Ocular Lesions Produced by an Optical Maser (Laser)

Abstract

Ocular lesions have been experimentally produced in rabbit by a pulsed optical maser (laser). The high-energy density delivered in a single 0.5 msec pulse was sufficient to cause instantaneous thermal injury to the pigmented retina and iris of the brown rabbit. Ophthalmoscopically, the retinal lesions resembled flash burns from an atomic fireball.