A novel method and apparatus are provided for correcting an off-center laser
ablation
in the cornea, in which the original ablated area has a center that is offset from
the correct center of the optical cornea. The method comprises the steps of determining
the correct optical center of the cornea and the offset location of the ablation;
performing a supplemental laser ablation on the cornea with the laser beam covering
generally the original ablated area, and with the energy of the supplemental laser
increasing in a direction from the offset center toward the correct center; introducing
a laser shield to cover the entire original ablated area; and performing another
laser ablation with the correct optical center as the center of the ablated area.