Abstract: The present invention provides methods, systems, and apparatus for calibrating a laser ablation system, such as an excimer laser system for selectively ablating a cornea of a patient's eye. The invention also facilitates alignment of eye tracking cameras that measure a position of the eye during laser eye surgery. A calibration and alignment fixture for a scanning laser beam delivery system having eye tracking cameras may include a structure positionable in a treatment plane. The structure having a feature directing laser energy incident thereon to a calibration energy sensor, at least one reference-edge to determine a characteristic of the laser beam (shape, dimensions, etc.), and an artificial pupil to determine alignment of the eye tracking cameras with the laser system.

Abstract: Apparatus for homogenizing a laser beam includes a lenslet array. In some embodiments, the lenslets have a negative power. The lenslet array may include from 16 to 36 effective lenslets in some embodiments, or any other suitable number in alternative embodiments. Some embodiments additionally include a re-focusing lens for directing the beamlets onto a target so that the beamlets overlap and the energy distribution is homogenized. In an alternative embodiment, the lenslet array and re-focusing lens are combined in one optic.

Abstract: Apparatus for homogenizing a laser beam includes a lenslet array. In some embodiments, the lenslets have a negative power. The lenslet array may include from 16 to 36 effective lenslets in some embodiments, or any other suitable number in alternative embodiments. Some embodiments additionally include a re-focusing lens for directing the beamlets onto a target so that the beamlets overlap and the energy distribution is homogenized. In an alternative embodiment, the lenslet array and re-focusing lens are combined in one optic.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for calibrating an optical wavefront system. The calibration devices of the present invention can include a body which has a proximal portion and a distal portion. A pupil can be positioned on the proximal portion of the body to aperture light. A target can be positioned on the distal portion of the body so as to reflect light back through the pupil and into the wavefront system. If the device has a lens assembly or a phase plate, the reflected light can pick up known aberrations or defocus characteristics from the lens assembly before it enters the calibration device. The known wavefront characteristic can be compared to the wavefront measurement obtained by the wavefront system to aid in calibrating the wavefront system.

Abstract: Methods, systems and software for determining an optical surface model for an optical tissue system using Fourier transformation algorithms. A method of reconstructing optical tissues of an eye comprises transmitting an image through the optical tissues of the eye. The surface gradients from the transmitted image are measured across the optical tissues of the eye. A Fourier transform algorithm is applied to the surface gradients to reconstruct an optical surface model that corresponds to the optical tissues of the eye.

Abstract: Apparatus for homogenizing a laser beam includes a lenslet array. In some embodiments, the lenslets have a negative power. The lenslet array may include from 16 to 36 effective lenslets in some embodiments, or any other suitable number in alternative embodiments. Some embodiments additionally include a re-focusing lens for directing the beamlets onto a target so that the beamlets overlap and the energy distribution is homogenized. In an alternative embodiment, the lenslet array and re-focusing lens are combined in one optic.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for determining an optical surface model for an optical tissue system of an eye are provided. Techniques include inputting a Fourier transform of optical data from the optical tissue system, inputting a conjugate Fourier transform of a basis function surface, determining a Fourier domain sum of the Fourier transform and the conjugate Fourier transform, calculating an estimated basis function coefficient based on the Fourier domain sum, and determining the optical surface model based on the estimated basis function coefficient. The approach is well suited for employing Fourier transform in wavefront reconstruction using Zernike representation.

Abstract: Methods, systems and software for determine an optical surface model for an optical tissue system using Fourier transformation algorithms. A method of reconstructing optical tissues of an eye comprises transmitting an image through the optical tissues of the eye. The surface gradients from the transmitted image are measured across the optical tissues of the eye. A Fourier transform algorithm is applied to the surface gradients to reconstruct an optical surface model that corresponds to the optical tissues of the eye.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for treating and/or determining appropriate prescriptions for one or both eyes of a patient are particularly well-suited for addressing presbyopia, often in combination with concurrent treatments of other vision defects. High-order spherical aberration may be imposed in one or both of a patient's eyes, often as a controlled amount of negative spherical aberration extending across a pupil. A desired presbyopia-mitigating quantity of high-order spherical aberration may be defined by one or more spherical Zernike coefficients, which may be combined with Zernike coefficients generated from a wavefront aberrometer. The resulting prescription can be imposed using refractive surgical techniques such as laser eye surgery, using intraocular lenses and other implanted structures, using contact lenses, using temporary or permanent corneal reshaping techniques, and/or the like.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for developing prescriptions for and/or treating presbyopia may use a combination of an alteration to the refractive tissues of the eye with changes in the response of the visual system. The visual system response may include using residual accommodation in a manner similar to that employed by latent hyperopes, a trained response of the pupil, trained psychophysics, or the like. Associated refractive prescriptions may be tailored to take advantage of the subsequent visual system response so as to mitigate presbyopia.

Abstract: Methods and systems can correct aberrations and/or verify various procedures used to correct aberrations in the eye. One embodiment provides a method for verifying vision correction for a patient's eye comprising measuring irregular aberrations of the eye and determining a proposed refractive correction for treatment of the eye. A central portion of a verification lens is configured so that the central portion corresponds with the proposed correction. The verification lens is then registered with the eye by positioning a peripheral portion of the verification lens upon the sclera so that the central portion is optically aligned with the aberrations. Then a determination is made whether a corrected vision of the eye with the verification lens is acceptable so as to verify the proposed correction.

Abstract: A sterile barrier is provided for use with a slit lamp. The slit lamp has a proximal handle and a distal light slit transmitting window. The sterile barrier comprises a flexible tubular membrane having a first end, a second end, and an opening therebetween. The opening may be larger adjacent the first end than a handle of the slit lamp. A resilient band is attached to the first end of the tubular membrane. The first end and resilient band in a resiliently expanded configuration are sufficiently large to receive the handle proximally therethrough. The resilient band in the relaxed configuration will releasably restrain the sterile barrier from moving proximally off the handle.

Abstract: Systems and methods of the present invention measure at least one reflecting surface of an object disposed along an optical path. In some embodiments a measured optical interference signal for each of at least three wavelengths of reflected light may be used to determine a modulation of frequency components of a Fourier series. Frequency components of a Fourier series may be transformed to spatial components that describe intensities and positions of light reflected along an optical path. Systems and methods of the present invention permit rapid measuring and may monitor corneal thickness during surgery. The invention may do so by integrating an ablation device and a measurement apparatus into a single system. An integrated scanning and monitoring system may include an ablative light source producing an ablative beam and a measurement light source producing a measurement beam.

Abstract: Methods and systems for measuring optical aberrations of an eye are provided. In one embodiment, the present invention provides transmitting light from the eye along an optical path to an aberration sensor. An adaptive optic is disposed along the optical path between a target optical system and the aberration sensor. Aberrations of the adaptive optic can be adjusted in response to a signal generated by the aberration sensor so as to provide a desired sensed aberration. The shape of the adjusted adaptive optic can be determined with the aberration sensor by transmitting an adaptive optic configuration measurement beam along the optical path.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides improved devices, systems, and methods for measuring characteristics of at least one eye, and particularly for measuring the physiological changes in eyes under different viewing conditions. An exemplary embodiment provides a pupilometer which measures any changes in location of a pupil center with changes in viewing distances. As the eye often moves significantly during viewing, the pupil center location will often be measured relative to a convenient reference of the eye such as an outer iris boundary. Pupil size may also be recorded, and the measurements from both eyes of a patient may be taken simultaneously. Exemplary embodiments may be configured so as to allow the vergence angle between the eyes to vary with differing viewing distances, regardless of whether one or both eyes are being measured.

Abstract: Systems and methods of the present invention measure at least one reflecting surface of an object disposed along an optical path. In some embodiments a measured optical interference signal for each of at least three wavelengths of reflected light may be used to determine a modulation of frequency components of a Fourier series. Frequency components of a Fourier series may be transformed to spatial components that describe intensities and positions of light reflected along an optical path. Systems and methods of the present invention permit rapid measuring and may monitor corneal thickness during surgery. The invention may do so by integrating an ablation device and a measurement apparatus into a single system. An integrated scanning and monitoring system may include an ablative light source producing an ablative beam and a measurement light source producing a measurement beam.

Abstract: Computer systems, programs, and methods can advantageously be used to process optical data. These approaches often involve modifying a first format data to a second format data, and are useful in simplifying the complications due to data from different wavefront systems, different aberrometer devices and aberrometer software versions, different clinical studies and different measurement conditions. A centralized database system can be used effectively in a clinical research setting, which can be a medical center, a college, or a research department in a company, or in other diagnosis or treatment facilities.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating a tissue of an eye with a laser beam include at least one processor that determines angles between a curved surface and a laser beam, controlling an ablative treatment in response to the angles. Angles between a surface of a cornea and a laser beam may be mapped over a treatment area. A mapped area may include an apex of a cornea displaced from a center of a pupil of an eye. Ablation properties may be determined locally in response to the incident angle of a laser beam with respect to a local slope of a tissue surface. The treatment area may be ablated using local ablation properties to form a desired surface shape.

Abstract: Methods and systems for tracking a position and torsional orientation of a patient's eye. In one embodiment, the present invention provides methods and software for registering a first image of an eye with a second image of an eye. In another embodiment, the present invention provides methods and software for tracking a torsional movement of the eye. In a particular usage, the present invention tracks the torsional cyclorotation and translational movement of a patient's eye so as to improve the delivery of a laser energy to the patient's cornea.

Abstract: Systems and methods apply pulsed laser energy to an eye with a pulsed laser system. The laser system includes a pulsed laser, a laser beam delivery system and at least one processor. The laser makes a beam of an ablative light energy. A dimension across the laser beam varies during a treatment of the eye. A firing rate of the laser varies as the dimension across the beam varies during the treatment. The dimension across the beam and the firing rate of the laser can be arranged so as to maintain a power of the beam applied to the eye at a substantially constant level during at least a portion of the treatment. A firing rate of the laser for each pulse may be listed in a treatment table.