Process monitoring and control during laser-based refractive index modification of intraocular lenses in patients

An ophthalmic laser surgical system for modifying refractive index of an intraocular lens (IOL) that has been implanted in a user's eye, the system comprising:

• a laser device configured to generate a pulsed laser beam;
• a laser beam delivery optical subsystem configured to deliver the pulsed laser beam to the IOL inside the eye;
• an imaging subsystem configured to detect a signal from the IOL;
• and
• a computer configured to:
• control the laser device and the laser beam delivery optical subsystem to deliver the pulsed laser beam to the IOL to modify a refractive index of the IOL at selected locations, including to scan the laser beam in a predefined scan pattern in the IOL, the scan pattern including at least one circular pattern;
• while delivering the pulsed laser beam to the IOL, control the imaging subsystem to form an image based on the signal from the IOL, the signal being indicative of a refractive index change of the IOL;
• to determine a processing effect of refractive index modification of the IOL based on the image, including to detect at least one circular pattern of the signal in the image and detect any non-uniformity of intensity of the signal in an angular direction along the circular pattern of the signal, which is indicative of a non-uniformity of the processing effect of the refractive index modification of the IOL in the angular direction;
• and
• based on the detected non-uniformity of intensity, control the laser device and the laser beam delivery optical subsystem to further deliver the laser beam to the IOL to reduce or eliminate the non-uniformity of the processing effect of the refractive index modification of the IOL in the angular direction.

An ophthalmic laser surgical system for modifying refractive index of an intraocular lens (IOL) that has been implanted in a user's eye, the system comprising:

• a laser device configured to generate a pulsed laser beam;
• a laser beam delivery optical subsystem configured to deliver the pulsed laser beam to the IOL inside the eye;
• an illumination source configured to illuminate the IOL;
• an imaging subsystem including a fluorescence signal detector, configured to detect a fluorescence signal from the IOL;
• and
• a computer configured to:
• control the laser device and the laser beam delivery optical subsystem to deliver the pulsed laser beam to the IOL to modify a refractive index of the IOL at selected locations;
• while delivering the pulsed laser beam to the IOL, control the illumination source to illuminate the IOL, wherein in response to the illumination, the IOL generates the fluorescence signal which is indicative of a refractive index change of the IOL, and control the fluorescence signal detector to form an image of the fluorescence signal from the IOL;
• to determine a processing effect of refractive index modification of the IOL based on the image of the fluorescence signal;
• and
• based on the determination, control the laser device and the laser beam delivery optical subsystem to further deliver the laser beam to the IOL.

An ophthalmic laser surgical system for modifying refractive index of an intraocular lens (IOL) that has been implanted in a user's eye, the system comprising:

• a laser device configured to generate a pulsed laser beam;
• a laser beam delivery optical subsystem configured to deliver the pulsed laser beam to the IOL inside the eye;
• an illumination source configured to illuminate the IOL;
• an imaging subsystem including a video camera, configured to form an image of the IOL;
• and
• a computer configured to:
• control the laser device and the laser beam delivery optical subsystem to deliver the pulsed laser beam to the IOL to modify a refractive index of the IOL at selected locations;
• while delivering the pulsed laser beam to the IOL, control the illumination source to illuminate the IOL, wherein in response to the illumination, the IOL generates a temporary photodarkening effect which is indicative of a refractive index change of the IOL, and control the imaging subsystem to obtain an image of the IOL and measure the temporary photodarkening effect from the image;
• to determine a processing effect of refractive index modification of the IOL based on the measured temporary photodarkening effect;
• and
• based on the determination, control the laser device and the laser beam delivery optical subsystem to further deliver the laser beam to the IOL.

An ophthalmic laser surgical system for modifying refractive index of an intraocular lens (IOL) that has been implanted in a user's eye, the system comprising:

• a laser device configured to generate a pulsed laser beam;
• a laser beam delivery optical subsystem configured to deliver the pulsed laser beam to the IOL inside the eye;
• a broadband visible light source configured to illuminate the IOL;
• an imaging subsystem including a video camera, configured to form a color image of the IOL;
• and
• a computer configured to:
• control the laser device and the laser beam delivery optical subsystem to deliver the pulsed laser beam to the IOL to modify a refractive index of the IOL at selected locations;
• while delivering the pulsed laser beam to the IOL, control the broadband visible light source to illuminate the IOL, wherein in response to the illumination, the IOL generates a color change which is indicative of a refractive index change of the IOL, and control the imaging subsystem to obtain an image of the IOL and measure the color change from the image;
• to determine a processing effect of refractive index modification of the IOL based on the measured color change;
• and
• based on the determination, control the laser device and the laser beam delivery optical subsystem to further deliver the laser beam to the IOL.

An ophthalmic laser surgical system for modifying refractive index of an intraocular lens (IOL) that has been implanted in a user's eye, the system comprising:

• a laser device configured to generate a pulsed laser beam;
• a laser beam delivery optical subsystem configured to deliver the pulsed laser beam to the IOL inside the eye;
• an imaging subsystem including a fluorescence signal detector, configured to detect a fluorescence signal from the IOL;
• and
• a computer configured to:
• control the laser device and the laser beam delivery optical subsystem to deliver the pulsed laser beam to the IOL to modify a refractive index of the IOL at selected locations;
• while delivering the pulsed laser beam to the IOL, control the fluorescence signal detector to form an image of a fluorescence signal from the IOL which is generated by the IOL in response to the pulsed laser beam and which is indicative of a refractive index change of the IOL;
• to determine a processing effect of refractive index modification of the IOL based on the measured image;
• and
• based on the determination, control the laser device and the laser beam delivery optical subsystem to further deliver the laser beam to the IOL.