Abstract: A method and an instrument is provided for measuring aberration refraction of an eye with a first device for measuring the total aberration refraction of the eye and a second device for measuring the aberration refraction of the cornea of the eye. The component of aberration refraction caused by the lens caused by the lens is calculated using the measured total eye aberration refraction and the measured component of aberration refraction of the cornea mapped over the optical surfaces of the eye. Each component portion of the aberration refraction provides information usable for making appropriate corrective actions at the cornea, at the lens, or both as indicated by the mapped measurements and calculations.

Abstract: Photoablatable modulator for use in Laser ablation processes on the cornea consisting of a mixture of collagen and vegetable gelatins which is formed in situ on the corneal surface to be treated. A small quantity of a solution at a temperature higher of that of the cornea is applied on the corneal surface and is shaped to form an optically centered lenticule by means of a special device. The solution solidifies at corneal temperatures and forms a rigid gel which adheres strongly on the corneal surface. A dye added in the solution enables the visual monitoring of the ablation process. The lenticular modulator produced with the disclosed method is customized to provide an ablation profile that smoothes the corneal surface and additionally removes the geometrical irregularities that may pre-exist on it. The final shape of the cornea corresponds to the shape of the mold used for the preparation of the modulator.

Abstract: A novel method and apparatus is presented for the performance of refractive surgery. The success of refractive surgery, particularly astigmatic refractive surgery varies with the intuition and skill of the surgeon yielding a consistency of results more typical of art than science. In the described embodiments methods and apparatus that quantify refractive surgery by determining the nature of incisions are based upon traceable and repeatable factors. The described embodiments incorporate hardware and software for use in the data management.

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 novel method and apparatus is presented for the performance of refractive surgery. The success of refractive surgery, particularly astigmatic refractive surgery varies with the intuition and skill of the surgeon yielding a consistency of results more typical of an than science. The invention comprises methods and apparatus that quantify refractive surgery by determining the nature of incisions based upon traceable and repeatable factors. The invention incorporates hardware and software for use in the data management.

Abstract: A surgical procedure and device are used to precisely remove soft tissue from the eye. For example, a corneal epithelial layer is removed from the eye as part of a photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) or phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) procedure. In the procedure, the epithelial layer is abraded, under irrigation, using a relatively soft and pliable rotating abrading surface. The device used to perform the procedure is a hand-held rotary brush having semi-rigid plastic bristles with flat polished ends. In another embodiment, a rotating abrading surface is provided by open cells of a sponge material, instead of a brush. In this manner, the epithelium can be abraded away within a few seconds in a precisely defined area without causing mechanical damage to the underlying stromal layer. In a further application, the tool is used to remove a so-called pseudo-membrane formed during laser ablation of the corneal stroma during PRK or PTK.