Role of Lasers in Ophthalmology
Ophthalmology, the medicine specializing in disease, surgery, and treatment of the eye, has been on the forefront of laser surgery with a growing number of people electing to skip the knife and choose the laser instead.
Laser, which is an acronym for light amplified by stimulated emission of radiation, is a surgical device which uses electromagnetic radiation in the form of high energy light waves called photons.
These photons, unlike other radiation heat sources, act in sync with each other, which give it its extreme power.
Laser, then, plays a huge role in modern ophthalmology as it is a great tool for precise surgical procedures of the eye.
Laser in ophthalmology is used to both alter human tissue (photocoagulate, cut, remove, shrink, and stretch the ocular tissue) and activate drugs when treating ocular diseases.
Specifically, lasers can be used in ophthalmology for such diseases as: o Diabetic Retinopathy, a chronic disease based on sugar metabolism which can be severe enough to cause vision loss o Senile Macular Degeneration, a scaring in the macula of the eye due to age which can be severe enough to cause vision loss o Glaucoma Trabeculoplasty, a disease that effects the proper drainage function of eye fluids o Posterior Capsulotomy, a procedure done as a follow-up to cataract surgery in order to restore vision Lasers are also well known for use in ophthalmology surgeries to help patients eliminate the need for glasses and for cosmetic procedures to the eyelids.
In ophthalmology, laser is used in the same way no matter what specific surgery is being performed.
The patient is awake under a specialized microscope with an ophthalmology laser attached.
In most cases, no anesthesia is given; however, sometimes a local anesthetic is used.
The surgeon will use the laser by focusing a beam of light and then distribute several quick burst of the energy source to the located area.
Ophthalmology laser surgery is usually very quick, often only lasting anywhere from five to twenty minutes, and is usually painless.
After the procedure is performed, the patient is able to function normally, even drive if needed.
Laser in ophthalmology usually is very safe and painless; though, like any surgery, the use of lasers can have some complications.
For instance, one of the more common problems with laser surgery is tissue damage due to the high energy source.
Bleeding and vision loss, though very uncommon, are also complications that can occur from the use of lasers in ophthalmology surgery.
In order to avoid such complications as much as possible, it is very important to research the licensing and training of the ophthalmologist you choose for any eye procedure.
Laser, which is an acronym for light amplified by stimulated emission of radiation, is a surgical device which uses electromagnetic radiation in the form of high energy light waves called photons.
These photons, unlike other radiation heat sources, act in sync with each other, which give it its extreme power.
Laser, then, plays a huge role in modern ophthalmology as it is a great tool for precise surgical procedures of the eye.
Laser in ophthalmology is used to both alter human tissue (photocoagulate, cut, remove, shrink, and stretch the ocular tissue) and activate drugs when treating ocular diseases.
Specifically, lasers can be used in ophthalmology for such diseases as: o Diabetic Retinopathy, a chronic disease based on sugar metabolism which can be severe enough to cause vision loss o Senile Macular Degeneration, a scaring in the macula of the eye due to age which can be severe enough to cause vision loss o Glaucoma Trabeculoplasty, a disease that effects the proper drainage function of eye fluids o Posterior Capsulotomy, a procedure done as a follow-up to cataract surgery in order to restore vision Lasers are also well known for use in ophthalmology surgeries to help patients eliminate the need for glasses and for cosmetic procedures to the eyelids.
In ophthalmology, laser is used in the same way no matter what specific surgery is being performed.
The patient is awake under a specialized microscope with an ophthalmology laser attached.
In most cases, no anesthesia is given; however, sometimes a local anesthetic is used.
The surgeon will use the laser by focusing a beam of light and then distribute several quick burst of the energy source to the located area.
Ophthalmology laser surgery is usually very quick, often only lasting anywhere from five to twenty minutes, and is usually painless.
After the procedure is performed, the patient is able to function normally, even drive if needed.
Laser in ophthalmology usually is very safe and painless; though, like any surgery, the use of lasers can have some complications.
For instance, one of the more common problems with laser surgery is tissue damage due to the high energy source.
Bleeding and vision loss, though very uncommon, are also complications that can occur from the use of lasers in ophthalmology surgery.
In order to avoid such complications as much as possible, it is very important to research the licensing and training of the ophthalmologist you choose for any eye procedure.
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