Apparatus for the observation and the treatment of the eye using a laser

An apparatus for the observation and treatment of an eye with a laser, comprising:

• an illumination light source including a laser for focusing laser light on a part of the eye to be observed;
• a scanning unit generating scanning movement of the light of the illumination light source on the part of the eye to be observed;
• a detector receiving scanning light reflected from the eye and providing a time-sequential output signal in accordance with detected reflected light;
• an evaluation and synchronization unit responsive to the time-sequential output signal of the detector for generating a first visual image of the part of the eye to be observed;
• a monitor for receiving the generated first visual image and for display thereof;
• a treatment laser unit providing treatment laser light onto a part of the eye to be treated;
• and
• a controller including an image processing unit for generating a second visual image of the eye having markings thereon at least at one location on the eye to be treated so as to be superimposed on the first visual image of the eye on the monitor displaying the first visual image, the controller includes a deflector for deflecting the treatment laser light onto the eye;
• wherein an operator manually superimposes the second visual image flush with the first visual image so as to be aligned therewith, and the controller continuously controls realignment of the superimposed images and of the treatment laser light with respect to the eye when the eye moves during treatment of the eye so as to enable the treatment laser light to impinge on the eye according to the marked location of the second visual image in accordance with the output signal of the detector unit.