Device and method for correcting astigmatism by laser ablation

摘要

A method for correction of a simple astigmatism of a corneal surface of an eye is provided. The method provides a laser operable to produce a pulsed output laser beam. A scanning mechanism is positioned to operatively receive the pulsed output laser beam of the laser and operable to control the scanning of the pulsed output laser beam over a target surface to be ablated. A computer system is operatively connected to the scanning mechanism for control thereof with the computer system operable to determine a desired configuration of an ablation to be performed on the target surface and to define a boundary associated with the ablation. The computer system is further operable to determine the number of layers required to be ablated to achieve the desired configuration of the ablation and a boundary and a scanning pattern associated with each layer with the computer system and the scanning mechanism operable with one another to ablate the target surface in a series of layers the number of which corresponds to the number determined such that the resultant ablation on the target surface corrects the simple astigmatism.