The clinical use of the
carbon dioxide (
CO2) laser and
diode laser is increasing in veterinary medicine. New applications for their use are being explored, including ophthalmic applications. The use of
lasers for small-animal
corneal disease is fairly limited due to several factors. The ideal
laser for corneal use is the
excimer laser due to its extremely precise photoablative capability. However, the
excimer laser is unlikely ever to become practical for veterinary use. The frequency of
corneal disease in small animals in which tissue ablation is indicated is relatively low. And for most of these diseases, routine surgical techniques work as well or better than
laser ablation. The
CO2 laser can be used on corneal tissue, but must be used very cautiously so as not to ablate too deeply, creating serious
scarring or perforation. There are also concerns regarding its effect on corneal nerves, stromal
collagen, and corneal endothelium. The
CO2 laser can be very effective in ablating limbal
tumors with corneal extension. The use of the
laser is less invasive, technically less difficult, and faster because of excellent hemostasis. The
diode laser, due to its high
melanin absorption, can be used effectively to ablate epibulbar
melanomas with corneal stromal invasion.