Surgical Procedures Flashcards
(145 cards)
What does laser stand for?
light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation
What is coherence?
spatial-precise focusing widths of several microns, temporal-monochromatic wavelength
What is fluence?
flux integrated over time, energy delivered per unit area (spot size, power/wattage, exposure time)
What do resonance mirrors do?
allow amplification of the laser energy as the photons bounce back and forth between two mirrors within an optical cavity or tube
3 main types of laser-tissue interactions:
photothermal, photochemical, photoionization
What is photothermal?
photocoagulation and photovaporization, rise in temperature that denatures proteins
What is photochemical?
photoradiation (PDT) and photoablation (Excimer), formation or destruction of chemical bonds
What is photoionization?
electrons stripped from tissue creates expanding plasma cloud and ensuing acoustic shock wave disrupting tissues (Nd:YAG)
3 unique characteristics of lasers:
coherent, monochromatic, collimated
What is coherence?
strong correlation between the electric fields across the beam (cross section)
What is monochromatic?
specific wavelength absorbed by specific tissue, allows for tissue selectivity
What is collimated?
minimal divergence of the beam (energy is stable across the whole beam) these two features allow for specific application to ophthalmology as small spot sizes can be used and specific tissues targeted
What wavelength do red (blood) tissues absorb?
blue and green laser light
What wavelength do brown (pigment) tissues absorb?
yellow, blue and green
Which wavelengths penetrate deeper?
longer wavelengths
Cornea absorbs
UV/100-280 nm (excimer)
Hemoglobin absorbs
yellow/555, green/542 (Nd:YAG)
Xanthphyll absorbs
blue/400
Melanin absorbs**
blue/400 (argon/green) – absorption decreases with increased wavelength
Water absorbs
infrared (YAG, diode)
What is a peripheral iridotomy?
creates opening in iris for alternate flow of aqueous
What is an indication for a PI?
narrow angle/iris bombe
What is the benefit of a PI?
helps prevent future ACG but IOP may increase in some and not without complications
What may cause a PI to fail?
choroidal thickening, abnormal iris activity secondary to peripheral iris roll (not true bombe)