Device and method for reshaping the cornea
A system and method for correcting the refractive error in the cornea of an eye. A short pulse laser is aimed at a predetermine depth in the cornea, below the exterior surface of the cornea. The short pulse laser is then fired, such that the short pulse laser ablates at least two three dimensional portions below the exterior surface of the cornea, thereby softening the cornea. The cornea is heated and reshaped, so that the cornea substantially conforms to a predetermined shape.
1 . A method of correcting the refractive error in the cornea of an eye, comprising the steps of
aiming a short pulse laser at a predetermine depth in the cornea, below the exterior surface of the cornea,
firing the short pulse laser, such that the short pulse laser ablates at least two three dimensional portions below the exterior surface of the cornea,
heating the cornea, and
reshaping the cornea, so that the cornea substantially conforms to a predetermined shape.
2 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein
the step of firing the short pulse laser includes ablating at least one hundred three dimensional portions below the exterior surface of the cornea.
3 . A method according to claim 2 , wherein
the step of firing the laser includes ablating the at least one thousand three dimensional portions, such that each three dimensional portion has a radius no greater than 50 microns.
4 . A method according to claim 3 wherein
the step of firing the laser includes ablating the at least one thousand three dimensional portions, such that they form a substantially ring-shaped pattern in the cornea of the eye.
5 . A method according to claim 3 wherein
the step of firing the laser includes ablating the at least one thousand three dimensional portions, such that they form a substantially circular-shaped pattern in the cornea of the eye.
6 . A method according to claim 3 , wherein
each three dimensional portion is formed in the stroma of the cornea.
7 . A method according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of
applying a photosensitizer to the cornea.
8 . A method according to claim 7 , wherein
the photosensitizer is riboflavin.
9 . A method according to claim 7 , wherein
the heating step includes heating the cornea using ultraviolet light.
10 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein
the heating step includes heating the cornea above body temperature and below a temperature at which protein denaturation occurs.
11 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein
the reshaping step includes reshaping the cornea using a reshaping device with a surface have a predetermined curvature.
12 . A method of correcting the refractive error in the cornea of an eye, comprising the steps of
exposing the stroma of the cornea to an energy,
forming at least one hundred cavities in a portion of the stroma, each cavity having a diameter greater than 50 microns,
positioning a reshaping device having a predetermined first surface adjacent a surface of the cornea, so that it overlies substantially all of said at least one hundred cavities, and
reshaping the cornea, so that the cornea substantially conforms to the predetermined first surface of the reshaping device.
13 . A method according to claim 12 , further comprising the steps of
monitoring the temperature of the reshaping device using at least one thermal couple; and
maintaining the temperature of the reshaping device at a substantially uniform temperature.
14 . A method according to claim 12 , further comprising the step of
heating the cornea with a laser to soften the portion of the cornea that the reshaping device overlies.
15 . A method according to claim 14 , further comprising the step of
applying a photosensitizer to the cornea.
16 . A method according to claim 15 , wherein
the photosensitizer is riboflavin.
17 . A method according to claim 15 , wherein
the heating step includes heating the cornea using ultraviolet light.
18 . A method according to claim 14 , wherein
the heating step includes heating the cornea above body temperature and below a temperature at which protein denaturation occurs.
19 . A method according to claim 12 , further comprising the step of
heating the reshaping device using laser light, which in turn transfers heat to the cornea.
20 . A method according to claim 12 , wherein
the positioning step includes positioning a reshaping device configured to correct myopia.
21 . A method according to claim 12 , wherein
the positioning step includes positioning a reshaping device configured to correct hyperopia.
22 . A system for correcting refractive error in the eye, comprising:
a short pulse laser adapted to form at least two cavities each having a diameter less than about one millimeter in a portion of the cornea below the exterior surface of the cornea; and
a reshaping device having a surface with a predetermined curvature, said surface adapted to be positioned adjacent the external surface of the cornea, overlying the portion having at least two cavities formed therein, said reshaping device further adapted to reshape the cornea so that the cornea substantially conforms to the predetermined first surface of the reshaping device.
23 . A system according to claim 22 , wherein
said reshaping device is a thermally conductive plate, which is heated to regulate the temperature of the cornea.
24 . A system according to claim 22 , further comprising
at least one thermal couple adapted to monitor the temperature of the reshaping device using.
25 . A system according to claim 22 , wherein
said reshaping device is formed from a heat conductive material, such that when heated said reshaping device is adapted to heat the cornea.
26 . A system according to claim 22 , wherein
said predetermined first surface is configured to correct myopia.
27 . A system according to claim 22 , wherein
said predetermined first surface is configured to correct hyperopia.
28 . A system according to claim 22 , further comprising
a device for emitting light, which is adapted to heat the cornea.
29 . A system according to claim 28 , wherein
said device for emitting light emits ultraviolet light.
30 . A system according to claim 29 , further comprising
a device for administering a photosensitizer to the cornea.
31 . A system according to claim 30 , wherein
said photosensitizer is riboflavin.