Biological applications and effects of optical masers. Progress report no. 677, 1 sep 76-31 aug 77

Technical Report · Tue Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1976

OSTI ID:6892748

Ham, Jr, W T; Clarke, A M; Ruffolo, J J; Mueller, H A

The pathology of photochemical lesions of the rhesus retina resulting from extended exposure (1000 s) to blue light (441nm) as investigated with light and electron microscopy is described in detail for periods post-exposure ranging from one hour to ninety days. This photopathology correlates well with visual acuity performance in trained rhesus monkeys. The new 2500 W Xenon lamp system with quartz optics is described along with its capabilities for providing exposures in the near infrared, visible and near ultraviolet spectral regions. Preliminary data on 1000 eight ms pulses of 441 nm light at a one pulse per second repetition rate indicate that the radiant exposure required to produce a threshold lesion is lower than for cw exposure. Some preliminary exposures of the retina of aphakic monkeys support the thesis that the retina is quite sensitive to near ultraviolet damage. Also, repetitive exposures to blue light show that cumulative damage can occur in the retina. (Author)

• Research Organization: Medical Coll. of Virginia, Richmond (USA). Health Sciences Div.
• OSTI ID: 6892748
• Report Number(s): AD-A-050057
• 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
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
EYES
HAZARDS
LASERS
MACACUS
MAMMALS
MONKEYS
NEAR ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION
ORGANS
PATHOLOGY
PRIMATES
RADIATIONS
RETINA
SENSE ORGANS
ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION
VERTEBRATES