Medical Eye Lasers

Medical Eye Lasers

The medical eye lasers are specialised lasers for treating some retinal disorders and some glaucoma conditions, with the addition of specialised lenses to these lasers.

These lasers permit our surgeons a wide choice of treatment options for specific conditions. We are committed to maintaining the best range and condition of medical laser.

Below are examples of the major medical lasers at Canberra Eye Surgeons.

Argon Red Green Laser

This laser treats retinal disorders at the back of the eye such as

• retinal holes, where the laser seals the retinal layers,

• retinal vascular disorders such as diabetic retinopathy and retinal vein occlusion where a larger ‘pan retinal’ or ‘grid’ treatment of wide areas are sealed against leakage from blood vessels

• macula defects where small ‘focal’ treatments are used to destroy blood vessels with the aim of reducing the risk of severe vision loss

• some tumors

 Other treatment options include:

•  glaucoma conditions accessible at the front of the eye where the laser aims to improve drainage  

Treatments are typically done with local anaesthetic eye drops and various lenses that optimise the view and delivery of the laser light. A course of treatments is common. Single sessions last 5 to 20 minutes.  

YAG Laser

The YAG laser divides and creates holes in membranes (whereas the argon laser heats and seals blood vessels). It is very fast and painless.

• Blurring of vision in years following cataract surgery is often improved by a single YAG laser capsulotomy.

• Glaucoma pressure can be reduced by YAG creation of a safety valve drainage hole.

• Intra-ocular scarring bands may be divided by YAG treatment.   

Femtosecond and Excimer Refractive Lasers

Are utilised by some of our surgeons at Canberra Eye Laser.