초록 ▼

The invention contemplates use of a scanning laser characterized by ultraviolet radiation to achieve controlled ablative photodecomposition of one or more selected regions of a cornea. Irradiated flux density and exposure time are so controlled as to achieve desired depth of the ablation, which is a

The invention contemplates use of a scanning laser characterized by ultraviolet radiation to achieve controlled ablative photodecomposition of one or more selected regions of a cornea. Irradiated flux density and exposure time are so controlled as to achieve desired depth of the ablation, which is a local sculpturing step, and the scanning action is coordinated to achieve desired ultimate surface change in the cornea. The scanning may be so controlled as to change the front surface of the cornea from a greater to a lesser spherical curvature, or from a lesser to a greater spherical curvature, thus effecting reduction in a myopic or in a hyperopic condition, without resort to a contact or other corrective auxiliary lens technique, in that the cornea becomes the corrective lens. The scanning may also be so controlled as to reduce astigmatism and to perform the precise incisions of a keratotomy. Still further, the scanning may be so controlled as to excise corneal tissue uniformly over a precisely controlled area of the cornea for precision accommodation of a corneal transplant.

대표청구항 ▼

The method of changing optical properties of an eye by operating solely upon the anterior surface of the cornea of the eye, which method comprises selective ultraviolet irradiation and attendant ablative photodecomposition of the anterior surface of the cornea in a volumetric removal of corneal tiss

The method of changing optical properties of an eye by operating solely upon the anterior surface of the cornea of the eye, which method comprises selective ultraviolet irradiation and attendant ablative photodecomposition of the anterior surface of the cornea in a volumetric removal of corneal tissue and with depth penetration into the stroma and to a predetermined cruvature profile.