Laser-induced histopathological changes to the retina: A review

Although the indications for retinal laser have diminished over the past 2 decades due to the rise of intravitreal injection therapy, retinal laser remains a useful clinical tool, with novel laser technologies continuing to emerge. Continuous wave photocoagulation remains the most well-characterized laser in terms of its histopathological effects. Information about the histological effects of newer retinal laser modalities is relatively scarce. Available evidence supports the notion that short pulse applications result in less collateral damage to the neurosensory retina, but that at sufficient energy settings thermal injury is observed irrespective of the laser type.