Abstract
Laser technology and use is rapidly expanding in medical, industrial, commercial, and military applications. As a result, the likelihood of inadvertent ocular exposure has also increased. Risks may be especially acute for military personnel when employment occurs under less than ideal circumstances. The ocular tissue layer most susceptible to laser damage is the retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) due to the highly absorptive nature of its melanin-containing pigment granules. We enucleated pig eyes and exposed the RPE layer to 3 ns pulsed laser-light using a ND:YAG laser. Changes in cellular ultrastructure were observed in 48 h post exposure by transmission electron microscopy. Pigment granules of laser-treated cells showed decreased pigment content and loss of elliptical shape but were otherwise normal and bounded by discrete membranes. Pigment granules appeared striated and in various stages of maturity suggesting capacity for melanin regeneration after laser damage. Thermal denaturation and photomechanical disruption caused by microbubble formation are discussed as possible damage mechanisms.
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