Docking station for use in ophthalmic procedures

A method of stabilizing a procedure eye during an ophthalmic surgical procedure, comprising:

• positioning a docking device having a lower surface with a suction ring on the procedure eye such that a central portion of the suction ring is at, on, or adjacent to a plica semilunaris and a lacrimal caruncle of the procedure eye and a portion of an opening in the suction ring is opposite to the central portion, the opening ranging from 30 degrees to 180 degrees;
• applying vacuum to the suction ring to secure the suction ring lower surface to the surface of the sclera and/or conjunctiva, the suction ring at least partially encircling the cornea of the eye;
• and
• performing the ophthalmic surgical procedure on the procedure eye using a surgical instrument passed through the opening in the suction ring.

A method of docking system response to disruptive events during ophthalmic procedures, comprising:

• positioning an ophthalmic docking system having a proximal suction ring on the eye of a patient, wherein the suction ring is attached to a rim, support ring, lower arm, and an upper arm of the ophthalmic docking system;
• receiving a disruptive trigger event including one or more of:
• (i) movement of a head or body of the patient, (ii) a malfunction of the ophthalmic docking system, and (iii) interference with the ophthalmic docking system;
• and
• de-coupling the ophthalmic docking system from the eye at one or more release points of the ophthalmic docking system distal to the suction ring, wherein the one or more release points include interfaces between:
• (i) the rim and the suction ring, (ii) the support ring and the rim, and (iii) the lower arm and the support ring.