In vitro inhibition of lens epithelial cell growth by continuous wave Nd:YAG laser

Bovine lens epithelial cells were suspended in MEM medium and subjected to continuous wave, low power, pulsed neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser irradiation. The temperature of each suspension was maintained at 36 degrees C. Laser applications ranged from 1 to 10 watts and from 100 to 2000 seconds, but the total dose to each of the epithelial cell suspension was 2000 J. Six to thirty-nine percent of the cells were dead immediately after irradiation. Surviving cells, cultured for 15 days, showed decreased attachment and failed to grow. These preliminary results suggest that the Nd:YAG laser may be used during cataract surgery to prevent subsequent lens epithelial cell proliferation and the resulting vision reduction and glare.