BOSTON -- Surgery has been the only option to eliminate painful and unattractive varicose veins, but now lasers could make the doctor's scalpel obsolete.

NewsCenter 5's Liz Bruner reported that doctors are now using endovenous laser treatment, or EVLT, the first Food and Drug Administration-approved laser treatment to eradicate varicose veins.

"The heat from the laser actually causes damage to the inner wall of the vein and the vein actually collapses and ultimately is basically absorbed by the body," said Dr. Judy Hondo, of Dedham Medical Associates.

With other treatments, varicose veins sometimes recur or new varicose veins develop, but with EVLT, doctors attack the diseased vein that causes others to bulge, shutting it down at its root.

"Most people see the bulgy varicose veins that are in the lower leg as their primary problem, when in fact we have to get to the source before we can address those issues," said Dr. Elizabeth Foley, of Dedham Medical Associates.

Studies have shown that EVLT has a 97 percent success rate up to 2 1/2 years after treatment.

Although it's touted as a surgery-free, scar-free method, there is one downside -- it's less effective cosmetically. Most who have it done go on at additional expense to have other procedures to make the leg more attractive. Still, experts in the field agree that EVLT has a place in varicose vein treatment.

"From what I have seen and read, it appears to be a worthwhile procedure," said Dr. Harold Welch, of the Lahey Clinic.

Kathy Wood is undergoing the 45-minute procedure, hoping to end the constant pain.

"It would be nice to be able to be on your feet more and not always just feeling like you're swelling up," she said.

Patient Jimmy Johnston had ELVT and a procedure called ambulatory phlebectomy, and his legs look noticeably better than before. More importantly, they finally fell better after 10 years of pain.

"I have had really no cramps per se in my legs at night," Johnston said. "It's fantastic. It's really great."

EVLT costs between $2,000 and $3,000 per leg, which is a fraction of the price of traditional vein stripping. The procedure is covered by most insurance companies.