Comparison of retinal photocoagulation using pulsed frequency-doubled neodymium-YAG and argon green laser

The photocoagulation effects on retinal and choroidal tissue of the argon green and pulsed frequency-doubled neodymium-YAG lasers were examined in rabbit eyes. In contrast to the continuous wave output of the argon green laser, the pulsed frequency-doubled neodymium-YAG laser produces a series of 1 microsecond pulses emitted at a repetition rate of 10 kHz. The high repetition rate results in pulse averaging, allowing relatively low peak powers to be used while producing average powers capable of thermal tissue effects. Photocoagulation lesions in the rabbit retina were placed in pairs using each of the lasers. Light microscopic comparison of the argon and neodymium-YAG burns revealed morphologically similar lesions for up to 14 days after photocoagulation, with damage predominantly at the level of the retinal pigment epithelium and outer retina. The high repetition rate, pulsed frequency-doubled neodymium-YAG laser produced thermal tissue effects similar to the continuous wave argon green laser.