Abstract

Laser photocoagulation of the retina using an intraocular probe (endophotocoagulation) has become an important therapeutic tool in vitreoretinal surgery. The Ar-ion laser, the source most frequently used for endophotocoagulation, is an expensive low-efficiency device. Typical powers used in Ar-ion laser photocoagulation are of the order of a few hundred milliwatts in a 100-μm diam spot. Semiconductor diode laser devices producing powers of 200 mW at 780–840 nm have recently become commercially available and offer the potential of replacing expensive water-cooled Ar-ion lasers as sources for retinal photocoagulation. The feasibility of this application of semiconductor diode lasers depends on both the light intensity that can be delivered to the retina and the absorption of the retinal pigment epithelium at the laser wavelength.

© 1986 Optical Society of America