THERAPEUTIC AND DIAGNOSTIC APPLICATION OF LASERS IN OPHTHALMOLOGY

The accessibility of the human eye, its transparency and the absorption properties of its internal tissues have fostered a rapid evolution of applications for lasers in ophthalmology. Lasers are in ubiquitous clinical use for many therapeutic and diagnostic purposes and their application has become the standard of care in the treatment of many eye diseases including diabetic retinopathy, vascular disease, glaucoma, and the treatment of capsular opacification following cataract surgery. The success of laser therapy for eye diseases has been one of the most remarkable success stories in medicine. Millions of patients have had vision preserved or restored through laser treatment. Many new laser applications are under investigation, including refractive surgery, removal of cataracts, vitrea-retinal surgery, and diagnostic studies. Lasers achieve their effects in the eye through photothermal, photodisruptive, or photochemical mechanisms. Herein, we provide an overview of the present status of clinical and research applications for lasers in ophthalmology.