Method and apparatus for liquid dispensing

An apparatus for dispensing a liquid into an ophthalmic environment comprising:

• an emitter configured to emit radiation of a predetermined wavelength in a direction towards an eye;
• a sensor configured to detect the wavelength of radiation reflected from the eye, wherein the reflected wavelength will be different based upon whether the eye is in an open state or a closed state;
• an automated dispenser configured to dispense 3 to 30 microliters of the liquid towards the eye from a distance of 5 to 45 millimeters based upon receipt of a logic signal from a processor that is in logical communication with at least the sensor and the automated dispenser,
• a steerable nozzle dispensing tip in fluid communication with the automated dispenser to jet dispense and in logical connection with the sensor to minimize manual adjustment by a user,
• wherein the processor also transmits the logic signal based upon an electrical signal from the sensor indicating whether the eye is in the open state or the closed state to the automated dispenser,
• wherein the automated dispenser is further configured to respond to the logic signal within 100 milliseconds of the state determination;
• and
• wherein the reflected wavelength is indicative of a proper alignment of the apparatus with a predetermined ophthalmic region of the eye.