Ophthalmology

How are lasers used in Ophthalmology?

Lasers have the following applications in ophthalmology:

Periorbital Skin Rejuvenation and Eyelid Lesions:

Lasers are widely used for periorbital skin rejuvenation, improving wrinkles, skin laxity, and hyperpigmentation. Lasers also treat vascular (e.g., port-wine stains, telangiectasias, hemangiomas) and pigmented lesions (e.g., nevus of Ota, solar lentigines) of the eyelids, as well as benign tumors like xanthelasma, with high safety and efficacy when proper precautions are taken.

Corneal and Refractive Surgery:

Excimer lasers are used for reshaping the cornea in procedures such as LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) and PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) to correct refractive errors. Phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) uses excimer lasers to remove superficial corneal opacities and irregularities.

Posterior Capsulotomy:

Nd:YAG lasers are the standard for creating a window in the posterior capsule after cataract surgery (posterior capsulotomy), restoring vision in cases of posterior capsule opacification.

Laser Peripheral Iridotomy:

Nd:YAG and argon lasers are used to create a hole in the peripheral iris to prevent or treat acute angle-closure glaucoma.

Laser Trabeculoplasty:

Argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT) and selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT, often using Nd:YAG) are used to lower intraocular pressure in open-angle glaucoma by targeting the trabecular meshwork.

Cyclophotocoagulation:

Diode laser cyclophotocoagulation targets the ciliary body to reduce aqueous humor production and lower intraocular pressure in refractory glaucomas.

Retinal Photocoagulation:

Argon and diode lasers are used for panretinal photocoagulation in proliferative diabetic retinopathy, focal photocoagulation for diabetic macular edema, and treatment of retinopathy of prematurity. Focal and grid laser photocoagulation are also used for selected cases of wet age-related macular degeneration, although anti-VEGF therapy is now first-line.

Photodynamic Therapy:

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) uses a photosensitizing drug activated by laser light to treat choroidal neovascularization in wet age-related macular degeneration and other retinal vascular disorders.

Updated November 12, 2025
by Jacqueline Watchmaker, MD