Automatic microkeratome

An apparatus for transverse planar cutting of a cornea to expose a corneal surface to allow correction of myopia, the apparatus including a corneal suction ring (10) including a cornea engaging surface (12) on a side thereof and microkeratome dove tail guide surfaces on an opposite side, the dove tail guide surfaces being spaced apart, parallel and extend along opposite sides of an aperture arranged for exposing a portion of a cornea, a steering rod (26) releasably secured to an outer wall of the suction ring, a microkeratome (32) including a blade driven by a motor to execute a transverse planar cutting of corneal surface exposed by the corneal suction ring, the microkeratome having a dove tail for engaging and guidance by the dove tail tracks on the corneal suction ring, and a stepping motor connected to the steering rod and the microkeratome for controlling relative movement between the corneal suction ring and the microkeratome.