Patent ID: 8740888

Claim:
A method for controlling a laser beam to perform an intrastromal ophthalmic surgical procedure to alter the shape of a transparent lamina in an eye, the method comprising the steps of: electronically connecting a computer with a laser unit; identifying an axis substantially perpendicular to the lamina, wherein the axis establishes a reference datum for movement of the laser beam; creating a predetermined computer program for directing the laser unit to make a first surface enclosed within the lamina in accordance with requirements of the surgical procedure and a second surface unconnected with the first surface, wherein the surfaces are substantially parallel, and are defined relative to the axis to weaken the lamina; determining cutting parameter coordinates for each of the surfaces; entering the cutting parameter coordinates into the computer, wherein the cutting parameter coordinates are defined relative to the axis; generating a laser beam with the laser unit; focusing the laser beam to a focal spot in the lamina; and moving the focal spot in accordance with the cutting parameters, to perform Laser Induced Optical Breakdown (LIOB) over each defined surface inside the lamina, and wherein said first surface and said second surface each have a thickness of approximately two microns to weaken the lamina and alter the shape of the lamina in response to forces imposed on the eye parallel to the axis.