Observations on the use of high-power lasers in ophthalmology

In order to evaluate the safety of the Nd:YAG laser for intraocular applications, one must consider the potential for vitreous and even retinal damage resulting from pulsed Nd : YAG laser irradiation (at the nanosecond to picosecond range). Theoretical considerations include: 1) the generation of acoustic gradients which could affect the vitreous and the retina, 2) photic effects due to redistributive internal scattering, and 3) the electric field strength within the laser beam. One of these, the effect of acoustic gradients, was studied in rabbit and monkey eyes in our laboratory. Marked alterations in the vitreous were demonstrated in these eyes immediately after Nd:YAG laser exposure which are probably due to the acoustic gradients accompanying such laser irradiation.