Device and method for reducing corneal induced aberrations during ophthalmic laser surgery

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

• providing a lens having a lens member, said lens member formed with an anterior surface and a contact surface, said contact surface being opposed to said anterior surface, said lens having a skirt surrounding said contact surface and extending outwardly therefrom to define a recessed chamber therebetween, said skirt having a sealing surface, and said lens further having a suction device in fluid communication with said recessed chamber for creating a partial vacuum therein between said contact surface and a cornea;
• placing said sealing surface of said skirt against the exterior surface of an eye;
• creating a partial vacuum in said recessed chamber with said suction device to draw the cornea into said recessed chamber and reconfigure the cornea against said contact surface;
• and
• passing a laser beam through said anterior surface and said contact surface and into the cornea to perform ophthalmic laser surgery.

A lens system for reconfiguring a cornea and holding the reconfigured cornea during a laser treatment, said system comprising:

• a lens member having an anterior surface and formed with a contact surface opposed to said anterior surface, said contact surface shaped to reconfigure the cornea;
• a skirt, said skirt having a sealing surface and said skirt surrounding said contact surface and projecting outwardly therefrom to define a recessed chamber therebetween, said recessed chamber having an opening;
• and
• a passageway positioned substantially adjacent to said contact surface, said passageway in fluid communication with said recessed chamber;
• and
• a suction device in fluid communication with said passageway for creating a partial vacuum in said recessed chamber to reconfigure the cornea against said contact surface when said cornea is placed over said opening of said recessed chamber.

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

• providing a lens having a lens member, said lens member formed with an anterior surface and a contact surface, said contact surface being opposed to said anterior surface, said lens having a skirt surrounding said contact surface and extending outwardly therefrom to define a recessed chamber therebetween, said skirt having a sealing surface, such that a cornea is contacted against said contact surface when said sealing surface is pressed against the exterior surface of an eye, wherein said sealing surface is formed of a soft, medical grade plastic material that conforms to the exterior surface of the eye to establish a seal with the exterior surface of the eye when said sealing surface is pressed against the exterior surface of the eye;
• placing said sealing surface of said skirt against the exterior surface of the eye;
• pressing said sealing surface against the exterior surface of the eye, such that the cornea is contacted against the contact surface;
• passing a laser beam through said anterior surface and said contact surface and into the cornea to perform ophthalmic laser surgery.