A planning device generating control data for a treatment apparatus for cornea transplantation using a laser device to separate a corneal volume by at least one cut surface in the cornea and to separate a transplant, from a surrounding transplantation material by at least one cut surface, wherein the planning device includes an interface supplying measurement data relating to parameters of the cornea. A computer defines a corneal cut surface which confines the corneal volume to be removed, and determines a transplant cut surface by using the transplantation material data and depending on the defined corneal cut surface. The transplant cut surface confines the transplant, and the computer generates one control data for each cut surface to control the laser, wherein the respective cut surfaces can be produced by the laser to isolate the corneal volume and the transplant and to make them removable.

A system for forming a corneal implant includes a cutting apparatus, which includes a laser source that emits a laser and optical elements that direct the laser. The system includes a controller implemented with at least one processor and at least one data storage device. The controller generates a sculpting plan for modifying a first shape of a lenticule formed from corneal tissue and achieving a second shape for the lenticule to produce a corneal implant with a refractive profile to reshape a recipient eye. The sculpting plan is determined from measurements relating to the lenticule having the first shape and information relating to a refractive profile for a corneal implant. The controller controls the cutting apparatus to direct, via the one or more optical elements, the laser from the laser source to sculpt the lenticule according to the sculpting plan to produce the corneal implant with the refractive profile.

Methods for treatment of dry eye and other acute or chronic inflammatory processes are disclosed herein. One method includes administering a drug delivery implant to a patient in need thereof, the drug delivery implant comprising one or more Rock inhibitors and/or one or more Wnt inhibitors, the patient having a medical condition selected from the group consisting of dry eye, lichen planus, arthritis, psoriasis, plantar fasciitis, pars planitis, scleritis, keratitis, chronic meibomian gland inflammation, optic nerve neuritis, uveitis, papillitis, diabetic neural pain, diabetic retinopathy, a cataract, a side effect occurring after refractive surgery, a side effect occurring after corneal transplant, a side effect occurring after retinal detachment surgery, and combinations thereof. The administration of the drug delivery implant to the patient treats the medical condition, reduces the symptoms associated with the medical condition, enhances nerve regeneration, and/or alleviates the medical condition.

A photodynamic therapy technique for preventing damage to the fovea of the eye or another body portion of a patient is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a treatment laser is applied to a body portion of a patient using a painting technique, the treatment laser being configured to provide paint brush-type photodynamic therapy (PPDT) using the painting technique to the body portion of the patient by emitting light of a predetermined wavelength that is absorbed by tissue of the body portion of the patient to which a photosensitizer has been applied, the body portion of the patient being afflicted by a medical condition. The application of the treatment laser to the body portion of a patient using the painting technique treats the medical condition, reduces the symptoms associated with the medical condition, and/or alleviates the medical condition.

The invention relates to a planning device for generating control data for a treatment apparatus, which by means of a laser device generates at least one cut surface in the cornea, and to a treatment apparatus having such a planning device. The invention further relates to a method for generating control data for a treatment apparatus, which by means of a laser device generates at least one cut surface in the cornea, and to a corresponding method for eye surgery. The planning device is thereby provided with calculating means for defining the corneal incision surfaces, wherein the calculation means determines the corneal incisions such that after inserting an implant into the cornea, existing refractive errors are counteracted.

A system for forming a corneal implant includes a cutting apparatus, which includes a laser source that emits a laser and optical elements that direct the laser. The system includes a controller implemented with at least one processor and at least one data storage device. The controller generates a sculpting plan for modifying a first shape of a lenticule formed from corneal tissue and achieving a second shape for the lenticule to produce a corneal implant with a refractive profile to reshape a recipient eye. The sculpting plan is determined from measurements relating to the lenticule having the first shape and information relating to a refractive profile for a corneal implant. The controller controls the cutting apparatus to direct, via the one or more optical elements, the laser from the laser source to sculpt the lenticule according to the sculpting plan to produce the corneal implant with the refractive profile.

A method of corneal implantation with cross-linking is disclosed herein. In one or more embodiments, the method includes the steps of: (i) forming a flap in a cornea of an eye so as to expose a stromal tissue of the cornea underlying the flap; (ii) pivoting the flap so as to expose the stromal tissue of the cornea underlying the flap; (iii) inserting an implant under the flap so as to overlie the stromal tissue of the cornea; (iv) applying laser energy and/or microwaves to the implant in the eye so as to modify the refractive power of the implant; (v) applying a cross-linking solution that includes a photosensitizer to the implant; (vi) covering the implant with the flap; and (vii) irradiating the implant so as to activate cross-linkers in the implant, and thereby cross-link the implant and the stromal tissue of the cornea surrounding the implant.

System and method for making incisions in eye tissue at different depths. The system and method focuses light, possibly in a pattern, at various focal points which are at various depths within the eye tissue. A segmented lens can be used to create multiple focal points simultaneously. Optimal incisions can be achieved by sequentially or simultaneously focusing lights at different depths, creating an expanded column of plasma, and creating a beam with an elongated waist.

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.

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.