Abstract: A conventional keratomileusis procedure is modified to the extent that a controlled tissue-ablating laser radiation is applied solely to the freshly cut part of the cornea that is left after severing the lenticle, the radiation being so controlled and characterized as to effect a volumetric removal of exclusively stromal tissue that, upon replacement of the lenticle over the thus-sculptured remainder of the cornea, a new and optically corrected curvature results.

Abstract: The invention contemplates removal of epithelium-layer material from the anterior surface of the cornea, as a step preparatory to sculpting laser surgery, wherein controlled ultraviolet irradiation of the cornea is operative to surgically ablate corneal tissue within an epithelium-free area which is in the optically used central region of the cornea. For corrective sculpting recurvatures involving relatively small diopter change, the sculpture proceeds via selectively distributed ultraviolet radiation to the epithelium-free area, with penetration essentially only or at least predominantly in the tissue of Bowman's membrane, thus achieving the corrected-curvature profile essentially only or predominantly in the tissue of Bowman's membrane.

Abstract: The invention contemplates removal of epithelium-layer material from the anterior surface of the cornea, as a step preparatory to laser surgery, wherein controlled ultraviolet irradiation of the cornea is operative to surgically ablate corneal tissue within an epithelium-free area which is in the optically used central region of the cornea; the control is such (1) as first to effect essentially uniform-depth removal of Bowman's membrane to the extent of exposing only stroma tissue within said central region, and then (2) to so selectively distribute the ultraviolet radiation to then-exposed stroma tissue as to effect in stroma tissue a predetermined sculpted corrective-curvature change in the optically used region. Other important pre-surgury and post-surgery procedural steps are disclosed, for greater assurance of a predictable curvature change through the sculpting laser surgery.

Abstract: The invention contemplates removal of epithelium-layer material from the anterior surface of the cornea, as a step preparatory to laser surgery, wherein controlled ultraviolet irradiation of the cornea is operative to surgically ablate corneal tissue within an epithelium-free area which is in the optically used central region of the cornea; the control is such as to effect a predetermined sculpted corrective-curvature change in the optically used region. Other important pre-surgery and post-surgery procedural steps are disclosed, for greater assurance of a predictable curvature change through the sculpting laser surgery.

Abstract: The invention contemplates controlled ablation of the cornea, using ultraviolet laser radiation, wherein irradiated flux density and exposure time are so controlled as to achieve desired depth of the ablation. Sculpturing action results from controlled change of projected laser-spot size, in the course of a given treatment, wherein, in one illustrative case, projected laser-spot size ranges from a maximum which covers the entire area to be treated, down to a predetermined minimum tolerable size, wherein cornea-curvature change is myopia-corrective. Further illustrative techniques and situations are also disclosed, for achievement of hyperopia correction, for astigmatism correction, and in connection with corneal-transplant operations.

Abstract: The invention contemplates controlled ablation of the cornea, using ultraviolet laser radiation, wherein irradiated flux density and exposure time are so controlled as to achieve desired depth of the ablation. Sculpturing action results from controlled change of projected laser-spot size, in the course of a given treatment, wherein, in one illustrative case, projected laser-spot size ranges from a maximum which covers the entire area to be treated, down to a predetermined minimum tolerable size, wherein cornea-curvature change is myopia-corrective. Further illustrative techniques and situations are also disclosed, for achievement of hyperopia correction, for astigmatism correction, and in connection with corneal-transplant operations.

Abstract: The invention contemplates instrumentation to aid in performing refraction-corrective surgery on the cornea, (1) by determining the topography of the anterior surface of the cornea, the determination being in the form of digitized data entered into computer storage, (2) by determining the local thickness of the cornea along multiple axes, the determination being also in the form of digitized data entered into computer storage, and (3) by providing a CAD/CAM display of both categories of data, correlated as appropriate for the surgeon's selective display of a corneal region, aspect or section, as the surgeon may deem pertinent to a prospective operation.

Abstract: The invention contemplates use of a scanning laser characterized by ultraviolet radiation to achieve controlled ablative photodecomposition of one or more selected regions of a cornea. Irradiated flux density and exposure time are so controlled as to achieve desired depth of the ablation, which is a local sculpturing step, and the scanning action is coordinated to achieve desired ultimate surface change in the cornea. The scanning may be so controlled as to change the front surface of the cornea from a greater to a lesser spherical curvature, or from a lesser to a greater spherical curvature, thus effecting reduction in a myopic or in a hyperopic condition, without resort to a contact or other corrective auxiliary lens technique, in that the cornea becomes the corrective lens. The scanning may also be so controlled as to reduce astigmatism and to perform the precise incisions of a keratotomy.

Abstract: The invention contemplates instrumentation to aid in performing refraction-corrective surgery on the conrea, (1) by determining the topography of the anterior surface of the cornea, the determination being in the form of digitized data entered into computer storage, (2) by determining the local thickness of the cornea along multiple axes, the determination being also in the form of digitized data entered into computer storage, and (3) by providing a CAD/CAM display of both categories of data, correlated as appropriate for the surgeon's selective display of a corneal region, aspect or section, as the surgeon may deem pertinent to a prospective operation.

Abstract: The invention contemplates use of a scanning laser characterized by ultraviolet radiation to achieve controlled ablative photodecomposition of one or more selected regions of a cornea. Irradiated flux density and exposure time are so controlled as to achieve desired depth of the ablation, which is a local sculpturing step, and the scanning action is coordinated to achieve desired ultimate surface change in the cornea. The scanning may be so controlled as to change the front surface of the cornea from a greater to a lesser spherical curvature, or from a lesser to a greater spherical curvature, thus effecting reduction in a myopic or in a hyperopic condition, without resort to a contact or other corrective auxiliary lens technique, in that the cornea becomes the corrective lens. The scanning may also be so controlled as to reduce astigmatism and to perform the precise incisions of a keratotomy.