Fundamental studies in the molecular basis of laser-induced retinal damage. Annual report, September 1983-September 1984

Technical Report · Sat Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1984

OSTI ID:5283644

Lewis, A

Advances made in the work for the Ocular Hazards Program at the Letterman Army Institute of Research (LAIR) are described. The research has seen the first application of femtosecond lasers to the visual system; it is giving new insights into how these ultimate laser sources interact with biological tissue in general and with the visual system in particular. The authors have discovered that simple anions can activate visual photoreceptors in the dark; among these anionic activators is the dental agent fluoride. Research has continued into identifying selectively and spatially the image of various elements in photoreceptors and adjacent tissue. The authors were able to extend our preparation procedures to view the elemental composition of such components as melanin granules. The sensitive and selective spatial images should play important roles in extending understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of laser damage. The staining procedures developed can be applied to study laser-damaged retina. Data were obtained demonstrating rapid mechanical motions in vertebrate photoreceptors. Such rapid mechanical motions which parallel electrophysiological responses in the cell may lie at the very basis of photoreceptor function. Laser-damage mechanisms should now be reevaluated in terms of this new data. The effect of laser light on these newly discovered mechanical motions will surely lead to new and improved understanding of low-level laser ocular hazards.

• Research Organization: Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY (USA). School of Applied and Engineering Physics
• OSTI ID: 5283644
• Report Number(s): AD-A-189133/2/XAB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
LASER RADIATION
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
RETINA
ANIONS
DAMAGE
DENTISTRY
ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY
FLUORIDES
IMAGES
LASERS
MELANIN
MOTION
PROGRESS REPORT
SENSITIVITY
SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION
VERTEBRATES
VISION
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BODY
BODY AREAS
CHARGED PARTICLES
DISTRIBUTION
DOCUMENT TYPES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
EYES
FACE
FLUORINE COMPOUNDS
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
HEAD
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
IONS
MEDICINE
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PHYSIOLOGY
PIGMENTS
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATIONS
SENSE ORGANS
560400* - Other Environmental Pollutant Effects