Patent ID: 6989008
Filing Date: 2006-01-24
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. A method of modifying a cornea of an eye having a main optical axis and an external surface, comprising the steps of aiming an ultrashort pulse laser at the cornea, firing the ultrashort pulse laser at the cornea, the laser separating the internal area of the cornea offset from the main optical axis into first and second substantially ring-shaped internal surfaces to form a corneal pocket, a portion of the first internal surface remaining attached to the second internal surface by an area located at the main optical axis, the first internal surface facing in a posterior direction of the cornea and the second internal surface facing in an anterior direction of the cornea, forming an opening from the external surface of the cornea to the internal pocket, and introducing an ocular material through the opening and into the internal pocket of the cornea, so that the ocular material at least partially encircles the portion of the first surface that remains attached to the second surface by the area located at the main optical axis, aiming a second laser at the cornea, and firing the second laser at an external surface of the cornea to ablate a portion of the external surface of the cornea overlying the portion of the first surface that remains attached to the second surface by the area located at the main optical axis.