Patent ID: 6210399
Filing Date: 2001-04-03
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
A non-contact laser microsurgical method for alleviating corneal refractive error of a patient's eye, comprising the steps of:generating infrared pulsed laser beams having a predetermined energy flux;projecting the laser beams along an optical axis toward the cornea of the eye;converging the projected laser beams onto the cornea;converting and forming the projected laser beams into continuous annular beams concentrically about the optical axis, said annular beams having a predetermined diameter thereof;adjusting said diameter of said annular beams; andimpinging the annular beams having the selected and adjusted diameter onto the cornea as an annular line for a sufficient period of time to heat an area of the cornea in and around the impinged line to less than about 100.degree. C. to thereby shrink the corneal tissue in and around the line without causing ablation.