Patent ID: 8591025

Claim:
A method of treating an eye of a patient following LASIK refractive surgery, the eye comprising a cornea having an anterior surface, an ablated stroma, and a flap having an anterior surface, the flap surrounded by epithelium and a sclera, the ablated stroma providing the anterior surface of the flap a post-ablation profile when the flap is disposed on the ablated stroma, the method comprising: providing a covering comprising: an inner portion characterized by an inner rigidity, and comprising an upper surface, a lower surface, and a material characterized by an inner modulus from 10 MPa to 70 MPa; and an outer portion characterized by an outer rigidity, and comprising an upper surface, a lower surface, and a material characterized by an outer modulus; applying the covering against the eye so that the covering flexes with the lower surface of the inner portion disposed along the anterior surface of the flap and partially conforming to the post-ablation profile of the anterior surface; and resisting movement of the inner portion relative to the flap by engaging the lower surface of the outer portion with the eye along the epithelium, the sclera, or a combination thereof.