Abstract:
A mini capsulorhexis valve device is composed of a curved, flexible discoid flap-valve member shaped to align with an ocular lens capsular bag inner surface, and a curved, flexible retainer member shaped to align with an ocular lens capsular bag outer surface, the curved, flexible retainer member being attached at a fastening point to the curved, flexible discoid flap-valve member. Attachment of the curved, flexible discoid flap-valve member to the curved, flexible retainer member may be via bonding with a silastic adhesive. In a method of accessing an ocular lens, the mini capsulorhexis valve device establishes a portal controlling access to an ocular lens. The method may include inserting a cannula through the mini capsulorhexis valve device to permit removal of a crystalline lens matrix and replacement thereof with a capsular filling material. The method may also include injecting a cytotoxic agent into a lens capsule, during which leakage of the injected cytotoxic agent is prevented by the mini capsulorhexis valve device. The method may further include adjusting the refractive power of capsular filling material by adding or removing capsular filling material from the lens capsule during lens replacement surgery or post-surgically.