Laser surgery of the lens. Experimental studies

The authors used high peak power nanosecond (Q-switched) and picosecond (mode-locked) pulses from the neodymium-YAG laser to perform experimental anterior and posterior capsulotomy in rabbits. The morphology of laser anterior capsulotomy was studied using scanning electron microscopy. Ultrastructural studies revealed no evidence of morphologic abnormality in the corneal endothelium in eyes in which laser capsulotomy had been performed. The critical factors for the prevention of inadvertent retinal injury during laser surgery in the anterior segment of the eye were identified as pulse energy and cone angle of incident laser radiation. Using wide angle fundus photography and fluorescein angiography, intentional retinal injury during laser surgery of the lens was experimentally documented when retinal radiant energy exposure exceeded injury threshold.