An apparatus for ophthalmic laser surgery includes a contact surface for shaping abutment of an eye to be treated, a first radiation-source for making a treatment laser beam available, optical components for directing the treatment laser beam through the contact surface onto the eye, and also a measuring instrument for measuring the depth of the anterior chamber of the eye bearing against the contact surface, whereby the measuring instrument makes measured data available that are representative of the depth of the anterior chamber of the eye at least one point of the same. The apparatus enables a monitoring of the depth of the anterior chamber for a predetermined limiting value being fallen short of and in this way can prevent a dangerous close approach of the posterior surface of the cornea to the anterior surface of the lens when the eye is pressed against the contact surface.