A method for detecting structures within an optical element of an eye and processing the optical element as a function of the detected structures includes acquiring, by a detection device, geometric data of an eye, transferring, by the detection device, the geometric data of the eye to a controller, calculating, by the controller, target coordinates for a processing device including a laser, the processing device being connected to the controller, and applying a beam produced by the laser to the eye according to the target coordinates calculated by the controller so as to process the optical element.