Method and apparatus for eye alignment

Abstract

In an ocular laser system, preferably for photoablative refractive surgery, a component device, preferably an optical coherence tomography device, for measuring corneal thickness detects the first and second Purkinje reflection is used for its measurement, otherwise, the reflected signal is not strong enough for OCT measurement. The beam axis of the system therapeutic laser is aligned with the OCT probe beam. When the first and second Purkinje reflections of the OCT probe beam are detected, the OCT device generates a signal and sends the signal to the eye tracker part of the system, starting the eye tracker. This objectively enables automatic engagement of the eye tracker and alignment of the patient optical axis with the treatment axis or diagnostic beam axis.

Description

technical field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of refractive surgery, and more particularly to systems, devices and methods for aligning an eye and engaging an eye tracker. Background technique

[0002] Whenever a surgical procedure is performed, extreme accuracy is usually required. This need is important when performing surgery on a part of the body with involuntary movements. In the preferred field of the instant invention, refractive surgery is performed on the patient's eye following normal procedures, such as known as LASIK, or similar procedures such as PRK or LASEK. In these cases, a laser beam with a wavelength of 193 nm is usually used to photoablate part of the volume of the exposed corneal surface, forming a new shape of the corneal surface, thereby correcting the visual defect.

[0003] Generally, aligning the patient's eyes is a problem. The eyes make rapid blinks, which are small quick involuntary movements. One may intentional...

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