Abstract: A method of determining the dimensions of a laser beam spot, comprising: scanning the laser beam in a path across a reference-edge having a photodetector positioned therebehind; and measuring an output signal from the photodetector during the scanning, the output signal corresponding to an area of the laser beam spot incident on the photodetector during the scanning. A method of aligning a laser beam delivery system, the method comprising: positioning a measurement/alignment tool at a target location; firing the laser beam on the tool; observing the laser beam using the tool; and adjusting the system in response to the sensed laser beam.

Abstract: A laser surgery system having a computer control system coupled to a laser subsystem and a patient seat. The control system is coupled to the laser through a laser alignment system. The control system can be coupled to the patient seat through a patient alignment system. The control system sends a nominal position signal to move the patient seat, laser subsystem, or both so that the patient's first eye is moved into substantial alignment with the laser beam axis. The control system can send a second nominal signal to move the patient's second eye into substantial alignment with the laser beam axis. The control system can optionally comprise both an operator display and an assistant display. The assistant display provides real-time information to an assistant positioned at an assistant station adjacent the patient seat. The control system can be programmed to display edit fields with different colors to provide an obvious indication of the refractive information of the eye.

Abstract: An electro-optical system is provided for use with a target site and configured with pre-programmable energy output functions for customized TPT protocols. One or more laser sources are provided producing an output beam. A control device is coupled to the laser source. The control device includes a memory that stores at least one laser source energy output function. The laser source energy output function is used to create an intra-operatively invisible therapeutic treatment with enhanced thermotolerance which minimize iatrogenic damage to surrounding structures.

Abstract: A method and system control the depth of corneal ablation during optical surgery by mapping the anterior and posterior surfaces of a patient's cornea to obtain full pachymetric topographical mapping of the patient's cornea. The patient's corneal pachymetric topographical mapping is used to identify a desirable corneal bed, and to guide a surgical laser in ablating a portion of the anterior surface of the patient's cornea to produce the desired corneal bed for appropriate vision correction.

Abstract: A flashlamp-excited dye laser generating light pulses for therapy has a circulator which circulates a gain media through a dye cell. A controller coordinates operation by triggering flashlamps to excite the laser gain media while the circulator is circulating the gain media. This operation enables the effective generation of laser light pulses with a duration of at least one millisecond. The laser pulse is formed from many subpulses. If the flow velocity of dye solution is great enough such that the new solution enters the resonant cavity before the solutions in the cavity are substantially spent, subsequent subpulses are not quenched, enabling the generation of ultra-long effective pulses with high fluences. Specifically, longer effective pulses of up to 50 msec are attainable with energies of up to 50 Joules. These energies enable reasonable spot sizes, which makes the invention relevant to cutaneous as well as deep tissue therapy, for example.

Abstract: A laser eye surgery system and method include a laser for producing a laser beam capable of making refractive corrections, an optical system for shaping and conditioning the laser beam, a digital micromirror device (DMD) for reflecting the shaped and conditioned beam toward the eye, and a computer system for controlling the mirrors of the DMD. The computer system and methodology utilize a higher order polynomial equation to generate a smooth refraction correction profile and determines the coefficients for the higher order polynomial equation from preferably first-, second-, or third-order curves based on the correlation between the coefficients and the desired diopter correction.

Abstract: A laser treatment apparatus for irradiating an affected part of a patient with a treatment laser beam to treat the affected part is disclosed.

Abstract: A laser depilation apparatus for performing depilation on a skin by irradiating the skin with a laser beam is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first irradiation unit including a laser source (21) for emitting a laser beam for depilation and a light delivery optical system (22, 23, 28, 2, 3) for forming the depilation laser beam emitted from the laser source into a small spot and delivering the beam into a first predetermined range (30) to irradiate the range; a first detection unit (6, 25) for detecting a position of a portion to be depilated within at least the first range; and a controller (20) for controlling the first irradiation unit to selectively irradiate the position of the portion to be depilated with the depilation laser beam based on detection result of the first detection unit.

Abstract: A device for laser treatment of painful symptomatologies with a first laser source 1, a conveying device for conveying the laser energy to a hand unit 5, and optical structure 11, 13 for defocusing the laser beam.

Abstract: A platform Smart Scalpel system using rapid real-time feedback for effecting laser treatment. The platform system includes an imaging system for rapid real-time detection of tissue characteristics, a processing system for processing the detected characteristics, and a treatment system for effecting treatment in accordance with results of the processing. The platform system provides for preprogramming and real-time inputting conditions and parameters for diagnosis using the imaging system and/or treatment using the treatment system.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for generating images of portions of the patient's eye, such as the anterior surface of the cornea. The methods and apparatus of the present invention are particularly useful for directly imaging the profile of the ablated region of the cornea during or immediately following a laser ablation procedure, such as photorefractive keratometry (PRK), phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK), laser in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK) or the like. These methods and apparatus allow the surgeon to precisely image the exterior edge of the eye to characterize the profile of ablated corneas and to determine the spatial variance of tissue ablation rates during the surgical procedures. Methods and apparatus are also provided for generating one or more images depicting the profile of the ablated region of the cornea. The profile is registered with a pre-ablation profile to provide feedback regarding the true ablation properties of the eye.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for preforming laser thermal keratoplasty capable of treating treatment areas with shapes that reduce regression. Both contact and non-contact apparatuses and methods are provided. The apparatus includes laser sources, a projection optical system, observation system, and control system. In some embodiments, the projection system uses two steering mirrors or a mask to control laser beam position on the cornea. This projection system enables precise control of the area of corneal heat shrinkage using relatively low-powered lasers, such as diode lasers. Desired changes in corneal refractive power are produced by selected patterns of photothermal shrinkage of corneal collagen tissue. The selected patterns are arrangements of oblong shapes that are preferably tapered at the ends of the long axis. The oblong shape and tapering distribute tension in the cornea over a wider area of collagen shrinkage and improve the stability of refractive correction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for the superficial heating of tissue by means of a pulsed light source. According to the invention a series of light pulses is applied to the tissue surface. The first part of this series is configured such that the tissue surface and, by heat conduction, tissue areas situated below the tissue surface are rapidly heated to a defined target temperature without tissue removal. The subsequent part of the series results in oscillation of the temperature of the tissue areas located below the tissue surface around a value which is slightly lower than the target temperature.

Abstract: In a device for treating blood vessels with a laser, the laser provides a beam in a wavelength range from 750 to 850 nm, preferably 805 nm. The device has a measuring unit which measures the concentration of a chromophore (preferably indocyanine green) administered to the patient in the patient's blood vessels. The device further comprises a control unit which controls the power of the laser in a contrary sense to the measured concentration.

Abstract: According to a fluorescent endoscope apparatus for detecting an autofluorescent-light image emitted from a living body upon irradiation thereof by stimulating light, when the endoscope insertion portion is inserted into or removed from a patients body, stimulating light is prevented from entering the eyes of the patient or the operator, ensuring for their safety. When the endoscope insertion portion is outside the body of a patient, the flicker occurring due to the fluorescent or other light illuminating the diagnosis room, which would be detected together with the autofluorescent-light image by a fluorescent-image use camera or with the normal image by a normal-image use camera, is detected by a flicker detector. The flicker detector outputs a detection signal to the stimulating light emission prevention controller, which turns off the power source to the stimulating light laser source by use of a controller computer and thereby prevents the emission of stimulating light.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying laser light to the retina of the eye comprises a retina image obtaining means for obtaining the image of a retina. A retina image display displays the required retina image, and reference data receiving means receives, from an operator, data relating to a treatment to be performed. Template generating means generates a reference template on the retina image, and target position receiving means receives data related to at least one target point to which light is to be applied based upon the received reference data. Current retina position detecting means acquires a current retina image, and laser light application means directs and applies laser light to a retina.

Abstract: Laser surgery is controlled by interferometry.

Abstract: A method for separating lamellae in the stroma of an eye includes establishing a focal depth that will be located in relatively weaker tissue at an interface layer between lamellae in the stroma. A laser beam can then be focused to photoablate stromal tissue and create a photoablative response thereto. This photoablative response is then compared to a reference value using wavefront analysis techniques to determine an effective minimum energy level for the laser beam. Maintenance of a proper focal depth can be periodically verified by maintaining a birefringent reference using an ellipsometer. Once the lamellae are separated, a flap of corneal tissue can be created that can be lifted to expose underlying stromal tissue for further surgical photoablation.

Abstract: A guided laser ablation device. The device includes a mulitmode laser ablation fiber that is surrounded by one or more single mode optical fibers that are used to image in the vicinity of the laser ablation area to prevent tissue damage. The laser ablation device is combined with an optical coherence domain reflectometry (OCDR) unit and with a control unit which initializes the OCDR unit and a high power laser of the ablation device. Data from the OCDR unit is analyzed by the control unit and used to control the high power laser. The OCDR images up to about 3 mm ahead of the ablation surface to enable a user to see sensitive tissue such as a nerve or artery before damaging it by the laser.

Abstract: A laser system (called a UV Dermablator) and method that enables a clean, precise removal of skin while minimizing collateral damage to the skin underlying the treated region. The depth of ablation can be controlled via feedback from the physiology of the skin, namely the infusion of blood into the area of excision when skin has been ablated to a sufficient depth to produce bleeding. A second laser, such as a uv light source with a different wavelength, to penetrate the blood, heating it sufficiently to coagulate the blood. Other features provide precise control, permitting the epidermis to be removed down to the papillary dermis, following the undulations of the papillary dermis. This lateral and depth control may be accomplished by using careful observation, assisted by spectroscopic detection, to identify when the epidermis has been removed, exposing the underlying dermis, with spatial resolution appropriate for the spacing of the undulations of the papillary dermis.

Abstract: A laser treatment apparatus for performing treatment on a treatment part of a skin by irradiating the part with a laser beam for treatment is disclosed. The apparatus includes a laser output device which outputs the treatment beam; a hand-piece provided with at least a part of an irradiation optical system for irradiating the treatment beam of a predetermined spot size, the hand-piece being held in contact with the skin; a detector which detects a moved position of the hand-piece on the skin; and a controller which controls an ON/OFF state of laser irradiation based on the moved position detected by the detector and information on the spot size.

Abstract: A device for heating a biotissue employing a strong light, characterized in that, in thermotherapy comprising leading a biotissue to necrosis by heating the biotissue by a strong light from a light source, in order to lead a predetermined biotissue to necrosis in a temperature region before reaching tissue transpiration during the raising of the temperature of said biotissue, temperature measurement is performed by a temperature meter measuring the spatial temperature distribution of the biotissue at real time, and that the light output of the light source, the on-time of intermittent irradiation and the off-time of intermittent irradiation are controlled on the basis of the information at real time to accomplish remedial conditions.

Abstract: A method for separating lamellae in the stroma of an eye includes establishing a focal depth that will be located in relatively weaker tissue at an interface layer between lamellae in the stroma. A laser beam can then be focused to photoablate stromal tissue and create a photoablative response thereto. This photoablative response is then compared to a reference value using wavefront analysis techniques to determine an effective minimum energy level for the laser beam. Maintenance of a proper focal depth can be periodically verified by maintaining a birefringent reference using an ellipsometer. Once the lamellae are separated, a flap of corneal tissue can be created that can be lifted to expose underlying stromal tissue for further surgical photoablation.

Abstract: A apparatus and method for controlling an apparatus for removing tissue from the eye performs various types of corrections using a relatively large beam, but oscillating, or dithering, that being to prevent reinforcing ridges from being formed during the tissue removal process. Further, various types of correction, such as hyperopia and astigmatism correction, are performed using a large beam that is scanned over the area to be ablated using overlapping shots. Further, the epithelium in the area to be treated is removed using an infrared fluorescent dye to dye the epithelium, and then observing the fluorescent patterns from the epithelium area to be removed. Once a certain area is no longer fluorescent after laser shots, smaller shots are then applied, selectively removing the epithelium from the remaining regions. Again, the fluorescence patterns are observed, and the process is repeated until no epithelium remains.

Abstract: An ophthalmological laser surgery system having a laser, associated elements for delivering an optical beam from the laser to a patient eye location, a control unit for controlling the operation of the system and a system input/output device, is enabled by a patient data card. The data card originally contains both patient background and system control information, which is transferred to the control unit via the input/output device. During system operation, newly generated information, such as laser beam power, is stored in the data card to provide an independent record of the surgical procedure actually performed. After one use, the data card is invalidated to prevent further use.

Abstract: A method is provided for treating a patient having a disorder, wherein the method includes irradiating a tissue surface of the patient with at least one laser beam, automatically monitoring the tissue, and automatically controlling the at least one laser beam to adjust and/or terminate the treatment in a therapeutically effective manner. The method noninvasively determines in real-time the irradiance and/or radiant exposure of a target tissue at a predetermined depth below the tissue surface by detecting the radial dependence of light remitted from the tissue surface. Preferably, the method employs a near-infrared light laser beam and a visible laser light beam in combination. An apparatus for performing the method is also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for myocardial laser treatment.

Abstract: There is disclosed a laser treatment apparatus including: a handpiece internally including an irradiation optical system for irradiating a laser beam for treatment; a lens disposing unit which can dispose a lens in the irradiation optical system, the lens being selectable from among a plurality of lenses of different types having different focal lengths; and a lens detecting unit which detects the type of the lens disposed in the irradiation optical system.

Abstract: An apparatus for cosmetic tissue treatment having a light emitter for emission of a light beam. The light beam is directed towards a target area to be treated, and a detector detects tissue parameters in the target area. A light beam control controls at least one parameter of the first light beam in response to the detected at least one tissue parameters. The tissue parameters can include texture, elasticity, size, and shape. The apparatus may be used for ablating a thin epidermal layer of the derma of a patient and also marks on the tissue such as marks from chloasma, liver spots, red spots, tattoos, blood vessels just below the surface, etc., as well as warts, wounds, hair follicles, etc., may be ablated or treated.

Abstract: A laser treatment apparatus for performing treatment by irradiating a skin of a patient with a laser beam for treatment is disclosed.

Abstract: A body compatible fiber optic sensor probe for invasive medical use is provided. The probe includes at least one sensing location at which the fiber is configured to provide at least one detectable changeable optical property responsive to strain within the fiber, and at least one sensing element which undergoes a volumetric change in response to an in body parameter to be sensed. The sensing element is coupled to the fiber in such a way that the volumetric change induces strain within the fiber so as to vary the detectable optical property or properties.

Abstract: Fiber delivered laser pulses emulsify thrombus by mechanical stresses that include a combination of pressure, tension and shear stress. Laser radiation is delivered to the locality of a thrombus and the radiation is absorbed by blood, blood dot, or other present materials. The combination of a leading pressure wave and subsequent vapor bubble cause efficient, emulsification of thrombus. Operating the laser in a low average power mode alleviates potential thermal complications. The laser is operated in a high repetition rate mode to take advantage of ultrasound frequency effects of thrombus dissolution as well as to decrease the total procedure time. Specific parameter ranges for operation are described. The device includes optical fibers surrounding a lumen intended for flow of a cooling agent. The fibers may be arranged concentrically around the lumen to deliver radiation and heat over as large an area as possible.

Abstract: An ophthalmological laser surgery system having a laser, associated elements for delivering an optical beam from the laser to a patient eye location, a control unit for controlling the operation of the system and a system input/output device, is enabled by a patient data card. The data card originally contains both patient background and system control information, which is transferred to the control unit via the input/output device. During system operation, newly generated information, such as laser beam power, is stored in the data card to provide an independent record of the surgical procedure actually performed. After one use, the data card is invalidated to prevent further use.

Abstract: A myocardial revascularization system that includes a laser energy source (e.g., a semiconductor laser), an outer guide member providing access to a patient's heart, and an optical fiber. The optical fiber is coupled to receive laser energy pulses from the source, is slidably located within the guide member, and is extendible from the distal end of the guide member. A drive motor is connected to the fiber to automatically move the distal end of the optical fiber with respect to the distal end of the guide member. A controller controls the drive motor to automatically move the fiber in synchronism with firing of the laser energy, and automatically calibrates the position of the distal end of the fiber with respect to the distal end of the catheter. The fiber has, at its tip, an enlargened portion with a front surface coated with a heat absorbing material that is nonmetallic and is partially transparent to the pulses. The outer guide member is 7 French or smaller and has a deflectable distal end.

Abstract: A thermal treatment apparatus comprises a control unit 251a that stops issuing a signal for laser beam activation transmitted over the foot switch signal cable 291 when the temperature obtained by the mirror temperature sensor 111 that detects the temperature of the laser emission part 122 provided at the laser irradiation unit 1 exceeds a predetermined value. This stops the output of the laser beam from the laser generator 3. Alternatively, the control unit can adjust the output value of the laser beam generated by the laser beam generator 3 by transmitting a signal via the communication cable 293 to change it in accordance with the detection signal of the mirror temperature sensor 111.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for the targeted application of therapy radiation in the treatment of diseased areas in the eye by means of a therapy beam which is directed into the eye through an applicator. In order to determine the parameters characterizing the diseased area, an image of the fundus of the eye to be treated is produced. The parameters characterizing the shape and/or size of the area to be irradiated and controlling variables are derived from this fundus image and are further processed by a computer. A control device is controlled by means of these parameters and controlling variables and adjusts or displaces an actuating arrangement corresponding to the shape and/or size of the area to be irradiated, which actuating arrangement changes the shape and/or size of the cross section of the therapy laser beam or changes the direction of the therapy laser beam in a plurality of coordinates and is arranged in the beam path of the therapy beam.

Abstract: A method is provided for treating a patient having a disorder, wherein the method includes irradiating a tissue surface of the patient with at least one laser beam, automatically monitoring the tissue, and automatically controlling the at least one laser beam to adjust and/or terminate the treatment in a therapeutically effective manner. The method noninvasively determines in real-time the irradiance and/or radiant exposure of a target tissue at a predetermined depth below the tissue surface by detecting the radial dependence of light remitted from the tissue surface. Preferably, the method employs a near-infrared light laser beam and a visible laser light beam in combination. An apparatus for performing the method is also provided.

Abstract: A surgical laser system is described for customized ablation with a power stabilized, near diffraction-limited laser beam. This surgical laser beam has a pulse repetition rate of from near 500 Hz to about 1 kHz and has a relatively small spot size at both positions of the cornea and the scanner. Such a surgical laser beam enables the use of fast scanner and the implement of fast eye tracker. One embodiment of such a surgical laser source is a CW pumped solid state laser employing non-linear wavelength conversion.

Abstract: A surface treatment laser beam delivery and tracking system is provided. The laser generates laser light along a original beam path at an energy level suitable for treating (e.g., eroding) a surface. An optical translator shifts the original beam path onto a resulting beam path. An optical angle adjuster changes the angle of the resulting beam path relative to the original beam path such that the laser light is incident on, and spatially distributed, the surface to be treated. A motion sensor transmits light energy to the surface and receives reflected light energy from the surface via the optical angle adjuster. The light energy transmitted by the motion sensor travels on a path that is parallel to the shifted beam as they travel through the optical angle adjuster. The reflected light energy is used by the motion sensor to detect movement of the surface relative to the original beam path and generate error control signals indicative of the movement.

Abstract: In a self-service health parameter measuring apparatus and method, a person's elbow is placed at a spatial reference point, and means surrounding a user's forearm locate an infrared body fat apparatus measurement point at a substantially fixed distance from the spatial reference point. Motor drive means adjustably tighten or loosen a cuff around an upper arm so that measurements on each user are made at substantially the same pressure of the measuring apparatus against a forearm irrespective of the size of the arm. In a preferred form, the preselected measurement pressure is achieved by inflating the cuff to a maximum level, and allowing deflation. Measurement is made when a lower, second preselected level is reached. Blood pressure is also measured in connection with the inflation and deflation operation. Further health parameters may be measured.

Abstract: A method and system for laser surgery produces controlled laser pulses and simultaneously verifies that a correct sequence of pulses are being delivered to the patient. A photo detector receives a predetermined portion of the energy of the treatment pulses as they exit the system. A separate monitoring computer compares an output signal from the photo detector with reference information for the treatment sequence. The system is exemplified in an implementation in an ophthalmic laser surgery system.

Abstract: A method and system for laser surgery produces controlled laser pulses and simultaneously verifies that a sequence of pulses of prescribed energy are being delivered to the patient. A photo detector receives a predetermined portion of the energy of each treatment pulse. A separate monitoring computer compares an output signal from the photo detector corresponding to each treatment laser pulse with a reference value for that type of pulse obtained in a calibration sequence. Implementation in an ophthalmic laser surgery system is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for corneal surgery to correct a refractive error by ablating corneal tissue with a laser beam emitted from a laser source and delivered onto a cornea of a patient's eye with a light delivering optical system, the apparatus comprising an irradiation area limiting device for limiting an irradiation area of the laser beam and for varying the irradiation area, a first control device for controlling the irradiation area limiting device so as to reduce an ablation amount as the laser beam irradiates further away from a flattest meridian of astigmatism whereby effecting astigmatic correction, a second control device for controlling the irradiation area limiting device so as to increase an ablation amount as the laser beam irradiates further away from a steepest meridian of astigmatism whereby effecting astigmatic correction, and an arithmetic device for dividing a refractive power required for astigmatic correction into halves approximately equally so that an approximately half of the astigmatic c

Abstract: A method and system are provided for sensing eye motion, such as saccadic eye motion, in a non-intrusive fashion. An optical delivery arrangement converts a laser beam pulse into a plurality of light spots. The light spots are focused such that they are incident on a corresponding plurality of positions located on a boundary whose movement is coincident with that of eye motion. The boundary can be defined by two visually adjoining surfaces having different coefficients of reflection. Energy is reflected from each of the positions located on the boundary receiving the light spots. An optical receiving arrangement detects the reflected energy from each of the positions. Changes in reflected energy at one or more of the positions is indicative of eye motion.

Abstract: An ablation apparatus including a maneuvering mechanism, a conductive element attached to the apparatus, a sensor attached to the apparatus and an output device in communication with the sensor is provided. The sensor senses vibration during the ablation procedure and sends a signal to the output device to reduce power to the conductive element.

Abstract: A process for monitoring and controlling the adjustment of treatment parameters in an ophthalmic treatment device which comprises a radiation source generating at least a treatment beam and, optionally, a target beam and an applicator which is connected with the radiation source via at least one optical element and can be attached to a slip lamp, wherein the following steps are provided: a) the irradiation parameters such as intensity, magnification of the contact lens placed on the eye, radiation dose per unit area, and spot size on the retina are adjusted by the operator at the radiation source; b) first parameters to be adjusted at the applicator are calculated on the basis of patient-related influencing variables such as contact lens magnification and the size of the spot to be realized on the retina, so that a determined spot size and intensity of the treatment beam to be applied can be realized at the treatment site on the retina; and c) parameters adjusted at the applicator are compared with the first

Abstract: A surface treatment laser beam delivery and tracking system is provided. The laser generates laser light along a original beam path at an energy level suitable for treating (e.g., eroding) a surface. An optical translator shifts the original beam path onto a resulting beam path. An optical angle adjuster changes the angle of the resulting beam path relative to the original beam path such that the laser light is incident on, and spatially distributed, the surface to be treated. A motion sensor transmits light energy to the surface and receives reflected light energy from the surface via the optical angle adjuster. The light energy transmitted by the motion sensor travels on a path that is parallel to the shifted beam as they travel through the optical angle adjuster. The reflected light energy is used by the motion sensor to detect movement of the surface relative to the original beam path and generate error control signals indicative of the movement.

Abstract: An ophthalmological laser surgery system having a laser, associated elements for delivering an optical beam from the laser to a patient eye location, a control unit for controlling the operation of the system and a system input/output device, is enabled by a patient data card. The data card originally contains both patient background and system control information, which is transferred to the control unit via the input/output device. During system operation, newly generated information, such as laser beam power, is stored in the data card to provide an independent record of the surgical procedure actually performed. After one use, the data card is invalidated to prevent further use.

Abstract: An ophthalmic laser system includes a laser beam delivery system and an eye tracker responsive to movement of the eye operable with a laser beam delivery system for ablating corneal material of the eye through placement of laser beam shot on a selected area of the cornea of the eye. The shots are fired in a sequence and pattern such that no laser shots are fired at consecutive locations and no consecutive shots overlap. The pattern is moved in response to the movement of the eye.

Abstract: Fluence monitoring apparatus is disclosed for a system for modifying curvature of the cornea of an eye by selective laser photoablation of corneal tissue by delivery of pulses of laser radiation to the cornea in an overlapping pattern. The system includes a scanner for directing the pulses to form the overlapping pattern, the movement of which is modified by an eye-tracker. A beamsplitter is located between the scanner and the cornea for directing a fraction of each of the pulses to a fixed monitor plate, which emits fluorescent light on being irradiated by each pulse-fraction. A video camera 100 images the monitor plate. Processing circuitry periodically records the image which includes images of pulse-fractions delivered during the period between recordings. These recordings are electronically integrated and processed to form a composite image representative of spatial distribution of laser fluence on the cornea.