reduce the surface roughness of the machined surfaces. In another aspect of the present technology, the same or similar surface treatments are applied to the exterior surfaces of the AIOL device to minimize the migration of proteins into the AIOL structure and or the attachment of cells to the outer surface of the AIOL structure.

In another application of the materials and methods described herein, coatings may be used to modify the reflective characteristics at or near the surfaces of the structures comprising the AIOL. Such materials and methods can provide for reductions and or elimination of light delivered to the retina which has been captured by and or transmitted through non-optical portions of the AIOL system and or result from multiple internal reflections. Such light often results from internal reflections associated with non-optical portions of the AIOL structure. Such treatments will reduce and or eliminate the occurrence of dysphotopsia resulting from such internal reflections associated with AIOL implantation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features of the present technology are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. A better understanding of the features and advantages of the present technology will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments, in which the principles of the invention are utilized, and the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1A shows an isometric view of a fluid filled accommodating lens system comprising a bellows structure and a surface treatment configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology.

FIG. 1B shows a top view of the fluid filled accommodating lens system of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C shows a cross-sectional view of the fluid filled accommodating lens system of FIG. 1A taken along line A-A of FIG. 1B.

FIG. 2A shows a cross-sectional view of an alternate accommodating lens system configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology.

FIG. 2B and FIG. 2C illustrate top views of a first component and a second component, respectively, of an accommodating lens system configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology.

FIG. 3A illustrates a laser profilometery image of a portion of a machined surface of an accommodating lens system configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology.

FIG. 3B is a display diagram illustrating a profile of a portion of a machined surface of an accommodating lens system.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a section of a hydrophilic accommodating lens structure including a base layer and a light attenuating layer or coating layer in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology.

FIG. 5A shows a cross-sectional view of a surface treated portion of an accommodating lens structure configured in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5B graphically represents a relative surface energy associated with material at given depths through the cross section of FIG. 5A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is directed to surface treatments for AIOLs and associated systems, methods, and devices. AIOLs, as described herein, are typically fabricated from dry hydrophilic components, which are hydrated prior to incorporating the substantially hydrophobic fluid interior into the assembly and the resulting assembly is kept in a hydrated state after manufacture. The surface treatments described herein will typically be applied to the dry pre-hydrated components or assemblies. In other embodiments, however, the surface treatments described herein may be applied to the components or assemblies in a fully hydrated state to take advantage of higher surface area (accessible in the hydrated state). In some instances, surfaces that are not to be treated can be masked. In other instances, the treatment may be applied without a mask.

AIOLs, as described herein, typically comprise a central optical structure comprised of at least one deformable optical component (e.g., an optical element) spaced apart along an optical axis, such as by a support structure concentric with the optical axis of the lenses. Several embodiments include a first optical component and a second optical component, and at least one of the first and second optical components can be deformable while the other of the first and second optical components can be deformable or rigid. The volume bounded by the first and second optical components, and optionally the lens support structure, may define a fluid chamber or fluid reservoir that can be filled with an ionic solution, such as saline, or non-ionic solutions such as dextran or silicone oil. In some embodiments of the AIOLs described herein, the AIOL components are machined from a dry pre-hydrated hydrophilic material. The machined components are then assembled such that the assembled AIOL comprises an outer surface, and an inner volume bounded by an inner surface. The inner volume is then filled by a hydrophobic optical fluid after the assembled device is hydrated. In some embodiments, the surface treatment is expected to decrease the roughness of the machined surfaces of the boundary surfaces and thereby reduce the mass of water coalescing at the boundary surface.

In other embodiments described herein, suitable coatings may be used to minimize dysphotopsia. Such coatings may comprise, for example, agents that minimize the amount of light transmitted through the coating. Transmission may be modified by increasing the scattering of light at the surface of the coating or within the coating, reflecting and or absorbing the light at the surface of or within the coating, or some combination. Such light interactions can be effected by the incorporation of particles within the coating material. A non-exhaustive list of a few such additive materials are opaque particles such as TiO2, gas bubbles, and water-soluble (or other solvent soluble) particles such as sugars or salts.

The hydrophilic acrylics described herein may include copolymers of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic components. The following is a partial list of some such component materials: 2-Hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), 2-Ethoxyethyl methacrylate (EOEMA), Ethylene glycol dimethylacrylate (EGDMA), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), Butyl acrylate, Hexyl acrylate and Hexafluoroisopropyl acrylate.

One suitable hydrophilic copolymer acrylic from which AIOLs described herein may be fabricated is a copolymer of HEMA and EOEMA. Such a material is BENZ IOL 25 UVX which may be purchased from Benz Research & Development, 6447 Parkland Dr., Sarasota, Fla. 34243 United States.

In some embodiments, surface treatments are aimed at minimizing, retarding or preventing water coalescence, and will be applied to the boundary surfaces described as the interface of the hydrophilic material and the hydrophobic fluid.

Treatments applied to the exterior surfaces of the AIOL to minimize migration of organic molecules or proteins typically comprise a smaller increase in hydrophobicity or a smaller reduction in hydrophilicity or a smaller reduction in surface energy than those applied to the inner boundary surfaces of the chamber surrounding the substantially hydrophobic fluid.

The nature and amount of surface treatment applied in accordance with the present technology can be controlled. In one embodiment, for example, the surface treatments will slightly decrease the surface energy and slightly increase the surface hydrophobicity of the hydrophilic material. In another embodiment, the surface treatments will decrease the surface energy and increase the surface hydrophobicity of the hydrophilic material. In still another embodiment, the surface treatments will substantially decrease the surface energy and substantially increase the surface hydrophobicity of the hydrophilic material.

In some embodiments, hydrophobicity is achieved by treating the boundary surfaces, or portions of the boundary surfaces, with surface treatment agents which comprise a portion to affix to the hydrophilic material while presenting another hydrophobic portion to the interior of the chamber surrounding the substantially hydrophobic fluid. The hydrophobic portions applied to the boundary surfaces may have different chemical compositions and different degree of hydrophobicity than those applied to the interior of the chamber surrounding the substantially hydrophobic fluid.

In some such treatments, a molecule with a hydrophobic end group can be chemically affixed to the surface of interest such that the hydrophobic end group is presented to the exterior. Chemically affixed may include either covalently bonds, hydrogen bonds, or chemical crosslinking. In another such surface treatments, a hydrophobic molecule can be covalently bonded, chemically crosslinked, or adhered by hydrogen bonding to the surface of interest. For chemical cross-linking, biocompatible cross linkers such as amines, trifunctional or multifunctional hydroxyl compound, glycerin, acrylics and Ethylene glycol dimethacrylate [EGDMA] can be used.

The application area of the surface treatment can be continuous, semi-continuous or in separate patches. In an alternative treatment for use with copolymers comprised of hydrophilic and hydrophobic constituents, a surface treatment may be applied which preferentially etches the hydrophilic portions while leaving intact the hydrophobic portions.

In yet another alternative the surface treatment comprises applying a layer of copolymer to the surface of interest which has a much lower hydrophilicity or a much lower saturation water content than the AIOL assembly or outer structure material. Alternatively, or in combination, the surface treatment substantially covers the channels or passages in the outer structure material in order to prevent or resist the diffusion of moisture through the surface layer in the hydrated use state of the outer structure material. In some such embodiments, the copolymer may contain the same constituents as the hydrophilic base material being coated but in different proportions of hydrophilic acrylics and hydrophobic acrylics. In one embodiment, the surface treatment comprises at least 50% of the hydrophobic acrylics by weight. In another embodiment, the surface treatment comprises at least 70% of the hydrophobic acrylics by weight. In another embodiment, the surface treatment comprises at least 90% of the hydrophobic acrylics by weight. In some embodiments, the surface treatment comprises a thin coating of material of the same surface energy as the structure applied in such a fashion as to reduce the roughness of the surfaces resultant from the manufacturing processes.

The surface treatments can be delivered by various methods such as brush coating, spray coating, dip coating, vapor deposition, plasma deposition or their combinations thereof. In embodiments in which the coating material is delivered in a solvent, useful biocompatible solvents include but not limited to NMP, DMSO, TCE, ethyl acetate, THF, DMF and DMAC.

In one embodiment, the surface of interest may undergo one surface treatment. In another embodiment, the surface of interest may undergo two surface treatments. In yet another embodiment, the surface of interest may undergo more than two surface treatments.

In some instances, the surfaces to be treated will be prepared or pretreated by surface modifications or surface activation such as treatments by; UV exposure, plasma, corona discharge, alcohol etching solvent cleaning and acidic etching.

In some instances, the surfaces to be treated will be prepared by surface modifications or surface activation such as treatments which replace OH groups with other groups which render the surface less hydrophilic.

Materials comprised in the surface treatments may be selected from, but are not limited to, any of the following: Silicone, Polyurethane, and Acrylic.

In one embodiment, the silicone for the surface treatment comprises a linear silicone polymer. In another embodiment, the silicone for the surface treatment comprises a cross-linked silicone polymer.

In one embodiment, the polyurethane for the surface treatment comprises an aromatic hard segment. In another embodiment, the polyurethane for the surface treatment comprises an aliphatic hard segment. In still other embodiments, the polyurethane for the surface treatment may comprise hydrophobic polyurethanes such as polycarbonate polyurethane, poly(carbonate-co-siloxane) polyurethane, polysiloxane polyurethane, polyether polyurethane, poly(ether-co-carbonate) polyurethane, or poly(ether-co-siloxane), a linear urethane polymer, and/or a cross-linked urethane polymer.

In one embodiment, the acrylic comprises a hydrophobic acrylic. In another embodiment, the acrylic comprises a copolymer of hydrophilic acrylics and hydrophobic acrylics. Exemplary hydrophilic acrylics include but are not limited to 2-Hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA). Exemplary hydrophobic acrylics include but are not limited to 2-Ethoxyethyl methacrylate (EOEMA), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), Butyl acrylate, Hexyl acrylate and Hexafluoroisopropyl acrylate. In one embodiment, the acrylic comprises a crosslinker. In one embodiment, the acrylic comprises a cross-linked acrylic polymer.

The average thickness of surface treatment is less than 20 micrometers, preferably less than 10 micrometers and more preferably less than 2 micrometers. The surface treatment is substantially chemical compatible with the hydrophilic outer structure leading to better adhesion with the hydrophilic outer structure. The surface treatment will not degrade or disintegrate in aqueous environment and is hydrolytically stable. The surface treatment is ductile and optically clear so it will not interfere with functioning of the AIOL. The surface treatment is biocompatible.

Several possible Acrylic-based recipes are presented in Table A and Table B below. Several more possible treatment material recipes and procedures are listed in the Examples below.

TABLE A
A selection of
possible curing
cycles (examples) for the
acrylic materials listed in
Table A are 4-18 hours
at 60 C., 4-24 hours
at 50 C., 10 hours at
30 C. and 5 hours 100 C.	Formula 1	Formula 2	Formula 3	Formula 4
(all by weight)
EOEMA family
2-Ethoxyethyl	30%	60%	99.63%	97.02%
methacrylate
[EOEMA]
2-Hydroxyethyl	69.63%	39.63%	0%	0%
methacrylate
[HEMA]
2,2-azobis (2,4-	0.07%	0.07%	0.07%	0.068%
dimethylvaleronitrile)
Ethylene glycol	0.30%	0.30%	0.30%	2.91%
dimethacrylate
[EGDMA]
FLUORO family
1,1,1,3,3,3-	63.19%	62.79%	58.49%
Hexafluoroisopropyl
acrylate
Butyl acrylate	36.44%	32.02%	0.00%
Hexyl acrylate	0.00%	0.00%	41.14%
4-Hydroxybutylacrylate	0.00%	4.81%	0.00%
Ethylene glycol	0.30%	0.30%	0.30%
dimethacrylate
[EGDMA]
2,2-azobis (2,4-	0.07%	0.07%	0.07%
dimethylvaleronitrile)
EGDMA is a crosslinker
Azobis is a thermal and UV initiator

TABLE B
	1%	5%	25%	50%
Compound (all by weight)	HEMA	HEMA	HEMA	HEMA
2-Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate	1.00%	5.00%	25.00%	50.00%
(HEMA)
2-Ethoxyethyl Methacrylate	98.50%	95.00%	75.00%	50.00%
(EOEMA)
Ethylene glycol dimethacrylate	0.30%	0.30%	0.30%	0.30%
(EGDMA)
2,2′-Azobis(2,4-	0.07%	0.07%	0.07%	0.07%
dimethylvaleronitrile)

Coatings described herein may be applied by any suitable means including, for example, painting, spraying, vapor deposition processes, and/or application via a mist chamber. One useful application method comprises subjecting the surface and adjacent volume of structural material to a volume of the unpolymerized formula or partially polymerized (comprised of oligomers) formula. The time between the application of the treatment and the initiation (or re-initiation) of polymerization, treatment time, may be varied for any of the treatment methods. The treatment time will affect the depth of penetration of the monomers and multimers comprising the coating material prior to polymerization. The volume of coating material will be greater closer to the application surface and decrease as the distance from the coating surface increases.

FIGS. 1A-1C illustrate various views of an AIOL 100 including a surface treatment configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. Referring first to FIGS. 1A and 1B, for example, the AIOL 100 comprises three primary structures including (a) a fixed lens assembly 150, (b) a first component 110, and (c) a second component 120. The first component 110 is mated with and bonded to the second component 120. The fixed lens assembly 150 is held in place relative to the first and second components 110 and 120 via a mechanical interface and is not bonded in place.

FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view of AIOL 100 taken along line A-A of FIG. 1B. As best seen in FIG. 1C, the first and second components 110 and 120 are bonded together at seams or bond joints 104, 105, and 106 to couple the first and second components 110 and 120 to one another. When bonded, an outer or peripheral portion 113 of the first component 110 and an outer or peripheral portion 123 of the second component 120 define an outer surface 103 of the AIOL 100.

The first component 110 includes a first inner surface 111 having one or more inner surface regions defining various portions of the first component 110. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the first component 110 includes a first inner surface region 111a and a second inner surface region 111b. The second component 120 also comprises a second inner surface 121 having one or more inner surface regions defining various portions of the second component. For example, the second component 120 includes a third inner surface region 121a and a fourth inner surface regions 121b. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1C, the first inner surface region 111a (of the first component 110) and the third inner surface region 121a (of the second component 120) define, at least in part, a first bellows region 140a. Similarly, the second inner surface region 111b (of the first component 110) and the fourth inner surface region 121b (of the second component 120) define, at least in part, a second bellows region 140b (collectively, bellows region 140).

The AIOL 100 has a fluid accommodating lens 112 defined by a fluid chamber or reservoir 130 bounded between a first optical component 132 and a second optical component 134. The first and second optical components 132 and 134 may be planar members (e.g., optical membranes) of the first and second components 110 and 120, respectively. The first and second optical components 132 and 134, for example, can be integrally formed as optical membranes with the other portions of the first and second components 110 and 120. In alternate embodiments, either or both of the membranes of the first and second optical components 132 and 134 may be a lens (i.e., have an optical power).

The fluid chamber 130 is in fluid communication with the bellows region 140 to transfer fluid (e.g., the hydrophobic fluid) between the fluid chamber 130 and the bellows region 140 in response to shape changes of the lens capsule to provide optical power changes to the accommodating intraocular lens. In some embodiments, for example, the fluid chamber 130 and the bellows region 140 may be filled with a substantially hydrophobic fluid that is transferred therebetween.

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1C together, the fixed lens assembly 150 includes an optical portion 151 and passages 152. The optical portion 151 has a fixed power that may comprise an asymmetrically powered lens or other suitable lens, and the passages 152 are holes, slots, orifices, etc., that pass through and extend through a portion of the fixed lens assembly 150, but not the optical portion 151. The fixed lens assembly 150 further includes an inner surface 154 facing and adjacent to an engagement surface of the first component 110 and/or second component 120 to which the fixed lens assembly 150 is coupled.

As noted previously, the AIOL 100 may include a surface treatment on various portions of one or more components of the AIOL 100. In some embodiments, for example, portions of inner surfaces 111 and 121 surrounding the bellows region 140 may be treated to reduce the surface energy or increase the surface hydrophobicity. In some embodiments, some or all of the mating surfaces are left untreated. In alternate embodiments, all of inner surfaces (including inner surfaces 111 and 121) are treated to reduce their surface energy or increase the surface hydrophobicity.

In some embodiments, only selected portions of inner surfaces 111 and 121 are treated to reduce, prevent or resist the diffusion of moisture through the surface layer. In alternate embodiments, all or substantially all of inner surfaces 111 and 121 are treated to resist the diffusion of moisture through the surface layer in the hydrated use state of the outer structure material.

In some embodiments, only the portions of outer surface 113 surrounding the fluid accommodating region 112 may be treated to reduce the surface energy and/or reduce prevent or resist the diffusion of moisture through the surface layer. In alternate embodiments, all of outer surfaces 113 and 123 can be treated to reduce their surface energy, reduce the pore size of the surface layer, and/or increase the surface hydrophobicity.

In some embodiments, a surface treatment that resists the diffusion of moisture through the surface comprises substantially covering the channels or passages in the outer structure material of the AIOL 100 to prevent or resists the diffusion of moisture through the surface.

Suitable surface treatments for use with the AIOL 100 of FIGS. 1A-1C and other AIOLs configured in accordance with the present technology utilize a variation of Formula 4 of the EOEMA family listed in Table A provided above. In such embodiments, the inner machined surfaces of the first and second components 110 and 120 of AIOL 100 (FIGS. 1A-1C) may be treated in a dry state prior to assembly by spraying the coating material. In some embodiments, some combination of the surfaces comprising bond joints 104, 105, 106 can be masked during the coating process.

In an alternate procedure, the first and second components 110 and 120 can be filled with a coating material and the coating material is allowed to diffuse into the structural material for a period of time between 1 minute 1 day, more preferably between 5 minutes and 20 minutes prior to the initiation of polymerization. In certain embodiments, selected surfaces of the first component 110 and second component 120 (e.g., the bond joints 104, 105, 106 and/or other selected surfaces) may be masked.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C illustrate an AIOL 200 configured in accordance with another embodiment of the present technology. The AIOL 200 is similar to embodiments of the AIOL 100 described above with reference to FIGS. 1A-1C. For example, the AIOL 200 comprises three primary structures including (a) a fixed lens assembly 250, (b) a first component 210, and (c) a second component 220. The first and second components 210 and 220 are bonded together at seams or bond joints 204, 205, and 206 to couple the first and second components 210 and 220 to one another. After bonding, an outer or peripheral portion 213 of the first component 210 and an outer or peripheral portion 223 of the second component 220 define an outer surface 203 of the AIOL 200. The AIOL 200 further includes an inner surface 211.

As best seen in FIG. 2A, the fixed lens assembly 250 can be engaged to and aligned with a fluid accommodating lens 260 of the AIOL 200 by engaging a continuous thickened region 253 of the first component 210 with an engagement feature 255 of the fixed lens assembly 250.

FIGS. 2B and 2C are top views of the first component 210 and second component 220, respectively, before being joined together. As best seen in FIGS. 2B and 2C, certain portions of the AIOL 200 may be masked before/during a surface treatment or coating process. Such masked regions 207 are typically regions where the first component 210 and the second component 220 are bonded together—including, for example, seams/bond joints 204 (FIG. 2A), 205 (FIG. 2C), and 206. Many suitable bonding agents are designed for hydrophilic base materials. Accordingly, masking the selected regions before the surface treatment or coating process will ensure that such regions are not subjected to the surface treatment, and thereby allow the masked regions to provide enhanced bonding between the first and second components 210 and 220. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments additional regions or different regions of the first component 210 and/or second component 220 may be masked before surface treatment. Further, in some embodiments no masking may be used during surface treatment or coating.

FIG. 3A illustrates a laser profilometery image of a portion of a machined surface 309 of the BENZ material. On the left side of the drawing is a coated surface 301 and on the right side of the drawing is an uncoated surface 302. Element 308 illustrates an arbitrary cross section of the surface. FIG. 3B is a graphic representation of the profile 308 as a function of distance and height (d, h) and its first derivative (d, dh/dd). As can be seen both in the surface illustration of FIG. 3A and the cross-section illustration of FIG. 3B, a surface treatment or coating reduces surface roughness. In particular, the first derivative of the profile on the coated portion can be seen to fall within a relatively small range while the first derivative on the profile on the uncoated region varies dramatically.

FIG. 4A illustrates a section of a hydrophilic AIOL structure 435a comprising a base layer 436 and a light attenuating layer or coating layer 431. The light attenuating layer 431 is rendered less transparent by means of any of the techniques discussed herein. FIG. 4B illustrates another arrangement of a section of a hydrophilic AIOL structure 435b comprising the base layer 436 with the light attenuating layer 431 sandwiched between the base layer 436 and a coating layer 433. The coating layer 433 may be a clear layer or can include a dye or some other material. The treatments shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, when applied to regions of the AIOL outside the optical field of view, can be used to minimize dysphotopsia. When applied in such a fashion, the amount of stray light (either entering or reflected from the coated surfaces) entering the optical field of view is expected to be reduced or minimized.

FIG. 5A illustrates an arbitrary cross section of a surface treated portion of an AIOL as described herein. The disclosed arrangement comprises a thin layer of coating material overlaying the body material. FIG. 5B graphically represents the relative surface energy associated with material at given depths through the cross section of FIG. 5A. The surface energy is described in terms proportion of hydrophilic end groups vs hydrophobic end groups. As best seen in FIG. 5B, the coating is more hydrophobic than the body material. As a result of the surface treatment process, there is a transition region within the body material in which addition hydrophobic end groups are incorporated indicated by the diagonal portion of the curve in FIG. 5B.

ADDITIONAL EXAMPLES

1. Coating composition

• • a. Benz type formulations
  • b. Fluro formulations
  • c. Silanol coating

2. Coating methods

• • a. Soak: almost all monomers
  • b. Vapor deposition: Parylene
  • c. Paint: thick monomers/viscous polymers

3. Coating initiation methods

• • a. Thermal: Azobis and Esperox
  • b. Photochemical: Azobis

4. High viscosity solutions

5. Coating expected outcomes

• • a. Coating thickness
  • b. Hydrophobicity of coatings
  • c. Change surface texture

6. Measurements methods

• • a. FTIR: ATR
  • b. EDX: Auger
  • c. Contact angles

7. Methods

Example 1: Azobis Thermal Initiator

A mixture containing xx gm of 2-HEMA, yy gm of EOEMA, zz gm of 2,2-azobis (2,4 dimethyl valeronitrile) and 0.3% by weight (of total mixture weight) of ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) were prepared in a clean vial. The mixture was thoroughly mixed using a magnetic stirrer making sure that there were no undissolved solid particles and there were no schlerian lines visible. The mixture was later filtered in a clean room through a 0.2 microns filter to remove any possible floating particles etc.

The samples of the lens parts to be coated were prepared. The side to be coated was exposed and other areas were protected from contact with the coating agents. The parts to be coated were dipped in the mixture from Table 1 for about 1-60 seconds and removed making sure that a film of the coating mixture was deposited. The lens was placed in an oven at 60° C. to cure for about 18 hours. Characterize by FTIR-ATR, contact angle(s) values and EDX.

The exact formulations with values of xx, yy, zz are shown in Table 1.

Example 2: UV Initiator

A mixture containing xx gm of 2-HEMA, yy gm of EOEMA, zz gm of 2,2-azobis (2,4 dimethyl valeronitrile) and 0.3% by weight (of total mixture weight) of ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) were prepared in a clean vial. The mixture was thoroughly mixed using a magnetic stirrer making sure that there were no undissolved solid particles and there were no schlerian lines visible. The mixture was later filtered in a clean room through a 0.2 microns filter to remove any possible floating particles, etc.

The samples of the lens parts to be coated were prepared. The side to be coated was exposed and all other areas were protected from contact with coating agents. The parts to be coated were dipped in the mixture from Table 1 for about 1-60 seconds and removed making sure that a film of the coating mixture was deposited. The lens was treated with a UV medium pressure mercury lamp with light emitting at a wavelength of >350 nm for about 2-6 minutes. The lamp was turned off and the parts were removed. Characterize by FTIR-ATR, contact angles values and EDX.

The exact formulations with values of xx, yy, zz are shown in Table 1.

	TABLE 1
				2,2-azobis (2,4-
	HEMA	EGDMA	EOEMA	dimethylvaleronitrile)
	(gm)	(gm)	(gm)	(gm)
1	9.76	0.22	21.53	0.05
2	20.38	0.11	10.33	0.05
3	9.11	0.84	20.09	0.05
4	19.81	0.42	10.05	0.05
5	16.71	0.36	13.78	0.05

Example 3: Esperox Thermal Initiator

A mixture containing xx gm of 2-HEMA, yy gm of EOEMA, zz gm of Esperox 33 (tert-Butyl peroxyneodecanoate, from Akzo Nobel Industries) and 0.3% by weight (of total mixture weight) of ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) were prepared in a clean vial. The mixture was thoroughly mixed using a magnetic stirrer making sure that there were no undissolved solid particles and there were no schlerian lines visible. The mixture was later filtered in a clean room through 0.2 microns filter to remove any possible floating particles etc.

The samples of the lens parts to be coated were prepared. The side to be coated was exposed and all other areas were protected from contact with the coating agents. The parts to be coated were dipped in the above mixture from Table 2 for about 1-60 seconds and removed making sure that a film of the coating mixture was deposited. The lens was placed in an oven at 40° C. to cure for about 18 hours. Characterize by FTIR-ATR, contact angle(s) values and EDX.

The exact formulations with values of xx, yy, zz are shown in Table 2 below.

	TABLE 2
				Esperox 33
	HEMA	EGDMA	EOEMA	(tert-Butyl
	(gm)	(gm)	(gm)	peroxyneodecanoate)
1	9.76	0.22	21.53	0.05
2	20.38	0.11	10.33	0.05
3	9.11	0.84	20.09	0.05
4	19.81	0.42	10.05	0.05
5	16.71	0.36	13.78	0.05

Example 4: UV Initiator

A mixture containing xx gm of 1,1,1,3,3,3-Hexafluoroisopropyl acrylate (gm), yy gm of Butyl acrylate (gm), and/or xy gm of 4-Hydroxybutyl acrylate (gm) zz gm of 2,2-azobis (2,4 dimethyl valeronitrile) and 0.3% by weight (of total mixture weight) of ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) was prepared in a clean vial. The mixture was thoroughly mixed using a magnetic stirrer making sure that there were no undissolved solid particles and there were no schlerian lines visible. The mixture was later filtered in a clean room through a 0.2 microns filter to remove any possible floating particles etc.

The samples of the lens parts to be coated were prepared. The side to be coated was exposed and all other areas were protected from contact with coating agents. The parts to be coated were dipped in the above mixture from Table 3 for about 1-60 seconds and removed making sure that a film of the coating mixture was deposited. The lens was treated with a UV medium pressure mercury lamp with light emitting at a wavelength of >350 nm for about 2-6 minutes. The lamp was turned off and the parts were removed. Characterize by FTIR-ATR, contact angle(s) values and EDX.

The exact formulations with values of xx, yy, xy, zz are shown in Table 3.

	TABLE 3
					Ethylene glycol
	1,1,1,3,3,3-	Butyl	2,2-azobis (2,4-		dimethacrylate
	Hexafluoroisopropyl	acrylate	dimethylvaleronitrile)	4-Hydroxybutyl	(EGDMA)
	acrylate (gm)	(gm)	(gm)	acrylate (gm)	(gm)
1	3.0000	1.7300	0.0032	0.0000	0.0144
2	3.0000	1.5300	0.0035	0.2300	0.0145
3	3.0000	2.1100	0.0034	0	0.0155

Example 5: Azobis Thermal Initiator

A mixture containing xx gm of 1,1,1,3,3,3-Hexafluoroisopropyl acrylate (gm), yy gm of Butyl acrylate (gm), and/or xy gm of 4-hydroxybutyl acrylate (gm) zz gm of 2,2-azobis (2,4 dimethyl valeronitrile) and 0.3% by weight (of total mixture weight) of ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) was prepared in a clean vial. The mixture was thoroughly mixed using a magnetic stirrer making sure that there were no undissolved solid particles and there were no schlerian lines visible. The mixture was later filtered in a clean room through 0.2 microns filter to remove any possible floating particles etc.

The samples of the lens parts to be coated were prepared. The side to be coated was exposed and all other areas were protected from contact with the coating agents. The parts to be coated were dipped in the above mixture from Table 3 for about 1-60 seconds and removed making sure that a film of the coating mixture was deposited. The lens was placed in an oven at 60° C. to cure for about 18 hours. Characterize by FTIR-ATR, contact angle(s) values and EDX.

The exact formulations with values of xx, yy, xy, zz are shown in Table 3.

Example 6: Esperox Thermal Initiator

A mixture containing xx gm of 1,1,1,3,3,3-Hexafluoroisopropyl acrylate (gm), yy gm of Butyl acrylate (gm), and/or xy gm of 4-hydroxybutyl acrylate (gm) zz gm of Esperox 33 (tert-Butyl peroxyneodecanoate) and 0.3% by weight (of total mixture weight) of ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) was prepared in a clean vial. The mixture was thoroughly mixed using a magnetic stirrer making sure that there were no undissolved solid particles and there were no schlerian lines visible. The mixture was later filtered in a clean room through 0.2 microns filter to remove any possible floating particles etc.

The samples of the lens parts to be coated were prepared. The side to be coated was exposed and all other areas were protected from contact with the coating agents. The parts to be coated were dipped in the above mixture from Table 3 for about 1-60 seconds and removed making sure that a film of the coating mixture was deposited. The lens was placed in an oven at 40° C. to cure for about 18 hours. Characterize by FTIR-ATR, contact angle(s) values and EDX.

The exact formulations with values of xx, yy, xy, zz are shown in Table 4.

	TABLE 4
			Esperox 33
	1,1,1,3,3,3-	Butyl	(tert-Butyl		Ethylene glycol
	Hexafluoroisopropyl	acrylate	peroxyneodecanoate	4-Hydroxybutyl	dimethacrylate
	acrylate (gm)	(gm)	(gm)	acrylate (gm)	(EGDMA) (gm)
1	3.0000	1.7300	0.0032	0.0000	0.0144
2	3.0000	1.5300	0.0035	0.2300	0.0145
3	3.0000	2.1100	0.0034	0	0.0155

Example 7: Siloxane Coating

A 95% ethanol in water solution was mixed with about 2 ml acetic acid and the pH was measured to be 4.5-5.5. The temperature was maintained to ambient (20° C.). The pH was adjusted if necessary to remain in the range of 4.5-5.5. A 2.0 ml solution of octyltriethoxysilane was measured in a hood and was added to the liquid slowly. The total time from the start of mixing the octyltriethoxysilane was 5 minutes.

In a separate process, the lens parts to be coated were prepared. The side to be coated was exposed and all other areas were protected from contact with coating agents. The parts to be coated were brought in contact with the above mixture for about 60-90 seconds. The parts were removed after 90 seconds and allowed to cure for about 24 hours at room temperature or 6-8 hours at 60° C. in an oven.

Characterize by FTIR-ATR, contact angle(s) values and EDX.

Example 8: Preparation of Thicker Coating Using UV Polymerization

A mixture containing xx gm of 2-HEMA, yy gm of EOEMA, zz gm of 2,2-azobis (2,4 dimethyl valeronitrile) and 0.3% by weight (of total mixture weight) of ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) was prepared in a clean vial per Table 1. The total volume of the mixture was adjusted to about 30 ml. The mixture was placed in a 40 ml glass vial. A magnetic stirrer was placed inside the mixture and was heated to 80-90° C. for about 8-10 minutes. The monomer solution was monitored closely. When the vortex created by the stir-bar completely disappeared (e.g. the surface of the liquid was completely flat), the monomer was removed quickly from the stir plate and was placed in the ice water. The monomer was agitated horizontally until it cooled completely.

The samples of the lens parts to be coated were prepared. The side to be coated was exposed and all other areas were protected from contact with the coating agents. The parts to be coated were dipped in the above mixture or the viscous solution was painted over it. The lens was treated with a UV medium pressure mercury lamp with light emitting at a wavelength of >350 nm for about 2-6 minutes. The lamp was turned off and the parts were removed.

Characterize by FTIR-ATR, contact angle(s) values and EDX.

The exact formulations with values of xx, yy, xy, zz are shown in Table 1.

Example 9: Preparation of Thicker Coating and Thermal Polymerization

A mixture containing xx gm of 2-HEMA, yy gm of EOEMA, zz gm of 2,2-azobis (2,4 dimethyl valeronitrile) and 0.3% by weight (of total mixture weight) of ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) was prepared in a clean vial per Table 1. The total volume of the mixture was adjusted to about 30 ml. The mixture was placed in a 40 ml glass vial. A magnetic stirrer was placed inside the mixture and was heated to 80-90° C. for about 8-10 minutes. The monomer solution was monitored closely. When the vortex created by the stir-bar completely disappeared (e.g. the surface of the liquid was completely flat), the monomer was removed quickly from the stir plate and was placed in the ice water. The monomer was agitated horizontally until it cooled completely.

The samples of the lens parts to be coated were prepared. The side to be coated was exposed and all other areas were protected from contact with coating agents. The parts to be coated were dipped in the above mixture or the viscous solution was painted over it. The coated parts were placed at 60° C. in an oven for a minimum of 18 hours.

Characterize by FTIR-ATR, contact angle(s) values and EDX.

The exact formulations with values of xx, yy, zz are shown in Table 1.

Example 10: Preparation of Thicker Coating and Esperox 33 Polymerization

A mixture containing xx gm of 2-HEMA, yy gm of EOEMA, zz gm of Esperox 33 (tert-Butyl peroxyneodecanoate and 0.3% by weight (of total mixture weight) of ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) was prepared in a clean vial per Table 1. The total volume of the mixture was adjusted to about 30 ml. The mixture was placed in a 40 ml glass vial. A magnetic stirrer was placed inside the mixture and was heated to 80-90° C. for about 8-10 minutes. The monomer solution was monitored closely. When the vortex created by the stir-bar completely disappeared (e.g. the surface of the liquid was completely flat), the monomer was removed quickly from the stir plate and was placed in the ice water. The monomer was agitated horizontally until it cooled completely.

The samples of the lens parts to be coated were prepared. The side to be coated was exposed and all other areas were protected from contact with the coating agents. The parts to be coated were dipped in the above mixture or the viscous solution was painted over it. The coated parts were placed at 40° C. in an oven for a minimum of 18 hours.

Characterize by FTIR-ATR, contact angle(s) values and EDX.

The exact formulations with values of xx, yy, zz are shown in Table 2.

Example 11: Parylene Coating

The samples of the lens parts to be coated were prepared. The side to be coated was exposed and all other areas were protected from contact with coating agents. The coating was applied at a vendor site. Basically, the solid dimer was heated under vacuum and vaporized into a dimeric gas. The gas was then pyrolized to cleave the dimer to its monomeric form.

In the room temperature deposition chamber, the monomer gas was deposited on all surfaces as a thin, transparent polymer film.

Characterize by FTIR-ATR, contact angle(s) values and EDX.

Example 12: UV Initiator

A mixture containing xx gm of 2-HEMA, yy gm of EOEMA, zz gm of 2,2-azobis (2,4 dimethyl valeronitrile) and 0.3% by weight (of total mixture weight) of ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) were prepared in a clean vial. The mixture was thoroughly mixed using a magnetic stirrer making sure that there were no undissolved solid particles and there were no schlerian lines visible. The mixture is heated (at 90° C.) and stirred to form oligomers. The process is terminated when the viscosity is at a selected level (e.g., approximately 150-250 cps, approximately 200 cps), and the mixture is then cooled to stop the reaction. The resulting mixture is then stored for use.

The mixture can be dispensed on selected surface(s) for treatment via a digital syringe or any of the methods disclosed herein. The treated surfaces are post treated by allowing them to sit for 30 minutes at room temperature, and then at 40° C. for 18 hours under argon.

Features Key—Figures

Below are the key codes for the features specified in the figures described herein. Particular figure features are numbered using the figure number preceding one of the codes listed below. For example, the feature number for the AIOL of FIG. 1 is 100. Subsets of a feature may also receive an alpha designator at the end of the feature number, for example the bellows region 140 may be comprised of a first and second bellows region, designated as 140a and 140b, respectively.

Feature Description         Feature Code
AIOL                        00
coated surface              01
uncoated surface            02
outer surface               03
seam/bond joint             04
seam/bond joint             05
seam/bond joint             06
masked regions              07
cross section               08
machined surface            09
first component             10
inner surface               11
fluid accommodating lens    12
outer surface               13
second component            20
inner surface               21
outer surface               23
fluid chamber               30
attenuating layer           31
first optical components    32
coating layer               33
second optical components   34
AIOL structure              35
base layer                  36
bellows region              40
fixed lens assembly         50
optical portion             51
passages                    52
continuous thickened region 53
fixed lens inner surface    54
engagement feature          55
fluid accommodating lens    60

EXAMPLES

Several aspects of the present technology are set forth in the following examples.

1. An accommodating intraocular lens system, comprising:

• • an accommodating structure including a first component, a second component posterior of the first optical component, an inner fluid chamber between the first and second optical components, and an outer fluid chamber fluidically coupled to the inner fluid chamber,
  • wherein the first component and the second component are hydrophilic structures, and wherein one or more surfaces of the accommodating structure include a surface treatment to decrease a roughness of the corresponding treated region.

2. The accommodating intraocular lens system of example 1 wherein the treated surfaces comprise the same proportion of hydrophobic and hydrophilic elements as the base material.

3. The accommodating intraocular lens system of example 1 wherein the treated surfaces comprise a proportion of approximately 25% 2-Hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) elements to approximately 75% hydrophobic elements.

4. The accommodating intraocular lens system of any one of examples 1-3 wherein an inner surface defining, at least in part, the inner fluid chamber includes the surface treatment.

5. The accommodating intraocular lens system of any one of examples 1-4 wherein the accommodating structure comprises an outer surface defined, at least in part, by a periphery of the first component and the second component, and wherein at least a portion of the outer surface includes the surface treatment.

6. The accommodating intraocular lens system of any one of examples 1-5 wherein the surface treatment comprises a coating applied to the corresponding one or more surfaces of the accommodating structure.

7. The accommodating intraocular lens system of example 1 wherein the surface treatment is adapted to reduce the density of hydrophilic end groups from the treated region.

8. The accommodating intraocular lens system of example 1 wherein the surface treatment is adapted to mask hydrophilic end groups from the treated region.

9. The accommodating intraocular lens system of any one of examples 1-8 wherein the outer fluid chamber is around at least a portion of the inner fluid chamber and configured to interface with a native eye capsule of a human subject such that fluid flows between the outer fluid chamber and the inner fluid chamber to move the first optical element for providing accommodation.

10. The accommodating intraocular lens system of any one of examples 1-9, further comprising fluid within the inner fluid chamber, wherein the fluid comprises a hydrophobic liquid.

11. The accommodating intraocular lens system of any one of examples 1-10 wherein the first and second components are bonded to one another.

12. The accommodating intraocular lens system of any one of examples 1-11 wherein the first and second components are bonded to one another at one or more bond sites, and wherein the one or more bond sites do not include the surface treatment.

13. The accommodating intraocular lens system of any one of examples 1-12 wherein the first and second components are sufficiently flexible to be folded into a reduced cross-section delivery configuration.

14. An accommodating intraocular lens system for implantation within a lens capsule of a subject, comprising:

• • an accommodating structure including a first optical component and a second optical component coupled to the first optical component along a boundary surface, an inner fluid chamber between the first and second optical components, and an outer fluid chamber fluidically coupled to the inner fluid chamber;
  • wherein the accommodating structure comprises a substantially hydrophilic outer surface and a substantially hydrophobic inner surface as defined by inner fluid chamber and the outer fluid chamber,
  • a coating on at least one of the first optical component and the second optical component, wherein the coating changes hydrophobicity of the treated regions as compared to untreated regions of the first and second optical components.

15. The accommodating intraocular lens system of example 14 wherein the hydrophilic outer surface of the accommodating structure is composed of a first material, and wherein the coating comprises a prepolymer of the first material.

16. The accommodating intraocular lens system of example 15 wherein first material comprises a copolymer of 2-Hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and 2-Ethoxyethyl methacrylate (EOEMA)

17. The accommodating intraocular lens system of example 15 wherein the coating comprises EOEMA.

18. The accommodating intraocular lens system of any one of examples 14-17 wherein the coating reduces surface roughness of the treated regions as compared with untreated regions of the first and second optical components.

19. The accommodating intraocular lens system of example 14 wherein the coating increases hydrophobicity of the treated regions as compared to untreated regions.

20. An accommodating intraocular lens for placement within a lens capsule of a subject, the accommodating intraocular lens comprising:

• • a first component having a first optical region and a first bellows region;
  • a second component having a second optical region and a second bellows region, the second component coupled to the first component;
  • a first fluid chamber between the first optical region and the second optical region;
  • a second fluid chamber between the first bellows region and the second bellows region, the second fluid chamber in fluid communication with the first fluid chamber to transfer fluid between the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber in response to shape changes of the lens capsule to provide optical power changes to the accommodating intraocular lens; and
  • a surface treatment applied to a first treated region of the first component and a second treated region of the second component, wherein the surface treatment increases the hydrophobicity of the corresponding first and second treated regions.

21. An accommodating intraocular lens for placement within a lens capsule of a subject, the accommodating intraocular lens comprising a generally hydrophilic surface, and wherein the accommodating intraocular lens includes a coating on at least a portion of the surface, and further wherein the coated regions of the surface of the accommodating intraocular lens are more hydrophobic than untreated regions of the surface.

CONCLUSION

The above detailed description of embodiments of the technology are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the technology to the precise form disclosed above. Although specific embodiments of, and examples for, the technology are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the technology as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. For example, any of the features of the intraocular lens systems described herein may be combined with any of the features of the other intraocular lenses described herein and vice versa. Moreover, although steps are presented in a given order, alternative embodiments may perform steps in a different order. The various embodiments described herein may also be combined to provide further embodiments.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments of the technology have been described herein for purposes of illustration, but well-known structures and functions have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the embodiments of the technology. Where the context permits, singular or plural terms may also include the plural or singular term, respectively.

Moreover, unless the word “or” is expressly limited to mean only a single item exclusive from the other items in reference to a list of two or more items, then the use of “or” in such a list is to be interpreted as including (a) any single item in the list, (b) all of the items in the list, or (c) any combination of the items in the list. Additionally, the term “comprising” is used throughout to mean including at least the recited feature(s) such that any greater number of the same feature and/or additional types of other features are not precluded. It will also be appreciated that specific embodiments have been described herein for purposes of illustration, but that various modifications may be made without deviating from the technology. Further, while advantages associated with some embodiments of the technology have been described in the context of those embodiments, other embodiments may also exhibit such advantages, and not all embodiments need necessarily exhibit such advantages to fall within the scope of the technology. Accordingly, the disclosure and associated technology can encompass other embodiments not expressly shown or described herein.

Claims

1. An accommodating intraocular lens system, comprising: an accommodating structure including a first component, a second component posterior of the first component, an inner fluid chamber between the first and second components, and an outer fluid chamber fluidically coupled to the inner fluid chamber,wherein the first component and the second component are hydrophilic structures, and wherein one or more surfaces of the accommodating structure include a surface treatment to decrease a surface roughness of a region treated with the surface treatment; andwherein the one or more surfaces of the accommodating structure including the surface treatment comprise a proportion of approximately 25% 2-Hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) elements to approximately 75% hydrophobic elements.

2. The accommodating intraocular lens system of claim 1 wherein the regions of the one or more surface of the accommodating structure treated with the surface treatment comprise a same proportion of hydrophobic and hydrophilic elements as a base material.

3. The accommodating intraocular lens system of claim 1 wherein an inner surface defining, at least in part, the inner fluid chamber includes the surface treatment.

4. The accommodating intraocular lens system of claim 1 wherein the accommodating structure comprises an outer surface defined, at least in part, by a periphery of the first component and the second component, and wherein at least a portion of the outer surface includes the surface treatment.

5. The accommodating intraocular lens system of claim 1 wherein the surface treatment comprises a coating applied to the corresponding one or more surfaces of the accommodating structure.

6. The accommodating intraocular lens system of claim 1 wherein the surface treatment is adapted to reduce the density of hydrophilic end groups within the treated region.

7. The accommodating intraocular lens system of claim 1 wherein the surface treatment is adapted to mask hydrophilic end groups within the treated region.

8. The accommodating intraocular lens system of claim 1 wherein the outer fluid chamber is around at least a portion of the inner fluid chamber and configured to interface with a native eye capsule of a human subject such that fluid flows between the outer fluid chamber and the inner fluid chamber to move the first optical element for providing accommodation.

9. The accommodating intraocular lens system of claim 1, further comprising fluid within the inner fluid chamber, wherein the fluid comprises a hydrophobic liquid.

10. The accommodating intraocular lens system of claim 1 wherein the first and second components are bonded to one another.

11. The accommodating intraocular lens system of claim 10 wherein the first and second components are bonded to one another at one or more bond sites, and wherein the one or more bond sites do not include the surface treatment.

12. The accommodating intraocular lens system of claim 1 wherein the first and second components are sufficiently flexible to be folded into a reduced cross-section delivery configuration.

13. An accommodating intraocular lens system for implantation within a lens capsule of a subject, comprising: an accommodating structure including a first optical component and a second optical component coupled to the first optical component along a boundary surface, an inner fluid chamber between the first and second optical components, and an outer fluid chamber fluidically coupled to the inner fluid chamber;wherein the accommodating structure comprises a hydrophilic outer surface and a hydrophobic inner surface as defined by the inner fluid chamber and the outer fluid chamber,a coating on at least one of the first optical component and the second optical component, wherein the coating changes hydrophobicity of the treated regions as compared to untreated regions of the first and second optical components;wherein the hydrophilic outer surface of the accommodating structure is composed of a first material, and wherein the coating comprises a prepolymer of the first material.

14. The accommodating intraocular lens system of claim 13 wherein the first material comprises a copolymer of 2-Hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and 2-Ethoxyethyl methacrylate (EOEMA).

15. The accommodating intraocular lens system of claim 13 wherein the coating comprises 2-Ethoxyethyl methacrylate (EOEMA).

16. The accommodating intraocular lens system of claim 13 wherein the coating reduces surface roughness of the treated regions as compared with untreated regions of the first and second optical components.

17. The accommodating intraocular lens system of claim 13 wherein the coating increases hydrophobicity of the treated regions as compared to untreated regions.