System and method for providing the shaped structural weakening of the human lens with a laser

A system for delivering a laser beam to a lens of an eye in a plurality of sectional patterns comprising:

• a. a laser generating a beam of light;
• b. optics for receiving the beam of light and directing the beam of light toward the lens of the eye;
• c. a control system in communication with the optics, wherein the control system generates and sends signals to the optics directing the laser so that:
• i. a first predetermined sectional pattern is formed on a first portion of the lens of the eye;
• and
• ii. a second predetermined sectional pattern is formed on a second portion of the lens of the eye;
• and,
• iii. the first predetermined sectional pattern having a first plurality of lens cuts generally parallel to an optical axis of the lens of the eye, and the second predetermined sectional pattern having a second plurality of lens cuts generally following the curvature of an anterior surface of the lens of the eye, such that the combination and placement of the first and second predetermined sectional patterns is selected to result in an altered lens of the eye having a weaker structure than a structure of the lens of the eye prior to formation of the first predetermined sectional pattern and the second predetermined sectional pattern.