Lasers in oculoplastic surgery.

Abstract

Applications of laser-assisted surgery in oculoplastics are varied because the enormous scope of the specialty overlaps with ear, nose and throat, dermatology, plastic surgery, and ophthalmology, for example. All of these specialties have applications for lasers that in one fashion or another find their way into our armamentarium. In this article we present the last year's advances in laser applications in oculoplastics. By far, endonasal dacryocystorhinostomies are the most controversial and interest producing. Several articles address different approaches and conclusions. No final determination is available yet as to the effectiveness and ultimate success of this procedure. Dermatologic surgery for lesion removal and for cosmetic surgery also features in this year's review. The use of lasers for tattoo removal was reported in detail in a superb article. Overall there were no major breakthroughs in laser surgery, however, several well-thought-out articles have added to our understanding of this surgical modality.