New ophthalmic lasers for the evaluation and treatment of retinal disease

Ophthalmic lasers are used as diagnostic as well as therapeutic modalities in patients with retinal diseases. Recent advances in laser technology have allowed more convenient selection of wavelength and a wide variety of delivery systems is available to deliver the laser energy to the retina. In addition, newer lasers that disrupt and cut tissue will become available for use in patients with retinal diseases. The use of imaging lasers and lasers in combination with dyes selectively to enhance their effects have become useful in diagnosis and understanding of pathophysiology of diseases. These lasers will also be therapeutically useful. This manuscript delineates the new types of diagnostic and therapeutic lasers, new imaging dyes and techniques as they apply to retinal diseases as well as the principles of laser-tissue interaction as applied to the retina. This should allow the ophthalmologist who treats patients with retinal diseases to make more intelligent decisions regarding the use and acquisition of laser systems.