New laser to treat eye diseases

Monday, October 7 2013 | 00 h 00 min | News

A new laser gives hope to people with certain severe eye diseases.

“This new laser with yellow light is currently the only one of its caliber in the US, and there’s only one other being used in the world right now,” said Quan Dong Nguyen, MD, at McGaw Memorial Endowed Chair in Ophthalmology, when discussing the laser, which is currently being tested in Nebraska. The device was first used on July 22 to treat a patient with proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

“It allows us to apply a large number of laser spots in a variety of patterns, explained ophthalmologist Diana Do, who performed the first treatment. “Overall, it is more effective, efficient and may be safer than traditional lasers.”

The Supra Scan Multispot Laser, manufactured by the French company Quantel Medical, provides treatments for a variety of diseases, such as retinal vein occlusion, neovascular glaucoma and retinal tears.  In addition, with micropulse application capability, it can also be combined with other therapies to treat diabetic macular edema.  

Source:

http://app1.unmc.edu/publicaffairs/todaysite/sitefiles/today_full.cfm?match=11355