Patent ID: 8050745

Claim:
A method for viewing an ophthalmic surgical area in a human eye on which surgery is or will be performed, or for viewing the ophthalmic surgical area otherwise being examined by a medical professional, comprising: directing, using a radiation source apparatus, infrared radiation having wavelength(s) of about 750 nm or greater into the ophthalmic surgical area; visualizing the ophthalmic surgical area in the substantial absence of visible light having a wavelength of less than about 750 nm, through using an imaging apparatus capable of generating an anatomical tissue surface image of the ophthalmic surgical area under such light conditions by only detecting the infrared radiation that is directed into the ophthalmic surgical area and that is naturally reflected from the ophthalmic surgical area; and performing an ophthalmic procedure on the ophthalmic surgical area or examining the ophthalmic surgical area using the visualizing of the ophthalmic surgical area in the substantial absence of visible light, wherein the imaging apparatus is a night vision viewing apparatus comprising an image intensifier tube.