A system for interfacing a surgical laser with an eye includes a first sensing element to couple to an output surface of the laser, an interface lens having second sensing element coupled to a first surface of the interface lens, and a detector coupled to the first sensing element. A second surface of the interface lens contacts the eye. The detector determines when the first sensing element contacts the second sensing element. A method for aligning the laser with the eye includes coupling the laser to the patient interface, sensing an electrical change indicating a position of the output surface with the interface lens, comparing the electrical change with a predetermined value to produce a correction, and re-positioning the laser with the correction.