A new configuration of Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) equipment includes a handpiece that allows the application of IPL directly to the eye and eyelid. The handpiece is sized and configured for precise digital manipulation. The invention also includes a distance guide for maintaining precise distances between the area to be treated and a crystal mounted in the handpiece. Eye shields protect the cornea and surrounding sclera during the application of IPL.

This apparatus treats the lens capsule so as to increase accommodation of the eye. The treatment of the lens capsule may comprise treating a portion of the lens capsule so as to stiffen the treated portion and improve accommodation of the eye. The intermediate portion of the lens capsule may be located between an optically used central portion of the lens capsule and a peripheral portion of the lens capsule connected to zonules of the eye. The stiffened intermediate portion of the lens capsule can improve coupling of the peripheral portion of the lens capsule to the central portion of the lens capsule, such that an amount of accommodation of the optically used central portion of the lens is increased. As the force of the lens capsule to a lens disposed within the lens capsule is increased, the lens may comprise the natural lens of the eye or an artificial lens such as an accommodative IOL. The treatment of the eye to stiffen the intermediate portion may comprise application of one or more of an energy or a substance to the intermediate portion.

A device and method for applying light to the cornea of the eye as, for example, to promote crosslinking of collagen in the cornea for vision correction. The device may include a structure having form and size similar to a conventional contact lens. The structure may include an optically dispersive element such as a mass of an optically dispersive material that may be contained in a cavity of a reflective element. Light applied to the dispersive mass as, for example, by an optical fiber connected to the structure is dispersed in the structure and passes into the cornea. The patient may blink or close the eye during the procedure, which increases patient comfort and aids in maintaining hydration of the cornea.

Architectures and techniques for treating conditions of the eye, such as meibomian gland disease, utilize sources of treatment energy, such as electromagnetic energy emitting devices, to implement manipulations on tissue surrounding the orbit. According to these devices and methods, the sources of treatment energy are activated to direct energy onto parts of the eye, such as the meibomian gland, to treat meibomian gland disease. The treatments can affect at least one property of the eye and allow the liquifactions to flow more freely.

In a corneal measurement system, an optical element focuses an excitation light to an area of corneal tissue at a selected depth. In response, a fluorescing agent applied to the cornea generates a fluorescence emission. An aperture of a pinhole structure selectively transmits the fluorescence emission from the area of corneal tissue at the selected depth. A detector captures the selected fluorescence emission transmitted by the aperture and communicates information relating to a measurement of the selected fluorescence emission captured by the detector. A controller receives the information from the detector and determines a measurement of the fluorescing agent in the area of corneal tissue at the selected depth. The system may include a scan mechanism that causes the optical element to scan the cornea at a plurality of depths, and the controller may determine a measurement of the fluorescing agent in the cornea as a function of depth.

An ophthalmic surgical apparatus includes: a support provided with an electrical path, and a probe including a conductive material, the probe including a first section coupled to the support and a second section formed integrally with and connected to the first section, the entire surface of the second section being exposed to the outside of the support.

A process for safely providing retinal phototherapy includes generating first and second light beams of a different wavelength. The first and second light beams are applied to a retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and choroid of an eye. The amount of light reflected from the eye from the first light beam and the second light beam is measured, such as using a reflectometer. A level or concentration of the melanin within the eye is calculated using the measured amount of light reflected from the eye from the first and second light beams. When the content or density of melanin in the RPE exceeds a predetermined amount, one or more treatment parameters of the retinal phototherapy is adjusted.

An ophthalmic phototherapy device and associated treatment methods to expose an eye to selected multi-wavelengths of light to promote the healing of damaged or diseased eye tissue. The device includes a housing having an interior; an eyepiece disposed on the housing and configured and arranged for placement of an eye of the patient adjacent the eyepiece; a first light source producing a first light beam having a first therapeutic wavelength and disposed within the housing; a second light source producing a second light beam having a second therapeutic wavelength and disposed within the housing, where the second therapeutic wavelength differs from the first therapeutic wavelength by at least 25 nm.

A surgical device and procedure are provided for smoothly and easily accessing tissue to perform microsurgery, including a capsulotomy of a lens capsule of an eye. The device includes a handpiece with a tip for insertion into an incision in the cornea of the eye. A sliding element is disposed within the handpiece and a suction cup is mounted to the sliding element. The sliding element can be translated to move the suction cup into and out of the handpiece. A compression mechanism associated with the suction cup and the handpiece compresses the suction cup for deployment through the tip of the handpiece. The suction cup can expand inside the anterior chamber into a cutting position on the lens capsule. A cutting element mounted to the suction cup is used to cut a portion of the lens capsule and to remove the portion from the eye.

Ophthalmic treatment systems and methods of using the systems are disclosed. The ophthalmic treatment systems include (a) a light source device; (b) at least one optical treatment head operatively coupled to the light source device, comprising a light source array, and providing at least one treatment light; and (c) a light control device, which (i) provides patterned or discontinuous treatment light projection onto an eye (e.g., the cornea and/or sclera of an eye); or (ii) adjusts intensity of part or all of the light source array, providing adjusted intensity treatment light projection onto an eye (e.g., the cornea and/or sclera of an eye). The at least one treatment light promotes corneal and/or scleral collagen cross-linking.