Corneal aplanation device

A method for reconfiguring a cornea for ophthalmic laser surgery which comprises the steps of:

• providing an aplanatic lens which includes a lens member having a substantially flat anterior surface and a substantially flat aplanation surface, said aplanation surface being substantially parallel to said anterior surface, and said lens having a skirt surrounding said aplanation surface and establishing an interface between said skirt and said aplanation surface, said skirt extending outwardly from said aplanation surface to define a recessed chamber therebetween, said recessed chamber having an opening and said lens further having a passageway in fluid communication with said recessed chamber adjacent said interface, and a suction means in fluid communication with said passageway for creating a partial vacuum in said recessed chamber between said aplanation surface and the cornea;
• positioning said opening to said recessed chamber of said aplanatic lens over the cornea;
• and
• creating a partial vacuum in said recessed chamber with said suction means to draw the cornea into the recessed chamber through said opening to flatten the cornea against said aplanation surface into an aplanation configuration.