• Afshan Kiran, Seemab Khan, Najia Ahmed, and Maira Ali.
• Department of Dermatology, PNS Shifa Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.
• J Coll Physicians Surg Pak. 2024 Jul 1; 34 (7): 757760757-760.

ObjectiveTo assess the effectiveness of neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser 1064 nm in the management of onychomycosis.Study DesignDescriptive observational study. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Dermatology, PNS Shifa Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan, from December 2022 to May 2023.MethodologyThirty patients, of either gender, aged between 20 and 60 years, with a clinical diagnosis and a positive KOH test for onychomycosis. Long-pulsed 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser therapy was administered to patients. On the basis of nail plate thickness, laser therapy was given once a week for a month at a speed of 25 mm/sec and a spot diameter of 4 mm, with fluencies ranging from 40 - 60 J/cm2. Before and six months' post-treatment, the patients' photos were taken and were evaluated based on dermoscopic results and clinical improvement.ResultsThe patients' average age was 40.20 ± 15.85 years, and their average duration of disease was 3.0 ± 1.41 years. Six (20%) were males and 24 (80%) cases were females. The most prevalent clinical type was distolateral subungual onychomycosis 22 (73%). Fourteen (46.6%) cases showed excellent improvement, 6 (20%) cases showed good improvement, and 10 (33.3%) cases showed mild improvement.ConclusionLong-pulsed Nd:YAG laser is a safe and efficient option for onychomycosis because of its high clinical cure rates, lack of side effects, and clinical therapeutic efficacy.Key WordsOnychomycosis, Nd:YAG laser 1064-nm, Dermatology, Nail, Lasers in dermatology.

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