Probes having fiber taper and fluid collection channel for ophthalmic laser treatment

A treatment probe for treating an eye of a patient, the treatment probe comprising:

• an elongate body;
• and
• a treatment fiber coupled with the elongate body and configured for delivering treatment light energy to the eye;
• wherein a distal end of the treatment fiber is adapted to alter an angle of an optical beam that is emitted from the treatment fiber such that an increased amount of light energy is able to therapeutically treat targeted tissue within the eye;
• wherein at least a portion of a distal tip of the treatment fiber is positioned proximally of a distal end of the elongate body;
• and
• wherein a distal end of the treatment probe is configured to aggregate fluid so that the fluid contacts the distal end of the treatment fiber.

A method of treating an eye of a patient, the method comprising:

• providing a treatment probe comprising:
• an elongate body;
• and
• a treatment fiber;
• positioning a distal end of the treatment probe on a surface of the eye;
• moving the distal end of the treatment probe laterally across the surface of the eye;
• and
• delivering light energy from a distal end of the treatment fiber;
• wherein as the distal end of the treatment probe is moved laterally across the surface of the eye, the distal end of the treatment probe aggregates fluid into contact with the distal end of the treatment fiber.