In certain embodiments, a system for making an implant for an eye comprises a laser, a camera, and a computer. The laser emits a laser beam to shape a material. The camera generates one or more images to monitor shaping of the material. The computer stores a pattern for the implant, which is designed to provide refractive treatment for the eye; sends instructions to the laser to control the laser beam to shape the material according to the pattern; assesses the images from the camera according to the pattern; and adjusts the instructions in response to the images.