A functional approach to the assessment of ocular hazards of low-power lasers

An electrophysiological bioassay system has been developed to provide safety-related information about the functional consequences of non-thermal laser irradiation of the vertebrate retina. This in vitro preparation allows precise dosimetry at the retinal surface, provides for an intra-retinal control, comparing lased vs non-lased tissue, and permits quantitative assessment of the biophysical mechanisms of laser-induced retinal dysfunction.