For those who are not aware of what Excimer laser is and how important it is in the eye care industry, here are some things that you should know about this gem of ophthalmology.
Excimer Laser is derived from two terms– excited and dimers. Without the development of this type of laser, laser surgery will never be made possible. IBM invented this laser with the employment of inert gases like krypton, argon and xenon and some reactive gases like chlorine and fluorine. When electricity is introduced into this combination of gases, a pseudo molecule (which is called the dimer) will be produced. When the dimer is lased, a light which falls under the range of ultraviolet ray is created– hence the term excited dimers.
Excimer is considered by many as a cool laser which mans that this type of laser has no ability to heat up the environment surrounding it. When heat is introduced, only a highly focused beam of ultraviolet light will be the product. When the laser comes into contact with a surface, it will be absorbed. With just a small amount of laser is absorbed by organic materials like cornea of the eye, molecular bonds will be broken down.
Understanding photo-ablation
Photo-ablation is a process that takes place during eye laser surgery When the laser is activated, the light that comes from this type of laser is only able to penetrate into a nanometer portion of the cornea’s surface. The heat that its energy creates together with a thin layer of the cornea will be dissipated. There will not be complications about dissipating other parts of the eye because this layer is quite focused. With its precision, it can create a focused beam that is as little as 0.25 microns.
The operation and employment of Excimer laser is a complicated activity which would require the expertise and knowledge of an ophthalmologist.