Abstract: The present invention relates to a sterile enclosure for performing medical procedures, such as an ophthalmologic surgery. The enclosure includes a lightweight, flexible housing material forming an enclosure, at least one equipment attachment region within the housing material, at least one subject attachment region within the housing material, at least one air intake port, at least one air exhaust port, and at least one user access port within the housing material.

Abstract: A laser system for treating an eye having a cornea, the laser system including a laser beam source capable of generating a laser beam, an eye position detector which includes at least a corneal tracker, the corneal tracker being responsive to movement of an anterior portion of the cornea, the corneal tracker constructed to detect movement of the cornea based on a set of spaced apart optical manifestations from the outer surface of the anterior portion of the cornea, and a beam controller, the beam controller being responsive to the eye position detector to direct the laser beam with controlled energy from the laser beam source to a desired location on the eye.

Abstract: An binocular lens system for improving the vision of a patient including first and second ophthalmic lenses. Each of these lenses is adapted for implantation in an eye or to be disposed on or in the cornea. The first lens is biased for distance vision and the second ophthalmic lens is biased for near vision. The ophthalmic lenses may be intraocular lenses which are implanted in the eyes of a patient following removal of the natural lens.

Abstract: Accurate, non-mechanical removal of the epithelium from essentially only the area of the cornea to be treated. In particular, an epithelium-ablative laser device irradiates the selected region of the epithelium with ablative laser energy, a spectroscopic system monitors the ablation and spectroscopically determines whether epithelium is being ablated, and a control system terminates the epithelium removal upon spectroscopic determination of a substantial absence of epithelium ablation.

Abstract: Accurate, non-mechanical removal of the epithelium from essentially only the area of the cornea to be treated. In particular, an epithelium-ablative laser device irradiates the selected region of the epithelium with ablative laser energy, a spectroscopic system monitors the ablation and spectroscopically determines whether epithelium is being ablated, and a control system terminates the epithelium removal upon spectroscopic determination of a substantial absence of epithelium ablation.

Abstract: A method for inducing prolonged pseudoaccommodation includes the instillation of an ophthalmic formulation into an eye for contracting the iris sphincter muscle, but not the ciliary muscle, in order to cause sphincter muscle contraction for a period of greater than about one hour per installation. The method further provides for the stabilization of an implanted intraocular lens immediately after surgery and for reducing glare following radial keratotomy.

Abstract: Accurate, non-mechanical removal of the epithelium from essentially only the area of the cornea to be treated. In particular, an epithelium-ablative laser device irradiates the selected region of the epithelium with ablative laser energy, a spectroscopic system monitors the ablation and spectroscopically determines whether epithelium is being ablated, and a control system terminates the epithelium removal upon spectroscopic determination of a substantial absence of epithelium ablation.

Abstract: An instrument to facilitate nuclear disassembly during cataract surgery includes a proximal handle, a shaft portion axially aligned with the proximal handle, an intermediate portion constructed to traverse the cortex of the eye, and a hook-form distal end. An inner region of the hook-form has a leading edge defined by diverging surfaces. The diverging surfaces lie at an acute splitting angle to one another selected to have a wedging effect when the leading edge is drawn along a cleavage plane of the nucleus. The diverging surfaces define a relatively bulky back portion that imparts desired stiffness to the leading edge. The hook-form is shaped to facilitate maintaining contact with the nucleus while the leading edge is drawn along the cleavage plane. A method of performing nuclear disassembly during cataract surgery utilizing the instrument is also described.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for surgically altering the cornea of an eye by forming a pocket in the corneal stroma, situated between anterior posterior lamellar portions of the cornea, posteriorly displacing the anterior corneal portion to form a posteriorly protruding mass of corneal stroma, excising a part of the posteriorly protruding mass, and removing the excised part from the pocket. Also, the invention includes inserting into the pocket a die that has an anteriorly facing impression surface whereby posteriorly displacing the anterior lamellar portion forces a portion of the posteriorly protruding mass against a portion of the impression surface, and further includes removing the die from the pocket after the excision.

Abstract: A slit lamp with surgical laser capability includes an x-y table. An optical micrometer, readily retrofittable onto existing slit lamps, is mounted on the x-y table to measure table displacement in the y direction. The measuring electronics are resettable to allow the operator to select any y position from which the displacement is to be algebraically measured. Compact display optics are retrofittably mounted on the ocular assembly of the slit lamp between the collimator and the eyepiece to insert a reduced image of an LED indicator displaying the measured data into the periphery of the ophthalmic image seen through the eyepiece. An LCD indicator displaying the same data is mounted on the x-y table to allow positioning of the table without looking into the eyepiece. The LED indicator lends itself to display of laser operational data in addition to positional data.