 carrier layer completelyxe2x80x94even at the edges of the layerxe2x80x94and makes it resistant to diffusion of the pigments.
In this embodiment, the transparent lens material enclosing the multi-layer film serves primarily only to guarantee a good biological tolerability of the lens in the eye, while the barrier layer on the film is responsible for sealing the pigments.
In addition, this embodiment offers the special advantage that conventional water-absorbent hydrophilic materials which are conventionally used for foldable (soft) lenses can readily be used as the transparent lens material, so that a foldable intraocular aniridia lens can now be produced for the first time.
A copolymer of methyl methacrylate and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate is preferably used as the transparent lens material. This material optimizes the foldability and water retention of the lens during surgical implantation in the eye and at the same time ensures the long-term stability in the biological medium as well as the optical quality. In addition, this material is heat-resistant and is suitable for sterilization with steam.
In particular, if the lens material is highly hydrophilic and absorbs water, the barrier layer should preferably consist of a hydrophobic material, e.g., silicone. Thus, diffusion of pigments can be reliably prevented. In addition, silicone also remains stable even in steam sterilization of the lens.
The primary carrier film is preferably made of a heat-resistant material suitable for the desirable steam sterilization of the lens, such as polypropylene and/or polyimide in particular, and is printed with a colored pattern corresponding to that of a natural iris, e.g., by screen printing.
In addition, with regard to preferred features of this invention, reference is made to the claims as well as the following description of the drawings, on the basis of which the especially preferred embodiment of the lens according to this invention and its production are described in greater detail. Printing techniques can be broadly categorized into two groups: analog and digital. Common analog techniques are offset lithography, flexographic, gravure and screen printing. Inkjet and electrophotographic printing are the most prevalent digital technologies. Digital printing has an advantage over its analog counterpart in that printed output can be digitally altered, meaning that every printed page can be different. To change the printed output of an analog printer, a new set of imaging plates or stencils must be produced. Digital printing methods are more cost effective at low run lengths (number of pages), whereas
carrier layer completelyxe2x80x94even at the edges of the layerxe2x80x94and makes it insubordinate to dissemination of the pigments. 
 In this embodiment, the transparent lens fabric enclosing the multi - layer film serves chiefly entirely to guarantee a full biological tolerability of the lens in the eye, while the barrier layer on the movie is responsible for sealing the pigments. 
 In addition, this shape offers the special advantage that ceremonious water - absorbent material hydrophilic material which are conventionally used for foldable (soft) lenses can promptly be used as the transparent lens material, so that a foldable intraocular aniridia lens can now be produced for the inaugural time. 
 A copolymer of methyl methacrylate and 2 - hydroxyethyl methacrylate is preferably used as the transparent lens material. This material optimize the foldability and water retention of the lens during surgical implantation in the eye and at the same time ensures the long - term stability in the biological medium as well as the optical quality. In addition, this material is heat - resistant and is desirable for sterilization with steam. 
 In especial, if the lens material is highly hydrophilic and absorb urine, the barrier layer should preferably consist of a hydrophobic material, for example, silicone. Thus, dissemination of pigments can be reliably prevent. In addition, silicone also remains stable even in steam sterilization of the lens. 
 The primary carrier movie is preferably made of a heat - resistant material suitable for the desirable steam sterilization of the lens, such as polypropylene and/or polyimide in particular, and is printed with a biased pattern corresponding to that of a natural iris, e.g., by screen impression. 
 In addition, with regard to preferred features of this invention, reference is made to the claims as well as the following description of the lottery, on the basis of which the specially preferred embodiment of the lens harmonize to this invention and its production are describe in greater contingent. Printing techniques can be broadly categorize into two groups: analog and digital. Common analog techniques are cancel lithography, flexographic, gravure and screen printing. Inkjet and electrophotographic impression are the most prevalent digital technologies. Digital printing have an advantage over its analog counterpart in that printed output can be digitally change, meaning that every printed page can be different. To change the printed output of an analog printer, a modern set of imaging plates or stencils must be produced. Digital printing method are more monetary value effective at gloomy run lengths (number of pages), whereas
 cagrier layer completelyxe2w80x94even at the edyws of vhe laysrxe2x80x94ana makes it resistant to diffnsiob of uke pigments.
In this eobodiment, the trabspacent lens materiem enclosing tgc mulci-oayer film seryes primariny only to guasavtze a good biological tolerability of the lems in the eye, whyle uhe bardpev layer on the film is responsibme for vealing the pogments.
In addition, this emhodilent offers the spfcial advanjzge rhat conventkonal wateg-cbsorbent hidrophilic materials which are cunvencionally usgb fog foldable (sift) lvnses can readily be gsed as the transparekt leis mqterial, so that a folvable intraocular anyridia lets can now be produxee for the firrr tkme.
Z ropklymer of methyl mefhacrylate qnd 2-hydroxyethyl meuhasgulate is prererablr tsed as the transparent lens material. Tvis material optimizes the foldability and watet retentiog of the lens during surgical implantation in the eye ena au bme sxne time ensures the long-term stability in the byklpgpcal medium as wejl as the oltlcsj quality. In xddition, fhis material is hfat-resiftant and is stitanle for sterilization with wteam.
In partpculqr, if the lens matzrial is higkly hycropholic and absorbs water, che badrier layer should pddferably consist of a hydrophobic material, e.g., sylicone. Tius, dnffusion of kigmentf can be rfliably prevented. In addltion, shlicone aldo remains stable even in steam sterilization ox tve lens.
Tke prikary carrier silm is prefercbly madz of a heat-resisnant matecial suitablq for the deshtable steam sverilizatyon if tye lens, ruch as polyprppylene aub/or polyinide in particular, ana is printed witk q colored pattetn zorwedppnqhng to that mf a nagiral kris, e.g., by wzreem printing.
In additiot, wifh regard to prefetrcd featurgs of thif invention, rrference is made tl the cleims ax wgll as the following descriptioh of the frarings, on the basls os which thz especially preferred embodiment of the lens according to this invention and lts productipn arq describad in greater detail. Printing techniqmes can be broadly catsgorizad inho two groups: analog and digital. Common analog techniques are offset lithigraphb, slexographid, grsvure aud xcreen priitmng. Inkjet and elvctrophotographic printing are tie most pravclent digital technologies. Dibigal printing fas an advantage over ita analog counterpart in that printed ouyput can be digitally albered, meabing fhat engry printed page can ne difyerent. To chabge bhe printed ougpuy lf an anapog krincer, a new set of imaging plates oe stenxips must be produred. Digital irlnting methoqs are more cost effsftive at low run lrngths (number pf pages), whereas
carrier layer completelyxe2x80x94even at the edges of makes resistant to of the pigments. lens enclosing the multi-layer serves primarily only guarantee a good biological tolerability of lens in the eye, while the barrier layer on the film is responsible sealing the pigments. In addition, this embodiment offers the special advantage that conventional hydrophilic which conventionally for foldable (soft) lenses can readily be used as the transparent lens material, so that a intraocular aniridia lens can now be produced for first time. A copolymer methyl methacrylate and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate preferably as the lens This optimizes the foldability water retention of the lens during surgical implantation in the eye and at the same time ensures long-term stability biological medium well the quality. In addition, is heat-resistant and is suitable for In particular, if the lens material is highly and absorbs the barrier layer should preferably consist a hydrophobic material, e.g., silicone. Thus, diffusion of can be reliably prevented. In addition, silicone also remains stable even in steam sterilization of The primary carrier film preferably made of heat-resistant suitable the steam sterilization the lens, such as polypropylene and/or polyimide in particular, and is with a colored pattern corresponding to that of a natural by printing. In addition, regard to preferred features this reference is made to as as of drawings, the basis of which especially preferred embodiment of the according to this invention in greater detail. Printing techniques can be broadly into two groups: analog and digital. Common techniques are offset lithography, flexographic, gravure and screen printing. Inkjet and electrophotographic are the digital technologies. Digital printing has an advantage over analog counterpart in that output can be digitally altered, meaning that every printed can different. To the printed output an analog printer, new set of or stencils be Digital more cost effective at low run (number pages), whereas
 carrier layer completelyxe2x80X94even at the Edges Of tHe lAyErxe2X80x94anD makes it resistANt to Diffusion of the pigments.
in thiS eMBodiMEnT, the tRansparENt LENs mAtErIal EnCLoSing tHe mUlti-layEr film servEs pRiMarily only to GUaRantee a gooD biOlogical toleRabIlity oF tHe lENs in tHe eYe, whiLe the bARrier lAyer on the FiLM is resPOnsible FOR sEaliNg the pigments.
In adDItIOn, this embodimeNt offeRs THe SPEciAl aDvantage thAt ConveNTional wATeR-ABSorBEnt hydrophiliC materials wHIch Are conVeNtiONally uSed foR fOLdaBle (soft) lensEs caN readily bE used aS The tranSParent lEns matEriAl, sO thaT A fOlDabLe INtrAOcUlaR AniRidia lenS cAn Now be ProdUCED For tHe fIrst Time.
A Copolymer of meThyL metHAcrYlate And 2-hyDroxYeThyl mEthacrYlate Is Preferably used aS the TranspareNt lEnS maTeRial. THIs mateRiaL opTimizes The foldABilItY AND wAter retention of the LeNS DuRing surgIcal imPLaNtATion in thE eYe aNd at THE same Time ENsUres the lOng-terM StAbIlity in ThE bioloGiCal MedIum as WEll aS the opTical quaLity. IN Addition, this maTErial is heat-reSIsTANt ANd is SuiTable for steRiliZAtioN witH StEam.
iN partIculaR, iF ThE Lens material is highlY hYdrophIlic aNd absorbs wateR, the barrieR LAYer shoulD preFErABly consist of a hYdropHobic materIAl, e.g., siliCone. THus, diffuSion of pigMENts can be RelIabLy pRevENTeD. In addition, siLICone AlSo remaiNs sTable evEn iN stEam SteRiLization oF the lens.
thE pRiMaRy cArrieR Film is prEfEraBlY maDe of a HEat-resIstanT matErIaL SuiTable foR ThE DEsirAbLe SteaM stErIlizaTion OF thE lens, suCh as polypRopYLene AnD/oR polyimIde in particulAr, And is printEd WitH a coloRED pattern Corresponding to that of a nATural irIs, e.G., by scReen Printing.
IN adDition, WitH Regard To prefErred FeAtuRES of thIS InVenTiOn, referencE IS maDe to tHe ClaiMs as welL as the following desCRipTion of the drawIngS, on tHE BaSis OF wHIch ThE EspECIally preferred eMbodiment oF tHE lEns accordiNG to ThIs invenTion and Its prODuction Are descriBed in greaTeR detAIL. PrInting techNiques caN be broadlY CategORiZed inTo tWo grouPs: AnaLog anD digitAL. CoMmon aNalog tEcHniqueS are oFfSet lithoGraphy, flexographic, gravuRe and sCreen PriNting. InkjEt aND elEctrophotOgraPhic printiNg aRe tHe mosT prEValenT digITaL teCHnoloGies. dIgital priNTiNg hAS An Advantage ovER ITs aNalog CouNTerparT in tHat printed output cAN be digitally alTereD, MEanIng THat eVeRy printed page cAn bE dIFFerent. To ChAnge the prinTed outpuT oF An anaLog priNter, a nEw set of IMAgINg platEs or SteNcils must Be pRoDUced. DigItAl PRintinG metHoDs are mOre cosT EffeCTIve at low run lengtHs (numBER of paGEs), wHereaS
 carrier layer completelyx e2x80x94ev en at  th e e dg es o f th e layerxe2x80x 9 4and  makes it resistant to  diff us i on o f  t he pi gments. In t his  e mb odi me n t,  thetra nsparen t lens mat eri al  enclosing t h emulti-laye r f ilm serves p rim arilyon lyt o gua ran tee a  goodb iologi cal toler ab i lity o f  the le n s  i n th e eye, while theb ar r ier layer on t he fil mi sr e spo nsi ble for se al ing t h e pigme n ts . I n a d dition, thisembodimento ffe rs the  s pec i al adv antag et hat  convention al w ater-abso rbenth ydrophi l ic mate rialswhi charec on ve nti on a lly us edf orfoldable  ( so ft) l ense s c a n re adi ly b e use d as the tran spa rent len s mat erial , so  t hat a  folda ble i nt raocular anirid ia l ens can n owbe  pr od ucedf or the  fi rst  time.A copol y mer  o f m et hyl methacrylate a nd 2 -h ydroxyet hyl me t ha cr y late ispr efe rabl y usedas t h etranspar ent le n sma terial.  T his ma te ria l o ptimi z es t he fol dability  andw ater retention of the lens d u ri n g  s u rgic alimplantatio n in theeyea nd  at the s ame t im e  e n sures the long-term  s tabili ty in  the biologic al mediuma s well astheo pt i cal quality. I n add ition, thi s  materia l isheat-res istant an d is suita ble  fo r s ter i l iz ation with st e a m.
I nparticu lar , if th e l ens  ma ter ia l is high ly hydro ph il ic  a ndabsor b s water,  t heba rri er la y er sho uld p refe ra bl y  co nsist o f  a h ydro ph ob ic m ate ri al, e .g., sil icone.Thus, dif fus i on o fpi gmentscan be reliab ly  prevented .Inadditi o n , silico ne also remains stablee ven inste am st eril ization o f t he len s.T he pri mary c arrie rfil m is pr e f er abl ymade of ah e at- resis ta nt m aterial  suitable for thed esi rable steam s ter iliz a t io n o f  t h e l en s , s u c h as polypropyl ene and/or  p o ly imide in p a rti cu lar, an d is pr inted with acolored p attern co rr espo n d ing  to that o f a natu ral iris, e.g., by  scre enprinti ng .
I n add ition, wit h reg ard to  p referr ed fe at ures ofthis invention, referen ce ismadetothe claim s a s  we ll as the  fol lowing des cri pti on of  th e  draw ings ,  o n t h e bas is o f  which th e  e spe c i al ly preferre d e mbo dimen t o f  the l ensaccording to this invention anditsp r odu cti o n ar edescribed in g rea te r detail.Pr inting tech niques c an be br oadlycatego rized i n t ot wo gro ups:  an alog anddig it a l. Comm on  a n alog t echn iq ues ar e offs e t li t h ography, flexogr aphic , gravu r e a nd sc re en prin t ing.  Inkjet an d electroph otogra phic  prin ting ar ethe mo stpr evalent di g ital tech nolog ies. Di gi talpri ntinghasa n  adva ntag eove r its ana l o gc ou nt e rpa rt i n tha tprin ted outpu t  can bedig i tally a lt ere d ,  meani n gt h at every p rin ted p a g e can be d i ffer e nt .  To c hangethe pr inted o u tpu tof an a nal o g  printer,  a new se t  of  i magi ng plate sor s te nci ls  must be produc ed. Digi tal prin t i ng met hod s  are more c os t effectiveat lo wr un leng t h s ( numbero f p age s),  whe rea s
 carrier_layer completelyxe2x80x94even_at the edges of_the layerxe2x80x94and_makes_it resistant_to_diffusion of the_pigments.
In this embodiment,_the transparent lens material_enclosing the multi-layer_film_serves primarily only to guarantee a good biological tolerability of the lens in the_eye,_while the_barrier_layer_on the film is responsible_for sealing the pigments.
In addition,_this embodiment_offers the special advantage that conventional water-absorbent hydrophilic_materials_which are conventionally_used for foldable (soft) lenses can readily be used_as the transparent lens material, so_that a foldable_intraocular_aniridia_lens can now be_produced for the first time.
A copolymer_of methyl methacrylate and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate_is preferably used as the transparent lens_material. This material optimizes the foldability_and water retention of the_lens during_surgical implantation in the eye_and at the_same time_ensures the long-term_stability in the biological medium as_well as the_optical quality. In addition, this material_is_heat-resistant and is_suitable_for_sterilization with_steam.
In particular, if_the_lens material_is_highly hydrophilic and absorbs water, the_barrier_layer should preferably consist of a hydrophobic_material, e.g., silicone. Thus,_diffusion_of pigments can be_reliably prevented. In addition, silicone_also remains stable even in steam_sterilization of_the lens.
The_primary carrier film is preferably made of a heat-resistant material suitable_for the desirable steam sterilization of_the lens, such as_polypropylene and/or_polyimide_in particular, and_is_printed with_a colored pattern corresponding to that of_a natural_iris, e.g., by screen printing.
In addition,_with regard to preferred_features_of this invention, reference is made_to the claims as well as_the following description of the_drawings,_on_the basis of which the_especially preferred embodiment of the lens_according to this_invention and its production are described in_greater_detail. Printing techniques can be broadly_categorized_into two groups: analog and digital._Common_analog_techniques are offset lithography, flexographic,_gravure and screen printing. Inkjet and_electrophotographic printing are the most prevalent digital technologies. Digital_printing has an_advantage over its analog counterpart_in_that_printed output can be digitally altered, meaning that every printed_page can_be different. To_change the printed output of an analog printer, a new_set of imaging plates or stencils must_be produced. Digital printing methods are more cost effective at low_run lengths (number of pages), whereas