A microkeratome system for the generation of a flap on the human eye includes a plurality of functionally different, separately interchangeable components with, in each instance, at least one characteristic feature. In addition, the system includes a control unit for controlling the operation of the microkeratome system, the control unit having access to stored information that is representative of at least one predetermined combination of the characteristic features of at least a fraction of the components, and also an input device for entering information that is representative of a desired combination of the characteristic features of at least a fraction of the components. The control unit is adapted to compare the desired combination of features with the at least one predetermined combination of features and to bring about a predetermined response, depending on the result of the comparison. In this way, the user can have his/her attention drawn to risky combinations, without having to rely solely on the wealth of experience of the user in connection with the selection of the components.
