Rapid exchange iol insertion apparatus and methods of using

Abstract

A system for easily transferring an intraocular lens (IOL) from a lens case to an inserter, and then into a patient's eye. The lens case has a transfer mechanism therein which retains the IOL until engagement with the inserter. The transfer mechanism may include jaws having a closed configuration for retaining the IOL and an open configuration for releasing the IOL. Engagement of the inserter with the lens case automatically opens the jaws and transfers the IOL to the inserter. The IOL is transferred into a load chamber of a nosepiece rotatably coupled to a handpiece. After transfer of the IOL, the nosepiece is rotated from a load position to a delivery position. The IOL may have an optic and a haptic coupled to the optic, and the lens case may be capable of configuring the haptic as desired to facilitate its transfer into an inserter and/or into the eye. For instance, the lens case may fold one or both of the haptics over the optic. Preferably, the lens case maintains the haptic in this position during transfer of the intraocular lens into an inserter and/or inserter cartridge. A manifold for easily distributing a viscoelastic medium to the load chamber of the inserter is also provided.