Laser Eye Effects: The Subvisible Retinal Lesion.
Abstract
The objective of this program was to investigate the effects of helium-neon and YAG laser radiation on the rabbit retina at exposure levels below those required to produce ophthalmoscopically visible lesions. The question of the existence of a subvisible retinal lesion was addressed using electroencephalographic (EEG) techniques light microscopy, electron microscopy, and autoradiography. The characteristics of such a lesion and questions of reversibility were also investigated. The existence of the subvisible lesion was clearly established Impairment of retinal function was seen by EEG at 50% of the visible lesion exposure threshold, while morphological and metabolic derangement was seen by microscopy and autoradiography at 83% of the visible threshold. A frequent return to normal was seen by the latter techniques in about 12 days, while general functional recovery was beginning to be seen by EEG in 14 days. YAG laser exposure produced an unexpected increase in potentials evoked from the exposed retina as seen in the EEG recordings. The reasons for this surprising result are not known. Electroencephalography is shown to be a sensitive and useful tool for the study of the subvisible retinal lesion. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 14, 1971
- Accession Number
- AD0728852
Entities
People
- William J. Mautner