Ophthalmic interface apparatus, method of interfacing a surgical laser with an eye, and support ring for use with a suction ring

Abstract

Apparatus and methods are provided for interfacing a surgical laser with an eye using a patient interface device that minimizes aberrations through a combination of a contact lens surface positioning and a liquid medium between an anterior surface of the eye and the contact lens surface. Further, support rings, ocular stability devices, and methods for interfacing an eye during laser surgery are provided. In an embodiment, by way of example only, a support ring includes a first end surface, a second end surface opposite the first end surface, and an outer surface extending between the first end surface and the second end surface. The second end surface has a width that is greater than a width of the first end surface and extends toward a central opening in the support ring to define a concave curvature configured to substantially match a curvature of a patient's eye. The outer surface includes an annular groove formed adjacent the first end surface and a plurality of exterior vacuum channels spaced around the annular groove and extends axially from the annular groove to the second end surface.