Ophthalmic Lasers: YAG, SLT, and Retinal Laser Systems

A Complete Guide to Laser Technology in Eye Care

Overview

Ophthalmic lasers play a critical role in modern eye care, supporting treatments across cataract, glaucoma, and retinal disease.

The most common categories include:

YAG lasers for capsulotomy
SLT lasers for glaucoma
Retinal lasers for photocoagulation

Each serves a different clinical purpose, and many clinics use a combination of systems to support a full range of procedures.

Types of Ophthalmic Lasers

YAG Laser (Capsulotomy)

Used to treat posterior capsule opacification (PCO) after cataract surgery.

Fast, non-invasive procedure
Restores vision quickly
Common in cataract-focused clinics

Learn more: Best YAG Lasers in Ophthalmology (2026)

SLT Laser (Glaucoma Treatment)

Used to lower intraocular pressure in glaucoma patients.

Targets trabecular meshwork
Reduces reliance on eye drops
Increasingly used as first-line treatment

Learn more: Best SLT Lasers in Ophthalmology (2026)

Retinal Lasers (Photocoagulation)

Used to treat retinal conditions such as:

Diabetic retinopathy
Retinal tears
Vascular disorders
Includes 532nm and 810nm laser platforms
Essential in retina practices

Common Ophthalmic Laser Systems

YAG and SLT Combination Systems

Ellex Tango SLT/YAG Laser
Lumenis Selecta Duet
Nidek YC-200 S Plus
Meridian MR Q Combo

Preferred for versatility and workflow efficiency

YAG Laser Systems

Ellex Ultra Q / Super Q
Lumenis Aura PT
Zeiss Visulas YAG III
Nidek YC series

SLT Laser Systems

Ellex Solo SLT
LightMed SLT platforms
Quantel SLT systems
Meridian

Retinal Laser Systems

Lumenis and Zeiss photocoagulators
Nidek retinal lasers
Quantel retinal systems
Meridian laser platforms

YAG vs SLT vs Retinal Lasers (Quick Comparison)

Laser Type	Primary Use	Typical Setting	Frequency of Use
YAG	Capsulotomy	Post-cataract clinics	High
SLT	Glaucoma	General + glaucoma clinics	Moderate–High
Retinal	Photocoagulation	Retina specialists	Specialized

How Clinics Choose Laser Systems

1. Clinical Focus

Cataract-heavy → YAG
Glaucoma → SLT
Retina → photocoagulation

2. Workflow Efficiency

Many clinics prefer combination systems to:

Reduce equipment footprint
Simplify workflows
Expand treatment capability

3. Patient Volume

Higher volume clinics often prioritize:

Speed
Reliability
Ease of use

Real-World Insight

As clinics grow and upgrade, there is a clear shift toward multi-function laser systems that can support multiple procedures on a single platform.

This is especially true for clinics balancing cataract follow-up and glaucoma treatment.

FAQ

What are ophthalmic lasers used for?
They are used to treat conditions affecting the retina, glaucoma, and post-cataract complications.

What is the difference between YAG and SLT lasers?
YAG lasers treat posterior capsule opacification, while SLT lasers are used to lower intraocular pressure in glaucoma.

Do clinics need multiple laser systems?
Many clinics use combination systems to handle multiple procedures efficiently.

What is a retinal laser used for?
Retinal lasers are used to treat conditions like diabetic retinopathy and retinal tears.