Correction of strabismus by laser-sculpturing of the cornea
AssigneeThe Johns Hopkins University
InventorDimitri T. Azar
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Abstract
The present invention consists of methods and apparatus for laser ablation of the cornea to correct strabismus. The laser beam is controlled by a system of limiting shutters to cut prism lenses into the cornea. The ablation is to remain substantially within the Bowman's layer, keeping scarring to a minimum.
Claims11
In an eye of a patient afflicted by strabismus wherein said eye is made of a cornea comprising an epithelium layer, a Bowman's layer below said epithelial layer, and a stroma below said Bowman's layer operating to focus light from an optical center of said eye about a visual axis to an undesired foveal location, a method for correcting the strabismus by steps comprising:
- moving the optical center of said eye by changing the shape of said cornea to move the optical center of said eye away from the visual axis to a desired foveal location and correct the strabismus.
In an eye of a patient afflicted by strabismus in which light is deviated from desired focus on a desired foveal location within said eye, wherein said eye has a cornea comprising an epithelium layer, a Bowman's layer below said epithelial layer, and a stroma below said Bowman's layer, a method for correcting the strabismus by steps comprising:
- forming a prismatic correction into the Bowman's layer, the stroma, or both the Bowman's layer and the stroma of said eye by photo ablation with a laser, said prism exhibiting a shape sufficient to deviate the focus of light to the desired foveal location and correct the strabismus.
In an eye of a patient afflicted by strabismus wherein said eye is made of a cornea comprising an epithelium layer, a Bowman's layer below said epithelial layer, and a stroma below said Bowman's layer, and said eye focuses light from an optical center of said eye about a visual axis to an undesired foveal location, a method for correcting the strabismus by steps comprising:
- moving the optical center of said eye by forming a series of fresnel lenses into the Bowman's layer of said cornea, wherein said fresnel lenses have a different optical center from the optical center of said cornea before treatment and direct focused light to a desired foveal location.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.