New YAG Laser for Floaters - Ellex Ultar Q
Mr Lee specialises in ophthalmic lasers and is often involved in trialling new lasers and arranging new purchases of lasers.
The YAG laser is used both to treat after cataracts but can also be used to treat floaters in the vitreous. Finding the perfect YAG laser treating after cataracts in Mr Lee's experience can be challenging but the new Ellex Ultra Q that he trialed today was the best that he has used. This laser has the unique feature that the illumination can be coaxial illuminating the capsule in a different way to standard lasers. In addition the quality and focusing of the laser itself was optimal producing no damage to the intraocular lens.
However its most exciting feature is its ability to laser within the vitreous because of its unique design in the illumination being coaxial and able to get through the pupil into the vitreous. This is rather keen to trying to look through a keyhole into a room with a torch and having the torch to the side means that you cannot illuminate and see into the room. This is what standard lasers are like and performing such Vitreolysis is thus challenging. However the Ellex ultra Q has a unique illumination that let you look through the keyhole with the light shining through the keyhole straight ahead enabling you to see the room the other side.
My experience with my first patient with this type of laser was that it was a joy to use and the floater was easily visible and easily able to be broken up and vaporised. The patient immediately noticed an improvement and resolution of his floater.
I believe this is a new era safely removing or vaporising troublesome floaters which is a common ophthalmic condition that is largely left untreated.