DEVICE, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR EPITHELIUM PROTECTION DURING CORNEA RESHAPING

摘要

A system (100) includes a light source (106) operable to generate light energy (218) for a cornea reshaping procedure. The system (100) also includes a device (102) operable to be attached to an eye (104) having a cornea (204). The device (102) includes a window (210) operable to contact at least a portion of the cornea (204). The window (210) is substantially transparent to the light energy (218) that irradiates the cornea (204) during the cornea reshaping procedure. The window (210) is also operable to cool at least a portion of a corneal epithelium in the cornea (204) during the cornea reshaping procedure. The window (210) may be operable to prevent clinically significant damage to the corneal epithelium during the cornea reshaping procedure. The window (210) may be operable to prevent a temperature of the corneal epithelium from exceeding a damage threshold temperature during the cornea reshaping procedure, such as a damage threshold temperature of approximately 70°C.