An illustrative method of delivering laser energy to a surface of a trabecular meshwork of an eye includes inserting a probe into the eye and delivering, at multiple locations along the trabecular meshwork, shots of the laser energy via the probe to create a plurality of perforations in the trabecular meshwork. The plurality of perforations form a line or curve that is transverse to a Schlemm's canal in the eye.

A method of treating a patient having an eye condition includes determining, during a pre-operative analysis of the patient, that the patient has a risk of developing glaucoma. The method further includes treating the patient with an excimer laser to prophylactically treat glaucoma based on the pre-operative analysis determination that the patient has the risk of developing glaucoma.

The invention relates to a method for adjusting optimized irradiation parameters of laser pulses (24) for an ophthalmological laser (12) of a treatment apparatus (10), including, as steps, ascertaining (S10) a threshold value for a laser-induced optical breakthrough, wherein the threshold value is preset to a control device (18) of the treatment apparatus (10); providing (S12) an energy window of a laser pulse energy depending on the ascertained threshold value by the control device (18); selecting (S14) a laser pulse energy from the provided energy window; providing (S16) at least one spatial pulse distance range of the laser pulses (24) depending on the selected laser pulse energy by the control device (18), wherein the pulse distance range is determined based on the selected laser pulse energy by means of a pulse distance model; and selecting (S18) at least one spatial laser pulse distance (a, b) from the provided pulse distance range.

A steerable laser probe may include a handle, an actuation structure of the handle, a housing tube, a flexible tube, an optic fiber, and a wire having a pre-formed curve. The flexible tube may be disposed within the housing tube wherein a distal end of the flexible tube projects out from a distal end of the housing tube. The optic fiber may be disposed within an inner bore of the handle, the housing tube, and the flexible tube. The wire may be disposed within the housing tube.

A method and apparatus for making improved surgical incisions in corrective eye surgery are provided. It was observed that a uniform elongated AK (or LRI) incision provides a non-uniform corrective effect due to non-uniform post-surgical relaxation of ophthalmic tissue. The method and apparatus leverage this observation to provide for creation of a surgical incision that is structured to be non-uniform along its length in such a manner as to at least partially counteract an expected variation in ophthalmic tissue relaxation to provide overall increased uniformity of corrective effect. An automated laser surgery system includes a laser control system configured to control laser delivery to cause selective ablation of ophthalmic tissue to provide an elongated structured incision that varies along its length in at least one of a depth, a profile, a width, and an angle of attack relative to a surface of the ophthalmic tissue.

Methods and systems for correcting presbyopia using a surgical excimer laser include activating the laser once and transmitting a pre-defined three dimensional ablation profile to treat presbyopia based on the single activating step.

An adaptive laser system for ophthalmic use is provided. In another aspect, a relatively inexpensive laser is employed. In another aspect of the present system, non-linear optical imaging uses multiphoton fluorescences and/or second harmonic generation, to create three-dimensional mapping of a portion of the eye in combination with automated feedback to assist with a surgical operation. In a further aspect of the present system, the patient interface uses laser induced markings or indicia to aid in focusing and/or calibration. Still another aspect employs temporal focusing of the laser beam pulse.

An ophthalmic instrument for the application of laser radiation in a patient's eye, particularly for the examination and/or surgical laser treatment of the cornea and the lens of the eye, includes a femtosecond laser, an objective and optical assemblies. The optical assemblies are arranged in front of the objective, and selectively vary the focus position in the coordinate direction X, Y and Z either within the region of the cornea or within the region of the lens of the eye. The objective or at least one lens group is movable relative to the eye. The variation of the position of the lens group objective shifts the focus position from the cornea to the lens of the eye and vice versa.

An ophthalmic laser ablation system is described with various optional features, some especially suitable for non-penetrating filtration on an eye. In one example, focusing of an ablation laser uses a movable lens coupled to a pair of converging light sources, which converge at the focal distance of the lens. In another example, laser ablation settings are selected for optimal ablation and minimal amount of thermal damage of a layer of percolating scleral tissue.

Systems, methods, and devices used to treat eyelids, meibomian glands, ducts, and surrounding tissue are described herein. In some embodiments, an eye treatment device is disclosed, which includes a scleral shield positionable proximate an inner surface of an eyelid, the scleral shield being made of, or coated with, an energy-absorbing material activated by a light energy, and an energy transducer positionable outside of the eyelid, the energy transducer configured to provide light energy at one or more wavelengths, including a first wavelength selected to heat the energy-absorbing material. Wherein, when the eyelid is positioned between the energy transducer and the scleral shield, the light energy from the energy transducer and the heated energy-absorbing material of the scleral shield conductively heats a target tissue region sufficiently to melt meibum within meibomian glands located within or adjacent to the target tissue region.