Abstract: A laser beam pattern modulator includes a light-transmissive, light-refractive element for rotating and/or linearly displacing the beam such that the refracted beam remains parallel to the incident beam and has the capacity: (a) to minimize a substantial quantity of irregularities in the treatment pattern from hot spots and cold spots in the laser beam; (b) to enlarge and blend the edges of the treatment patterns formed by the beam; and (c) to form an enlarged, multi-zone, aspheric, myopic, hyperopic or astigmatic treatment patterns. A method for treating corneal tissue with laser light, particularly excimer laser light, includes directing a beam of excimer laser light such as a broad beam with variable spot size through a beam modulator such as an anglable, rotatable quartz flat.

Abstract: A first exemplary embodiment of an osmometer for the in vivo measurement of the osmolarity of a bodily fluid such as tears or sweat comprises a detachable, preferably disposable, probe in combination with means for measuring the conductivity between two electrodes of the probe. The osmometer further comprises means for converting the measured value of conductivity of the in vivo sample into a corresponding value of osmolarity and display means for displaying a visible representation of that value.In a second exemplary embodiment a sensor of some physical quantity (such as dew point temperature) related to the vapor pressure from a bodily fluid is mounted inside a confining, generally concave shell which is placed adjacent to a portion of the human body for a measurement to be made. For the case of measuring tear osmolarity in the open eye, the confining shell could take the form of a conventional eyecup.

Abstract: A system for photoablating a photoablatable substrate (such as the cornea of a human eye) to create a rounded work surface includes a curved, hollow mirror for reflecting light capable of photoablating such surfaces. The curvature of the mirror determines the shape and curvature of the rounded work surface created. The mirror has an opening of sufficient size and shape to expose the substrate to reflected, photoablating light, and is linked to a mechanism for adjusting mirror tilt and height with respect to the substrate. The system can include a source of photoablating light such as an excimer laser, a mechanism for aligning light from the excimer laser with the mirror surface, a mirror cover for excluding unreflected excimer laser light from desired portions of the substrate, and a high-speed shutter system for controlling the amount and the timing of light transmission from the excimer laser to the reflecting means.

Abstract: A hypotonic composition for selectively destroying lens cells in humans and other mammals such as lens epithelial cells that would otherwise cause clouding of the lens capsule after removal of the lens from the capsule includes one or more ocularly biocompatible viscoelastic substances that have the capacity for destroying such cells osmotically in small concentrations in hypotonic aqueous solutions, yet are sufficiently viscoelastic to attack only tissues to which they are applied without leaking or otherwise flowing onto the damaging adjacent and neighboring tissue. Such compositions are placed intraocularly in the lens capsule by applying a sufficient quantity of the composition to the epithelial cells to be destroyed to destroy them without damaging or otherwise destroying neighboring eye tissue.

Abstract: Temporary, light-absorbing, ocularly biocompatible compositions include at least one biocompatible, light-absorbing substance in an amount sufficient to block substantially all light of desired wavelengths and protect susceptible ocular tissues from light induced damage, where the composition is placed introcularly between the light source and ocular tissues susceptible to damage from such light. These compositions can be used to coat or to impregnate intraocular lenses, either before or after insertion of the lenses into the eye, or can be placed intraocularly, in the anterior chamber, over the pupil, in the posterior chamber or in the capsular bag of an eye, as during an ophthalmic procedure.

Abstract: A first exemplary embodiment of an osmometer for the in vivo measurement of the osmolarity of a bodily fluid such as tears or sweat comprises a detachable, preferably disposable, probe in combination with means for measuring the conductivity between two electrodes of the probe. The osmometer further comprises means for converting the measured value of conductivity of the in vivo sample into a corresponding value of osmolarity and display means for displaying a visible representation of that value.In a second exemplary embodiment a sensor of some physical quantity (such as dew point temperature) related to the vapor pressure from a bodily fluid is mounted inside a confining, generally concave shell which is placed adjacent to a portion of the human body for a measurement to be made. For the case of measuring tear osmolarity in the open eye, the confining shell could take the form of a conventional eyecup.

Abstract: A disposable applicator for treating blepharitis in the human eye includes a handle having at least one mildly abrasive, porous sponge impregnated with at least one antimicrobial agent or antimicrobial agent combined with a soap or detergent such as an antibiotic or PVP-I.

Abstract: A system for photoablating a product blank such as a corneal lenticule includes a molding means having a predetermined size and shape to which the finished, molded product should conform. The system includes a source of photoablating light such as an excimer laser, a mechanism for aligning light from the excimer laser with the mold and a blank in the mold. The mold is made of material impervious to photoablating light so that the walls of the mold surrounding the cavity protect the product blank within the cavity when the laser beam is kept parallel to the top surface of the mold, essentially comprising a three-dimensional photoresist. With the moldable product blank held against the inner mold surface, and a portion of the product blank projecting from the mold, photoablating light directed onto the mold and onto the projecting portion removes only the projecting portion, leaving a finished product having a size, shape and conformation substantially identical to the inner mold cavity.