Abstract: This invention is a method for sculpturing a laser beam (13) in a predetermined pattern using a device (17) between the laser source (11) and the target (23). The method comprises a series of sequential steps in which at least two regions of the cornea (177) are each exposed to increasingly larger portions of the laser beam (13). In the preferred embodiment, two pairs of complementary regions of the cornea (177) will be sequentially exposed to laser radiation. In each such region, a first part will be exposed to a substantially segmental portion of the beam (13), and then at least another larger substantially segmental portion of the beam (13) in which the larger segmental portion, includes the smaller segmental portion. In the preferred embodiment, the target (23) is the human eye, and the predetermined pattern is intended to shape the eye to treat it for astigmatism, myopia, or hyperopia.