Abstract: A method for enhancing vision of an eye includes a laser delivery system having a laser beam for ablating corneal material from the cornea of the eye. Measurements are made to determine an optical path difference between a plane wave and a wavefront emanating from the retina of the eye for a location at a surface of the cornea. An optical correction is provided to the laser delivery system for the location based on the optical path difference and refractive indices of media through which the wavefront passes. The optical correction includes dividing the optical path difference by a difference between an index of refraction of corneal material and an index of refraction of air. The laser beam is directed to the location on the surface of the cornea and corneal material ablated at the location in response to the optical correction to cause the wavefront to approximate the shape of the plane wave at that location.

Abstract: A method for enhancing vision of an eye includes a laser delivery system having a laser beam for ablating corneal material from the cornea of the eye. Measurements are made to determine an optical path difference between a plane wave and a wavefront emanating from the retina of the eye for a location at a surface of the cornea. An optical correction is provided to the laser delivery system for the location based on the optical path difference and refractive indices of media through which the wavefront passes. The optical correction includes dividing the optical path difference by a difference between an index of refraction of corneal material and an index of refraction of air. The laser beam is directed to the location on the surface of the cornea and corneal material ablated at the location in response to the optical correction to cause the wavefront to approximate the shape of the plane wave at that location.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining aberrations of an eye includes a patient head rest allowing for positioning adjustment. The patient head rest is operable with an optical table having a base. The base includes a probe beam generating apparatus, probe beam directing optics which itself comprises a beam splitter; a mirror; and a lens. The probe beam directing optics is capable of directing a probe beam toward an eye of a patient positioned on the patient head rest. Video image components are provided and comprise a light source, a mirror; and a video camera. The video image components are capable of generating an image of an eye of a patient positioned on the patient head rest. Eye fixation components generate a target that the eye of a patient positioned on the patient head rest can view. The eye fixation components comprise a fixation target, a light source, a lens, and a mirror.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining aberrations of an eye includes a patient head rest allowing for positioning adjustment. The patient head rest is operable with an optical table having a base. The base includes a probe beam generating apparatus, probe beam directing optics which itself comprises a beam splitter; a mirror; and a lens. The probe beam directing optics is capable of directing a probe beam toward an eye of a patient positioned on the patient head rest. Video image components are provided and comprise a light source, a mirror; and a video camera. The video image components are capable of generating an image of an eye of a patient positioned on the patient head rest. Eye fixation components generate a target that the eye of a patient positioned on the patient head rest can view. The eye fixation components comprise a fixation target, a light source, a lens, and a mirror.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining aberrations of an eye includes a patient head rest allowing for positioning adjustment. The patient head rest is operable with an optical table having a base. The base includes a probe beam generating apparatus, probe beam directing optics which itself comprises a beam splitter; a mirror; and a lens. The probe beam directing optics is capable of directing a probe beam toward an eye of a patient positioned on the patient head rest. Video image components are provided and comprise a light source, a mirror; and a video camera. The video image components are capable of generating an image of an eye of a patient positioned on the patient head rest. Eye fixation components generate a target that the eye of a patient positioned on the patient head rest can view. The eye fixation components comprise a fixation target, a light source, a lens, and a mirror.

Abstract: A method for enhancing vision of an eye includes a laser delivery system having a laser beam for ablating corneal material from the cornea of the eye. Measurements are made to determine an optical path difference between a plane wave and a wavefront emanating from the retina of the eye for a location at a surface of the cornea. An optical correction is provided to the laser delivery system for the location based on the optical path difference and refractive indices of media through which the wavefront passes. The optical correction includes dividing the optical path difference by a difference between an index of refraction of corneal material and an index of refraction of air. The laser beam is directed to the location on the surface of the cornea and corneal material ablated at the location in response to the optical correction to cause the wavefront to approximate the shape of the plane wave at that location.

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.