Intrastromal corneal modification via laser

A method of modifying a cornea of an eye having a main optical axis, comprising the steps of

• aiming an ultrashort pulse laser at the cornea,
• firing the ultrashort pulse laser at the cornea, the laser separating the internal area of the cornea offset from the main optical axis into first and second substantially ring-shaped internal surfaces to form a corneal flap, a portion of which remains attached to the cornea by an area located at the main optical axis, the first internal surface facing in a posterior direction of the cornea and the second internal surface facing in an anterior direction of the cornea,
• lifting the corneal flap,
• introducing a substantially ring-shaped ocular implant in between the first and second internal surfaces of the corneal flap so that the ocular implant at least partially encircles the portion of the cornea that remains attached to the cornea by an area located at the main optical axis,
• placing the corneal flap over the ocular implant to form a new curvature for the exterior surface of the cornea,
• aiming a second laser at the cornea, and
• firing the second laser at an external surface of the cornea to ablate a portion of the external surface of the cornea.

A system for corrective surgery for a cornea of an eye having a main optical axis, comprising:

• an ultrashort pulse laser adapted to separate the internal area of the cornea offset from the main optical axis into first and second internal surfaces to form a corneal flap;
• an ocular implant adapted to be inserted in between the first and second internal surfaces of the corneal flap;
• and
• a second laser adapted to ablate a portion of an external surface of the cornea after said ocular implant is inserted in-between the first and second internal surfaces of the corneal flap..

A method of modifying a cornea of an eye having a main optical axis, comprising the steps of

• separating the internal area of the cornea offset from the main optical axis into first and second substantially ring-shaped internal surfaces to form a corneal flap, a portion of which remains attached to the cornea by an area located at the main optical axis, the first internal surface facing in a posterior direction of the cornea and the second internal surface facing in an anterior direction of the cornea,
• lifting the corneal flap,
• introducing a substantially ring-shaped ocular implant in between the first and second internal surfaces of the corneal flap so that the ocular implant at least partially encircles the portion of the cornea that remains attached to the cornea by an area located at the main optical axis,
• placing the corneal flap over the ocular implant to form a new curvature for the exterior surface of the cornea,
• aiming a laser at the cornea, and
• firing the laser at an external surface of the cornea to ablate a portion of the external surface of the cornea.