A system (44) for interfacing a surgical laser with an eye includes a first sensingelement (72, 74) to couple to an output surface of the laser, an interface lens(52) having second sensing element {71, 76) coupled to a first surface of the interfacelens, and a detector (24) coupled to the first sensing element. A second surfaceof the interface lens contacts the eye. The detector determines when the firstsensing element contacts the second sensing element. A method for aligning thelaser with the eye includes coupling the laser to the patient interface, sensingan electrical change indicating a position of the output surface with the interfacelens, comparing the electrical change with a predetermined value to producea correction, and re-positioning the laser with the correction.
