A system and method for use in eye surgery. The system includes at least one light source, a detection unit, and a detection circuit. The at least one light source is configured and operable to emit one or more illumination beams directed at a region of a corneal surface of a patient’s eye. The detection unit includes an arrangement of light detectors positioned for collecting a reflected beam reflected from the region of the corneal surface of the patient’s eye. The detection circuit is configured for collecting and analyzing a detection signal from the detection unit, and for detecting variations of the reflected beam pattern over time indicative of surface curvature changes of the corneal surface region. In response to detecting surface curvature change exceeding a predefined threshold, the detection circuit generate a response signal triggering operation of an anti-vacuum surge (AVS) mechanism.