Method and apparatus for modifications of visual acuity by thermal means

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention is a probe which has an electrode that is placed in direct contact with the epithelium layer of the cornea and is used to locally heat the corneal membrane.
The probe includes a first electrode that has a tip which extends from a cantilevered beam.
Spaced from the tip is a disk which extends from a second cantilevered beam.
The disk and second beam define a second electrode that provides a return path for the first electrode.
The tip is concentric with an aperture located within the disk.
To heat a portion of the eye, the disk is placed onto the eye and depressed until the tip extends through the aperture and comes into contact with the epithelium layer of the cornea.
Power is supplied to the electrode to create of flow of current from the first electrode, through the eye and back into the second electrode.
The radius of the tip and the power supplied to the electrode are such that a denatured area as small as 1 millimeter can be formed by the probe.
A pattern of denatured areas can be created in the corneal membrane to correct hyperopic or astigmatic conditions.
Additionally, the small denatures areas can also be utilized to correct radial keratotomy procedures that overcorrect for myopia.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a thermokeratoplastic electrode that creates relatively small denatured areas in a corneal membrane.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide an inexpensive and effective thermokeratoplasty procedure.