A target volume of ocular tissue is treated with a laser having a direction of propagation toward the target volume, where the target volume is characterized by a distal extent, a proximal extent, and a lateral extent. A layer of tissue at an initial depth corresponding to the distal extent of the target volume is initially photodisrupted using a femtosecond laser by scanning the laser in multiple directions defining an initial treatment plane. Tissue at one or more subsequent depths between the distal extent of the target volume and the proximal extent of the target volume is subsequently photodisrupted using a femtosecond laser by moving a focus of the laser in a direction opposite the direction of propagation of the laser and then scanning the laser in multiple directions defining an subsequent treatment plane. Photodisruption is repeated at different subsequent depths until tissue at the proximal extent of the target volume is photodisrupted.