Mechanisms of retinal damage from chronic laser radiation. Thresholds and mechanisms. Annual report, No. 4. 1 November 1976--31 October 1977

Technical Report · Mon Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1977

OSTI ID:6209817

Lawwill, T; Crockett, S; Currier, G

The effect upon the retina of exposure to large fields of bright visible light has been evaluated. The thresholds for permanent retinal damage for four hour exposures in rhesus monkeys have been established for white light, and laser lines of 514.5 nm, 488 nm, 457.9 nm, and 590 nm. The damage has been evaluated by ophthalmoscopy, electroretinography and light and electron microscopy. The shortest wavelength light (457.9 nm) is more effective in causing damage, particularly histological damage, which is spread throughout the fundus and throughout the retina layers. Functional damage shown by the electroretinogram follows a different action spectrum without the increased effect in the blue. There appears to be more than one mechanism for retinal damage in chronic light exposure, and at least one mechanism is not dependent solely upon the visual pigment and the pigment epithelium. Thresholds of permanent damage appear to be within one or two log units of light levels encountered in the normal visual environment. Newer data suggest that this damage is additive. Daily one hour exposures for four days produce damage equivalent to a single four hour exposure at the same retinal irradiance. (Author)

• Research Organization: Louisville Univ., KY (USA). Dept. of Ophthalmology
• OSTI ID: 6209817
• Report Number(s): AD-A-058449
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560400* -- Other Environmental Pollutant Effects
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BODY
CHRONIC EXPOSURE
DISEASES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
EYES
LASER RADIATION
MACACUS
MAMMALS
MONKEYS
ORGANS
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
PRIMATES
RADIATIONS
RETINA
SENSE ORGANS
VERTEBRATES