Confocal laser eye surgery system
A laser surgery system includes a light source, an eye interface device, a scanning assembly, a confocal detection assembly and preferably a confocal bypass assembly. The light source generates an electromagnetic beam. The scanning assembly scans a focal point of the electromagnetic beam to different locations within the eye. An optical path propagates the electromagnetic beam from a light source to the focal point, and also propagates a portion of the electromagnetic beam reflected from the focal point location back along at least a portion of the optical path. The optical path includes an optical element associated with a confocal detection assembly that diverts a portion of the reflected electromagnetic radiation to a sensor. The sensor generates an intensity signal indicative of intensity the electromagnetic beam reflected from the focal point location. The confocal bypass assembly reversibly diverts the electromagnetic beam along a diversion optical path around the optical element.
1. A method of imaging an eye having a cornea, the cornea having a first region with a first birefringence and a second region with a second birefringence, the method comprising:
directing a first electromagnetic radiation beam through the first region of the cornea to a first location in the eye, the first electromagnetic radiation beam having a first polarization;
directing a second electromagnetic radiation beam through the second region of the cornea to a second location in the eye, the second electromagnetic radiation beam having a second polarization different than the first polarization; and
generating a single composite image of the eye encompassing the first and second locations using electromagnetic radiation signals reflected from the eye in response to the steps of directing the first and second electromagnetic radiation beams, wherein the single composite image includes a first image area corresponding to the first location in the eye and a second image area corresponding to the second location in the eye, wherein the first image area is generated using only a first electromagnetic radiation signal reflected from the first location in the eye in response to the step of directing the first electromagnetic radiation beam, and the second image area is generated using only a second electromagnetic radiation signal reflected from the second location in the eye in response to the step of directing the second electromagnetic radiation beam.