5 Common Lasers Used in Optometry

!±8± 5 Common Lasers Used in Optometry

Light can reach almost any internal eye structure noninvasively. The use of light in the field of optometry dates back to 1946 when German ophthalmologist Gerd Meyer-Schwickerath used light to coagulate human retinal tissue. He did so by focusing the light of a xenon arc lamp and thus producing tiny burns in the retina that sealed off retinal tears. This technique would revolutionize the world of optometry. After the first laser was demonstrated in 1960 by Theodore Maiman, it quickly became an efficient tool in the field of corrective eye treatment. Today's technology has made it possible to develop a wide variety of lasers, each with its own technical specifications and uses. The following are five of the most common kinds of lasers used in optometry.

1. YAG laser

The YAG laser is a solid-state laser and one of the most common types of lasers, used in many different fields, including ophthalmology. YAG lasers have a 1054 mm wavelength and can be operated in pulsed mode as well as continuous mode. The most common eye surgeries in which the YAG laser is used are cataract surgery and peripheral iridotomy. YAG lasers with frequencies of 532mm wavelengths are used for photocoagulation.

2. Excimer laser

Excimer lasers are probably the most widely used kinds of lasers in optometry. Instead of burning through matter, excimer lasers shoot out energy that breaks apart the molecular bonds of the eye's surface tissue. These molecules thus disintegrate into the air, and there is no burning involved. Excimer lasers can remove incredibly thin layers of eye material without impacting the remaining tissue. Thus, these types of lasers are often used in precision surgeries.

3. Microkeratome femtosecond laser

The microkeratome is a mechanical shaver that cuts a very thin flap out of the exterior layer of the cornea to allow for laser surgery. The microkeratome laser was designed to forego the blade and use ultrashort-pulse femtosecond lasers to make the cut instead. This new method can minimize risks inherent in the microkeratome blade method.

4. Krypton lasers

Krypton lasers are a kind of gas laser created using krypton ions in combination with electronic discharges. Krypton lasers are commonly used to treat macular degeneration, a disease that shows up often in elderly people and results in the loss of a central field of vision due to a damaged retina.

5. Argon laser

Discovered by William R. Bennett, the argon laser can be emitted at various wavelengths in the ultraviolet spectrum. Argon lasers are commonly used in retinal phototherapy procedures. Diabetic patients can suffer from diabetic retinopathy. Argon lasers are used for panretinal photocoagulation, which can prevent retinopathy from doing further damage. Argon lasers are also used in treating open-angle glaucoma.