Implantable Human Lenses with Adjustable Focal Distance as a Solution for Cataract Treatment

This work started from the impressive data regarding the spread of cataract, an eye condition which is the leading cause of blindness worldwide. The only truly e ective treatment of cataract is surgery to replace the lens with an arti cial implant, which is known as an intraocular lens (IOL). The ultimate IOL should optimize vision and accommodation entirely like the original unaged lens of the eye. We conceived a novel design, based on the Fresnel lens principle, of a spiral mold composed of nano channels. The fabrication process will take advantage of 3D electron beam lithography, a leading equipment in the production of MEMS and semiconductor structures, available at UIC. Using the technique of soft lithography, the IOL will be created from this mold. The main goal is to design a new type of IOL that will be reliable, versatile, cost and time e ective.