| abstract |
A masking apparatus (16) for use in laser reprofiling of surfaces such as corneal tissue comprises a support structure (40) which can be affixed upon a cornea, and a mask connected to the support structure and disposed above the cornea. The mask includes a light restriction element (42) which may be an iris or a series of apertures (56) in a displaceable plate (54) and a control element is provided for regulating laser radiation impingement of the corneal tissue. In operation, the light restriction element (42) is adjusted to regulate the radiant energy incident upon the cornea and hence to permit selective, controlled photoablation of the cornea. |