EP1363546A4 - Method for alteration of iris pigment - Google Patents

Method for alteration of iris pigment

Info

Publication number
EP1363546A4
EP1363546A4 EP01971253A EP01971253A EP1363546A4 EP 1363546 A4 EP1363546 A4 EP 1363546A4 EP 01971253 A EP01971253 A EP 01971253A EP 01971253 A EP01971253 A EP 01971253A EP 1363546 A4 EP1363546 A4 EP 1363546A4
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
iris
color
pigment
laser beam
iris color
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
EP01971253A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1363546A2 (en
Inventor
Gregg S Homer
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from PCT/US2001/003569 external-priority patent/WO2001056518A1/en
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP1363546A2 publication Critical patent/EP1363546A2/en
Publication of EP1363546A4 publication Critical patent/EP1363546A4/en
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F9/00—Methods or devices for treatment of the eyes; Devices for putting-in contact lenses; Devices to correct squinting; Apparatus to guide the blind; Protective devices for the eyes, carried on the body or in the hand
    • A61F9/007—Methods or devices for eye surgery
    • A61F9/008—Methods or devices for eye surgery using laser
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F9/00—Methods or devices for treatment of the eyes; Devices for putting-in contact lenses; Devices to correct squinting; Apparatus to guide the blind; Protective devices for the eyes, carried on the body or in the hand
    • A61F9/007—Methods or devices for eye surgery
    • A61F9/008—Methods or devices for eye surgery using laser
    • A61F2009/00861—Methods or devices for eye surgery using laser adapted for treatment at a particular location
    • A61F2009/00876—Iris
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F9/00—Methods or devices for treatment of the eyes; Devices for putting-in contact lenses; Devices to correct squinting; Apparatus to guide the blind; Protective devices for the eyes, carried on the body or in the hand
    • A61F9/007—Methods or devices for eye surgery
    • A61F9/008—Methods or devices for eye surgery using laser
    • A61F9/00802—Methods or devices for eye surgery using laser for photoablation

Definitions

  • Iris color in humans varies widely between ethnic groups and between individuals. Iris color of a normal human is dependent on the presence and density of colored pigment in pigment cells in the iris.
  • the colored pigment exists in more than one form, for example, the brown pigment eumelanin and the yellow pigment pheomelanin.
  • Iris pigment epithelial cells containing the pigment eumelanin are present in both the anterior layer of the iris and in the deeper superficial stroma of the iris, while iris pigment epithelial cells containing the pigment pheomelanin are primarily present in the superficial stroma of the iris.
  • a complete lack of iris pigment results in a pink color due to the coloration of vascular components of the iris stroma.
  • Very low pigment density causes the scatter of white light passing through the iris and is as blue, a process similar to the scatter in the atmosphere resulting in a blue sky.
  • the remaining iris colors result from the increasing density of one or more of the forms of iris pigment.
  • alteration of some types of iris color has become possible through the use of colored contact lenses.
  • Such colored contact lenses can have a prescriptive optical power, or can be optically neutral such that the lenses serves a cosmetic function only.
  • the lenses have the same potential complications of use as contact lenses with prescriptive optical powers, including allergic reactions to the lens material and infections from improper handling. Further, contact lenses cannot be tolerated by some potential users due to the discomfort. Additionally, colored contact lenses require a degree of dexterity to insert and remove that is not possessed by all potential users. Further, permanent changes in iris color cannot be achieved through the use of colored contact lenses.
  • Another method for altering iris color involves the use of colored lens implanted anterior to the iris. Such implants require an invasive procedure to place the lens in position. Because of the potential complication of an invasive procedure and of leaving a foreign body within the eye, the implantation of color lenses has not become a widely adopted procedure.
  • a method for altering iris pigment in a human or animal thereby altering iris color of a first iris from a first iris color to a second iris color.
  • the method comprises, first, selecting one or more than one laser capable of generating one or more than one laser beam that will remove substantially similar amounts of iris pigment of at least two different iris pigment colors from the first iris, and then applying the one or more than one laser beam to the first iris of a first iris color to remove the iris pigment.
  • the removal of the iris pigment causes an alteration in the color of the first iris from the first iris color to the second iris color.
  • the second iris color is substantially the same hue as the first iris color but is less saturated than the first iris color, or the second iris color is both a different hue and less saturated than the first iris color.
  • the human or animal is a human patient, and the method further comprises consulting with the patient to determine the second iris color before applying the one or more than one laser beam.
  • the method further comprises repeating the selecting and applying steps at least one day after applying the one or more than one laser beam.
  • the method further comprises repeating the selecting and applying steps at after a time between about 1 day and about 2 years after applying the one or more than one laser beam.
  • the method further comprises repeating the selecting and applying steps at least one day after a time between about 1 week and about 1 month after applying the one or more than one laser beam.
  • the second iris color does not naturally occur in a human iris.
  • the method further comprises creating an opening in the cornea of the human or animal before applying the one or more than one laser beam, and then applying the one or more than one laser beam through the opening.
  • the one or more than one laser selected is a pulse dye laser.
  • the one or more than one laser beam generated has a wavelength of between about 300 nm and about 900 nm.
  • the method further comprises altering iris pigment in the human or animal, thereby altering iris color of a second iris from a third iris color to a fourth iris color.
  • the method comprises selecting one or more than one laser capable of generating one or more than one laser beam that will remove iris pigment from the second iris, and then, applying the one or more than one laser beam to the second iris of the third iris color to remove iris pigment.
  • the removal of the iris pigment of the second selected color causes an alteration in the color of the second iris from the third iris color to the fourth iris color.
  • the second iris color is substantially same as the fourth iris color.
  • the second iris color is substantially different than the fourth iris color.
  • the method comprises selecting one or more than one laser capable of generating one or more than one laser beam that will selectively remove iris pigment substantially of only a first pigment color, or that will remove iris pigment substantially uniformly of all iris pigment colors to decrease the overall density of all colors of iris pigment, or that will remove iris pigment of a first pigment color and a second pigment color while removing more iris pigment of the first pigment color than iris pigment of the second pigment color.
  • the one or more than one laser beam is applied to an iris of a first iris color to remove iris pigment.
  • the removal of iris pigment causes an alteration in the color of the iris from the first iris color to the second iris color, where the second iris color is a different hue than the first iris color, or is a different saturation than the first iris color or is both a different hue and a different saturation than the first iris color.
  • a method for altering the iris pigment in the iris of an animal or a human to change the color of the iris from a first iris color to a second iris color is performed as follows. First, the human patient or animal is examined and, if a human patient, a determination is made in consultation with the human patient as to the patient's desired iris color. Next, a determination is made as to whetlier the patient's desired iris color can be obtained using the method of the present invention by virtue of laser alteration of the patient's existing iris pigment as will be understood by those in the art with reference to this disclosure.
  • laser alteration of the patient's iris pigment using the present method can alter the patient's irises to green.
  • laser alteration of the patient's iris pigment using the present method can alter the patient's irises to less saturated brown irises.
  • laser alteration of the patient's iris pigment using the present method can alter the patient's irises to less saturated green irises.
  • the method comprises selecting one or more than one laser capable of generating one or more than one laser beam.
  • the one or more than one laser beam is selected that will either selectively remove iris pigment substantially of only a first selected pigment color, or that will remove iris pigment substantially uniformly of all iris pigment colors to decrease the overall density all colors of iris pigment, or that will remove iris pigment of a first pigment color and a second pigment color while removing more iris pigment of the first pigment color than iris pigment of the second pigment color.
  • the second iris color is the substantially the same hue but less saturated than the first iris color
  • the one or more than one laser is selected that will remove iris pigment substantially uniformly of all iris pigment colors to decrease the overall density of all colors of iris pigment.
  • the second iris color is a different hue than the first iris color
  • the one or more than one laser is selected that will selectively remove iris pigment substantially of only a first selected pigment color.
  • the one or more than one laser is selected that will remove iris pigment of a first pigment color and a second pigment color while removing more iris pigment of the first pigment color than iris pigment of the second pigment color, depending on the first iris color and the desired second iris color, as will be understood by those in the art with reference to this disclosure.
  • the one or more than one laser beam is applied to the iris of the first iris color at a sufficient intensity and for a sufficient time to remove iris pigment, where the removal of the iris pigment causes an alteration in the color of the iris from the first iris color to the second iris color.
  • the laser beams can be applied sequentially or simultaneously.
  • the second iris color is a different hue than the first iris color, or is substantially the same hue as the first iris color but less saturated than the first iris color, or is both a different hue and less saturated than the first iris color.
  • iris pigment of a patient to result in an iris color which is not naturally occurring, such as violet, or to alter iris pigment differently between two eyes of a patient to result in the patient having irises of different colors by differentially treating each iris of a patient according to one method of the present invention or by treating only one iris of the patient according to the present invention.
  • the intensity of the laser beam is set to a level that minimizes the damage to any ocular tissue while still allowing satisfactory removal of the required iris pigment.
  • the method of the present invention can further include creating an opening in the cornea of the human before applying the one or more than one laser beam, and then applymg the one or more than one laser beam through the opening in order to minimize damage to the anterior ocular structures. If necessary, a temporary contact lens can be applied to reduce post- procedure discomfort.
  • the method of the present invention can be repeated at a time spaced apart from the original application of the one or more than one laser, in order to further alter the iris pigment, after allowing the iris and associated tissue to heal from the original application.
  • the method can be repeated at least one day after applying the one or more than one laser beam to the iris.
  • the method is repeated at a time between about 1 day and about 2 years after applying the one or more than one laser beam to the iris.
  • the method is repeated at a time between about 1 week and about 1 month after applying the one or more than one laser beam to the iris.
  • the use of lasers to remove iris pigment is advantageous because specific lasers can be selected which create laser beams which are selectively absorbed by iris pigment of specific colors. This property allows the selection of lasers to selectively destroy iris pigment of specific colors while not destroying iris pigment of other colors.
  • the one or more than one laser beam generated could be selected to substantially remove only eumelanin or substantially remove only pheomelanin.
  • one or more than one laser beam can be selected to remove iris pigment substantially uniformly of all iris pigment colors to decrease the overall density all colors of iris pigment.
  • the one or more than one laser beam can be selected to remove iris pigment of a first pigment color and a second pigment color while removing more iris pigment of the first pigment color than iris pigment of the second pigment color.
  • the one or more than one laser selected is a pulse dye lasers because the wavelength of the laser beam is determined by the color of the material through which the laser beams pass. This advantageously increases the specificity of iris pigment destruction by the laser beams by selecting appropriate dyes. Moreover, the intensity of the laser beams can be adjusted to minimize damage to ocular tissue and iris pigments that are not specifically targeted.
  • the one or more than one laser is a pulse dye laser and the wavelength generated by the one or more than one laser is between about 300 nm and about 900 nm.
  • suitable lasers includes the Due-220, DUO-221, and the DUO-210 models, as well as the DYE 120, the DYE 121, and the DYE 110 models ( Laser Science, Inc., Franklin, MA US).
  • the one or more than one laser selected is a modified excimer laser which permits the operator to alter the nature and quantity of the material through which the laser beam passes.
  • the one or more than one excimer laser will generate a wavelength of between about 100 nm and 250 nm.
  • the ArF excimer laser used in ophthalmic photoablation produces a beam of ultraviolet light with a wavelength of 193 nm.
  • the ArF excimer laser beam passes though a specified quantity of argon fluoride, and both the material and its quantity can be modified to achieve the desired wavelength.
  • LaserSight Technologies, Inc. (Winter Park, FL US) has devised two solid state lasers: the LaserHarmonic-1 and LaserHarmonic-2.
  • the LaserHarmonic-1 is flash lamp pumped and employs the fifth harmonic of a Nd:Yag at 213 nm.
  • the LaserHarmonic-2 is a diode pumped fifth harmonic Nd:YLF laser at 209 nm. While a pulse dye laser or an excimer laser are preferred, other lasers can be used in the present method..
  • EXAMPLE I One method of the present invention is performed as follows. An adult male patient is selected who desires to change his brown iris color to green. He is found in satisfactory general and ocular health. After being counseled regarding the procedure and being prepared, a suitable laser is selected and is applied to each iris through the patient's intact corneas to remove pigment present in his irises until the remaining iris pigment is to render his irises green.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Ophthalmology & Optometry (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Surgery (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
  • Vascular Medicine (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Radiation-Therapy Devices (AREA)
  • Laser Surgery Devices (AREA)
  • Spectrometry And Color Measurement (AREA)
  • Cosmetics (AREA)
  • Color Image Communication Systems (AREA)

Abstract

A method for altering iris pigment in a human or animal, thereby altering iris color of an iris from a first iris color to a second iris color. The method comprises selecting one or more than one laser capable of generating one or more than one laser beam that will remove iris pigment of at least two different iris pigment colors from the iris and applying the one or more than one laser beam to the iris of a first iris color to remove the iris pigment. Removal of the iris pigment causes an alteration in the color of the first iris from the first iris color to the second iris color, where either the second iris color is both a different hue and less saturated than the first iris color, or where the second iris color is both a different hue and less saturated than the first iris color.

Description

METHOD FOR ALTERATION OF IRIS PIGMENT
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
The present Application claims the benefit of International Application PCT/US01/03569, filed February 2, 2001, entitled "Method for Alteration of Iris Pigment," and is a continuation in part of United States patent application 09/776,345, filed February 2, 2001, entitled "Method for Alteration of Iris Pigmentation," the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND
Iris color in humans varies widely between ethnic groups and between individuals. Iris color of a normal human is dependent on the presence and density of colored pigment in pigment cells in the iris. The colored pigment exists in more than one form, for example, the brown pigment eumelanin and the yellow pigment pheomelanin. Iris pigment epithelial cells containing the pigment eumelanin are present in both the anterior layer of the iris and in the deeper superficial stroma of the iris, while iris pigment epithelial cells containing the pigment pheomelanin are primarily present in the superficial stroma of the iris.
A complete lack of iris pigment results in a pink color due to the coloration of vascular components of the iris stroma. Very low pigment density causes the scatter of white light passing through the iris and is as blue, a process similar to the scatter in the atmosphere resulting in a blue sky. The remaining iris colors result from the increasing density of one or more of the forms of iris pigment.
Iris color plays and has played a significant social function as an attribute of beauty. In recent years, alteration of some types of iris color has become possible through the use of colored contact lenses. Such colored contact lenses can have a prescriptive optical power, or can be optically neutral such that the lenses serves a cosmetic function only.
There are several disadvantages associated with the use of colored contact lenses for cosmetic purposes. First, the lenses have the same potential complications of use as contact lenses with prescriptive optical powers, including allergic reactions to the lens material and infections from improper handling. Further, contact lenses cannot be tolerated by some potential users due to the discomfort. Additionally, colored contact lenses require a degree of dexterity to insert and remove that is not possessed by all potential users. Further, permanent changes in iris color cannot be achieved through the use of colored contact lenses. Another method for altering iris color involves the use of colored lens implanted anterior to the iris. Such implants require an invasive procedure to place the lens in position. Because of the potential complication of an invasive procedure and of leaving a foreign body within the eye, the implantation of color lenses has not become a widely adopted procedure.
Therefore, there remains a need for a method to alter iris pigment in a human which does not require colored contact lenses or implanted lenses. Additionally, there remains a need for a method to alter iris pigment in a human which can permanently alter iris color.
SUMMARY
According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method for altering iris pigment in a human or animal, thereby altering iris color of a first iris from a first iris color to a second iris color. The method comprises, first, selecting one or more than one laser capable of generating one or more than one laser beam that will remove substantially similar amounts of iris pigment of at least two different iris pigment colors from the first iris, and then applying the one or more than one laser beam to the first iris of a first iris color to remove the iris pigment. The removal of the iris pigment causes an alteration in the color of the first iris from the first iris color to the second iris color. The second iris color is substantially the same hue as the first iris color but is less saturated than the first iris color, or the second iris color is both a different hue and less saturated than the first iris color.
In one embodiment, the human or animal is a human patient, and the method further comprises consulting with the patient to determine the second iris color before applying the one or more than one laser beam. In a preferred embodiment, the method further comprises repeating the selecting and applying steps at least one day after applying the one or more than one laser beam. In another preferred embodiment, the method further comprises repeating the selecting and applying steps at after a time between about 1 day and about 2 years after applying the one or more than one laser beam. In another preferred embodiment, the method further comprises repeating the selecting and applying steps at least one day after a time between about 1 week and about 1 month after applying the one or more than one laser beam.
In one embodiment, the second iris color does not naturally occur in a human iris. In another embodiment, the method further comprises creating an opening in the cornea of the human or animal before applying the one or more than one laser beam, and then applying the one or more than one laser beam through the opening. In one embodiment, the one or more than one laser selected is a pulse dye laser. In another embodiment, the one or more than one laser beam generated has a wavelength of between about 300 nm and about 900 nm.
In a preferred embodiment, the method further comprises altering iris pigment in the human or animal, thereby altering iris color of a second iris from a third iris color to a fourth iris color. The method comprises selecting one or more than one laser capable of generating one or more than one laser beam that will remove iris pigment from the second iris, and then, applying the one or more than one laser beam to the second iris of the third iris color to remove iris pigment. The removal of the iris pigment of the second selected color causes an alteration in the color of the second iris from the third iris color to the fourth iris color. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the second iris color is substantially same as the fourth iris color. In another particularly preferred embodiment, the second iris color is substantially different than the fourth iris color.
DESCRIPTION
According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method for altering iris pigment in a human, and thereby altering iris color from a first iris color to a second iris color. In one embodiment, the method comprises selecting one or more than one laser capable of generating one or more than one laser beam that will selectively remove iris pigment substantially of only a first pigment color, or that will remove iris pigment substantially uniformly of all iris pigment colors to decrease the overall density of all colors of iris pigment, or that will remove iris pigment of a first pigment color and a second pigment color while removing more iris pigment of the first pigment color than iris pigment of the second pigment color. Next, the one or more than one laser beam is applied to an iris of a first iris color to remove iris pigment. The removal of iris pigment causes an alteration in the color of the iris from the first iris color to the second iris color, where the second iris color is a different hue than the first iris color, or is a different saturation than the first iris color or is both a different hue and a different saturation than the first iris color. The method will now be explained in greater detail.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method for altering the iris pigment in the iris of an animal or a human to change the color of the iris from a first iris color to a second iris color. The method of the present invention is performed as follows. First, the human patient or animal is examined and, if a human patient, a determination is made in consultation with the human patient as to the patient's desired iris color. Next, a determination is made as to whetlier the patient's desired iris color can be obtained using the method of the present invention by virtue of laser alteration of the patient's existing iris pigment as will be understood by those in the art with reference to this disclosure. For example, if the patient has brown irises and desires to have green irises, then laser alteration of the patient's iris pigment using the present method can alter the patient's irises to green. Similarly, if the patient has brown irises and desires to less saturated brown irises, then laser alteration of the patient's iris pigment using the present method can alter the patient's irises to less saturated brown irises. Further, if the patient has brown irises and desires to have green irises that are also less saturated, then laser alteration of the patient's iris pigment using the present method can alter the patient's irises to less saturated green irises. If, however, the patient has blue irises and desires to have brown irises, then laser alteration of the patient's iris pigment using the present method cannot alter the patient's irises to brown, as will be understood by those in the art with reference to this disclosure.
Next, the method comprises selecting one or more than one laser capable of generating one or more than one laser beam. Depending on the first iris color and the desired second iris color, as will be understood by those in the art with reference to this disclosure, the one or more than one laser beam is selected that will either selectively remove iris pigment substantially of only a first selected pigment color, or that will remove iris pigment substantially uniformly of all iris pigment colors to decrease the overall density all colors of iris pigment, or that will remove iris pigment of a first pigment color and a second pigment color while removing more iris pigment of the first pigment color than iris pigment of the second pigment color.
For example, if the second iris color is the substantially the same hue but less saturated than the first iris color, than the one or more than one laser is selected that will remove iris pigment substantially uniformly of all iris pigment colors to decrease the overall density of all colors of iris pigment. Alternately, if the second iris color is a different hue than the first iris color, than the one or more than one laser is selected that will selectively remove iris pigment substantially of only a first selected pigment color. Similarly, if the second iris color is both a different hue and less saturated than the first iris color, than the one or more than one laser is selected that will remove iris pigment of a first pigment color and a second pigment color while removing more iris pigment of the first pigment color than iris pigment of the second pigment color, depending on the first iris color and the desired second iris color, as will be understood by those in the art with reference to this disclosure.
Next, the one or more than one laser beam is applied to the iris of the first iris color at a sufficient intensity and for a sufficient time to remove iris pigment, where the removal of the iris pigment causes an alteration in the color of the iris from the first iris color to the second iris color. If more than one laser beam is used, the laser beams can be applied sequentially or simultaneously. The second iris color is a different hue than the first iris color, or is substantially the same hue as the first iris color but less saturated than the first iris color, or is both a different hue and less saturated than the first iris color. Further, it is possible using methods according to the present invention to alter iris pigment of a patient to result in an iris color which is not naturally occurring, such as violet, or to alter iris pigment differently between two eyes of a patient to result in the patient having irises of different colors by differentially treating each iris of a patient according to one method of the present invention or by treating only one iris of the patient according to the present invention.
Preferably, the intensity of the laser beam is set to a level that minimizes the damage to any ocular tissue while still allowing satisfactory removal of the required iris pigment. The method of the present invention can further include creating an opening in the cornea of the human before applying the one or more than one laser beam, and then applymg the one or more than one laser beam through the opening in order to minimize damage to the anterior ocular structures. If necessary, a temporary contact lens can be applied to reduce post- procedure discomfort.
Additionally, the method of the present invention can be repeated at a time spaced apart from the original application of the one or more than one laser, in order to further alter the iris pigment, after allowing the iris and associated tissue to heal from the original application. For example, the method can be repeated at least one day after applying the one or more than one laser beam to the iris. In a preferred embodiment, the method is repeated at a time between about 1 day and about 2 years after applying the one or more than one laser beam to the iris. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the method is repeated at a time between about 1 week and about 1 month after applying the one or more than one laser beam to the iris.
The use of lasers to remove iris pigment is advantageous because specific lasers can be selected which create laser beams which are selectively absorbed by iris pigment of specific colors. This property allows the selection of lasers to selectively destroy iris pigment of specific colors while not destroying iris pigment of other colors. For example, the one or more than one laser beam generated could be selected to substantially remove only eumelanin or substantially remove only pheomelanin. Alternately, one or more than one laser beam can be selected to remove iris pigment substantially uniformly of all iris pigment colors to decrease the overall density all colors of iris pigment. Additionally, the one or more than one laser beam can be selected to remove iris pigment of a first pigment color and a second pigment color while removing more iris pigment of the first pigment color than iris pigment of the second pigment color.
In a preferred embodiment, the one or more than one laser selected is a pulse dye lasers because the wavelength of the laser beam is determined by the color of the material through which the laser beams pass. This advantageously increases the specificity of iris pigment destruction by the laser beams by selecting appropriate dyes. Moreover, the intensity of the laser beams can be adjusted to minimize damage to ocular tissue and iris pigments that are not specifically targeted. In another preferred embodiment, the one or more than one laser is a pulse dye laser and the wavelength generated by the one or more than one laser is between about 300 nm and about 900 nm. For example, suitable lasers includes the Due-220, DUO-221, and the DUO-210 models, as well as the DYE 120, the DYE 121, and the DYE 110 models ( Laser Science, Inc., Franklin, MA US).
In another preferred embodiment, the one or more than one laser selected is a modified excimer laser which permits the operator to alter the nature and quantity of the material through which the laser beam passes. Preferably, the one or more than one excimer laser will generate a wavelength of between about 100 nm and 250 nm. For example, the ArF excimer laser used in ophthalmic photoablation produces a beam of ultraviolet light with a wavelength of 193 nm. The ArF excimer laser beam passes though a specified quantity of argon fluoride, and both the material and its quantity can be modified to achieve the desired wavelength. Additionally, LaserSight Technologies, Inc. (Winter Park, FL US) has devised two solid state lasers: the LaserHarmonic-1 and LaserHarmonic-2. The LaserHarmonic-1 is flash lamp pumped and employs the fifth harmonic of a Nd:Yag at 213 nm. The LaserHarmonic-2 is a diode pumped fifth harmonic Nd:YLF laser at 209 nm. While a pulse dye laser or an excimer laser are preferred, other lasers can be used in the present method..
EXAMPLE I One method of the present invention is performed as follows. An adult male patient is selected who desires to change his brown iris color to green. He is found in satisfactory general and ocular health. After being counseled regarding the procedure and being prepared, a suitable laser is selected and is applied to each iris through the patient's intact corneas to remove pigment present in his irises until the remaining iris pigment is to render his irises green.
Although the present invention has been discussed in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments are possible. Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of preferred embodiments contained in this disclosure.

Claims

I CLAIM:
1. A method for altering iris pigment in a human or animal, thereby altering iris color of a first iris from a first iris color to a second iris color, the method comprising: a) selecting one or more than one laser capable of generating one or more than one laser beam that will remove substantially similar amounts of iris pigment of at least two different iris pigment colors from the first iris; and b) applying the one or more than one laser beam to the first iris of a first iris color to remove the iris pigment; where the removal of the iris pigment causes an alteration in the color of the first iris from the first iris color to the second iris color; and where the second iris color is substantially the same hue as the first iris color but where the second iris color is less saturated than the first iris color.
2. The method of claim 1, where the human or animal is a human patient, and where the method further comprises consulting with the patient to determine the second iris color before applying the one or more than one laser beam.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising repeating steps a) and b) at least one day after applying the one or more than one laser beam.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising repeating steps a) and b) after a time between about 1 day and about 2 years after applying the one or more than one laser beam.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising repeating steps a) and b) after a time between about 1 week and about 1 month after applying the one or more than one laser beam.
6. The method of claim 1, where the second iris color does not naturally occur in a human iris.
7. The method of claim 1, further comprising creating an opening in the cornea of the human or animal before applying the one or more than one laser beam, and then applying the one or more than one laser beam through the opening.
8. The method of claim 1, where the one or more than one laser selected is a pulse dye laser.
9. The method of claim 1, where the one or more than one laser beam generated has a wavelength of between about 300 nm and about 900 nm.
10. The method of claim 1, further comprising altering iris pigment in the human or animal, thereby altering iris color of a second iris from a third iris color to a fourth iris color, the method comprising: a) selecting one or more than one laser capable of generating one or more than one laser beam that will remove iris pigment from the second iris; and b) applying the one or more than one laser beam to the second iris of the third iris color to remove iris pigment; and where the removal of the iris pigment of the second selected color causes an alteration in the color of the second iris from the third iris color to the fourth iris color.
11. The method of claim 10, where the second iris color is substantially same as the fourth iris color.
12. The method of claim 10, where the second iris color is substantially different than the fourth iris color.
13. A method for altering iris pigment in a human or animal, thereby altering iris color of a first iris from a first iris color to a second iris color, the method comprising: a) selecting one or more than one laser capable of generating one or more than one laser beam that will remove iris pigment of at least two different iris pigment colors from the first iris; and b) applying the one or more than one laser beam to the first iris of a first iris color to remove the iris pigment; where the removal of the iris pigment causes an alteration in the color of the first iris from the first iris color to the second iris color; and where the second iris color is both a different hue and less saturated than the first iris color.
. 14. The method of claim 13, where the human or animal is a human patient, and where the method further comprises consulting with the patient to determine the second iris color before applying the one or more than one laser beam.
15. The method of claim 13, further comprising repeating steps a) and b) at least one day after applying the one or more than one laser beam.
16. The method of claim 13, further comprising repeating steps a) and b) after a time between about 1 day and about 2 years after applying the one or more than one laser beam.
17. The method of claim 13, further comprising repeating steps a) and b) after a time between about 1 week and about 1 month after applying the one or more than one laser beam.
18. The method of claim 13, where the second iris color does not naturally occur in a human iris.
19. The method of claim 13, further comprising creating an opening in the cornea of the human or animal before applying the one or more than one laser beam, and then applying the one or more than one laser beam through the opening.
20. The method of claim 13, where the one or more than one laser selected is a pulse dye laser.
21. The method of claim 13, where the one or more than one laser beam generated has a wavelength of between about 300 nm and about 900 nm.
22. The method of claim 13, further comprising altering iris pigment in the human or animal, thereby altering iris color of a second iris from a third iris color to a fourth iris color, the method comprising: a) selecting one or more than one laser capable of generating one or more than one laser beam that will remove iris pigment from the second iris; and b) applying the one or more than one laser beam to the second iris of the third iris color to remove iris pigment; and where the removal of the iris pigment of the second selected color causes an alteration in the color of the second iris from the third iris color to the fourth iris color.
23. The method of claim 22, where the second iris color is substantially same as the fourth iris color.
24. The method of claim 22, where the second iris color is substantially different than the fourth iris color.
EP01971253A 2001-02-02 2001-09-20 Method for alteration of iris pigment Ceased EP1363546A4 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US3569 1995-09-11
PCT/US2001/003569 WO2001056518A1 (en) 2000-02-03 2001-02-02 Method for alteration of iris pigmentation
US776345 2001-02-02
US09/776,345 US6306127B2 (en) 2000-02-03 2001-02-02 Method for alteration of iris pigmentation
PCT/US2001/029481 WO2002062259A2 (en) 2001-02-02 2001-09-20 Method for alteration of iris pigment

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1363546A2 EP1363546A2 (en) 2003-11-26
EP1363546A4 true EP1363546A4 (en) 2004-06-16

Family

ID=26680408

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP01971253A Ceased EP1363546A4 (en) 2001-02-02 2001-09-20 Method for alteration of iris pigment

Country Status (8)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1363546A4 (en)
BR (1) BR0116859A (en)
CA (1) CA2436041A1 (en)
CZ (1) CZ20032333A3 (en)
IL (1) IL157129A0 (en)
MX (1) MXPA03006923A (en)
RU (1) RU2003126916A (en)
WO (1) WO2002062259A2 (en)

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8206379B2 (en) * 2001-02-02 2012-06-26 Homer Gregg S Techniques for alteration of iris pigment
EP3308758B1 (en) * 2016-10-12 2019-12-25 Reinhardt Thyzel Apparatus for changing the perceptual color appearance of the iris of a human's or animal's eye
US11273074B1 (en) 2021-03-24 2022-03-15 Stroma Medical Corporation Systems and methods for for physical and electronic security of medical devices
US11160685B1 (en) 2021-03-24 2021-11-02 Stroma Medical Corporation Laser systems and methods for alteration of eye color
US11259962B1 (en) 2021-03-24 2022-03-01 Stroma Medical Corporation Systems and methods for patient alignment and treatment
US11278452B1 (en) 2021-03-24 2022-03-22 Stroma Medical Corporation Systems and methods for eye imaging and position control

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5312395A (en) * 1990-03-14 1994-05-17 Boston University Method of treating pigmented lesions using pulsed irradiation
US5520679A (en) * 1992-12-03 1996-05-28 Lasersight, Inc. Ophthalmic surgery method using non-contact scanning laser
US5549596A (en) * 1993-07-07 1996-08-27 The General Hospital Corporation Selective laser targeting of pigmented ocular cells
EP0947183A2 (en) * 1998-03-31 1999-10-06 Nidek Co., Ltd. Laser treatment apparatus

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4641349A (en) * 1985-02-20 1987-02-03 Leonard Flom Iris recognition system

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5312395A (en) * 1990-03-14 1994-05-17 Boston University Method of treating pigmented lesions using pulsed irradiation
US5520679A (en) * 1992-12-03 1996-05-28 Lasersight, Inc. Ophthalmic surgery method using non-contact scanning laser
US5549596A (en) * 1993-07-07 1996-08-27 The General Hospital Corporation Selective laser targeting of pigmented ocular cells
EP0947183A2 (en) * 1998-03-31 1999-10-06 Nidek Co., Ltd. Laser treatment apparatus

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
RU2003126916A (en) 2005-02-20
BR0116859A (en) 2004-01-13
MXPA03006923A (en) 2003-11-18
WO2002062259A2 (en) 2002-08-15
IL157129A0 (en) 2004-02-08
CZ20032333A3 (en) 2003-11-12
EP1363546A2 (en) 2003-11-26
WO2002062259A3 (en) 2003-05-01
CA2436041A1 (en) 2002-08-15

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US20120265180A1 (en) Altering Iris Color
US6989008B2 (en) Adjustable ablatable inlay
JP4757946B2 (en) Device for incremental correction of visual impairment and eye disease
US6551307B2 (en) Vision correction using intrastromal pocket and flap
EP1534188B1 (en) Optical Corneal Implant
US8795262B2 (en) Optical fiber laser device and method for ocular suturing
US20080015660A1 (en) Method And Apparatus For Photo-Chemical Oculoplasty/Keratoplasty
US6306127B2 (en) Method for alteration of iris pigmentation
Lanzetta et al. Early vascular changes induced by transpupillary thermotherapy of choroidal neovascularization
WO2002062259A2 (en) Method for alteration of iris pigment
US20200093636A1 (en) Iris color changing method
US20040073199A1 (en) Method for alteration of iris pigment
AU2001291157B2 (en) Method for alteration of iris pigment
AU2003241638B2 (en) Method for alteration of iris pigment
AU2001291157A1 (en) Method for alteration of iris pigment
ZA200306813B (en) Method for alteration of iris pigment.
AU2004201031A1 (en) Method for alteration of iris pigment
Wise et al. A high-efficiency laser iridotomy-sphincterotomy lens
Gordon Use of lasers in ophthalmic surgery
RU2739995C1 (en) Method for conducting ultraviolet corneal cross-linking using biolens with thin cornea
Parkin Lasers in tympanomastoid surgery.
WO2005036214A2 (en) Techniques for alteration of iris pigment
Serafetinides et al. Alternatives to excimer laser refractive surgery: UV and mid-infrared laser ablation of intraocular lenses and porcine cornea
RU2080851C1 (en) Contact lens and method for using it
JP2007517558A (en) Apparatus and method for treating corneal neovascularization or vascular deposition on the conjunctiva

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20030813

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: AL LT LV MK RO SI

A4 Supplementary search report drawn up and despatched

Effective date: 20040504

RIC1 Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant

Ipc: 7A 61F 9/008 A

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20040622

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN REFUSED

18R Application refused

Effective date: 20051211