Aim: To study the applications of LASER in surgery.

The term LASER has been coined by taking the first letters of the expression “Light Amplification by
Stimulated Emission of Radiation”. Although an amplifier as suggested by the abbreviation, the
LASER is invariably used as generator of light. But its light is quite unlike the output of conventional
source of light. The laser beam has spatial and temporal coherence, and is monochromatic. The
beam is highly directional and exhibits high density energy which can be finely focused.

Lasers are presently used for a variety of applications in the medical field. In some cases the
techniques have already been tested clinically and are well established while in others they are still
in the research stage.

The medical use of LASERS is suitable where there is favourable interaction between the LASER
radiation and human tissue.

The success of this interaction is dependent on radiation wavelength. The ability of this wavelength
to absorb this wavelength delivered power on treatment area, total energy is incident on tissue and
the area treated.

LASERS have been especially successful in treatment of detached retina, coagulation in diabetic
retinopathy, neurosurgery, dermatology and ear, nose and throat surgery.

In all these fields LASERS have either replaced the methods practiced or are used as effective
backups to these methods.

Its characteristics make LASER a unique light probe for non-invasive application.

The information contained in LASER light reflected or scattered by structure by structure can be
detected and analysed for diagnostic puroses.

The most wide spread medical application for laser technology in medicine has occurred in
ophthalmology.

LASERS are in routine clinical use for many therapeutic and diagnostic purposes and their application
has become the standard of care in treatment of many eye diseases.