Low Wavefront Error Devices, Systems, and Methods for Treating an Eye
An optical eye-contact element is disclosed that is at least partly translucent, the optical eye-contact element giving rise to a wavefront error of at most about λ/2, preferentially at most about λ/4, highly preferentially at most about λ/10, in a traversing light beam. The optical eye-contact element may be a so-called applanation plate or applanation lens.
1 - 12 . (canceled)
13 . A method of performing ophthalmic surgery, comprising:
providing a light system including:
a light source configured to generate a light beam; and
a focusing lens in optical communication with the light source, the focusing lens configured to focus the light beam into a focused light beam;
providing an applanation lens having a planar surface configured to applanate an eye to be treated, the applanation lens having a transmission rate of at least 90% relative to the focused light beam and configured to introduce a wavefront error of at most about λ/10 to the focused light beam when the focused light beam passes through the applanation lens;
positioning the applanation lens against the eye to be treated to applanate the eye;
directing the focused light beam through the applanation lens and onto the eye, the applanation lens introducing a wavefront error of at most about λ/10 to the focused light beam such that the focused light beam has a region of focus within a cornea of the eye, the region of focus having a diameter of 15 μm or less; and
repeating the directing step to successively direct the focused light beam having the region of focus with a diameter of 15 μm or less over a treatment region within the cornea of the eye to form an incision in the cornea.
14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the provided applanation lens has a refractive index between about 1.35 and about 1.40 relative to the focused light beam.
15 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the provided applanation lens is formed from a material selecting from the group of materials consisting of BK7 glass, quartz glass, and optical plastic.
16 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the provided applanation lens is a plane-parallel plate.
17 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the provided applanation lens has a thickness of approximately 7 mm.
18 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the focusing lens of the provided light system introduces a wavefront error of at most about λ/10 to the light beam.
19 . The method of claim 13 , wherein repeating the directing step results in the incision being planar.
20 . The method of claim 13 , wherein repeating the directing step results in the region of focus of the focused femtosecond laser beam having a substantially constant depth.
21 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the resulting incision has a substantially constant depth.
22 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the generated light beam is between about 340 nm and about 360 nm.
23 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the generated light beam is between about 1000 nm and about 1200 nm.
24 . A method of performing ophthalmic surgery, comprising:
providing an applanation lens having a planar surface configured to applanate an eye to be treated, the applanation lens having a transmission rate of at least 90% relative to a light beam having a wavelength between about 340 nm and about 360 nm and configured to introduce a wavefront error of at most about λ/2 to the light beam when the light beam passes through the applanation lens;
positioning the applanation lens against the eye to be treated to applanate the eye;
directing a light beam having a wavelength between about 340 nm and about 360 nm through the applanation lens and onto the eye, the applanation lens introducing a wavefront error of at most about λ/2 to the light beam such that the light beam has a region of focus within a cornea of the eye; and
repeating the directing step to successively direct the light beam having the region of focus over a treatment region within the cornea of the eye to form an incision in the cornea.
25 . The method of claim 24 , wherein the provided applanation lens has a refractive index between about 1.35 and about 1.40 relative to the light beam.
26 . The method of claim 24 , wherein the provided applanation lens is configured to introduce a wavefront error of at most about λ/4 to the light beam when the light beam passes through the applanation lens and wherein the applanation lens introduces a wavefront error of at most about λ/4 to the light beam when the light beam is directed through the applanation lens and onto the eye.
27 . The method of claim 24 , wherein the provided applanation lens is configured to introduce a wavefront error of at most about λ/10 to the light beam when the light beam passes through the applanation lens and wherein the applanation lens introduces a wavefront error of at most about λ/10 to the light beam when the light beam is directed through the applanation lens and onto the eye.
28 . The method of claim 24 , wherein repeating the directing step results in the incision being planar.
29 . The method of claim 24 , further comprising:
providing a light system including:
a light source configured to generate a light beam having a wavelength between about 340 nm and about 360 nm; and
a focusing lens in optical communication with the light source.
30 . The method of claim 29 , wherein the focusing lens of the provided light system introduces a wavefront error of at most about λ/10 to the light beam.
31 . The method of claim 24 , wherein repeating the directing step results in the region of focus of the light beam having a substantially constant depth such that the incision has a substantially constant depth.