Laser medicine

Laser medicine is the use of lasers in medical diagnosis, treatments, or therapies, such as laser photodynamic therapy, photorejuvenation, and laser surgery.

The word laser stands for "light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation".





== History ==

The laser was invented in 1960 by Theodore Maiman, and its potential uses in medicine were subsequently explored. Lasers benefit from three interesting characteristics: directivity (multiple directional functions), impulse (possibility of operating in very short pulses), and monochromaticity.

Several medical applications were found for this new instrument. In 1961, just one year after the laser's invention, Dr. Charles J. Campbell successfully used a ruby laser to destroy an angiomatous retinal tumor with a single pulse. In 1963, Dr. Leon Goldman used the ruby laser to treat pigmented skin cells and reported on his findings.

The argon-ionized laser (wavelength: 488–514 nm) has since become the preferred laser for the treatment of retinal detachment.