The present invention generally relates to apparatus and processes for preventing or delaying cataract. More particularly, the present invention relates to processes and apparatus for ablating epithelial cells in the germinative zone or the pregerminative zone of the crystalline lens of the eye so that onset or progression of cataract or one or more symptoms is delayed or prevented.

A method for applying a photocoagulation procedure includes capturing a baseline image of a first location within a surgical site. The method further includes applying a photocoagulation treatment at the first location within the surgical site, the photocoagulation treatment using a laser tool having a set of operating parameters. The method further includes capturing an operation image of the first location within the surgical site at a point in time after the photocoagulation treatment has started. The method further includes, with a control system, performing a comparison of the operation image and the baseline image to determine whether a treatment objective has been achieved. The method further includes, with the control system, in response to determining that the treatment objective has not been achieved, adjusting the set of operating parameters to create a set of adjusted operating parameters and continuing the photocoagulation treatment with the set of adjusted operating parameters.

A method for forming an incision in an eye, the method including performing a first pass of a first laser beam along a path within an eye, wherein after completion of the first pass there exists a residual uncut layer at an anterior surface of a cornea of the eye. The method further including performing a second pass of a second laser beam only along a portion of the path that contains the residual uncut layer, wherein after completion of the second pass, the residual uncut layer is transformed into a full complete through surface incision.

Systems and methods for removing an epithelial layer disposed over a stromal layer in a cornea irradiate a region of the epithelial layer with a pulsed beam of ablative radiation. The ablative radiation is scanned to vary the location of the beam within the region in accordance with a pulse sequence. The pulse sequence is arranged to enhance optical feedback based on a tissue fluorescence of the epithelial layer. The penetration of the epithelial layer is detected in response to the optical feedback. The use of scanning with the pulse sequence arranged to enhance optical feedback allows large areas of the epithelium to be ablated such penetration of the epithelial layer can be detected.

Images of a patient's eye can be imaged and the images processed to detect and track floaters within the patient's eye. The floater detection and tracking can be used to identify characteristics of the floaters as well as possibly perform laser treatment of the floaters.

A system, technique and material composition for use in correction of eye condition are disclosed. The system comprising a processing utility and an etching utility. The processing utility comprises: correction pattern module configured for providing a selected two-dimensional pattern in according with input data indicative of vision impermanent of a user, and for generating operational instructions for forming said selected two-dimensional pattern on the surface of the cornea by said etching utility. The etching utility is configured to etching the selected patter on surface of the cornea of a user. The material composition comprises aqueous solution comprising a plurality of nanoparticles, said nanoparticles comprising maghemite nanoparticles wrapped by biocompatible protein chains. The material composition may be used as eye drops thereby allowing the nanoparticles to occupy etched region on the cornea, thereby maintaining correction of eye condition.

A method for generating cut surfaces in the cornea of an eye in order to correct ametropia using an apparatus. The method includes providing the apparatus including a laser unit, which focuses pulsed laser radiation into the cornea and moves the focused radiation in the cornea to generate cut surfaces, and a control unit, which controls the laser unit for generating cut surfaces. The method includes forming at least two mutually spaced apart cut surfaces as opening cuts by application of the pulsed laser radiation from the laser unit, each opening cut extending from an anterior corneal surface into the cornea and forming a further cut surface as a relieving cut by application of the pulsed laser radiation from the laser unit, which relieving cut extends from the anterior corneal surface into the cornea. The position and shape of the relieving cut is selected such that the relieving cut contributes to the correction of the ametropia of the eye.

A steerable laser probe may include a handle, an actuation structure, an optic fiber, and a housing tube. The housing tube may include a first housing tube portion having a first stiffness and a second housing tube portion having a second stiffness. The second stiffness may be greater than the first stiffness. The optic fiber may be disposed within the housing tube and within an inner bore of the handle. A compression of the actuation structure may be configured to gradually curve the optic fiber. A decompression of the actuation structure may be configured to gradually straighten the optic fiber.

A steerable laser probe may include a handle having a handle distal end and a handle proximal end, a flexible housing tube having a flexible housing tube distal end and a flexible housing tube proximal end, an actuation mechanism control of the handle, and an optic fiber disposed within an inner bore of the handle and within the flexible housing tube. An actuation of the actuation mechanism control may be configured to gradually curve the flexible housing tube. A gradual curving of the flexible housing tube may be configured to gradually curve the optic fiber. An actuation of the actuation mechanism control may be configured to gradually straighten the flexible housing tube. A gradual straightening of the flexible housing tube may be configured to gradually straighten the optic fiber.

Images of a patient's eye can be imaged and the images processed to detect and track floaters within the patient's eye. The floater detection and tracking can be used to identify characteristics of the floaters as well as possibly perform laser treatment of the floaters.