Skip to main content
NCBI home page
CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association Journal logoLink to CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association Journal
. 1989 Dec 1;141(11):1141–1148.

Laser light: its nature and its action on the eye.

F M Bessette 1, L C Nguyen 1
PMCID: PMC1451277  PMID: 2684379

Abstract

Lasers produce a coherent, focused, monochromatic, high-energy form of light. Because laser surgery is more versatile and precise and is freer of complications than conventional surgery it has become widely accepted in ophthalmology over the past 10 years. Applications range from routine procedures in the fundus to recent, more delicate interventions in the cornea. The argon laser is the most widely used to treat extrafoveal chorioretinal diseases such as age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy; it has also been used successfully to treat glaucoma by iridectomy or trabeculoplasty. The krypton red laser is the argon laser's counterpart in the treatment of subfoveal and pigment-epithelium-related diseases. Posterior capsulotomy is the most widespread and successful intervention with the neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet crystal laser; this laser is also used to cut vitreous traction bands and is increasingly used in iridectomy. Although the use of the excimer laser in corneal surgery is still largely investigational it has been shown to produce precise cuts in corneal layers for the correction of myopia or astigmatism. The variable-wavelength dye laser, capable of reaching a specific level in the retina or choroid, has offered exciting new developments, and it promises to soon be part of the ophthalmologist's armamentarium in the treatment of eye disease.

Full text

PDF
1141

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Baker S. S., Muenzler W. S., Small R. G., Leonard J. E. Carbon dioxide laser blepharoplasty. Ophthalmology. 1984 Mar;91(3):238–244. doi: 10.1016/s0161-6420(84)34305-6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Brooks H. L., Jr, Eagle R. C., Jr, Schroeder R. P., Annesley W. H., Shields J. A., Augsburger J. J. Clinicopathologic study of organic dye. Laser in the human fundus. Ophthalmology. 1989 Jun;96(6):822–834. doi: 10.1016/s0161-6420(89)32827-2. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Codère F., Brownstein S., Garwood J. L., Dresner S. C. Carbon dioxide laser treatment of the conjunctiva and the cornea. Ophthalmology. 1988 Jan;95(1):37–45. doi: 10.1016/s0161-6420(88)33230-6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Cotliar A. M., Schubert H. D., Mandel E. R., Trokel S. L. Excimer laser radial keratotomy. Ophthalmology. 1985 Feb;92(2):206–208. doi: 10.1016/s0161-6420(85)34052-6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Drake M. V. Neodymium:YAG laser iridotomy. Surv Ophthalmol. 1987 Nov-Dec;32(3):171–177. doi: 10.1016/0039-6257(87)90092-0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Durham D. G., Gills J. P. Three thousand YAG lasers in posterior capsulotomies: an analysis of complications and comparison to polishing and surgical discissions. Trans Am Ophthalmol Soc. 1985;83:218–235. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Fine S. L. Observations following laser treatment for choroidal neovascularization. Arch Ophthalmol. 1988 Nov;106(11):1524–1525. doi: 10.1001/archopht.1988.01060140692035. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Gardner K. M., Straatsma B. R., Pettit T. H. Neodymium: YAG laser posterior capsulotomy: the first 100 cases at UCLA. Ophthalmic Surg. 1985 Jan;16(1):24–28. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Hanna K. D., Chastang J. C., Pouliquen Y., Renard G., Asfar L., Waring G. O., 3rd Excimer laser keratectomy for myopia with a rotating-slit delivery system. Arch Ophthalmol. 1988 Feb;106(2):245–250. doi: 10.1001/archopht.1988.01060130259039. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Johnson R. N., Irvine A. R., Wood I. S. Histopathology of krypton red laser panretinal photocoagulation. A clinicopathologic correlation. Arch Ophthalmol. 1987 Feb;105(2):235–238. doi: 10.1001/archopht.1987.01060020089035. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. Jost B. F., Alexander M. F., Maguire M. G., Fine S. L., Chamberlin J. A., Murphy R. P. Laser treatment for choroidal neovascularization outside randomized clinical trials. Arch Ophthalmol. 1988 Mar;106(3):357–361. doi: 10.1001/archopht.1988.01060130383027. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. Katoh N., Peyman G. A. Effects of laser wavelengths on experimental retinal detachments and retinal vessels. Jpn J Ophthalmol. 1988;32(2):196–210. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. Koretz J. F., Handelman G. H. How the human eye focuses. Sci Am. 1988 Jul;259(1):92–99. doi: 10.1038/scientificamerican0788-92. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. Lewis H., Singer T. R., Hanscom T. A., Straatsma B. R. A prospective study of cystoid macular edema after neodymium: YAG laser posterior capsulotomy. Ophthalmology. 1987 May;94(5):478–482. doi: 10.1016/s0161-6420(87)33421-9. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  15. Little H. L. Treatment of proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Long-term results of argon laser photocoagulation. Ophthalmology. 1985 Feb;92(2):279–283. doi: 10.1016/s0161-6420(85)34059-9. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  16. Mainster M. A., Sliney D. H., Belcher C. D., 3rd, Buzney S. M. Laser photodisruptors. Damage mechanisms, instrument design and safety. Ophthalmology. 1983 Aug;90(8):973–991. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  17. Mainster M. A. Wavelength selection in macular photocoagulation. Tissue optics, thermal effects, and laser systems. Ophthalmology. 1986 Jul;93(7):952–958. doi: 10.1016/s0161-6420(86)33637-6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  18. Migliori M. E., Beckman H., Channell M. M. Intraocular pressure changes after neodymium-YAG laser capsulotomy in eyes pretreated with timolol. Arch Ophthalmol. 1987 Apr;105(4):473–475. doi: 10.1001/archopht.1987.01060040043028. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  19. Moster M. R., Schwartz L. W., Spaeth G. L., Wilson R. P., McAllister J. A., Poryzees E. M. Laser iridectomy. A controlled study comparing argon and neodymium: YAG. Ophthalmology. 1986 Jan;93(1):20–24. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  20. Olk R. J., Burgess D. B. Treatment of recurrent juxtafoveal subretinal neovascular membranes with krypton red laser photocoagulation. Ophthalmology. 1985 Aug;92(8):1035–1046. doi: 10.1016/s0161-6420(85)33924-6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  21. Peyman G. A., Raichand M., Zeimer R. C. Ocular effects of various laser wavelengths. Surv Ophthalmol. 1984 Mar-Apr;28(5):391–404. doi: 10.1016/0039-6257(84)90244-3. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  22. Rivera A. H., Brown R. H., Anderson D. R. Laser iridotomy vs surgical iridectomy. Have the indications changed? Arch Ophthalmol. 1985 Sep;103(9):1350–1354. doi: 10.1001/archopht.1985.01050090102042. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  23. Robin A. L., Pollack I. P. Q-switched neodymium-YAG laser iridotomy in patients in whom the argon laser fails. Arch Ophthalmol. 1986 Apr;104(4):531–535. doi: 10.1001/archopht.1986.01050160087018. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  24. Rosa D. S., Boerner C. F., Gross M., Timsit J. C., Delacour M., Bath P. E. Wound healing following excimer laser radial keratotomy. J Cataract Refract Surg. 1988 Mar;14(2):173–179. doi: 10.1016/s0886-3350(88)80091-9. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  25. Schubert H. D., Morris W. J., Trokel S. L., Balazs E. A. The role of the vitreous in the intraocular pressure rise after neodymium-YAG laser capsulotomy. Arch Ophthalmol. 1985 Oct;103(10):1538–1542. doi: 10.1001/archopht.1985.01050100114030. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  26. Schubert H. D. Vitreoretinal changes associated with rise in intraocular pressure after Nd:YAG capsulotomy. Ophthalmic Surg. 1987 Jan;18(1):19–22. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  27. Schwartz L. W., Moster M. R., Spaeth G. L., Wilson R. P., Poryzees E. Neodymium-YAG laser iridectomies in glaucoma associated with closed or occludable angles. Am J Ophthalmol. 1986 Jul 15;102(1):41–44. doi: 10.1016/0002-9394(86)90207-2. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  28. Seiler T., Bende T., Wollensak J., Trokel S. Excimer laser keratectomy for correction of astigmatism. Am J Ophthalmol. 1988 Feb 15;105(2):117–124. doi: 10.1016/0002-9394(88)90173-0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  29. Shakin J. L., Yannuzzi L. A., Shakin E. P., Fisher Y. L. Krypton red laser photocoagulation for subretinal neovascularization. Ophthalmology. 1985 Oct;92(10):1364–1370. doi: 10.1016/s0161-6420(85)33864-2. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  30. Shingleton B. J., Richter C. U., Bellows A. R., Hutchinson B. T., Glynn R. J. Long-term efficacy of argon laser trabeculoplasty. Ophthalmology. 1987 Dec;94(12):1513–1518. doi: 10.1016/s0161-6420(87)33253-1. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  31. Singerman L. J. Laser photocoagulation for choroidal new vessel membrane complicating age-related macular degeneration associated with pigment epithelial detachment. Retina. 1988;8(2):115–121. doi: 10.1097/00006982-198808020-00006. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  32. Smiddy W. E., Fine S. L., Quigley H. A., Hohman R. M., Addicks E. A. Comparison of krypton and argon laser photocoagulation. Results of stimulated clinical treatment of primate retina. Arch Ophthalmol. 1984 Jul;102(7):1086–1092. doi: 10.1001/archopht.1984.01040030880039. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  33. Smiddy W. E., Fine S. L., Quigley H. A., Hohman R. M., Dunkelberger G. Simulated treatment of recurrent choroidal neovascularization in primate retina. Comparative histopathologic findings. Arch Ophthalmol. 1985 Mar;103(3):428–433. doi: 10.1001/archopht.1985.01050030124037. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  34. Smiddy W. E., Patz A., Quigley H. A., Dunkelberger G. R. Histopathology of the effects of tuneable dye laser on monkey retina. Ophthalmology. 1988 Jul;95(7):956–963. doi: 10.1016/s0161-6420(88)33094-0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  35. Stark W. J., Worthen D., Holladay J. T., Murray G. Neodymium: YAG lasers. An FDA report. Ophthalmology. 1985 Feb;92(2):209–212. doi: 10.1016/s0161-6420(85)34051-4. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  36. Steinert R. F., Puliafito C. A. Laser corneal surgery. Int Ophthalmol Clin. 1988 Summer;28(2):150–154. doi: 10.1097/00004397-198802820-00008. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  37. Traverso C. E., Spaeth G. L., Starita R. J., Fellman R. L., Greenidge K. C., Poryzees E. Factors affecting the results of argon laser trabeculoplasty in open-angle glaucoma. Ophthalmic Surg. 1986 Sep;17(9):554–559. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  38. Trempe C. L., Mainster M. A., Pomerantzeff O., Avila M. P., Jalkh A. E., Weiter J. J., McMeel J. W., Schepens C. L. Macular photocoagulation. Optimal wavelength selection. Ophthalmology. 1982 Jul;89(7):721–728. doi: 10.1016/s0161-6420(82)34735-1. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  39. Wise J. B. Ten year results of laser trabeculoplasty. Does the laser avoid glaucoma surgery or merely defer it? Eye (Lond) 1987;1(Pt 1):45–50. doi: 10.1038/eye.1987.7. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from CMAJ: Canadian Medical Association Journal are provided here courtesy of Canadian Medical Association

RESOURCES