Real-time surgical reference indicium apparatus and methods for intraocular lens implantation

An apparatus for stereoscopic guidance of a surgical procedure on an eye, the apparatus comprising:

• at least one real-time, multidimensional visualization module configured to record left and right images of the eye, the eye having at least one specific visual feature;
• at least one display in communication with the multidimensional visualization module;
• wherein the at least one real-time, multidimensional visualization module includes an image processor adapted to produce, using the left and right images, at least one real-time stereoscopic multidimensional visualization of the eye on the at least one display;
• a foot switch device adapted to signal an increase or a decrease in a viewing depth of a currently displayed view of the at least one real-time stereoscopic multidimensional visualization, in response to user input;
• wherein the at least one specific visual feature is characterized by a first depth in the at least one real-time stereoscopic multidimensional visualization;
• and
• at least one data processor configured to:
• i) produce at least one virtual surgical reference indicium characterized by a second depth based on a pre-operative still image of the eye,
• ii) scroll through different values of the viewing depth of the at least one real-time stereoscopic multidimensional visualization, based on the user input to the foot switch device, and
• iii) align the at least one virtual surgical reference indicium to the eye in conjunction with the at least one real-time stereoscopic multidimensional visualization of at least a portion of the eye based in part on the viewing depth.