Apparatus and process for application and adjustable reprofiling of synthetic lenticules for vision correction

DETAILED DESCRIPTION It is, therefore, one of the principal objects of the present invention to provide an apparatus and process for application of a synthetic lenticule for effecting corrections in visual acuity obviating the need for glasses and/or contact lenses, the process including steps for safely and easily reprofiling the lenticule after application without its removal should future corrections be necessary.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a process for application of a synthetic lenticule which does not require ablation of the central corneal region or Bowman's layer, thereby avoiding disturbance of the visual axis of the patient, utilizing instead a minimal shallow ablation of the optically insignificant peripheral corneal region.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and a process in which the synthetic lenticule can be safely and easily removed and replaced with a different synthetic lenticule if necessitated by the physical condition of the patient or by other factors.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a process which corrects refractive errors in patients and which avoids the previously mentioned problems associated with current techniques and procedures.
These and additional objects are attained by the present invention which relates to an apparatus and a process for application and reprofiling, if necessary, a synthetic lenticule for vision correction.
The process involves the steps forming a shallow, peripheral groove in the cornea following removal of the overlying epithelium.
A synthetic lenticule, which has been formed to correct the particular refractive error in the patient's vision, is then secured in the peripheral groove and over the undisturbed central corneal region utilizing the present apparatus.
The application of the lenticule is normally carried out under vacuum conditions and certain pharmacological agents may then be applied to the surface of the lenticule to enhance the regrowth of the normal epithelial cells over the lenticule