ASTIGMATIC LASER ABLATION OF SURFACES

摘要

Laser surface ablation methods and apparatus are disclosed reprofiling surfaces astigmatically. An optical system (10) includes cylindrically-powered elements (18) to form an elliptical laser irradiation pattern (30) on a target surface. By successively altering the area of the elliptical irradiation, an astigmatic, bi-powered ablation profile is achieved. Preferably, the invention is used with an excimer laser for excimer laser keratoplasty, keratomileusis or other ablative eye surgeries.