Disposable contact lens for use with an ophthalmic laser system

A device for use in ophthalmic surgery, which comprises:

• a laser system for generating a laser beam from an origination point, said laser beam being directed along at least three predetermined paths to at least three respective predetermined focal points, said focal points defining a alignment plane;
• a contact lens having a first surface and a second surface and a periphery, said contact lens having at least three reference marks placed on said first surface to define a lens plane;
• and
• a means for adjusting said contact lens to a position wherein said alignment plane is substantially coplanar with said lens plane.

A method for positioning a contact lens for laser ophthalmic surgery, comprising the steps of:

• providing a laser system for generating a laser beam from an origination point;
• sequentially directing said laser beam along at least three predetermined paths to at least three respective predetermined focal points;
• placing a contact lens in a retainer ring to position said contact lens across said predetermined paths, said contact lens having a first surface and a second surface, said contact lens having at least three reference marks on said first surface;
• interconnecting said retainer ring and said laser system with at least three adjusters, each said adjuster being individually activated to move said retainer ring relative to said laser system;
• successively activating said laser beam along each said predetermined path to create a respective laser mark on said contact lens;
• measuring a displacement Δ between each said laser mark and said respective reference mark;
• and
• manipulating said adjusters to adjust the position of said contact lens to minimize said displacement Δ in order to align said predetermined focal points with said reference marks.