title: Effects of an erbium: YAG laser on ocular structures.
abstract: We evaluated the effects of the erbium:YAG laser (2.9 micron wavelength) on ocular structures. Energy was successfully transmitted through a fiberoptic bundle for intraocular and extraocular applications. The wavelength was strongly absorbed by ocular tissues, producing ablations with minimal thermal damage. Our results indicated that the erbium:YAG laser may have potential uses as a photoablative tool to reshape the corneal surface and as a surgical knife.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003315:Cornea / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004871:Erbium; D005123:Eye / Q000528:radiation effects*; D007498:Iris / Q000601:surgery / Q000648:ultrastructure; D053685:Laser Therapy; D007834:Lasers; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000601:surgery / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D012160:Retina / Q000601:surgery / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013552:Swine
chemical_list: D004871:Erbium