Laser Optics for Surgery
Laser optics for surgery enable medical professionals to perform ultra-precise, minimally invasive surgical procedures. Laser, which stands for ‘Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation, involves generating a high-intensity beam of monochromatic, coherent light with a pre-determined wavelength. Laser energy may produce heat, cut, or sculpt; and laser surgery can be used to revive or revascularize dying tissue, to remove abnormal tissue, to close small blood vessels, or to perform careful incisions.
How does laser tissue interaction accomplish all of that, and what optical components are involved in the process? Here we’ll provide a brief overview of the laser optics behind surgical advances, and then focus on one particular type of laser surgery used for treating cataracts.