Retinal Laser Spot Size with Wavelength

Abstract

National laser safety standards are based on minimal visual lesion threshold (MVL) studies in different animal models. The energy required for a retinal lesion depends upon many parameters including wavelength and retinal spot size. We attempt to explain trends in reported minimum visible lesion threshold studies using a model which represents every layer of the eye. There currently exists a lack of minimum visible lesion data in the near-infrared region of the electro-magnetic spectrum. To address these deficiencies, we extend our calculations into this wavelength regime to predict expected trends.