Hybrid eye tracking for computer-aided retinal surgery.

We describe initial results of a new hybrid digital and analog design for tracking the retina and controlling the laser beam. The results demonstrate tracking rates which exceed the equivalent of 50 degrees per second in the eye, with automatic lesion pattern creation and robust loss of lock detection. Robotically-assisted laser surgery to treat conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and retinal tears can now be realized under clinical conditions with requisite safety using standard video hardware and inexpensive optical components.