Systems and methods for fine-tuning refractive surgery

Abstract

Systems and methods for fine-tuning refractive shapes for vision treatment are provided. Techniques encompass determining a variable index of refraction for a cornea of the eye, and determining the refractive treatment shape for the eye based on the variable index of refraction. Techniques also encompass determining a variable radius of curvature of an anterior surface of a cornea of the eye, and determining the refractive treatment shape for the eye based on the variable radius of curvature.

1 - 5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . A system for determining a refractive treatment shape for an eye of a patient, the system comprising:
 an input configured to receive a variable radius of curvature of an anterior surface of a cornea of the eye; and   a processing module comprising a tangible medium embodying machine-readable code that determines the refractive treatment shape for the eye based on the variable radius of curvature of the anterior surface.   
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 6 , further comprising an ablation system configured to apply the refractive treatment shape to the patient. 
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 6 , wherein the variable radius of curvature of the anterior surface of the eye is a function of a radius of curvature of a posterior surface of the cornea. 
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 6 , where in the variable radius of curvature of the anterior surface of the eye varies as a function of an ablation depth. 
     
     
         10 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A method of determining a refractive treatment shape for an eye of a patient, the method comprising:
 determining a variable radius of curvature of an anterior surface of a cornea of the eye; and   determining the refractive treatment shape for the eye based on the variable radius of curvature.   
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein determining the refractive treatment shape comprises determining a refractive treatment shape of a remaining ablation for the eye based on the variable radius of curvature. 
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein the variable radius of curvature for the cornea of the eye is determined following application of one or more ablation pulses to the eye. 
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 23 , further comprising applying the refractive treatment shape to the eye with an ablation system. 
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein the variable radius of curvature of the anterior surface of the eye varies as a function of cornea thickness. 
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein the variable radius of curvature of the anterior surface of the eye is a function of a radius of curvature of a posterior surface of the cornea. 
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein the variable radius of curvature of the anterior surface of the eye varies as a function of an ablation depth. 
     
     
         30 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein the refractive treatment shape for the eye is based on a Munnerlyn equation.