GB2181355A

GB2181355A - Lens implant

Info

Publication number: GB2181355A
Application number: GB08623928A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Richard Lynch; Les Zolt Vorosmarthy; Jerry Ray Wilson
Original assignee: Storz Instrument Co
Current assignee: Bausch and Lomb Inc
Priority date: 1985-10-15
Filing date: 1986-10-06
Publication date: 1987-04-23
Also published as: FR2589352A1; KR870004326A; JPS62161360A; BR8605025A; DE3635111A1; IT1197356B; GB8623928D0; IT8621915A0

Abstract

An intraocular lens with a colored or nonglare peripheral edge in order to prevent stray scattered and reflected light from producing glare or ghost images. A band is formed around the periphery of the lens body and preferably is colored (dyed) so that it does not transmit light. The haptic members are also colored in order to aid in the visualization thereof during surgery. The lens preferably is made from one piece of material, although it also can be comprised of a number of parts. Positioning holes in the lens body similarly are protected with nonglare material. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Intraocular Lens with Nonglare Edges Background-Summary of the Invention Introduction The present invention relates to intraocular lenses and more specifically to lenses having a nonglare surface around the lens periphery in order to prevent the edge of the lens from scattering or reflecting light causing streaks or ghost images.

Background of the Invention In the human eye, the lens is situated behind the pupil and iris, and functions to focus light passing through the cornea and pupil onto the retina at the rear of the eye. The lens is a biconvex, highly transparent structure made of ectodermal cells surrounded by a thin capsule. The lens capsule is supported at its periphery by suspensory ligaments, called zonules, that are continuous with the ciliary muscle. Contraction and expansion of this muscle relaxes and tightens the zonules, changing the shape of the lens and thereby altering its focal length.

A cataract condition results when the material within the lens capsule becomes clouded, thereby obstructing the passage of light To correct this condition, two forms of surgery are used, intracapsular surgery and extracapsular surgery. In intracapsular cataract extraction, the entire lens is removed intact. To accomplish this, the surgeon severs the zonules or suspensory ligaments about the entire periphery of the capsule, and removes the entire lens with the capsule and its content material intact.

In extracapsular cataract extraction, an incision is made through the front membrane wall (the "anterior capsule") of the lens, and the clouded cellular material within the capsule is removed through this opening. Various scraping, suction or phaceomulsification techniques are used to accomplish the extraction. The transparent rear capsule membrane wall (the "posterior capsule") remains in place in the eye. Also remaining in place are the zonules and the peripheral portions of the anterior capsule.

Intraocular lenses are employed as replacements for the crystalline lens after either extracapsular or intracapsular surgery. The intraocular lenses after implantation, serve as a means for optical correction of the eye.

The prior art of intraocular lenses involves many different lens designs which rely on various methods of fixation and stabilization of the implant within the eye such that the central or medial lens body is held in a stable position in relation to the pupil and visual axis of the eye. Intraocular lenses are generally of three types, those that are placed in the anterior chamber, i.e., between the iris and cornea, those that are placed in the posterior chamber, i.e., behind the iris, and those which are supported directly by the iris. All three types of lenses are conventionally employed with the choice being partly dictated by requirements of the patient and partly dictated by the preferences of the physician inserting the lens.

Intraocular lenses normally consist of an optic with two or more haptic members that extend generally radially from the optic and contain foot portions that normally seat in the scleral spur for an anterior lens and either in the ciliary sulcus or within the lens capsule for a posterior lens. For iris supported lenses, the haptic members contact the iris and maintain the optic centered in the pupil. The optic normally comprises a circular transparent optical lens approximately 6 mm in diameter. The haptic members in most lenses are flexible strands or filaments having one end affixed to the lens and having a second portion extending radially away from the lens to form the seating foot.Several haptic designs are currently in use, for example, a pair of U-shaped loops in which both ends of each loop are connected to the lens and, for example, Jshaped loops in which only one end of the loop is affixed to the lens.

More recently, several other forms of intraocular lenses have been developed, for either the anterior chamber or the posterior chamber, or both. Some of these lenses are disclosed in the following United States Patents; Kelman No.4,174,543, Sheets No.

4,328,595, Myers No.4,412,359, Feaster No.

4,418,431, Bittner No. 4,426,741, Pannu No.

4,435,855, Hahs No.4,437,194, Cozean, Jr. No.

4,441,217, Shepard No.4,480,340, Gerhard, et al No.

4,502,162, Graham No.4,502,163, Grandahl No.

4,503,570, Walman No.4,504,981 and Hoffer No.

31,626 (Reissue).

Currently available models and styles of intraocular lenses are such that they may be generally of solid one-piece construction of one material, or generally two or three pieces, often made from different types of material. In the multipiece lenses, the central optical body is typically made of polymethylmethacrylate (PM MA), while the pheripheral fixation parts being of a different material, such as polypropylene (prolene), with the materials being joined to the central optical body mechanically. It is often common to position a plurality of small holes, grooves or detents around the outer periphery of the lens body to aid the surgeon in implanting and positioning the lens in the eye.

All intraocular lens suffer one significant defect.

They all reflect or refract some of the entering light in a manner which causes ghost images, light streaks or other glitter or glare to the wearer. These images and streaks are undesirable and reduce the optical qualities of the lens.

The stray light rays are caused primarily by the edges of the circular lens body, although they are also often caused by the inner ends of the haptic members (where they are joined with or inserted into the lens body) as well as the positioning grooves or holes. The edges of the lenses are finished to a rounded configuration (to provide a smooth, nonirritating outer surface) and thus can reflect and refract light at virtually any angle and at any direction into the eye and onto the retina. The edge holes and ends of the haptic members also create obstacles to the uniform passage of light and can also cause the light rays to be reflected and refracted in various directions and to cause various undesirable "ghost" shapes and forms.

The streaking and ghost imaging problems also can be caused by any of the three types of intraocular lenses: posterior chamber, anterior chamber, or iris supported lenses. The problem is most acute when the intraocular lens is initially positioned off-center or later is moved into a position slightly off-center in the eye. This can cause one edge of the lens body, one or more of the positioning grooves, or one of the ends of a haptic member to be in the direct line of sight.

The problem is also acute in low light conditions where the pupil of the eye dilates to a size approximately the same size as or larger than the diameter of the lens body. For this reason, intraocular lens wearers have trouble driving at night or in other low light conditions.

By their nature, intraocular lenses are small and transparent and are often difficult to see and handle by surgeons. The lens body itself is typically only on the order of 5~7 millimeters in diameter and the overall length of typical intraocular lenses today is only about 12~14 millimeters. Intraocular lenses are made from a highly transparent material (for example, polymethylmethacrylate) in order to insure quality optical properties once inserted.

Similarly, the position fixation members (or haptics) are typically made from a relatively clear material (e.g. polypropylene or polymethylmethacrylate) so the implants will not be readily visible to others, particularly when the lens is used in the anterior chamber.

The small, clear intraocular lenses produce the most significant visibility problems during implantation of lenses in the posterior chamber. It is sometimes difficult for the surgeon to see and thus determine the precise location of the ends of the loops when the lens is partially inserted in the eye.

Some multipiece lenses today provide haptic loops in a different color from the optic portion which has alleviated part of the problem. Upto now, however, it has not been practical to make a one-piece lens with a clear lens body and colored haptics.

Objects of the Invention It is desirable to provide an intraocular lens which reduces or eliminates edge glitter or glare during use by the patient, and which is more visible to surgeons during implanting and positioning. One of the primary objects of the present invention is to provide intraocular lenses for both the anterior and posterior chambers which meet these objectives.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a one-piece intraocular lens which has a clear optic (lens body) portion and colored or nonclear haptics.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an intraocular lens with a band of a lightabsorbing material around the lens periphery in order to prevent stray scattered/reflected light from being generated by the edge of the lens. The intraocular lens should also prevent stray light from being generated by the positioning apertures and the joints between the haptic loops and the lens body.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an intraocular lens which fulfills the aboveindicated objectives and which may be easily and economically manufactured and used.

Summary of the Invention The intraocular lens in accordance with the present invention has been designed to overcome the problems with known intraocular lenses and to fulfill the above objectives and purposes. The present invention can be used for intraocular lenses of virtually all shapes and sizes and with virtually any type or style of haptic members. It can also be used for lenses implanted in the anterior chamber, the posterior chamber, or affixed in the iris plane.

In accordance with one preferred embodiment of the invention, the intraocular lens has a lens body with a band of an optically different material, such as light-absorbing or nonglare material, around its periphery. The band is made sufficiently wide in the radial direction to encompass the edge rounding and smoothing which is customary in the intraocular lens field to prevent tissue damage from rough or sharp edges. The band may be made of the same material as the rest of the lens with the addition of a dye in order to absorb most or all of the light passing through it. The lens and band can be formed from a single piece of material with a clear central optical portion and an outer colored portion.

The haptic loops of the intraocular lens can be formed in any of the various configurations and shapes known in the art and also preferably are colored with a dye or other means. The haptic members can be made from the same material as the lens body, or from a different material, and are affixed to the lens body in any conventional manner.

The nonglare band can also be made of a different plastic material than the central optic portion, the two materials have different absorption properties, different coloration, different transparency properties, and/or different indices of refraction.

Similarly, the peripheral edge of the lens could be etched or otherwise marked in some manner after manufacture to provide a nonglare or nonreflective surface.

In another embodiment of the invention, a onepiece intraocular lens is provided with a colored band around its peripheral edge and correspondingly colored integral haptic loops. The lens is molded in one piece essentially in its final shape and then finished or smoothed. Alternately, the lens can be manufactured to its final shape from a blank of colored material with a clear circular central portion used for the lens optic.

In still another embodiment of the invention, the colored or light absorbing material is provided in certain areas in the lens to cover the sites of the positioning holes and the attachment of the haptic loops.

Other objects, purposes, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art when the following description and claims are reviewed. The present invention is also described with greater specificity and clarity in the attached drawings which are described below.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a normal eye; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of an eye after extracapsular cataract surgery and with a posterior chamber intraocular lens implanted in place; Figures 3~5 and S10 illustrate various embodiments of intraocular lenses in accordance with the present invention; and Figures 6~8 illustrate a preferred method for manufacturing the invention.

Description of the preferred embodiments Figure 1 illustrates a normal eye which is referred to generally by the reference numeral 10. Portions of the eyeball structure which are not believed essential to an understanding of the invention have been omitted for the sake of clarity.

The cornea 12 is positioned on the outside of the eyeball structure. The cornea 12 is a clear transparent tissue which acts as a transmissive element for light. The cornea also has some capability for focusing the light on the retina (not shown) in the back of the eye. The light transmitted through the cornea passes through anterior chamber 14 and the aqueous humor fluid disposed therein and impinges upon a crystaline lens 16. The lens acts as a major focusing element for the light penetrating therethrough upon the retina. The vitreous humor 18 fills the chamber behind the lens 16. The lens 16 is encased within a capsule 20 having a front membrane 22 and a rear membrane 24. The front membrane 22 is commonly known as the "anterior capsule", the rear membrane 24 is commonly known as the "posterior capsule", and the entire capsule 20 is often referred to as the "bag".

An iris 26 is disposed between the cornea 12 and the lens 16 and serves in the nature of a diaphragm to regulate the amount of light impinging upon the lens 16. The central opening of the iris 26 is called the pupil 28. The natural lens 16 is positioned in the posterior chamber 30 of the eye. The anterior chamber is the area in front of the iris between the cornea and the iris) and the posterior chamber is the area behind the iris. The cornea and iris meet at the outer edge of the iris forming a groove or "angle" 32. The angle 32 extends around the perimeter of the iris and is where most of the anterior chamber intraocular lens are positioned and affixed in place.

As indicated earlier, when a cataract occurs, clouded areas form within the lens 16. These clouded areas affect the transmissivity of light and impair sight. When the cloud becomes sufficiently severe, the only treatment available is surgical removal of the lens itself, either by extracapsular cataract surgery or intracapsular cataract surgery.

An intraocular artificial insert for the eye 10 is generally indicated by reference numeral 40 in Figure 2. The insert 40 is shown implanted in the posterior chamber of an eye after intracapsular cataract surgery. The insert 40 can be formed of any suitable material which is compatible with the environment of the eye, such as a non-toxic plastic material, for example, polymethylmethacrylate, polypropylene, or silicone.

As indicated earlier, the present invention also relates to intraocular lenses which are implanted in the anterior chamber or supported by the iris. These are not shown in the drawings, but persons skilled in the art will readily understand the manner in which the present invention relates to and can be utilized with such types of lenses.

The insert 40 has a medial light focusing lens body 42 having a convex or flat anterior surface 44 and a convex or flat posterior surface 46. A pair of oppositely disposed position fixation elements or haptic loop members 48 and 50 extend from opposite peripheral portions of the lens body 42.

When an intraocular lens is positioned in the anterior chamber 14 of the eye, the outer ends of the fixation elements 48 and 50 fit within the angle 32.

When an intraocular lens is positioned in the posterior chamber of an eye (as shown in Figure 2), the outer ends of the position fixation members are seated in the area of the scleral spur 51 of the ciliary body.

The position fixation members can be formed of any material which is non-toxic with the eye materials and is also compatible with the material of the lens body, such as polypropylene (prolene).

Preferably, however, in accordance with the present invention, the haptics are formed of the same material as the lens body, namely polymethylmethacrylate. The haptics can be made from monofilament strands of material heat set in the desired configuration and shape, or can be molded or machined directly in the precise shape.

A preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention is shown in Figure 3. The clear optic portion 42 of the intraocular lens has a rim or band portion 45 around its perimeter to prevent stray scattered or reflected light from being generated by the edge of the lens. The band portion 45 is preferably made from the same material as the optic portion 42, except that a dye has been added to it to change its color and make it light absorbent.

The preferred dye is a blue color since it has gained acceptance in haptic members for posterior chamber lenses. It is understood, however, that any colored dye may be used, and it is also possible to provide a line of lenses with a variety of colored band portions in order to match the actual coloration of the eyes of the implant recipients.

The haptic members 48 and 50 are also dyed to match the color of the band portion 45. In fact, in a one-piece lens as shown in Figure 3, the haptics are formed at the same time as the lens body and integral therewith. The one-piece device can be injection or cast molded in the final shape desired (and smoothed with minor finishing operations), or the device can be machined from a larger block of material having a clear optic portion in the center thereof.

In the intraocular lens shown in Figure 3, the position fixation members are depicted as being J shaped, similar to the "Shearing" and "Simcoe" types of posterior chamber intraocular lenses. Such structure has been utilized merely for illustrative purposes, however, and it is to be understood that any size, style, shape or configuration of position fixation members can be utilized in accordance with the present invention. Also, as indicated earlier, the present invention can be used with either anterior chamber lenses or posterior chamber lenses and thus different haptic members and positioning members would commonly be used for the various types of lenses. In this regard, there can be two, three, four or more position fixation members around the periphery of the lens body.In addition, the fixation members on each lens can all be the same or some can be different, and the fixation members can be strands of material formed or molded in the desired position, or they can be flat, solid discs or loops of material.

In the configuration shown in Figure 3, the haptic members 48 and 50 are integrally connected to the band portion 45 and thus to the lens body 42 at two tangential locations 60 which are on opposite sides of the lens body. Rounded intersections 62 allow for a smooth transition between the band and the haptic member and provide a stronger joint. The ends 52 of the haptic members are curved backwardly toward the lens bodyto prevent snagging of the tissue in the eye during insertion and implanting of the intraocular lens.

When the band 45 is formed on the lens body, it is made sufficiently wide in a radial direction so that it will still fully encompass the edge periphery after the typical edge rounding and smoothing processes are completed. The latter processes are used to prevent tissue damage from rough or sharp edges.

The band 45 is preferably made of the same material as the clear optic portion 42 of the intraocular lens with the addition of a blue dye which absorbs most of the light passing through it. Thus, any light which strikes the band portion of the lens will be absorbed rather than transmitted. This prevents this light from causing stray or ghost images due to refraction by the rounded edges of the lenses.

Similarly, light which enters the lens through the clear portion (and which otherwise would strike the rounded edge and cause stray ghost images) will pass directly from the clear plastic portion to the absorbing plastic band portion without a change of direction at the interface and will be absorbed by the dyed plastic. Thus, the colored rim or band portion 45 will reduce the glare caused by light reflection from the periphery or edge surfaces and/or other structures and devices.

The colored rim portion and haptic members also will allow easier visualization of the lens and its position during insertion and implantation by the surgeon. This will reduce the chances of complications developing during the surgery and the lens from being planted in an off-center position.

The same light absorbing or nonglare effect can be achieved by providing another type of material or surface on the periphery of the lens body. For example, a colored rim or band portion could be painted or applied to the lens body edges after it is formed, rounded and smoothed. Similarly, a nonglare surface could be etched on or mechanically formed on the peripheral edge surface of the lens body, so long as the surface was still sufficiently smooth and the material was compatible with the inner fluids and tissues of the eye. In the broadest sense, anything which would limit the transmission of visible flight could be fastened to, secured on, imbedded in or made a part of the peripheral edge of the lens body.

It is typical to supply one or more positioning holes, grooves or detents on the intraocular lens so that it can be manipulated, implanted, and positioned more easily by the surgeon. A pair of positioning holes 70 are shown in Figure 3. The positioning holes are located on the outer periphery of the lens body so that they will not be in the optical path or sight of the wearer. In order to minimize or prevent ghost images and stray light streaks from being generated by the positioning holes, portions 72 of the lens body around the holes 70 are formed of the same material as the edge portion 45.

A preferred system for manufacturing a one-piece intraocular lens with a nonglare edge and haptic members is shown in Figures 6 and 7. In order to produce the two-colored embodiment of the invention as shown in Figure 3, a cylindrical rod 74 of clear polymethylmethacrylate material is made or obtained. The rod is 56 mm in diameter and will comprise the central optical portion 42 of the lens when it is finished. The rod is placed in a mold 76 surrounded along its length with a blue colored polymethylmethacrylate material 78, preferably in crystalline or powdered form. The mold is then heated in a conventional manner to melt, form and fuse the colored polymethylmethacrylate to the rod of clear polymethylmethacrylate material.Also, conventional degassing means, e.g. a vacuum or suction mechanism, may be used to insure that all bubbles and possible voids in the material are removed during the casting process.

It is also understood that other conventional plastic manufacturing processes and techniques can be used to make two-colored lenses. For example, the lenses could be fabricated by injection molding the blue colored material around a rod or piece of clear material.

When the casting or molding process is completed, thin slices 80 of the two-colored material are cut out with the clear optic portion in the center.

For one-piece lenses, the slice should be greater than 12~14 mm in one direction and greaterthan 6 mm in the other.-The rectangular slice of twocolored material is then fabricated into the final lens shape (shown in dotted lines in Figure 7) using precision lathing techniques. Conventional final finishing and polishing procedures are then utilized.

The positioning holes 70 are drilled in the lens body with a precision drilling mechanism. When the onepiece lens is finished, it will look like the embodiment shown in Figure 3 with a thin band or rim 45 of colored material left around the optic portion 42.

The bands 72 around the positioning holes are formed by providing grooves or channels 82 along the outer edge of the cylindrical rod 74 before it is inserted in the colored material. This is shown in Figure 8. When the final lens material is cast or molded, the grooves or channels are filled with the colored material. The material which fills the grooves 87 forms the colored areas 72 in the final lens. When the positioning holes 70 are drilled in the lens 40, they are drilled within the colored areas 72.

Figures 4 and 5 illustrate other embodiments of the invention. Where the features and parts are the same as those described above relative to Figure 3, the parts have been similarly numbered except with a prime (Figure 4) or double prime (Figure 5) being added.

Figure 4 depicts a one-piece intraocular lens 40' with a clear lens body 42' and colored (dyed) haptic members 48' and 50'. The lens 40' can be molded or formed as one integral piece of material in the same manner as described above with references to Figures 3 and 68. When the lens body 42' is machined, however, all of the blue or colored material around the periphery of the lens body is removed. As shown in Figure 4, the colored positioning hole areas 72' can remain to minimize or prevent ghost images from being generated by the holes 70'.

In Figure 5 the lens 40" has three separately manufactured pieces which are assembled together to form the final intraocular lens device. The lens body 42" has a clear central portion and a peripheral band portion 45" containing a dye or other light absorbing material or mechanism. The band portion 45" is formed of the same plastic material as the optic portion but with a dye added to it. The lens body blank is formed greater in diameter and thickness than the desired size and machined down to its final size and shape.

The two haptic members 48" and 50" comprise thin strands or filaments of material which are resilient and have a "memory" so that they will bend when forces are applied, and yet will spring or return back to their original shape when the forces are removed. Each of the haptics is a monofilament strand of a polymeric material, such as polypropylene (prolene), polymethylmethacrylate, or the like. The haptics are permanently secured to the lens body by glueing, heat-staking or the like and preferably are inserted in small bores in the periphery of the lens body.

The haptic members 48" and 50" are dyed or colored the same as the band portion 45". This allows easier visualization of their position during surgery and post-surgery inspections.

In still another embodiment of the invention (Figure 9), it is possible to separately manufacture a colored ring (or one made out of a nonglare or absorbent material) and affix it around the periphery of a clear lens body. For example, a lens body 86 could be snapped into a separately fabricated ring 84. The haptic members 88 can be either formed integrally as part of the ring 84, or can be affixed as separate filaments to it.

As a still further embodiment of the invention, it is possible to use a silicone material for all or part of the intraocular lens. It is possible to mold or cast a silicone ring around the periphery of a lens body, the silicone being colored or otherwise designed to provide a nonglare or light-absorbent construction.

It is also possible to make the separate ring 84 of Figure 9 out of silicone and snap the lens body into it. The ring could have integrally formed supporting and centering means on it, or they could be fabricated separately and attached to it.

If desired, both the lens body and ring (molded, cast or separate ring) could be made of a silicone material. With such an embodiment, the lens body preferably would be made from a more rigid silicone material than the peripheral ring.

Where it is desired to include a laser ridge on the intraocular lens, the ridge preferably should be made of the colored or light absorbant material in orderto minimize and prevent glare from it. Figure 10 shows a cross section of a lens body 90 with a laser ridge 92 on it. The laser ridge is used on posterior chamber lenses to space the posterior capsule from the rear surface 94 of the lens in order to allow the posterior capsule to be dissected later by a YAG laser or the like. The laser ridge typically is formed as a raised annular ridge around the rear periphery of the lens body. In accordance with the invention, the edge of the lens body 90 and the laser ridge 92 are both formed from a colored or light absorbent material 96.

The intraocular lenses in accordance with the invention can be inserted in the eyeball, in either the anterior or posterior chambers, using suitable known medical procedures. These procedures involve passing the lens structure into the desired chamber through a corneo-scleral incision that is also used to remove the natural lens 16.

Although the invention is described in detail above with reference to posterior chamber intraocular lenses, it is understood that the invention can be used with any type of intraocular lenses, whether they are implanted in the anterior chamber, the posterior chamber, or whether they are iris-supported or situated. With any of the three types of lenses, it is always possible for the lens to be implanted slightly off-center orforthe lens to move slightly off-center during use by the wearer.

Also, in posterior chamber lenses, the present invention has particular use in low-light level situations where the pupil of the eye is fully or substantially dilated. In such situations, the diameter of the pupil is often larger than the diameter of the implanted lens body and it is more possible for light to strike or pass through the peripheral edge of the lens body.

In anterior chamber lenses and in most iris-plane lenses, light approaches the intraocular lens from all directions and frequently is scattered or reflected from the edge of the lens body which is positioned immediately in front of the pupil. The rounded edges of the lens can cause stray or ghost images due to refraction unless a band of absorbing material is situated around the lens periphery.

The foregoing discussion discloses and describes merely exemplary embodiments of the present invention. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from such discussion that various changes, modifications and variations may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. An intraocular lens implant for implantation in the eye, said implant comprising a lens body having a peripheral edge, position fixation means attached to the lens body to position and center said lens body in the eye, and nonglare means on the peripheral edge of said lens body.

2. The intraocular lens in accordance with Claim 1 wherein said lens body and position fixation means are comprised of one piece of the same material.

3. The intraocular lens in accordance with Claim 1 wherein the position fixation means are comprised of two haptic members and said members are made separately from the lens body and secured thereto.

4. The intraocular lens in accordance with Claim 1 wherein said nonglare means comprises a band of colored material.

5. The intraocular lens in accordance with Claim 4 wherein said band of colored material is formed by dyeing a portion of the material forming said lens body.

6. The intraocular lens in accordance with Claim 1 further comprising at least one nonglare positioning means on said lens body.

7. The intraocular lens in accordance with Claim 6 wherein said nonglare positioning means comprises an area of nonglare material on said lens body with an aperture therein.

8. The intraocular lens in accordance with Claim 1 further comprising spacer means on said lens body for spacing said rear face of said lens body from the posterior capsule when said intraocular lens is implanted in the posterior chamber of an eye, said spacer means being made of nonglare material.

9. An intraocular lens for implantation in the eye, said implant comprising a lens body, at least two position fixation members for positioning and centering said lens body in the eye, said lens body and position fixation members being formed in one piece and made from the same material; and said position fixation members being a different color from said lens body.

10. The intraocular lens in accordance with Claim 9 wherein said lens body is clear, said position fixation members are blue, and both the lens body and fixation members are made of polymethylmethacrylate.

11. The intraocular lens in accordance with Claim 9 further comprising at least one positioning means on said lens body and the area on which said positioning means is situated comprises the same color material as the position fixation members.

12. An intraocular lens implant for implantation in the eye, said implant comprising a lens body, ring means attached to the periphery of said lens body, said ring being made of a material which is more light absorbant than said lens body, and position fixation means attached to said ring for positioning and centering said lens body in the eye.

13. The intraocular lens in accordance with Claim 12 wherein said intraocular lens is adapted for implantation in the posterior chamber of an eye, said lens body has a front face and a rear face and said ring means extends beyond the rear face of said lens body in order to space said rear face from the posterior capsule.

14. The intraocular lens in accordance with Claim 12 wherein said ring means is made from a blue nonglare material.

15. The intraocular lens in accordance with Claim 12 further comprising positioning means in said lens body, said positioning means being located in areas of said lens body which are more light absorbant than the remainder of said lens body.

16. A method of manufacturing an intraocular lens with a lens body and at least one position fixation member, comprising the steps of placing a rod means of clear plastic material in a mold means, surrounding said rod means with plastic material of another color, heating said rod means and colored plastic material to form a fused casting, cutting said casting into sections with each having a clear plastic center, and fabricating said intraocular lens from said sections utilizing said clear plastic center as the optic portion of the lens and forming said position fixation members from said colored plastic material.

17. The method of manufacturing an intraocular lens in accordance with Claim 16 further comprising the step of leaving a band of colored plastic material around the peripheral edge of said clear plasti^ center to form a light-absorbant nonglare ring around it.

18. The method of manufacturing an intraocular lens in accordance with Claim 16 further comprising the steps of forming nonglare areas in said lens body and providing positioning means in said areas.

19. A method of manufacturing an intraocular lens with a lens body and a plurality of haptic members, molding a section of clear acrylic material within a section of blue colored acrylic material to form a block of two-tone material, and fabricating said intraocular lens as one piece from said block utilizing said clear acrylic material for the optical portion of said lens body and said blue colored acrylic material for said haptic members.

20. An intraocular lens comprising a lens having a first lighttransmissive portion and a second portion of different lighttransmissivity than said first portion; and means for positioning said lens in the eye.

21. The lens of Claim 20 wherein said first portion has a periphery and said second portion is disposed adjacent said periphery.

22. The lens of Claim 20 wherein said first portion has a generally circular periphery and said second portion is disposed around said periphery.

23. The lens of Claim 20 wherein said second portion provides a greater light transmission loss than said first portion.

24. The lens of Claim 20 wherein said positioning means comprises at least one haptic member extending outwardly from said lens.

25. The lens of Claim 20 wherein said positioning means comprises at least one haptic member extending radially outwardly from said lens.

26. The lens of Claim 20 wherein said positioning means includes at least one lens manipulation means for aiding in positioning said lens during implanting.

27. The lens of Claim 20 wherein said positioning means forms an integral part of said second portion.

28. The lens of Claim 20 wherein said lens has an anterior side and a posterior side and further includes a means on said posterior side for preventing the posterior capsule of the eye from contacting said first portion.

29. The lens of Claim 20 wherein said lens has an anterior side and a posterior side and further comprises a ridge on said posterior side.

30. The lens of Claim 20 wherein said first and second portions are fused together.

31. The lens of Claim 20 wherein said second portion is adhered to said first portion.

32. The lens of Claim 20 wherein said first and second portions are inseparably joined.

33. The lens of Claim 20 wherein said second portion defines an aperture and said first portion is retained in said aperture.

34. The lens of Claim 20 wherein said first portion defines an optical discontinuity and said second portion is disposed to mask said discontinuity.

35. The lens of Claim 20 wherein said first portion defines an edge and said second portion is disposed to mask said edge.

36. A method of manufacturing an intraocular lens comprising providing a rod of a light transmissive first material, molding a second material around said rod to form a blank, said second material having a light transmissivity different than said first material, and slicing said blank to form said lens.

37. The method of Claim 36 further comprising providing said lens with at least one haptic member.

38. The method of Claim 37 further comprising fashioning said haptic member from said second material.

39. The method of Claim 37 further comprising fashioning said haptic member from said blank.

40. The method of Claim 37 wherein said second material comprises a tinted material.

41. The method of Claim 36 further comprising positioning said rod in a mold; injecting said second material into said mold; and heating said second material in said mold.

42. The method of Claim 36 further comprising providing said rod with at least one groove and filling said groove with said second material.

43. The method of Claim 36 further comprising drilling at least one positioning hole in said lens formed from said blank.

44. The method of Claim 36 further comprising forming at least one haptic member separately from said blank and securing said haptic member to said lens.

45. The method of Claim 44 further comprising applying a dye to said haptic member.

46. A method of manufacturing an intraocular lens comprising forming a lens body from a lighttransmissivefirst material, forming a lens supporting member, providing said supporting member with coloration so that the light transmissivity of said supporting member is different from that of said lens, and securing said lens to said supporting members.

47. The method of Claim 46 wherein said supporting member is fashioned from a second material having a light transmissivity different than said first material.

48. The method of Claim 46 wherein said supporting member is dyed.

49. The method of Claim 46 further comprising forming an aperture in said supporting member and securing said lens body in said aperture.

50. The method of Claim 46 further comprising providing said supporting member with at least one positioning hole.

51. An intraocular lens implant constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

52. A method of manufacturing an intraocular lens substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

53. An intraocular lens constructed and arranged as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.