Abstract: Systems and methods of photoaltering a region of a material using a pulsed laser beam. The method includes scanning the pulsed laser beam in a first portion of the region with a first pattern, scanning the pulsed laser beam in a second portion of the region with a second pattern, and separating a flap of the material at the region. The system includes a laser, a controller selecting at least first and second patterns, and a scanner operable in response to the controller. The first pattern has a first maximum acceleration associated with the second portion, and the second pattern has a second maximum acceleration associated with the second portion. The second maximum acceleration is less than the first maximum acceleration. The scanner scans the pulsed laser beam from the laser in the first portion with the first pattern and in the second portion with the second pattern.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring a topography of an optical tissue surface of an eye are provided by combining a measured elevation of the surface with a priori information of the surface to provide an estimate of mean and covariance of post-measurement orthogonal polynomial sequence amplitudes associated with the surface, determining a variance of elevation of the surface from the estimate, and constructing the topography from the estimate of mean and covariance of post-measurement amplitudes based on a comparison of the variance of elevation of the surface with a pre-determined threshold. The a priori information includes an estimate of mean and covariance of pre-measurement orthogonal polynomial sequence amplitudes associated with the surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring a topography of an optical tissue surface of an eye are provided by combining measured elevations of the surface with a priori information of the surface to provide an estimate of mean and covariance of post-measurement orthogonal polynomial sequence amplitudes associated with the surface, determining a variance of elevation of the surface from the estimate, and constructing the topography from the estimate of mean and covariance of post-measurement amplitudes based on a comparison of the variance of elevation of the surface with a pre-determined threshold. The a priori information includes an estimate of mean and covariance of pre-measurement orthogonal polynomial sequence amplitudes associated with the surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for fine-tuning refractive shapes for vision treatment are provided. Techniques encompass determining a variable index of refraction for a cornea of the eye, and determining the refractive treatment shape for the eye based on the variable index of refraction. Techniques also encompass determining a variable radius of curvature of an anterior surface of a cornea of the eye, and determining the refractive treatment shape for the eye based on the variable radius of curvature.

Abstract: Methods and systems for ablating internal targets in the eye of a patient employ an ophthalmic measurement system to acquire location data of structures in the eye. A controller calculates target locations based on the location data received from the ophthalmic measurement system, and a laser emits a laser beam to treat the target locations received from the controller. A patient interface is attached to the eye to provide a common reference surface for both the laser and the ophthalmic measurement system. The patient interface may engage the eye around the optically used cornea, and without conforming the optically used cornea to a predetermined shape.

Abstract: An ophthalmic patient interface system includes an interface device and an ocular device. The interface device includes a frame having a first end and a second end, a lens disposed at the first end, and a skirt affixed to the first end. The second end is adapted to couple with a surgical laser system, and the skirt is adapted to seal against an anterior surface of an eye. The ocular device includes magnifying optics and is adapted to be removably seated within the second end. The magnifying optics image a region on a corneal side of the lens when the ocular device is seated within the second end.