Role of lasers in eye care.

This review discusses the role of lasers in eye care under five headings: Absorption of laser radiation by ocular tissues. Types of lasers include: ruby, argon, gas, organic dye, krypton, Nd:YAG, excimer, and infrared. Applications of lasers for examining the eye include: laser refraction, determining visual acuity by laser fringes, measuring retinal blood flow, scanning laser ophthalmoscopy and tomography, measuring aqueous flare, ocular holography, measuring retinal absorption, measuring visually evoked potentials, and measuring corneal sensitivity. Applications of laser radiation for ocular surgery include: photocoagulation, destruction of tumors, reattaching the retina, treating glaucoma by producing an iridotomy or by trabeculoplasty or by cyclodestruction. Lasers can be used to remove surface irregularities or superficial opacities from the cornea or eyelids. Other uses are for producing a capsulotomy and for altering corneal curvature as a means of correcting ametropia. Potential adverse effects of laser radiation on the eye are summarized.