초록 ▼

A method for the laser photoablation of ocular lens tissue comprises the steps of determining a volume of the lens tissue to be photoablated and directing a pulsed, infrared laser beam at the volume with an amount of energy effective for photoablating the determined region without causing substantia

A method for the laser photoablation of ocular lens tissue comprises the steps of determining a volume of the lens tissue to be photoablated and directing a pulsed, infrared laser beam at the volume with an amount of energy effective for photoablating the determined region without causing substantial damage to surrounding tissue regions. The laser beam is initially directed at a focal point below an anterior surface of the ocular lens and such focal point is moved towards the ocular lens anterior surface in order to ablate the determined volume. The laser is preferably an Nd:YLF laser operating at a frequency of about 1053 nanometers and a pulse repetition rate of about 1000 Hertz with a pulse width of about 60 picoseconds. Each pulse has an energy of about 30 microjoules. The laser operates with a focused beam diameter of about 20 microns and operates with a "zone of effect" of no greater than about 50 microns. The method provides for the correction of myopia, hyperopia or presbyopia and enables the removal of incipient cataract.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A method for selective removal of ocular lens tissue, for the correction of vision defects, said method consisting essentially of the steps of:focusing a laser into an ocular lens with a focal point below an anterior surface of the ocular lens where ablation is intended

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A method for selective removal of ocular lens tissue, for the correction of vision defects, said method consisting essentially of the steps of:focusing a laser into an ocular lens with a focal point below an anterior surface of the ocular lens where ablation is intended to occur;pulsing said laser at said focal point; andmoving the laser focal point towards the ocular lens anterior surface and pulsing said laser at a selected volume of ocular lens, where ablation is intended to occur, said selected volume being of a size enabling resolve by adjacent healthy ocular lens tissue.