A Preliminary Model of the Distribution of Laser-Induced Retinal Lesions Resulting from Eye and Head Responses
Abstract
A computer program was developed to simulate a pilot's reaction to an ocular exposure from a multiple-pulse laser. The simulation outlines five different scenarios of eye and head responses that are likely to occur in response to a laser exposure. These responses are: 1) closing the eyes; 2) centering the laser image on the fovea with a saccadic eye movement; 3) executing a saccade to avoid foveating the laser beam; 4) holding the eyes stationary relative to the laser beam; and 5) tracking a moving object during the laser exposure. The simulation modeled the effects of a 1-s laser exposure with pulse rates of 5,15, or 30 pulses/s and beam angles of 0, 10, 20, or 30 deg eccentric from the point of fixation. The output of the simulation predicted the number and distribution of lesions in terms of retinal topography and acuity under the aforementioned conditions. The results of the simulation demonstrated that the pilot's reactions significantly influenced the number and pattern of lesions deposited on the retina. The most serious threat to vision resulted from an eye improvement that foveated the laser. Eye movements that diverted the laser from the fovea appeared to minimize the impact on vision. However, further work will be needed to quantify the size and location of athe visual field loss.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA207747
Entities
People
- William D. Kosnik