Effect of volatile compounds on excimer laser power delivery.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether vapors from perfume, hairspray, oil-based paint, or water-based paint affect excimer laser beam power delivery at the corneal surface.


METHODS
We measured the power delivery of an Apex Plus laser before, during, and after exposure to vapors from the following volatile compounds: three types of perfume, hair spray, an oil-based paint, and a water-based paint. A digital calorimeter was used to measure the steady-state beam power of the laser during laser discharge at the corneal plane. Multiple trials were run with each compound, and the change in laser energy over time was examined to determine if any of the compounds caused degradation of the laser optics.


RESULTS
The presence of a volatile compound in the room caused no change in mean laser energy in comparison to before and after the compound was present. However, perfumes caused a progressive decline in laser beam power throughout the trials. Controlling for this progressive decline, there was no significant difference from perfume to perfume.


CONCLUSIONS
None of the compounds tested caused a decline in laser beam power while present in the room. However, the presence of any perfume caused a deterioration in beam power over time, suggesting a degradation of the laser optics for all perfumes. Laser centers should consider advising their patients and staff to not wear perfumes in the laser suite.
D000336:Aerosols / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002151:Calorimetry; D003315:Cornea / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D054018:Lasers, Excimer; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010150:Paint / Q000009:adverse effects; D010476:Perfume / Q000009:adverse effects; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy; D014835:Volatilization
D000336:Aerosols; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010476:Perfume