초록 ▼

The invention contemplates removal of epithelium-layer material from the anterior surface of the cornea, as a step preparatory to laser surgery, wherein controlled ultraviolet irradiation of the cornea is operative to surgically ablate corneal tissue within an epithelium-free area which is in the op

The invention contemplates removal of epithelium-layer material from the anterior surface of the cornea, as a step preparatory to laser surgery, wherein controlled ultraviolet irradiation of the cornea is operative to surgically ablate corneal tissue within an epithelium-free area which is in the optically used central region of the cornea; the control is such (1) as first to effect essentially uniform-depth removal of Bowman\s membrane to the extent of exposing only stroma tissue within said central region, and then (2) to so selectively distribute the ultraviolet radiation to then-exposed stroma tissue as to effect in stroma tissue a predetermined sculpted corrective-curvature change in the optically used region. Other important pre-surgury and post-surgery procedural steps are disclosed, for greater assurance of a predictable curvature change through the sculpting laser surgery.

대표청구항 ▼

The method of changing the anterior surface of the cornea of an eye from an initial curvature in an optically used area having defective optical properties to a subsequent curvature having correctively improved properties within said optically used area, which method comprises: (a) removing only the

The method of changing the anterior surface of the cornea of an eye from an initial curvature in an optically used area having defective optical properties to a subsequent curvature having correctively improved properties within said optically used area, which method comprises: (a) removing only the epithelial layer from said area, whereby within said area Bowman\s membrane is the externally exposed anterior surface of the cornea; (b) then directionally and uniformly within said area impacting said exposed surface with tissue-ablating laser irradiation to ablate the anterior surface of the cornea with volumetric removal of corneal tissue to a uniform depth which is at least the thickness of Bowman\s membrane, whereby stroma tissue is directly exposed in said area; and (c) then directionally and selectively within said area impacting the exposed stroma with tissue-ablating laser irradiation to ablate stroma tissue with volumetric removal of stroma tissue to such penetration depth and profile as to characterize the anterior surface of the cornea with said subsequent curvature.