The invention relates to treatment apparatus (10) for correcting a refractive error of an eye (12) that includes a laser device (14) for separating corneal tissue by means of laser radiation (16); a control device (18) designed to control the laser device (14) to emit the laser radiation (16) for cutting out and/or ablating a volume (24) out of the surface (26) of the cornea (22) of the eye (12) in dependency on a measured pachymetry of the cornea (22) and the refractive error of the eye (12), whereby the cut-out and/or ablated volume (24) in the surface (20) of the cornea (22) results in a shape of a closed ring, a partial ring, a crescent or a crescent shaped closed ring. A method for controlling such an apparatus for correcting a refractive error of an eye, and to a protective mask for an eye are also provided.

Provided herein are methods for non-invasive ophthalmic surgery based on femto second multi shooting (FSMS) laser techniques. In one embodiment the FSMS laser technique is directed to corneal stroma. In another embodiment the FSMS laser technique is directed to crystalline lens.

To treat corneal ectatic disorders, systems and methods can precisely apply photoactivating light to specified areas of a cornea treated with a cross-linking agent. An example system includes a light source that provides a photoactivating light to photoactivate a cross-linking agent applied to an eye. The system includes optical element(s) that transmit the photoactivating light to the eye according to a pattern defined by a plurality of treatment zones. The treatment zones are delivered to different respective areas on the eye. The plurality of treatment zones includes at least a first treatment zone and a second treatment zone. The first treatment zone provides a first dose of the photoactivating light. The second treatment zone provides a second dose of the photoactivating light. The first dose is greater than the second dose. The first treatment zone is disposed within an inner boundary of the second treatment zone.

Methods and apparatus for the treatment of the eye to reduce pain can treat at least an outer region of the tissue so as to denervate nerves extending into the inner region and reduce the pain. For example, the cornea of the eye may comprise an inner region having an epithelial defect, and an outer portion of the cornea can be treated to reduce pain of the epithelial defect. The outer portion of the cornea can be treated to denervate nerves extending from the outer portion to the inner portion. The outer portion can be treated in many ways to denervate the nerve, for example with one or more of heat, cold or a denervating noxious substance such as capsaicin. The denervation of the nerve can be reversible, such that corneal innervation can return following treatment.

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.

The present application relates generally to a method for vision correction using corneal collagen crosslinking (CCXL), in which the physician is able to precisely control the pattern of ultraviolet (UV) energy delivered to the cornea, by means of a programmable masking array placed between the UV source and the cornea. A CCXL LCD masked is used to create various patterns of on and off pixels. The physician is able to control the degree of polarization of the LCD pixels, thereby allowing the physician to create various patterns of UV irradiation and thus, varying levels of CCXL.

A system for corneal treatment includes a light source that activates cross-linking in at least one selected region of a cornea treated with a cross-linking agent. The light source delivers photoactivating light to the at least one selected region of the cornea according to a set of parameters. The system includes a controller that receives input relating to the cross-linking agent and the set of parameters. The controller includes computer-readable storage media storing: (A) program instructions for determining cross-linking resulting from reactions involving ROS including at least peroxides, superoxides, and hydroxyl radicals, and (B) program instructions for determining cross-linking from reactions not involving oxygen. The controller executes the program instructions to output a calculated amount of cross-linking in the at least one selected region of the cornea. In response to the calculated amount of cross-linking, the light source adjusts at least one value in the set of parameters.

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.

In certain embodiments, a system for performing refractive treatment of an eye comprises a laser, a printer, and a computer. The laser emits a laser beam to prepare the eye for the refractive treatment. The printer prints material onto a print area of a target. The printer comprises a printer head and a printer controller. The printer head directs the material onto the print area, and the printer controller moves the printer head to direct the material onto a specific location of the print area. The computer comprises a memory and processors. The memory stores instructions for a pattern for the target. The pattern is designed to provide the refractive treatment for the eye. The processors instruct the printer controller to move the printer head to print the material onto the print area according to the pattern.

An apparatus for corneal crosslinking, the use of the apparatus for corneal crosslinking, and a method for corneal crosslinking are provided. The apparatus comprises a source of laser radiation; a scanner device for scanning the laser radiation; and a control computer for controlling the scanner device.