Abstract: Systems and methods for testing a laser eye surgery system are provided. Methods include establishing an image scale based on a calibration pattern, imageably altering a series of regions of a test surface with the laser system, laterally redirecting a laser beam to form a test pattern, imaging the test pattern, determining a lateral redirecting characteristic of the beam delivery system, and qualifying or calibrating the beam delivery system. Systems can include an input module that accepts an input member such as a calibration pattern parameter, a calibration pattern image, an intended pattern parameter, a test pattern image, an imaging device position, a calibration pattern position, a test pattern position, and a beam delivery system position, a characterization module that determines a beam delivery system characteristic, and an output module that generates a calibration for the beam delivery system of the laser eye surgery system.

Abstract: A method of modifying a refractive profile of an eye having an intraocular device implanted therein, wherein the method includes determining a corrected refractive profile for the eye based on an initial refractive profile, identifying one or more locations within the intraocular device based on the corrected refractive profile, and directing a pulsed laser beam at the locations to produce the corrected refractive profile. A system of modifying an intraocular device located within an eye, wherein the system includes a laser assembly and a controller coupled thereto. The laser assembly outputs a pulsed laser beam having a pulse width between 300 picoseconds and 10 femtoseconds. The controller directs the laser assembly to output the pulsed laser beam into the intraocular device. One or more slip zones are formed within the intraocular device in response thereto, and the slip zones are configured to modify a refractive profile of the intraocular device.

Abstract: A steerable laser probe may include a handle having a handle distal end and a handle proximal end, an actuation control of the handle, a flexible housing tube having a flexible housing tube distal end and a flexible housing tube proximal end, an optic fiber disposed within an inner portion of the handle and the flexible housing tube, and a cable disposed within the flexible housing tube and the actuation control. A rotation of the actuation control may be configured to gradually curve the flexible housing tube and the optic fiber. A rotation of the actuation control may be configured to gradually straighten the flexible housing tube and the optic fiber.

Abstract: Materials and methods of treating an eye with a hydrogel formed on the eye. Embodiments are provided that include post-keratectomy bandages. A method of treating a patient by application of a hydrogel bandage to a cornea by providing a first hydrogel precursor in a dry form immobilized in a first deposit at a first location in a well, providing a second hydrogel precursor in a dry form immobilized in a second deposit at a second location in the well, mixing the deposits together to form a mixture, and transferring at least some of the mixture to the cornea, with the mixture forming a covalently crosslinked hydrogel on the cornea.

Abstract: An ophthalmic laser surgical apparatus includes an XY scan unit, a light guiding optical element, an objective lens, and a Z scan unit. The XY scan unit includes a deflecting device for deflecting the pulsed laser beam, and scans the pulsed laser beam in a direction crossing an optical axis. The light guiding optical element is provided downstream of the deflecting device on the optical path of the pulsed laser beam. The light guiding optical element has refractive power, and guides the pulsed laser beam. The objective lens causes the pulsed laser beam through the XY scan unit and the light guiding optical element to converge in a tissue of a patient's eye. The Z scan unit varies the optical path length between the light guiding optical element and the objective lens while the objective lens is fixed in position on the optical path.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating cut surfaces in the cornea of an eye in order to correct ametropia is provided, said apparatus comprising a laser unit, which can focus pulsed laser radiation into the cornea and move it therein in order to generate cut surfaces, and a control unit, which controls the laser unit for generating cut surfaces such that a predetermined lenticle to be removed is separated from the surrounding corneal material in the cornea by at least one cut surface, and that at least two mutually spaced apart cut surfaces are formed as opening cuts, each extending from the lenticle to the anterior corneal surface, the position and shape of the opening cuts being selected such that the opening cuts contribute to the correction of the ametropia of the eye or do not counteract the correction of the ametropia of the eye.

Abstract: A steerable laser probe may include a handle, an actuation structure of the handle, a housing tube, a wire having a pre-formed curve, and an optic fiber disposed within the housing tube and an inner bore of the handle. The housing tube may include a first housing tube portion having a first stiffness and a second housing tube portion having a second stiffness. The second stiffness may be greater than the first stiffness. A compression of the actuation structure may curve or straighten the housing tube. A decompression of the actuation structure may curve or straighten the housing tube.

Abstract: A multi-spot/multi-fiber laser probe is provided that includes a first adapter; a GRIN lens within the first adapter, the GRIN lens configured to receive a laser beam from a laser source at a proximal end of the GRIN lens and to relay the received laser beam towards a distal end of the GRIN lens; and a multi-fiber array having a proximal end configured to receive the relayed laser light. In addition, a multi-spot/single-fiber laser probe is provided that includes a cannula; an optical fiber positioned within the cannula; a diffractive beam splitter within the cannula; and a GRIN lens within the cannula and arranged between a distal end of the optical fiber and the diffractive beam splitter, wherein the diffractive beam splitter is configured to split a focused laser beam from the GRIN lens into multiple diffracted laser beams.

Abstract: A laser probe with a replaceable optic fiber may include a reusable handle, a reusable housing tube, a reusable handle adapter, a reusable machine adapter, and a replaceable optic fiber. The handle adapter may interface with a proximal end of the handle. The machine adapter may interface with a surgical machine. The replaceable optic fiber may include an optic fiber having a first optic fiber end and a second optic fiber end, a first connector, and a second connector. The optic fiber may be disposed within the first connector and the second connector. The first connector may be temporarily fixed within the handle adapter and the second connector may be temporarily fixed within the machine adapter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a contact glass for ophthalmic surgery. Said glass comprises a lens body that is held in a frame and a front lens surface that is designed to be placed against the eye. According to the invention, the front lens surface is concave and follows a surface curvature (K) and an annular gap is formed at the edge of the front lens surface between the lens body and the frame, said gap being used to apply a negative pressure in order to fix the contact glass to the eye. The frame is designed to follow the contour of an imaginary continuation of the surface curvature (K), or at least does not project beyond the latter.

Abstract: Tool force information is provided to a user of a telesurgical system using an alternative modality other than force reflection on a master manipulator, such as providing the information on user-visible, user-audible, or haptic “buzz” or “viscosity” indicators, so as to allow expanded processing, including amplification, of the information, while not significantly affecting the stability of the telesurgical system or any closed-loop control systems in the telesurgical system.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for treating a targeted area of ocular tissue in a tissue-sparing manner comprising use of two or more therapeutic modalities, including thermal radiation source (such as an CW infrared fiber laser), operative in a wavelength range that has a high absorption in water, and photochemical collagen cross-linking (CXL), together with one or more specific system improvements, such as peri-operative feedback measurements for tailoring of the therapeutic modalities, an ocular tissue surface thermal control/cooling mechanism and a source of deuterated water/riboflavin solution in a delivery system targeting ocular tissue in the presence of the ultraviolet radiation. Additional methods of rapid cross-linking (RXL), are provided that further enables cross-linking (CXL) therapy to be combined with thermal therapy.

Abstract: A method for performing wavefront-guided laser surgery on a cornea includes the step of calculating a corneal flap configuration based upon collected anatomical information on an eye and wavefront data on a cornea of the eye. Such data may be collected by, for example, an aberrometer, although this is not intended as a limitation. The calculated configuration is transmitted to a processor in controlling relation to a corneal flap-cutting device. The flap-cutting device is used to create a corneal flap based upon the calculated configuration. A system for performing wavefront-guided laser surgery on a cornea includes a processor for receiving the anatomical information and wavefront data. A software package is adapted to calculate the corneal flap configuration and to control a corneal flap-cutting device to cut a corneal flap commensurate with the calculated corneal flap configuration.

Abstract: A laser eye surgery system focuses light along a beam path to a focal point having a location within a lens of the eye. The refractive index of the lens is determined in response to the location. The lens comprises a surface adjacent a second material having a second refractive index. The beam path extends a distance from the surface to the focal point. The index is determined in response to the distances from the surface to the targeted focal point and from the surface to the actual focal point, which corresponds to a location of a peak intensity of an optical interference signal of the focused light within the lens. The determined refractive index is mapped to a region in the lens, and may be used to generate a gradient index profile of the lens to more accurately place laser beam pulses for incisions.

Abstract: An ophthalmic docking system is presented that can reduce a condensation of a patient interface of a surgical laser system. The ophthalmic docking system includes a patient interface that has a proximal portion configured to be attached to an ophthalmic system, a distal portion configured to be attached to an eye that includes a contact lens and an interface attachment system; and a decondenser, coupled to the patient interface and configured to reduce a vapor condensation on the contact lens.

Abstract: An ophthalmic apparatus including an observation system configured for displaying a moving image of a patient's eye, an optical system for directing an illumination beam into the patient's eye and for directing an observation beam from the patient's eye into the observation system, a control system configured for controlling the optical system, and a control stick for inputting control signals into the control system including an auxiliary control element being provided on the control stick for inputting auxiliary control signals into the control system, wherein the control system is configured for controlling a display mode of displaying the moving image of the observation system according to the auxiliary control signals. The invention further relates to a method of operating said ophthalmic apparatus.

Abstract: A process for configuring a laser device comprising: selecting a pulse length within a range from 1 ps to 1 ns; selecting a wavelength for the laser radiation within a range from 300 nm to 400 nm or within a range from 800 nm to 1100 nm; ascertaining a set of parameter values of the laser device that when the laser device is operated with these parameter values a two-dimensionally extensive separation of tissue of human corneal or lenticular tissue is achieved by stringing together local sites of damage, the set of parameter values including the selected pulse length, the selected wavelength, and values for at least one of the following parameters: a pulse energy, a pulse repetition rate, a fluence per radiation pulse, a number of pulses per site of damage, a scanning speed of a scanning apparatus of the laser device, and a focus diameter.

Abstract: Disclosed is an exemplary illumination device for enhancing the brightness of wavelength converting element. The illumination device includes a wavelength converting element operable for receiving light from a light source at a first wavelength range and converting the light to a second wavelength range. The wavelength converting element includes a first face, a second face opposite the first face, and a side edge extending between the first and second faces. A reflective optical element is arranged adjacent the side edge of the wave converting element. The reflective optical element is configured to reflect light in at least the first wavelength range toward the wavelength converting element.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating an alteration of biomechanical properties of ocular tissue, into which a photosensitizer (14) has been introduced, contains means (18, 20) for radiating into the tissue electromagnetic radiation (12?) which reacts with the photosensitizer for the purpose of generating a cross-linking. The setting means permit an inhomogeneous distribution of the irradiance in the tissue and a setting of the depth of action (16?).

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, a system for translocating a multilayer patch. The system includes a support structure having a contact surface for bonding to the patch. The support structure has a shape configured to support the patch following separation of the patch from a surrounding tissue.

Abstract: A method and a system for detecting a movement of a surface on an irradiated sample involves a light source for irradiating the surface with a coherent light beam, a detector for detecting variations caused by the movement in a speckle pattern produced by reflections of the light beam at the surface, selecting a single speckle from the speckle pattern, and detecting the variations at the selected speckle.

Abstract: A laser system for ophthalmic surgery includes a laser source to produce a surgical pulsed laser beam, an XY scanner to scan the surgical pulsed laser beam in XY transverse directions, a Z scanner, to scan the XY scanned laser beam along a Z axis, an objective, to focus the XYZ scanned beam into a focal spot in a target region, and a computational controller, to use a computational process to control at least one of the Z scanner and the XY scanner, to control an optical distortion of the focused scanned beam.

Abstract: An eye contact device and assembly for stabilizing a human eye at a selected position in an external coordinate system is disclosed. The device includes an eye-contact member having an inner contact surface for contacting a front surface of an eye, and a vacuum port formed within the eye-contact member by which a negative pressure can be applied between the eye and the contact surface, to stabilize the position of the eye with respect to the device. The device, which is adapted to be biased against the patient's eye, to secure the device to the eye, may be pivotally coupled to a positioning arm, and may carry one or more beam-directing elements by which the position of the device in an external coordinate system can be determined.

Abstract: An ophthalmological apparatus includes a handle for manually holding and applying the ophthalmological apparatus, fastening has abilities for fixing the ophthalmological apparatus at an eye, a light source, and a light projector for the focused projection of light pulses for punctiform tissue breakdown at a focal point in the interior of the eye tissue. The ophthalmological apparatus also includes a movement driver for moving the light projector. The movement of the light projector and therefore that of the focal point with the assistance of the movement driver permits a dimensioning of the optical projection system of the light projector which is substantially smaller than in the case of an ophthalmological apparatus where the focal point is moved exclusively by an optical projection system.

Abstract: An apparatus for ophthalmic laser surgery comprises a source (28) for a pulsed femtosecond laser beam, a telescope (32) expanding the laser beam, a scanner (36) downstream of the telescope, for deflecting the laser beam in a plane perpendicular to the beam path, and also an f-theta objective (44) downstream of the scanner, for focusing the laser beam. In accordance with the invention, an entrance lens (52) of the telescope (32) takes the form of a controllable lens of variable refractive power. The entrance lens (52) is preferentially constituted by an electrically controllable liquid lens or liquid-crystal lens.

Abstract: An electronic SLO/OCT ophthalmoscope is equipped with a femtosecond (fs) laser for intra- or preretinal therapeutic use in the posterior segment of the eye. In one application the retina photoreceptor mosaic or Bruch's membrane is disrupted in such pattern that minimizes loss of visual functioning but reduces metabolic load of the outer retina. Using a beam splitter, one embodiment combines the SLO/OCT scanning beams with the therapeutic fs beam and an aiming beam. The therapeutic channel uses an independent x/y positioner and micro-deflector. Because the duty cycle is appropriate, a second embodiment can use the SLO/OCT scanners to also simultaneously scan a modulated therapeutic laser beam. A biometric OCT probe can be integrated in both configurations for focusing purpose. A method is disclosed to represent focus relevant tilting of the retina in the posterior pole.

Abstract: A polarization beam splitter selectively decouples detection light onto a detector such that it has a polarization direction that differs from the emitted illumination light. This enables the detection of the light scattered back in the eye lens at a high level of accuracy, since stray light from reflections at optical components of the light path is suppressed. In the generating of photo disruptions or other incisions, the ray exposure of the retina may be reduced in that the incisions being furthest away from the laser are induced first such that laminar gas inclusions with an existence duration time of at least 5 seconds result. In this manner the laser radiation propagated in the direction of the retina in further incisions are scattered and partially reflected such that the influence impinging upon the retina is reduced.

Abstract: A laser apparatus is controlled by a control program that operates to use laser radiation to generate an incision figure in the cornea of an eye, the incision figure including a an incision that bounds a corneal tissue volume. The control program operates to move the radiation focus in a radiation propogation direction successively in a plurality of superposed planes such that the radiation focus is moved without motion control in the propogation direction. The control program provides, for each plane, for a meandering scan path of the radiation focus that extends outside the tissue volume. The control program operates to allow through to the eye, in each plane, at least such radiation pulses that generate the first incision and to blank, in at least a fraction of the planes, at least a fraction of radiation pulses assigned to regions of the path that are at a distance from the incision.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for cutting or ablating corneal tissue of an eye provide for detection of electromagnetic radiation exiting the eye. A detector is provided and coupled to a computer controlling the cutting or ablating laser radiation so that a two- or three-dimensional image of radiation exiting the eye can be generated.

Abstract: A steerable laser probe may include a handle having a handle proximal end and a handle distal end, an actuation structure of the handle, a housing sleeve, a shape memory sleeve at least partially disposed within the housing sleeve, and an optic fiber disposed within the shape memory sleeve and within an inner bore of the handle. A compression of the actuation structure may be configured to gradually curve the optic fiber. A compression of the actuation structure may be configured to gradually straighten the optic fiber. A decompression of the actuation structure may be configured to gradually curve the optic fiber. A decompression of the actuation structure may be configured to gradually straighten the optic fiber.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating an eye with laser radiation exhibits the following: a laser radiation source (12) for generating laser radiation (14), means (20, 24, 40, 42, 44) for directing the laser radiation (14) onto the eye (10) for the purpose of an ophthalmological intervention on or in the eye, a controller (50) for controlling the laser radiation (14) in space and time in relation to the eye (10) in accordance with a treatment program (52) which is oriented towards a center (Z) of the eye, a camera (46) which records a feature of the eye (10), and an image-processing unit (50a) which derives information about the center (Z) of the eye (10) from the recording of the camera and enters this information into the controller (50), as a result of which the controller (50) controls the laser radiation (14, 14?) in accordance with the treatment program and in a manner depending on the center of the eye derived in step e).

Abstract: Image processing for computer-aided eye-surgery includes acquiring a reference image of the eye and enriching said reference image by inserting additional context information which are helpful for a surgeon when performing the eye surgery. The reference image is registered with a real time image of the eye. The context information is overlayed over the real time image of the eye based on a tracking of the eye movement such that the context information is displayed at the same position despite a movement of the eye.

Abstract: An integral laser imaging and coagulation apparatus, and associated systems and methods that allow an ophthalmologist to perform laser retinal surgical procedures with an integral laser imaging and coagulation apparatus disposed at a first (i.e. local) location from a control system disposed at a second (i.e. remote) location, e.g., a physician's office. In some embodiments, communication between the integral laser imaging and coagulation apparatus and control system is achieved via the Internet®.

Abstract: A steerable laser probe may include a handle, an actuation structure of the handle, a housing tube, a flexible tube, an optic fiber, and a wire having a pre-formed curve. The flexible tube may be disposed within the housing tube wherein a distal end of the flexible tube projects out from a distal end of the housing tube. The optic fiber may be disposed within an inner bore of the handle, the housing tube, and the flexible tube. The wire may be disposed within the housing tube.

Abstract: A method of photodisruptive laser surgery includes selecting a target region of a tissue for fragmentation, directing a beam of laser pulses to the selected target region of the tissue, and forming cells in the target region of the tissue by directing the laser beam to generate cell boundaries. The cells can be arranged in regular or irregular arrays. The cells can be generated in parallel or successively, with cell sizes and laser parameters which reduce the time of ophthalmic surgery considerably.

Abstract: A fiducial is generated on an internal anatomical structure of the eye of a patient with a surgical laser. A tonic artificial intraocular lens (IOL) is positioned so that a marker of the tonic IOL is in a predetermined positional relationship relative to the fiducial. This positioning aligns the tonic IOL with the astigmatic or other axis of the eye. The toric IOL is then implanted in the eye of the patient with high accuracy.

Abstract: An infrared binocular indirect ophthalmoscope (iBIO) is provided to the simultaneous examination and treatment of the human eye. The iBIO operates in infrared light, at long wavelengths to penetrate the eye and image the retina. The iBIO can further include a treatment beam to activate an appropriate agent that has been injected in the human eye, for performing a treatment on the eye. The photosensitizing agent can include any photosensitive material that is activated at a predetermined wavelength. Can be useful in photodynamic therapy and other types of treatment for simultaneous examination and treatment of the human eye.

Abstract: A patient interface for an ophthalmic system can include an attachment module, attachable to the ophthalmic system, and a contact module, configured to accommodate a viscoelastic substance between the patient interface and a procedure eye. The viscoelastic substance can include a fluid, a liquid, a gel, a cream, an artificial tear, a film, an elastic material, or a viscous material. The refractive index of the viscoelastic substance can be within a range of approximately 1.24-1.52 at an operating wavelength of the ophthalmic system. The patient interface can further include input ports, output ports, and a suction system. It can be an integrated design or a multi-piece patient interface. The viscoelastic substance can be provided by injection, on the cornea, at the contact module, or in a space bounded by soft elastic films or membranes, such as in a bag.

Abstract: An ophthalmic laser system generating a first beam at a wavelength suitable for performing selective laser trabeculoplasty and selectively generating a second beam at a wavelength suitable for performing secondary cataract surgery procedures. The laser system is able to select between directing the first beam or the second beam to the eye of a patient. The first beam is suitably generated at 1064 nm from a Nd:YAG laser and the second beam is frequency doubled to 532 nm in a KTP doubling crystal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a simulation and planning system for intraoperative radiation therapy and to a method allowing said system to be used for treatment studies, simulation, planning, training and recording, which system generally comprises a central processing unit or computer (1) for management and control and software-based communication with the rest of the devices and the user; one or several monitors or screens (2) for displaying images and peripherals responsible for gathering data relating to the actions performed by said user, a deformation simulation module for the virtual simulation of the deformation produced in the organs and tissues during the process; algorithms for instantly calculating the radiation dose applied during the radiation therapy treatment simulation and means for recording all the activities carried out and generating a full dosimetry report.

Abstract: A laser treatment apparatus configured to emit laser light onto a tissue of a patient's eye, the laser treatment apparatus includes: a laser scanner configured to scan laser light emitted from a laser light source and switch a position of the tissue onto which laser light is emitted; a processor; and memory storing computer readable instructions, which are executed by the processor, causing the laser treatment apparatus to: (a) emit the laser light onto a first spot; (b) stop emitting the laser light onto the first spot for a stop time; (c) emit the laser light onto at least one second spot other than the first spot during the stop time; (d) emit the laser light onto the first spot again after the stop time elapses; and repeat (b), (c) and (d) several times to execute intermittent irradiation treatment onto a plurality of spots multiple times.

Abstract: An ophthalmic device (1) for treating eye tissue (6) using laser pulses comprises a projection optical unit (12) for focussed projection of the laser pulses and a scanning device (2), with a movable mirror (20), arranged downstream from the projection optical unit (12), for deflecting the laser pulses projected by the projection optical unit (12) in at least one deflection direction. The ophthalmic device (1) moreover comprises an optical correction element (4) arranged downstream of the scanning device (2), which correction element is configured to image, in a focussed manner, the laser pulses deflected by the scanning device (2) on an intended treatment area (s) in the eye tissue (6). The optical correction element (4) renders it possible to therefore correct image field curvatures caused by the scanning device (2) arranged downstream from the projection optical unit (12) and, for example, image the deflected laser pulses in focus onto a plane.

Abstract: An ophthalmic device (1) for treating eye tissue (6) using laser pulses comprises a projection optical unit (12) for focussed projection of the laser pulses and a scanning device (2), with a movable mirror (20), arranged downstream from the projection optical unit (12), for deflecting the laser pulses projected by the projection optical unit (12) in at least one deflection direction. The ophthalmic device (1) moreover comprises a drive system (200) configured to displace the mirror (20) in parallel. The parallel displacement of the mirror (20) renders it possible to displace the focus of deflected laser pulses in the projection direction and therefore correct image field curvatures caused by the scanning device (2) arranged downstream from the projection optical unit (12) and, for example, image the deflected laser pulses in focus onto a plane.

Abstract: A device for delivering ablative medical treatments to improve biomechanics comprising a laser for generating a beam of laser radiation used in ablative medical treatments to improve biomechanics, a housing, a controller within the housing, in communication with the laser and operable to control dosimetry of the beam of laser radiation in application to a target material, a lens operable to focus the beam of laser radiation onto a target material, and a power source operable to provide power to the laser and controller.

Abstract: A method is provided for increasing the depth of focus of an eye of a patient. A visual axis of the eye is aligned with an instrument axis of an ophthalmic instrument. The ophthalmic instrument has an aperture through which the patient may look along the instrument axis. A first reference target is imaged on the instrument axis at a first distance with respect to the eye. A second reference target is imaged on the instrument axis with the ophthalmic instrument at a second distance with respect to the eye. The second distance is greater than the first distance. Movement is provided such that the patient's eye is in a position where the images of the first and second reference targets appear to the patient's eye to be aligned. A mask comprising a pin-hole aperture having a mask axis is aligned with the instrument axis such that the mask axis and the instrument axis are substantially collinear.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a method for interfacing an ophthalmic intervention system with an eye of a patient, comprising: placing a patient interface assembly comprising a housing, an optical lens coupled to the housing, and an eye engagement assembly coupled to the housing, the eye engagement assembly comprising an inner seal and an outer seal, into contact with the eye of the patient by sealably engaging the eye with the inner and outer seals in a vacuum zone defined between the inner and outer seals; applying a vacuum load between the inner and outer seals to engage the eye using the vacuum load; and physically limiting an amount of distension of the eye in the vacuum zone.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for controlling from a first location a laser at a second location are disclosed. Laser orientation data is determined at a first location. The laser orientation data is communicated to the second location. Video data is received from the second location that includes imagery of a laser beam emitted by a laser, and the imagery is presented on a display at the first location.

Abstract: An opthalmological apparatus for breakdown of eye tissue includes a base station with a light source for generating light pulses, a support arm, with an application head that can be placed onto an eye, is mounted on the base station. The light pulses are transmitted from the base station to the application head through an optical transmission system. The application head has a light projector for focused projection of the light pulses for punctiform breakdown of eye tissue. The support arm is of rigid design with horizontal orientation and has a hinge with a horizontally oriented rotation axis, the hinge is mounted in such a way that the application head can be placed onto the eye with a rotation extending about the rotation axis. The hinge permits controlled manual docking of the application head and light projector onto the eye in a vertical direction, via a rotation movement that is easy to perform and has minimal mechanical friction.

Abstract: An interface unit for positioning an object to be irradiated in relation to a radiation source has at least one first positioning surface for positioning the interface unit in relation to the radiation source, and a second positioning surface for bearing on the object to be irradiated. The interface unit provides a path, which passes through the second positioning surface, for the radiation from the radiation source. According to the invention, the interface unit comprises an integrally produced interface body which forms both the at least one first positioning surface and the second positioning surface. The interface body is preferably produced from a plastic material by an injection compression molding method, in order to achieve the desired high manufacturing accuracy.

Abstract: An evaluating unit which is adapted to determine a degree of an instantaneous overlap between an optical zone of the eye and the structure, or at least a part of the structure effecting refractive correction, based on a recorded image. By determining the degree of overlap between the instantaneous optical zone and the structure to be introduced, it is possible to control the superposition of the optical zone with the tissue volume which is specifically altered by means of the laser cutting and, accordingly, to enable a maximum coverage.