A method of aligning the visual axis of a patient's eye with the optical axis of a beam of laser radiation for shaping the cornea by ablation includes the steps of optically folding the optical axis of a visible light laser into the optical axis of the ablation laser, aligning the optical axis of the ablation laser and the visible light laser to be both parallel and concentric where they impinge on the cornea of the patient's eye, adjusting the relative position between the patient's eye and the beam of visible radiation until the patient observes a characteristic flare around a spot of visible light.

The invention provides a system and method which include receiving inputs from the surgeon based upon patient data and eye measurements, calculating precise corrective settings for laser equipment utilized in the surgery, and outputting the precise corrective settings along with recommendations and cautions for the surgical procedure. It should be understood by those reasonably skilled in the art that the nomograms and formulas described in the invention are dynamic formulas subject to change over time. Changes in the nomogram are required to customize a nonogram for an individual surgeon. In addition, as the art advances, adjustments in the nomograms, including addition and removal of variables, and changes in constants will be required to keep the nomogram consistent with the rapidly evolving state of the art. These changes can be accomplished through upgrades in computer programs. However, it is this very rapidly changing art and changing industry standards, as well as the need to customize nomograms to allow for individual surgeon variability, that make this invention ideally suited for use over the internet.

A corneal surgery apparatus, for ablating a cornea with a laser beam to correct a refractive error more precisely, includes an ablation amount computing device for obtaining an ablation amount of the cornea for each of plural ablation steps based on a refractive error, a determining device for determining laser irradiation control data for each of the ablation steps based on the ablation amount, a corneal shape measurement device including a projecting optical system for projecting a target on the cornea, a photographing optical system for photographing an image of corneal reflection of the target, and a shape computing device for obtaining a corneal shape by processing the photographed target image, and a correcting device for comparing a predetermined ablation amount with an actual ablation amount based on the corneal shape measured after laser irradiation and for correcting the control data for the next step based on the comparison result.

Laser eye surgery systems, methods, and devices makes use of a two-pivot scanning system for laterally deflecting the laser beam across the corneal surface to provide X-Y scanning. An imaging lens pivots about two eccentric axes extending along, but disposed beyond the laser beam. As the lens pivots, the beam will follow a substantially arc-shaped path. The eccentric axes are offset about the laser beam axis by about 90.degree., and the system controller can compensate for the arc-shaped path deflections by adjusting the angular position of the imaging lens about complementary stage.

A visual fixation system which enhances the alignment between the eye and a laser beam of a laser eye surgery system, the fixation system often having an adjustable optical train. The optical train of the fixation system allows an eye having a significant refractive error to be accurately focused at a fixation target. To accommodate the refractive error, the adjustable optical train will often project an image of the target so that the projected image is in focus in front of or behind the plane of the patient's eye. The proper projection distance is calculated to accommodate the refractive error of the eye, the calculation preferably based at least in-part on the eye glass prescription for that eye.