Keratorefractive diamond blade and surgical method

摘要

A keratorefractive surgical blade has opposing sides and first and second edges which intersect each other to form a point. The first edge is shaped to form a sharp cutting edge extending from the point a predetermined distance shorter than the distance from the base of a surgical incision to Bowman's membrane, a portion of the first edge adjacent to the sharp cutting edge being dull relative to the cutting edge. A method of performing keratorefractive surgery, includes the steps of: (a) plunging a cutting edge of a surgical blade into the cornea of a human eye at a point between the edge of the optical zone and the limbus at a controlled depth; (b) cutting an incision at said controlled depth along a relatively straight line between the optical zone and limbus; (c) shaping the profile of the incision by moving a cutting edge of a blade which is shorter than the distance from the base of the incision to Bowman's membrane, along the incision at substantially the same controlled depth of step (b); and (d) withdrawing the blade from the incision.