Patent Application

App. No. 13/017,499

Abstract

Claims (39)

1 . A laser system comprising:

means for measuring an astigmatism axis of a cornea of an eye of a patient; and

means for applying a laser beam to said eye after said means for measuring has measured said astigmatism axis.

2 . The laser system of claim 1 , wherein said means for applying a laser beam to said eye treats said eye.

3 . The laser system of claim 1 , wherein said means for applying a laser beam to said eye marks said eye so as to identify said astigmatism axis.

4 . An astigmatism axis measurement system comprising:

means for directing light toward a cornea of an eye of an eye of a patient; and

means for measuring an astigmatism axis of said cornea based on light reflected off of said cornea.

5 . An astigmatism axis measurement system comprising:

means for measuring an astigmatism axis of a cornea of an eye of a patient; and

means for determining an apex of said cornea.

6 . An astigmatism axis measurement system comprising:

an annular source generating a light beam directed toward a cornea of an eye of a patient;

a detector for receiving light reflected from said cornea;

a processor for receiving signals from said detector and determining an astigmatism axis of said cornea.

7 . The system of claim 6 , further comprising a second detector that receives further light reflected from said cornea and determines an apex of said cornea.

8 . A method of identifying an astigmatism axis of a cornea or an eye of a patient, the method comprising:

directing annular light beams toward a cornea of an eye of a patient;

receiving light reflected from said cornea; and

determining an astigmatism axis of said cornea based on said received light.

9 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising marking said eye with a laser beam so as to form a tag on said eye that identifies said astigmatism axis.

10 . A method of marking an eye as to where an astigmatism axis of a cornea exists, the method comprising:

determining an astigmatism axis of said cornea; and

marking said eye with a laser beam so as to form a tag on said eye that identifies said astigmatism axis.

11 . A laser treatment system comprising:

means for generating light beams directed toward a cornea of an eye of a patient;

means for receiving light reflected from said cornea;

means for determining a shape of said cornea based on said received light; and

means for applying a laser beam to said eye after said means for determining said shape of said cornea has determined said shape of said cornea.

12 . A laser treatment system comprising:

multiple annular sources generating light beams directed toward a cornea of an eye of a patient;

a detector for receiving light reflected from said cornea;

a processor for receiving signals from said detector and determining a shape of said cornea based on said received light; and

a laser that applies a laser beam to said eye based on said shape of said cornea determined by said processor.

13 . A method of measuring a corneal shape comprising:

generating light beams directed toward a cornea of an eye of a patient;

receiving light reflected from said cornea;

determining a shape of said cornea based on said received light; and

applying a laser beam to said eye based on said determined shape of said cornea.

Assignments (10)