Abstract: A method and system are provided for sensing eye motion, such as saccadic eye motion, in a non-intrusive fashion. An optical delivery arrangement converts a laser beam pulse into a plurality of light spots. The light spots are focused such that they are incident on a corresponding plurality of positions located on a boundary whose movement is coincident with that of eye motion. The boundary can be defined by two visually adjoining surfaces having different coefficients of reflection. Energy is reflected from each of the positions located on the boundary receiving the light spots. An optical receiving arrangement detects the reflected energy from each of the positions. Changes in reflected energy at one or more of the positions is indicative of eye motion.

Abstract: Vision in an eye is corrected using an energy source for generating a beam of optical radiation and focusing optics disposed in the path of the beam for directing the beam through the eye, where the beam is reflected back from the retina of the eye as a wavefront of radiation to be measured. An optical correction based on an optical path difference between the measured wavefront and a desired plane wave, and refractive indices of the media through which the wavefront passes is provided to a laser delivery system with a laser beam sufficient for ablating corneal material from the cornea of the eye. The laser beam is directed at selected locations on the cornea for ablating the corneal material in response to the optical correction to cause the measured wavefront to approximate the desired plane wave, and thus provide an optical correction.

Abstract: Vision in an eye is corrected using an energy source for generating a beam of optical radiation and focusing optics disposed in the path of the beam for directing the beam through the eye, where the beam is reflected back from the retina of the eye as a wavefront of radiation to be measured. An optical correction based on an optical path difference between the measured wavefront and a desired plane wave, and refractive indices of the media through which the wavefront passes is provided to a laser delivery system with a laser beam sufficient for ablating corneal material from the cornea of the eye. The laser beam is directed at selected locations on the cornea for ablating the corneal material in response to the optical correction to cause the measured wavefront to approximate the desired plane wave, and thus provide an optical correction.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for eroding or ablating a shaped volume of an eye's corneal tissue in accordance with the treatment of a specified eye condition. To determine the laser beam shot pattern, a plurality of laser beam shots of uniform intensity are first selected to form a uniform shot pattern of uniform shot density. The laser beam shots applied in accordance with the uniform shot pattern of uniform shot density would be capable of eroding a volume of the corneal tissue of uniform height. The volume of uniform height is approximately equivalent to that of the shaped volume. The laser beam shots are applied to the corneal tissue in a spatially distributed pattern spread over an area approximately equivalent to the surface area of the shaped volume to be eroded. The spatially distributed pattern extends the uniform shot pattern in fixed angles from a reference position on the shaped volume representative of the shaped volume's axis of symmetry.

Abstract: A system and method for performing a reshaping of a cornea of an eye for improved vision is presented. The system comprises a first appartus for determining dark adapted pupil size of an eye and a second apparatus for reshaping a cornea of the eye in an area approximately equal to the dark adapted pupil size as determined by the first apparatus. The method of the present invention involves dilating the pupil of an eye to its dark adapted size, determining the diameter of the dilated pupil, and ablating the cornea of the eye to match the dilated pupil size. The advantage to using such a system and method when reshaping a cornea of an eye is reduced halo effect or improved night vision.

Abstract: A new cartridge excimer laser system and method for generating an excimer laser beam using the system are provided. The system utilizes a cartridge (10) which contains a halogen-noble gas mixture (19), electrodes (50, 60) having external electrical connections (30, 40), and assembly (20) for transmitting a laser beam output (400), and an external gas port (90). The cartridge (10) fits onto a receptacle (100) located within a receiving compartment (200) of the laser base (300) of the new system. The cartridge (10) is easily replaced by the system operator and is refurbished by the manufacturer when the gas mixture (19) therein is exhausted.

Abstract: A system and method for performing a reshaping of a cornea of an eye for improved vision is presented. The system comprises a first appartus for determining dark adapted pupil size of an eye and a second apparatus for reshaping a cornea of the eye in an area approximately equal to the dark adapted pupil size as determined by the first apparatus. The method of the present invention involves dilating the pupil of an eye to its dark adapted size, determining the diameter of the dilated pupil, and ablating the cornea of the eye to match the dilated pupil size. The advantage to using such a system and method when reshaping a cornea of an eye is reduced halo effect or improved night vision.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for the constant path-length translation of a laser beam. At least one pair of mirrors disposed at an angle (e.g., 90.degree.) to one another and fixed in relation to one another are disposed in the path of the (incoming) laser beam. The mirrors are positioned such that the incoming laser beam impinges on the first mirror, is reflected to the second mirror, and iii) is reflected from the second mirror as an (outgoing) laser beam parallel to the incoming laser beam. A positioner is coupled to the mirrors for simultaneously moving them in a direction that is parallel to the target plane and in a plane defined by the incoming and outgoing laser beams.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for eroding or ablating a shaped volume of an eye's corneal tissue in accordance with the treatment of a specified eye condition. To determine the laser beam shot pattern, a plurality of laser beam shots of uniform intensity are first selected to form a uniform shot pattern of uniform shot density. The laser beam shots applied in accordance with the uniform shot pattern of uniform shot density would be capable of eroding a volume of the corneal tissue of uniform height. The volume of uniform height is approximately equivalent to that of the shaped volume. The laser beam shots are applied to the corneal tissue in a spatially distributed pattern spread over an area approximately equivalent to the surface area of the shaped volume to be eroded. The spatially distributed pattern extends the uniform shot pattern in fixed angles from a reference position on the shaped volume representative of the shaped volume's axis of symmetry.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for locating the center of the entrance pupil of an eye after the pupil thereof has been dilated. A first image of an eye is formed prior to pupil dilation. The center of the undilated pupil is referenced to a reference image of an anatomical landmark of the eye that appears in the first image. A second image of the eye is then formed when the pupil is dilated. When the reference image is positioned on an image of the anatomical landmark appearing in the second image, the center of the undilated pupil referenced to the reference image defines the center of the entrance pupil of the eye.

Abstract: A new cartridge excimer laser system and method for generating an excimer laser beam using the system are provided. The system utilizes a cartridge (10) which contains a halogen-noble gas mixture (19), electrodes (50, 60) having external electrical connections (30, 40), an assembly (20) for transmitting a laser beam output (400), and an external gas port (90). The cartridge (10) fits onto a receptacle (100) located within a receiving compartment (200) of the laser base (300) of the new system. The cartridge (10) is easily replaced by the system operator and is refurbished by the manufacturer when the gas mixture (19) therein is exhausted.