A graphical user interface for use in an ocular surgical system, such as phacoemulsification and vitreo-retinal surgical systems. A display screen shows a display element that includes a representation of a parameter of pulses generated by the ocular surgical system relative to a position of the controller. A window is displayed on the display screen and generated in response to touching the display screen of the ocular surgical system. The window includes a display element having a value of a parameter of the system. A value of the parameter is changed by touching the display screen at the adjustment element. The window can also include a representation of the parameter of the pulses relative to the position of the controller and an adjustment element for changing a value of the parameter represented in the display element. The representation in the window can be linear or non-linear, indicating the function of the parameter relative to a position of a controller, such as a foot pedal. A current representation of the parameter displayed in the window is changed to a different representation of the parameter in response to touching the display screen at the window. The window is closed by touching the display screen at a pre-defined area of the window. The window can also be configured to fade away or close after a pre-determined amount of time of inactivity or in response to a user.