Abstract: A keratome includes a head assembly having a cutting head and blade for cutting corneal tissue and an applanation member associated with the cutting head. The keratome includes an eyeball retaining structure and at least one sensor is associated with the keratome providing measurement of a respective at least one operative factor during cutting of the corneal tissue.

Abstract: A keratome includes a head assembly having a cutting head and blade for cutting corneal tissue and an applanation member associated with the cutting head. The keratome includes an eyeball retaining structure and at least one sensor is associated with the keratome providing measurement of a respective at least one operative factor during cutting of the corneal tissue.

Abstract: A profiling and/or calibration sample plate allowing approximately full scale calibration monitoring of an ablation achieved in corneal tissue. The profiling/calibration sample plate also allows for a permanent record of an achieved corneal ablation to be made immediately before (and/or during) the actual cornea to be ablated is ablated. The present invention allows "in vitro" full scale determination of the ablation profile resulting from a given set of refractive laser parameters. One exemplary profiling/calibration sample plate includes a plate (or other shape) having a recess adapted to contain a cross-linked collagen material. The collagen material serves as an approximation of corneal tissue having a similar ablation rate to allow for a "full scale" calibration and/or measurement of an ablation procedure as it will actually occur in a cornea.

Abstract: A low energy laser system for surgical purposes, in particular, ophthalmic surgery, comprises a source of pulsed laser energy. Er:YAG lasers having a wavelength of 3 microns are preferred. Optical fibers which are responsive to the laser energy deliver amounts of the laser energy to selected body tissue sufficient to perform delicate surgical procedures without adverse biological or chemical interaction with the tissue. In particular, a compound fiber assembly is preferred for delivery of laser energy having a wavelength above 2 microns which compound fiber comprises an elongated fiber body comprised of fluoride based glass, a surgical optical fiber tip of a hard, moderately transparent mineral, such as quartz or sapphire, and an element for coupling the optical fiber tip to the fluoride glass body.