Which laser is used to treat retinopathy?

Which laser is used to treat retinopathy?

• A. Nd:YAG laser
• B. Excimer laser
• C. Argon
• D. CO2 laser

Answer: (C)

Retinal laser photocoagulation is used to treat retinopathy by creating controlled burns in the retina to seal leaking vessels and reduce oxygen demand, which in turn lowers the drive for abnormal new vessel growth. The Argon laser is ideal for this because it emits blue-green light that is strongly absorbed by melanin in the retinal pigment epithelium and by hemoglobin in retinal vessels. This selective absorption produces precise, predictable coagulation with limited damage to surrounding tissue. Clinically, this laser is used for panretinal photocoagulation to treat proliferative diabetic retinopathy and for focal/grid treatments to address macular edema. In contrast, other lasers have different primary uses that aren’t typically for treating retinopathy: the Nd:YAG laser is infrared and mainly used for posterior capsulotomy and vitreoretinal procedures; the Excimer laser is ultraviolet and primarily used for corneal refractive surgery; the CO2 laser is absorbed by water and isn’t suited for selective retinal photocoagulation.

Retinal laser photocoagulation is used to treat retinopathy by creating controlled burns in the retina to seal leaking vessels and reduce oxygen demand, which in turn lowers the drive for abnormal new vessel growth. The Argon laser is ideal for this because it emits blue-green light that is strongly absorbed by melanin in the retinal pigment epithelium and by hemoglobin in retinal vessels. This selective absorption produces precise, predictable coagulation with limited damage to surrounding tissue. Clinically, this laser is used for panretinal photocoagulation to treat proliferative diabetic retinopathy and for focal/grid treatments to address macular edema.

In contrast, other lasers have different primary uses that aren’t typically for treating retinopathy: the Nd:YAG laser is infrared and mainly used for posterior capsulotomy and vitreoretinal procedures; the Excimer laser is ultraviolet and primarily used for corneal refractive surgery; the CO2 laser is absorbed by water and isn’t suited for selective retinal photocoagulation.