Retinal irradiance from vitrectomy endoilluminators.
We compared the maximum light output of selected 19- and 20-gauge continuous-fiber and detachable-tip endoilluminators to the retinal damage threshold for intravitreal fiber-optic light in the owl monkey. Because of cumulative light toxicity to the retina there is a substantial risk of retinal damage from endoillumination when the endoilluminator is close to the retina (for example, during membrane peeling procedures) and especially when the continuous-fiber endoilluminator with high light output is used.
D000818:Animals; D001029:Aotus trivirgatus; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology; D008027:Light / Q000009:adverse effects; D055100:Optical Fibers; D010857:Pigment Epithelium of Eye / Q000528:radiation effects; D012160:Retina / Q000293:injuries / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D013997:Time Factors; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000601:surgery