Transscleral iridotomy using a neodymium: YAG laser operated both with standard equipment and an optical fiber system--a preliminary report: Part I--Optical system and biomicroscopic results.
The effects upon the iris of radiation emitted by a Nd:YAG laser working in its thermal (free-running) mode and transmitted through the sclera were studied. The advantages and disadvantages of a fiber optic system, as compared to a conventional optical system, were studied using eight autopsy eyes. It was shown that the conventional optical system as well as a fiber optic system are both able to perforate the iris completely and to blast away or destroy the pigment epithelium. One merit of the fiber optic system as compared to the conventional system is that it requires considerably less energy for the same effect. This is partially because the sclera, when compressed, becomes more transparent and thus transmits a greater amount of laser energy.
D005336:Fiber Optic Technology; D006801:Humans; D007498:Iris / Q000601:surgery*; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D055100:Optical Fibers