Compact erbium lasers in the IR photorefractive keratectomy (PRK)

Baining Liu; Hans Joachim Eichler; O. Sperlich; A. Holschbach; M. Kayser

doi:10.1117/12.251930

23 September 1996 Compact erbium lasers in the IR photorefractive keratectomy (PRK)

Baining Liu, Hans Joachim Eichler, O. Sperlich, A. Holschbach, M. Kayser

Proceedings Volume 2887, Lasers in Medicine and Dentistry: Diagnostics and Treatment; (1996) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.251930
Event: Photonics China '96, 1996, Beijing, China

Abstract

Erbium lasers deliver laser radiation near 3 micrometers and are a promising alternative to excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy (UV-PRK). In addition to easier handling due to all solid state technology, especially when operated in the fundamental mode, IR-PRK eliminates the potential of mutagenic side effects associated with UV-PRK. However, a successful IR-PRK for the clinic treatment in the near future demands both technological development of erbium lasers in different operation modes and clinical investigation of interaction between 3 micrometers radiation and human corneas. The excellent cooperation between university, company and hospital makes this possible. Uncoated thin plates made from infrared materials were found to be effective etalon reflectors with high damage threshold as high as 1 GW/cm² for erbium lasers. Four kinds of such reflectors were successfully tested in Q-switched Er:YAG-laser at 2.94 micrometers and Er:Cr:YSGG-laser at 2.80 micrometers. Very stable operation of our erbium lasers with high output energy both in free-running and Q-switched modes is realized. First infrared photorefractive keratectomy (IR-PRK) for myopic correction in human corneas by a free-running erbium laser based on our new construction concepts was achieved.

Citation Download Citation

Baining Liu, Hans Joachim Eichler, O. Sperlich, A. Holschbach, and M. Kayser "Compact erbium lasers in the IR photorefractive keratectomy (PRK)", Proc. SPIE 2887, Lasers in Medicine and Dentistry: Diagnostics and Treatment, (23 September 1996); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.251930

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