Historical Trends in Intraocular Lens Innovation Through an Analysis of United States Patents, 1972-2000

One of the great advancements in ophthalmic surgery during the 20th century was the development of the artificial intraocular lens (IOL). There is remarkably little historical information on the trends in IOL innovation based on what inventors believed was worthy of patent protection in the United States (U.S.). We explored the topic of patentable IOL innovations by obtaining information through a global patent database. Patents issued for IOLs in the U.S. during the 20th century were identified. A total of 583 IOL patents were issued in the U.S. last century. Based on creators' justification of "unique" innovation, the single largest patentable category was lens design (264 (45.3%)), of which 197 (74.6%) were related to haptics. Time trends in some patent categories overlapped with the rise of phacoemulsification surgery. Just over half of the patents were owned by corporations (302 (51.8%)), while 254 (43.6%) were owned by individuals and 27 (4.6%) were owned by universities. Novel innovations in IOLs in the U.S. reached a peak during the last two decades of the 20th century. Individuals owned a disproportionately high number of patents compared with other technology sectors. Only 156 patents (30.7%) were maintained throughout the full 20-year term. The authors speculate that the high rate of patent abandonment reflects a high rate of competing innovations.