Erbium:yttrium aluminum garnet laser versus Q-switched neodymium: yttrium aluminum garnet laser for the treatment of xanthelasma palpebrarum

Abstract

Background: Several lasers have been used for the treatment of xanthelasma palpebrarum (XP), such as Q-switched neodymium: yttrium aluminum garnet (QSNd: YAG) and erbium: yttrium aluminum garnet (Er: YAG) laser. Up to now, a comparative study among these laser options in the treatment of XP has not been reported. Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the clinical efficacy and response rates of QSNd: YAG and Er: YAG in the treatment of XP. Methods: Sixty patients with a total of 102 XP lesions were randomly and equally divided into two groups. The first group was treated with QSNd: YAG at a fluence of 10 joule/cm(2), 10 Hz and 2 mm spot size, and the second group was treated with Er: YAG at 200-300 millijoule, 4 Hz and 2 mm spot size. Results: In the Er: YAG group, the percentage of patients who required 3 or 4 sessions and wound healing time were higher compared to those of the QSNd: YAG group. Furthermore, the percentage of patients who had an improvement score of 4 was higher in the Er: YAG than that in the QSNd: YAG group. Conclusion: Er: YAG is an efficient, successful and minimally invasive method without long-lasting adverse effects.