Advances in
laser technology in recent decades have increased the options for the treatment of dermatologic conditions of the eye and eyelid. Benign
tumors can be
laser-ablated with relative ease, and vascular and melanocytic lesions can be precisely targeted with modern
lasers. In this contribution, we review treatment of periocular pigmented lesions, including
melanocytic nevi and
nevus of Ota; vascular lesions including
telangiectasias,
port wine stains, and infantile
hemangiomas;
hair removal; eyeliner
tattoo removal;
laser ablation of common benign periocular
tumors, such as
syringomas, xanthelasma, milia, and
seborrheic keratoses; and
laser resurfacing. The recent advent of fractionated
laser technology has resulted in dramatically decreased healing times for periocular skin resurfacing and fewer adverse effects. Fractionated
laser resurfacing has now nearly supplanted traditional full-field
laser resurfacing, and safe treatment of rhytides on the thin skin of the eyelids is possible. Proper eye protection is, of course, essential when using
lasers near the eye. Patient preparation, safety precautions, and risks--intraocular and extraocular--are discussed herein. As
laser technology continues to advance, we are sure to see improvements in current treatments, as well as development of new applications of cutaneous
lasers.