Analysis of Retinal Function Following Laser Irradiation

Abstract

Exposure of the foveal to a single or multiple pulses of coherent light produce both transient and permanent changes in the eye's ability to resolve fine spatial detail. The immediate effects are often large, reflecting a total loss of foveal functioning although, depending upon exposure conditions, are reversible. Permanent functional changes in achromatic and chromatic acuity can occur in the absence of gross morphological damage and at power densities below the ED50 level provided the area of involvement is large. At power densities above the ED50 level, little if any permanent and consistent deficits in visual performance are noted if the damage is restricted to relatively isolated areas of either the fovea or parafovea. Keywords: Laser safety (MPE), Nd/YAG, Rhesus monkeys, Flash effects(Visual); Long-term visual deficits, Light- induced damage, Glare effects.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 1990
Accession Number
ADA225021

Entities

People

  • David O. Robbins

Organizations

  • Ohio Wesleyan University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Classification
  • Detection
  • Detectors
  • Eye
  • Eye Movements
  • Laser Beams
  • Laser Safety
  • Lasers
  • Light (Electromagnetic Radiation)
  • Light Sources
  • Long Wavelengths
  • Measurement
  • Monkeys
  • Psychology
  • Radiation
  • Rhesus Monkeys
  • Safety

Readers

  • Optical Physics and Photonics.
  • Vision Science/Vision Psychology/Cognitive Neuroscience.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy