Laser treatment of periocular skin conditions

Advances in laser technology in recent decades have increased the options for the treatment of dermatologic conditions of the eye and eyelid. Benign tumors can be laser-ablated with relative ease, and vascular and melanocytic lesions can be precisely targeted with modern lasers. In this contribution, we review treatment of periocular pigmented lesions, including melanocytic nevi and nevus of Ota; vascular lesions including telangiectasias, port wine stains, and infantile hemangiomas; hair removal; eyeliner tattoo removal; laser ablation of common benign periocular tumors, such as syringomas, xanthelasma, milia, and seborrheic keratoses; and laser resurfacing. The recent advent of fractionated laser technology has resulted in dramatically decreased healing times for periocular skin resurfacing and fewer adverse effects. Fractionated laser resurfacing has now nearly supplanted traditional full-field laser resurfacing, and safe treatment of rhytides on the thin skin of the eyelids is possible. Proper eye protection is, of course, essential when using lasers near the eye. Patient preparation, safety precautions, and risks--intraocular and extraocular--are discussed herein. As laser technology continues to advance, we are sure to see improvements in current treatments, as well as development of new applications of cutaneous lasers.