Laser-induced corneal injury: validation of a computer model to predict thresholds

The exposure and emission limits of ICNIRP, IEC 60825-1 and ANSI Z136.1 to protect the cornea are based on a limited number of in-vivo studies. To broaden the database, a computer model was developed to predict injury thresholds in the wavelength range from 1050 nm to 10.6 µm and was validated by comparison with all applicable experimental threshold data (ED₅₀) with exposure duration between 1.7 ns and 100 s. The model predictions compare favorably with the in-vivo data with an average ratio of computer prediction to ED₅₀ of 0.94 (standard deviation ± 30%) and a maximum deviation of less than 2. This computer model can be used to improve exposure limits or for a quantitative risk analysis of a given exposure of the cornea.