A system for ophthalmic surgery includes a laser source configured to deliver an ultraviolet laser beam comprising laser pulses having a wavelength between 320 nm and 370 nm to photodecompose one or more intraocular targets within the eye with chromophore absorbance. The pulse energy, the pulse duration, and the focal spot are such that an irradiance at the focal spot is sufficient to photodecompose the one or more intraocular targets without exceeding a threshold of formation of a plasma and an associated cavitation event. An optical system operatively coupled to the laser source and configured to focus the ultraviolet laser beam to a focal spot and direct the focal spot in a pattern into the one or more intraocular targets. The optical system focuses the laser beam at a numerical aperture that provides for the focal spot to be scanned over a scan range of 6 mm to 10 mm.

As shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration, a method and system for making physical modifications to intraocular targets is disclosed. In varying embodiments, the method and system disclosed herein provide many advantages over the current standard of care. Specifically, linear absorption facilitated photodecomposition and linear absorption facilitated plasma generation to modify intraocular tissues and synthetic intraocular lenses.

Described refractive correctors, include, but are not limited to, intraocular lenses (IOLs), contact lenses, corneal inlays, and other optical components or devices, incorporating a continuous central phase zone and peripheral phase discontinuities. Further embodiments are directed to a method for using a laser to modify the refractive properties of refractive correctors to form such continuous central phase zone and peripheral phase discontinuities, and other applications. The refractive corrector and methods adapt a Fresnel lens structure to include continuous phase retarding regions having a wavefront height of greater than one design wavelength in a central zone of a refractive corrector to improve human vision applications, while maintaining benefits of phase wrapping in the peripheral region.

Devices and methods for novel retinal irradiance distribution modification (IDM) to improve, stabilize or restore vision are described herein. Also encompassed herein are devices and methods to reduce vision loss from diseases, injuries and disorders that involve damaged and/or dysfunctional and/or sensorily deprived retinal cells. Conditions that may be treated using devices and methods described herein include macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma. Therapy provided by retinal IDM devices and methods described herein may also be used in combination with other therapies including, but not limited to, pharmacological, retinal laser, gene and stem cell therapies.

A method of corneal implantation with cross-linking is disclosed herein. In one or more embodiments, the method includes the steps of: (i) prior to implantation, treating an implant formed from donor corneal tissue or a tissue culture grown corneal stroma with a solution of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), Triton X-100, benzalkonium chloride (BAK), Igepal, genipin, 100% glycerol, or alcohol for making the implant acellular, and for killing any bacteria, viruses, or parasites prior to implantation; (ii) implanting the implant into a recipient cornea; (iii) applying laser energy to the implant so as to modify the refractive power of the implant while being monitored using a Shack-Hartmann wavefront system so as to achieve a desired refractive power for the implant; and (iv) applying a cross-linking solution and irradiating the implant to cross-link the implant to prevent an immune response to the implant and/or rejection of the implant by a patient.

A method for modifying a refractive property of ocular tissue in an eye by creating at least one optically-modified gradient index (GRIN) layer in the corneal stroma and/or the crystalline by continuously scanning a continuous stream of laser pulses having a focal volume from a laser having a known average power along a continuous line having a smoothly changing refractive index within the tissue, and varying either or both of the scan speed and the laser average power during the scan. The method may further involve determining a desired vision correction adjustment, and determining a position, number, and design parameters of gradient index (GRIN) layers to be created within the ocular tissue to provide the desired vision correction.

A method for modifying the refractive index of an optical, polymeric material. The method comprises irradiating select regions of the optical, polymeric material with a focused, visible or near-IR laser having a pulse energy from 0.05 nJ to 1000 nJ. The irradiation results in the formation of refractive optical structures, which exhibit little or no scattering loss. The method can he used to modify the refractive index of an intraocular lens following the surgical implantation of the intraocular lens in a human eye. The invention is also directed to an optical device comprising refractive optical structures, which exhibit little or no scattering loss and are characterized by a positive change in refractive index.

Systems and methods for improving vision of a subject implanted with an intraocular lens (IOL). In some embodiments, a method includes determining a deviation in position of at least one optical element from a reference line corresponding to alignment of the apex of the cornea, center of the pupil, center of the IOL, and fovea, and/or determining a tilt of at least one of the optical elements relative to the reference line. The method can further include applying a plurality of focused laser pulses to a selected area of the implanted IOL to produce, through refractive index writing, a phase change pattern on the IOL that is configured to compensate for the deviation(s) and/or tilt to improve the foveal vision of the subject.

Systems and methods for improving vision of a subject implanted with an intraocular lens (IOL). In some embodiments, a method includes determining at least one modification to be made to an IOL implanted in a subject to improve the vision of the subject, wherein the IOL has a first index of refraction; and based on the determination, applying laser radiation to at least one selected area of the IOL to form, within the IOL, at least one additional layer having a different index of refraction than the first index of refraction and a particular shape within the IOL configured to improve the vision of the subject.

Systems and methods for improving vision of a subject implanted with an intraocular lens (IOL) that has a non-zero residual spherical error that requires an estimated diffractive power addition in the IOL. In some embodiments, a plurality of laser pulses are applied to the IOL, the laser pulses being configured to produce, by refractive index writing on the IOL, the estimated diffractive power addition to correct for the residual spherical error.