title: [Excimer laser: history, development and comparison of equipment].
abstract: We first present the history of the Excimer Laser technological development which began in 1975 with Velazco and Sester's research. We report various studies about lasers conceiving, treatment parameters, laser-tissues interactions, and treatments evolution. In the second part, we compare different Excimer laser systems and their capacities. Three current technologies are used for clinical application: the broad beam lasers, which use a diaphragm or a disc with multiple apertures, the scanning slits and the flying spots. Advantages and disadvantages of the various delivery systems are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Hôpital ophtalmologique universitaire Jules Gonin, Lausanne, Suisse.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Othenin-Girard
mesh_terms: D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D007646:Keratotomy, Radial / Q000379:methods; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000266:history / Q000639:trends; D054018:Lasers, Excimer; D009216:Myopia / Q000601:surgery*; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*