Methods for correcting the vision of a patient by inserting an intracorneal lens into the patients cornea are provided. The lens is inserted into a corneal pocket that is created by using a mask having an opening with a shape that corresponds to the desired shape of the corneal pocket. A laser ablates tissue within the cornea in an area defined by the shape of the mask since the mask blocks the laser outside the opening. A variety of corneal mask configurations may be used accommodate various corneal lens shapes and sizes.
