Clinical application of Er : YAG laser for the treatment of pterygium

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical application of Er:YAG la ser for the treatment of pterygium. METHOD: Five patients (5 eyes) with pterygium, 2 primary cases and 3 retrea tment cases, whose ages ranged from 44 to 68 years (mean 54.4 years), were treated with the Er:YAG laser. The optical system consisted of a fluorozirc o-aluminate glass fiber and a handpiece tip made of quartz glass. The tip o f the guiding probe was applied to the surface of the pterygium, where the laser beam was emitted. The radiant energy was set at 10 mJ with water spra y. RESULT: The removal of pterygium was accomplished under topical anesthesia with a laser output approximate range: from 50 to 100 shots. Complications such as corneal erosion or thinning of the sclera were not observed. Howeve r, recurrence was seen in the 3 retreatment cases. CONCLUSION: The Er:YAG laser system may be a clinically useful tool as a la ser surgical knife for ocular tissue.