Laser technology has changed the way that surgeons and other medical professionals operate in a variety of medical fields, but it is still in the field of ophthalmology that the most complex and complete use of medical lasers is being made. The precision and versatility of lasers allows ophthalmologists to cut, shrink, stretch and remove ocular tissue in a way that is many times safer and more effective than what previous ophthalmological technology allowed. The Nd: YAG laser is one of the most commonly used lasers in surgical eye procedures, and it plays a big role in the treatment of some of the most common and serious eye disorders. What is an Nd YAG laser? Nd: YAG stands for neodymium-doped yttrium-aluminum-garnet, which is the crystal that is used to generate the YAG laser. The laser can be continuous or pulsed, for different applications. The YAG laser is one of the most important and most used pieces of ophthalmic equipment, especially crucial in the treatment of posterior capsular opacification that can result after cataract surgery. The laser is also used to perform surgical iridectomy (also known as corectomy) in eye patients with narrow vision angles or angle-closure glaucoma. Iridectomy involves the surgical removal of part of the iris, and is used for treating closed-angle glaucoma; it is also employed in the treatment of iris melanoma. Other ophthalmologic uses for the YAG laser include the draining of premacular hemorrhages in patients suffering from valsalva retinopathy, the treatment of panretinal photocoagulation, and the treatment of vitreous floaters and recurrent corneal erosions. Benefits of YAG Lasers Before YAG laser iridectomy, surgical iridectomy used blade instruments to open the patient's iris, a procedure that was highly risky and had the potential for causing a suprachoroidal hemorrhage in the patient, or a potentially expulsive hemorrhage. The use of laser technology eliminates the possibility of such dangers. During surgery, a YAG laser is used to make a hole in the iris in order to facilitate the flow of aqueous humor and maintain stable intraocular pressure. Furthermore, laser allows for ultra precise and consistent cuts that avoid damaging surrounding tissue. Finding the Problem: Corneal Topography Patients with vision problems are advised to receive tests by a non-invasive medical imaging technique called corneal topography. It is used for mapping the surface curvature of the outer structure of the eye, known as the cornea. This three-dimensional map can be used to assess irregularities in eye shape, as well as issues and diseases that may be causing vision problems. Corneal topography is commonly used by ophthalmologists as well as optometrists to assess and determine the best way to correct vision problems.