Abstract: There is disclosed herein a method and system for corneal sculpting to create a multifocal refractive surface on the cornea of the eye. The refractive surface may comprise a central area and successive rings exposed outwardly toward the periphery and are of varying dioptric powers which may begin with the highest dioptric power in the center and decreasing powers of varying diopters progressing toward the periphery or vice-versa or alternating patterns of dioptric power, i.e., near/far, far/near or any combination. Furthermore, the multiple zones may be asymmetric, dicentric, ovoid, or the like. Suitable masks, barriers and iris diaphragms are described for facilitating sculpting of the different surfaces to achieve the desired multifocal refractive surfaces.

Abstract: Multifocal lenses are formed having a substantially circular central region having a first optical power, surrounded by a plurality of concentric ring regions which alternate between at least two optical powers, one of which may be the first optical power. Preferably, the central region is powered for near vision. For example, one embodiment of the invention is a bifocal lens having a central near-vision portion, a first concentric ring region powered for distance vision, and a second concentric ring region having the same power as the central region.