CORNEAL CURVERS

Abstract: Curvers may be used for correcting or improving long sightedness, short sightedness, astigmatism and perhaps other deformities. The curver shown in Figures 1 and 2 is suggested to be hard rigid transparent material (3) and soft flexible transparent material (7). Its inner surface may take the curvature the cornea would take if the eye sight were focused. The vacuum formers may be worn like contact lenses. The tube (6) from the vacuum former is connected to the vacuum reserve vessel in Figure 4. The syringe in Figure 3 is connected to socket (8) in the vacuum reserve vessel in Figure 4. When the syringe is opened a vacuum causes the cornea to take the shape of the inner surface of the vacuum former bringing the eye sight into focus. The curver may be worn regularly over a prescribed period of time with the aim of obtaining corrected or improved eye sight long term.

Description: CORNEAL CURVERS This invention concerns to the recurving of the cornea to improve eyesight- There are many methods to reshape the curvature of the cornea in order to improve eye sight. These methods are usually carried out to reduce or remove the need for glasses and contact lenses (short sightedness , long sightedness and astigmatism) and also used to improve deformities and damage to the corneas surface. According to the present invention for the eye there is provided a vacuum former which may be shaped and worn rather like a contact lens. The vacuum former is comprised of an inner surface that takes the curvature the cornea would take if it were to focus eyesight correctly while the outer surface may let the eye lids function normally. The vacuum former may have an outer vacuum sealing ring either as part of the vacuum former moulding or as a separate moulding. The curver may also include any of the following in its makeup: (a) one or more vacuum ports , (b) one or more vacuum port gauzes (may prevent blockage and provide a more suitable surface-not described in diagram) , (c) a vacuum passage , (d) a vacuum tube , (e) one or more valves (to maintain a vacuum) , (f) a vacuum relief valve (to prevent excessive vacuum) , (g) a vacuum reserve vessel (to maintain a vacuum) ,(h) a means to apply a vacuum (e.g. a syringe). A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which : Figure 1 shows a curver for short sightedness , astigmatism and perhaps deformities and damage) . Figure 2 shows a curver for long sightedness , astigmatism and perhaps deformities and damage). Figure 3 shows a syringe as a method to apply a vacuum. Figure 4 shows a vacuum reserve vessel as a means to maintain a vacuum. The patient in question takes a normal eye test which may also include measuring the circumference and the curvature of the cornea. This will allow the correct vacuum former to be determined. The patient is then fitted with one or more samples curvers to check for suitability. Curvers may be applied washed and generally cared for like contact lenses. Referring to the drawings (some parts are exaggerated for clarity) the curver as in figure 1 for short sightedness and figure 2 for long sightedness is removed from its storage container with tube 6 attached. It is then placed over the cornea 2 of the eye 1 with tube 6 coming out at one side of the eye. The end of the tube 6 is connected to the vacuum reserve vessel as in Figure 4. The syringe as in Figure 3 is attached to the vacuum reserve vessels socket 8 in which there is a valve 9 to hold the vacuum and a vacuum level relief valve 10 prevent excessive vacuum. When the syringe is opened gently to create a vacuum , the air draws from the vacuum reserve vessel Figure 4 , the tube 6 , the vacuum passage 4 and from the vacuum ports 5. This moves the cornea, against the inner surface of the vacuum former focusing the eyesight. If a valve is incorporated into the vacuum former (not described in drawings) then the tube may be removed while maintaining a vacuum but when the vacuum escapes then the vacuum former will no longer be effective. Otherwise the vacuum reserve vessel can then be secured behind the ear or another suitable place. For removal the vacuum should be withdrawn from the vacuum former. At this point the vacuum former may still be firmly attached to the cornea and should be left for an interval during which a lubricating solution can be applied to help the vacuum former release from the eye. Removal should never be rushed. Treatment may be prescribed for curvers to be worn for the active day time hours and as treatment progresses and the cornea starts to settle into its new curvature treatment may perhaps be switched to the inactive night time hours. Alternatively perhaps treatment may be applied at the inactive night time hours only. It is suggested that treatment be carried out over a prescribed specified period of time with the aim of reshaping the curvature of the cornea thereby correcting or improving the eye sight focally on a long term basis. Treatment may include wearing curvers at regular intervals there after to insure the cornea stays in shape.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A curver comprises of a vacuum former which may include an outer sealing ring. This sealing ring may be part of the vacuum former moulding or it may be made in as a separate moulding. It may also be made of a different material. The inner surface of the vacuum former may take the curvature the cornea would be if were to focus eyesight correctly while the outer surface can let the eye lids function normally. The vacuum former and sealing ring should be constructed of a suitable material . For the vacuum former a hard rigid transparent material is suggested. If the sealing ring is a separate moulding a material ranging from a soft flexible transparent material to a hard rigid transparent material is suggested. The curver may incorporate any or all of the following: (a) one or more vacuum ports , (b) one or more vacuum port gauzes (may prevent blockage and provide a more suitable surface-not described in diagram) , (c) a vacuum passage , (d) a vacuum tube , (e) one or more valves (to maintain a vacuum) , (f) a vacuum relief valve (to prevent excessive vacuum) , (g) a vacuum reserve vessel (to maintain a vacuum) ,(h) a means to apply a vacuum (e.g. a syringe). 2. A curver as claimed in claim 1 may be applied , washed and generally cared for like contact lenses. 3. A curver as claimed in claims 1 and 2 that when a vacuum is created on its inner surface may change the corneas shape to the shape of the inner surface of the vacuum former thus correcting or improving eye sight. 4. A curver as claimed in claims 1 - 3 may be used for the purpose of correcting or improving short sightedness , long sightedness , astigmatism and perhaps even deformities and damage to the cornea. 5. A curver as claimed in claims 1 - 4 may be worn regularly over a specified period of time with the aim of partially or fully restoring focally corrected eye sight on a long term basis. 6. A curver substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 - 4 of the accompanying drawing.

Inventors: O DOWD OWEN, O DOWD, OWEN
Applicants: DOWD OWEN O, O DOWD, OWEN
Application year: 1999
Main classification: A61F9
IPC codes: A61F9