Abstract: A system and method for determining an optimal position of an eye relative to an ophthalmic device are disclosed. One embodiment of the method includes receiving data comprising an image of a surface of an eye with the eye at a first position relative to an ophthalmic device. An edge feature in the image is located, and a sharpness calculation on the edge feature is performed using a predetermined algorithm to yield a sharpness value. The eye surface is then adjusted to a second position relative to the ophthalmic device, and the previous steps are repeated until the sharpness value is maximized, which is an indication that an optimal eye position has been achieved. An embodiment of the system includes a processor and a software package executable by the processor, the software package adapted to perform the calculations as above. Means are also provided for adjusting the eye surface to a second position relative to the ophthalmic device.

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 method for optimizing a prescription for laser-ablation corneal treatment includes receiving a measured correction prescription for a current patient. Next a database of treatment outcomes on a plurality of previously treated patients is accessed. The database contains a desired correction, and an actual correction. A difference between the desired correction and the actual correction represents an over- or undercorrection resulting from surgery. From the difference data is calculated a distribution of data points as a function of correction level. From the data-point distribution is calculated a statistically based offset applicable to the correction prescription for matching actual corrections with desired corrections. From the data-point distribution is calculated a confidence interval of the data using a predetermined confidence level. The statistically based offset is then adjusted based upon the confidence interval to provide an optimized prescription.

Abstract: An orientation method for corrective eye surgery that registers pairs of eye images taken at different times and with the patient in different positions includes retrieving reference digital image data on an eye of the patient, including image data on an extracorneal eye feature. Real-time image data are collected that include image data on the extracorneal eye feature. A combined image is displayed of a superposition of the data sets, and a determination is made as to whether the combined image indicates an adequate registration between them based upon the extracorneal eye feature data in the two data sets. If the registration is not adequate, one of the data sets is manipulated until an adequate registration is achieved. A system is directed to apparatus and software for orienting a corrective program for eye surgery.

Abstract: A system for positioning an eye of a patient, for example, for laser ophthalmic surgery includes a reflectometer adapted to receive as input a reflected beam from an anterior surface of a cornea of an eye of a patient. The interferometer is calibratable to a desired position of the corneal anterior surface. A comparator is in signal communication with the interferometer and is adapted to calculate from the input a difference between an actual position and the desired position of the corneal anterior surface. A device is in signal communication with the comparator for moving the patient a distance in a direction for matching the actual position to the desired position of the corneal anterior surface.

Abstract: A system and method for aligning a first and a second image of an eye includes making a determination of a limbus location on a first eye image and a second eye image. The limbus location of the first and the second eye images are then aligned in two dimensions. A second eye feature location is determined on the first and the second eye image. One of the first and the second eye image is relatively rotated, and a correlation is performed on the first and the second eye image at a plurality of relative rotational positions using the second eye feature location. From the correlation an optimal first and second image alignment is identified.

Abstract: An orientation method for corrective eye surgery that registers pairs of eye images taken at different times and with the patient in different positions includes retrieving reference digital image data on an eye of the patient, including image data on an extracorneal eye feature. Real-time image data are collected that include image data on the extracorneal eye feature. A combined image is displayed of a superposition of the data sets, and a determination is made as to whether the combined image indicates an adequate registration between them based upon the extracorneal eye feature data in the two data sets. If the registration is not adequate, one of the data sets is manipulated until an adequate registration is achieved. A system is directed to apparatus and software for orienting a corrective program for eye surgery.

Abstract: A method for improving an accuracy of a prescription for laser-ablation corneal treatment includes the step of receiving a set of raw data comprising Hartmann-Shack image data obtained from a plurality of aberrometer measurements of a patient eye. The Hartmann-Shack data can include, for example, a dot pattern image for each measurement. A set of reconstructed wavefront data calculated from the set of raw data for the plurality of aberrometer measurements is also received. Data on a selected component of the set of raw data and in the set of reconstructed wavefront data are compared. If the selected component data differ more than a predetermined amount between the raw data and the reconstructed wavefront data, the raw data can be further manipulated prior to undertaking laser ablation. In addition, these data are removed from consideration for inclusion in the database of treatment outcomes.

Abstract: A system for visualizing an eye of a patient during corneal surgery includes a processor and a first and second camera in signal communication with the processor. The cameras are positionable for focusing on a cornea positioned for surgery. A first and a second display and optics therefor are in signal communication with the processor and are positionable for viewing through a first and a second eyepiece of a stereo microscope, respectively. Software is resident on the processor for receiving a first and second corneal image from the first and second cameras, for processing the received first and second images for display, and for transmitting the processed first and second images to the first and the second displays, respectively, via the display optics. The displays can then be viewed by a surgeon through the microscope at least during the surgery.

Abstract: A system or method of positioning an ophthalmic device relative to an eye is provided. The method first obtains a series of images of an eye. In these series of images, the distance between the ophthalmic device and the eye is varied while the region of the eye image remains substantially the same. It is possible then to process these images to determine the high frequency content associated with each image. By comparing the high frequency content associated with each image, it is possible to determine which image has the largest amount of high frequency content. The high frequency content is maximized when the image is the sharpest. An optimally focused image will have the largest amount of high frequency content. By examining the high frequency content associate with the series of images is impossible to adjust the relative position and distance between the eye and the ophthalmic device to the distance associated with the image having the largest amount of high frequency content (i.e., optimally focused).

Abstract: A method and system for patient optical fixation are disclosed. One embodiment of the system comprises: a light source operable to provide a fixation light beam; a filter optically coupled to the light source and operable to attenuate the fixation light beam to provide an apodized light beam, wherein the apodized light beam comprises a more attenuated portion and a less attenuated portion; and a viewer, operable to receive a reflected fine align beam and a reflected coarse align beam from a fixation target. The light source can be, for example, a laser, a light emitting diode or a laser diode. The filter can be a neutral density (“ND”) filter, comprising: an aperture through which a first portion of the fixation light beam can pass unattenuated by the ND filter to form the less attenuated portion of the apodized light beam; and a filter region for attenuating a second portion of the fixation light beam to form the more attenuated portion of the apodized light beam.

Abstract: A system for controlling a device in ophthalmic refractive surgery includes a processor, a controller, a treatment laser, and a signal receiver. A remote device has a plurality of input elements. At least one input element when activated is configured to emit a discrete signal that is received by the signal receiver and is mapped to an action to be signaled by the controller. A software package is adapted to translate data from the signal receiver into a signal for directing at least the controller. A method for configuring a system for controlling a device in ophthalmic refractive surgery includes providing a remote device as above. A software package resident on a processor receives and translates signal data from the remote device into control data for a hardware element. The software package is also adapted to output a control signal correlated with the control data to the hardware element.

Abstract: A method for optimizing a prescription for laser-ablation corneal treatment achieves the modification of wavefront-based refractive correction data with the use of user/doctor-input nomograms. Data comprising a wavefront description of a patient eye are received and displayed to a user, who can then make modifications to these treatment data. A modification is calculated based upon the desired correction to yield corrected wavefront description data, which are displayed to the user. A system includes a processor and a device for transmitting a wavefront description of a patient eye to the processor. An input device is adapted to receive a desired correction to the wavefront description data. Software is resident on the processor having code segments for implementing the calculations as described.

Abstract: A system and method for converting measured wavefront data into an ablation profile for correcting visual defects includes providing measured wavefront data on an aberrated eye by a method such as known in the art. The measured wavefront data are correlated with accumulated data on previously treated eyes. Next an adjustment is applied to the measured wavefront data based upon the correlating step. This adjustment is used to form adjusted wavefront data for input to a wavefront data correction algorithm to calculate an ablation profile therefrom. The wavefront data correction algorithm may be modeled as, for example, Zernike polynomials with adjusted coefficients.

Abstract: An eye-tracking method includes the step of removably affixing a ring member to an eye in surrounding relation to a cornea of the eye. A plurality of incident light spots are transmitted onto the ring member, and reflections are detected from the ring member of the incident light spots. By analyzing the reflections, eye movement can be determined. A system for tracking eye movement includes a ring member and a device for removably affixing the ring member to an eye in surrounding relation to a cornea of the eye, such as, for example, by applying a vacuum to the ring. A light transmitter transmits a plurality of incident light spots onto the ring member, and a detector for detecting reflections from the ring member of the incident light spots. A processor and software installed thereon are adapted to perform calculations to determine eye movement from an analysis of the reflections.

Abstract: An orientation system and method for corrective eye surgery includes a camera for performing a first image mapping of a patient's eye using a predetermined eye feature and software for processing the first image map to determine an edge location of the feature. A second image mapping of the eye is performed with the patient in a different position. The second image map is processed to locate the predetermined eye feature. Correlation of the mappings is used to calculate an orientational change of the eye between the two positions. This procedure may also be performed at different times during surgery to permit “real-time” data on orientational changes undergone by the eye to be collected. In both cases the data are used to calculate an adjustment to be applied to a corrective prescription for application by the surgical procedure.

Abstract: A light-translation system includes a fixed base and translatable mirror mount having mirror-supporting brackets. A first and second arm are pivotally attached in parallel, spaced-apart relation adjacent first ends to the base and adjacent second ends to the mirror mount to form a parallelogram-shaped attachment with the base and mirror mount. The pivotal attachments are formed using flexural pivots, each having a thick portion oriented for achieving minimal angular deviation of the mirror. A first bracket has three pads for supporting one side of the mirror. A second bracket has two surfaces shaped to support an edge of the mirror, each surface positioned opposite a pad. A washer dimensioned to admit a mounting screw is positionable opposite a third pad against an outside wall of the mirror mount to removably retain the mirror without imposing appreciable bending stress thereon.

Abstract: An orientation system for corrective eye surgery includes a camera for performing a first image mapping of a patient's eye using a predetermined eye feature and software for processing the first image map to determine an edge location of the feature. A second image mapping of the eye is performed with the patient in a different position. The second image map is processed to locate the predetermined eye feature. Correlation of the mappings is used to calculate an orientational change of the eye between the two positions. The data are used to calculate an adjustment to be applied to a corrective prescription for application by the surgical procedure.

Abstract: An orientation system and method for corrective eye surgery includes a camera for performing a first image mapping of a patient's eye using a predetermined eye feature and software for processing the first image map to determine an edge location of the feature. A second image mapping of the eye is performed with the patient in a different position. The second image map is processed to locate the predetermined eye feature. Correlation of the mappings is used to calculate an orientational change of the eye between the two positions. This procedure may also be performed at different times during surgery to permit “real-time” data on orientational changes undergone by the eye to be collected. In both cases the data are used to calculate an adjustment to be applied to a corrective prescription for application by the surgical procedure.

Abstract: An orientation system for corrective eye surgery includes a camera for performing a first image mapping of a patient's eye using a predetermined eye feature and software for processing the first image map to determine an edge location of the feature. A second image mapping of the eye is performed with the patient in a different position. The second image map is processed to locate the predetermined eye feature. Correlation of the mappings is used to calculate an orientational change of the eye between the two positions. The data are used to calculate an adjustment to be applied to a corrective prescription for application by the surgical procedure.