Patent ID: 7364575

Claim:
Apparatus for performing ultraviolet laser surface ablation of an eye surface for effecting refractive correction of the eye, including a laser source for generating a pulsed laser beam having a wavelength of about 213 nm. and a delivery system configured for applying the laser beam as a refractive surgery laser beam to the eye surface to be ablated, a discrete ring or cap device separate from said delivery system, the ring or cap device adapted to contact said eye surface after it is exposed by execising and drawing back a surface flap of the eye, the ring or cap device retaining a physiologically compatible liquid in contact with the eye surface to be ablated, physiologically compatible liquid in a position whereby said refractive surgery laser beam is applied to said eye surface through the liquid, wherein said delivery system is configured to scan the laser beam through said ring or cap device over said eye surface to effect ablation of said eye surface with the laser beam, wherein the liquid cools said eye surface as it is ablated.