Ocular damage induced by near-ultraviolet laser radiation

A quantitative study was conducted of ocular damage thresholds in the rhesus monkey eye from krypton, argon, and nitrogen laser radiation. Corneal and lenticular thresholds are reported for various laser beam parameters. Corneal damage was found to occur following incident energy doses of approximately 60 to 70 Joules per square centimeter (J./cm.2) for pulsewidths ranging from 250 musec to 120 sec. The results are consistent with a photochemical damage mechanism. With certain exposure parameters, cataracts were induced with lower energy doses than required to cause corneal damage. The lenticular thresholds, however, appear to be consistent with a thermal rather than a photochemical mechanism. Corneal and lenticular hazards of near-ultraviolet (near-UV) lasers are discussed in terms of existing safety standards for laser radiation.