Abstract: An apparatus for transverse planar cutting of cornea to expose a corneal surface to allow correction of myopia, apparatus including a corneal suction ring including a cornea engaging surface on side thereof and microkeratome guide surfaces on an opposite site, the guide surfaces being spaced apart, parallel and extend along opposite site of an aperture arranged for exposing a portion of a cornea, a shift member releasably mounted to an outer wall of the suction ring, a microkeratome including a cutting blade driven by a motor to execute a transverse planar cutting of cornea surface exposed by the cornea suction ring, the microkeratome cutting head having guide surfaces, engaging the corresponding guide surfaces on the cornea suction ring, and an actuator connecting the shift member and the microkeratome for controlling relative movement between the corneal suction ring and the cutting head of the microkeratome.

Abstract: Preparation and use of a composition of alpha-chymotrypsin in either a physiologically suitable solution or suspension medium, in a dilution of 1:10,000 to 1:30,000, corresponding to a ratio of amounts of 1 milligram of alpha-chymotrypsin to 10 to 30 milliliters of the solution medium, or in a dispersion, by volume, of preferably 1:15,000 to 1:20,000 of the alpha-chymotrypsin to the suspension medium, for the treatment and cleaning of the posterior lens capsule left behind in an extracapsular cataract operation. The composition, in its final application solution or dispersion form contains an amount of a viscoelastic substance adapted for intraocular or intraorbital surgical operations and suitable for combatting or preventing unwanted further dilution of the alpha-chymotrypsin, regardless of the amount of fluids either present or subsequently collected in the eye during the posterior lens cleaning operation.

Abstract: A suction ring apparatus for use in surgical eye operations comprising a right-angle section annular outer ring which retains an annular ring member of substantially triangular cross-section including an outer cylindrical wall surface, an annular end face surface and an eye-containing surface; the annular inner member has formed on its outer cylindrical wall surfaces and on the annular end face perpendicular thereto consecutive angularly spaced-apart discrete segments which engage an inner cylindrical wall surface and an annular inside end face surface of the outer ring and bound between the same and the inner member channels communicating with one another and with a vacuum bore associated with the outer ring which is connectable to a vacuum source; an edge of the outer ring defining a central aperture of the outer ring is dimensioned so that its diameter corresponds to the diameter of the corneal limbus and rests thereupon in operation.

Abstract: Cutting apparatus for excision of a round corneal disc. The cutting apparatus includes a hollow cylindrical cutting knife known as a trepan. The cutting knife is held by an outer cylinder which has a connection plate on its end extending toward the cornea to be cut. Extending perpendicularly to the axis of the cylinder is a connection plate with a bore for the passage of the cutting knife. In the cylinder there is situated near its rear end a clip ring, within which the rear end of the cutting knife is held by a frictional fit. With the aid of a feed apparatus, the cutting knife is axially moveable with respect to the cylinder for the performance of the cutting movement. The cutting apparatus can be joined with its connection plate either by an artificial anterior chamber support or with a vacuum ring on the patient eye. In both cases, there is assured guiding of the cutting knife perpendicularly to a plane which traverses the base of the cornea.

Abstract: Apparatus to retain a disc obtained from a human cornea during a cutting operation to alter the surface of the disc. The apparatus includes a plurality of plunger-like moldings, any one of which can support the corneal disc. The molding is interchangeably supported in a recess provided in a support member. The support surface of the molding is concave or convex with a predetermined curvature and gaspervious openings communicate with an evacuation chamber so that a corneal disc can be sucked against the corneal support surface by a negative pressure. A pressure ring engages the edge of the corneal disc for clamping it between the pressure ring and molding. A guideway for a transversely-movable cutting device ring and molding. The molding can be formed with a number of bores or constructed of porous material. The apparatus is used by selecting a particular molding with a corneal disc-receiving surface that is either convex when minus values are required or concave when plus values are required.

Abstract: The device by means of which a cornea taken from a donor eye is held for processing. The cornea is placed on a round substrate having a central opening. The edge of the cornea is pressed by an annular retaining ring against the substrate. A cavity between the substrate and the pressed cornea is filled with a fluid medium introduced through a central bore in the substrate under a predetermined pressure. The upper end of a base is formed with external threads and, has a central recess for inserting a cylindrical bearing member formed with a central bore. The bearing member is provided with a bevelled upper edge against which the cornea for processing is pressed by a clamping ring whose inner opening tightly clamps the edge of the cornea against the upper edge of the bearing member. The required contact pressure is produced by screwing a tension ring on to external threads on the base. The tension ring acts on the surface of the clamping ring.

Abstract: Instead of having the surgeon make cuts freehand in a radial keratotomy operation for correction of the refraction of the human cornea, there is provided a fixation ring which has an eccentrically located band or bridge, the side of which is toward the middle of the ring is formed as a vertical, planar positioning and guide surface, extending vertically with respect to the plane of the ring. This bridge can be mounted on the ring itself or fastened onto an inner ring that is freely rotatable with respect to an outer ring. Means for limiting the depth of the cut may also be provided. This makes it easier to obtain straight and regular cuts in the desired radial direction. Operations can be completed more quickly, and there is a better prognosis for obtaining the desired results in the operation.

Abstract: Use of a solution of alpha-chymotrypsin in a physiological solution medium, especially of a physiological saline solution or of a solution of glutathion-bicarbonate according to Edelhauser in a dilution of 1:20,000 to 1:30,000, preferably 1:25,000, corresponding to a ratio of amounts of 1 milligram of alpha-chymotrypsin to 20 to 30 milliliters, preferably 25 milliliters of the solution medium, for the treatment and cleaning of the posterior lens capsule left behind in an extracapsular cataract operation.