A method for laser eye surgery that accommodates patient movement includes: generating a first and a second electromagnetic radiation beam, the second beam configured to modify eye tissue propagating the first beam to a scanner along a an optical path length that changes in response to eye movement focusing the first beam to a first focal point within the eye scanning the first focal point at different locations within the eye propagating a portion of the first beam reflected from the first focal point location back along the variable optical path to a sensor generating an intensity signal indicative of the intensity of the portion of the reflected first beam propagating the second beam to the scanner along the variable optical path focusing the second beam to a second focal point and scanning the second focal point to create an incision in the cornea of the eye.
