Laser Retinal Photocoagulator

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Abstract
An exciting application of the laser lies in its use in the field of ophthalmology for photocoagulation of retinal and iris tissues. A hand-held ophthalmoscope-laser has been developed which has been used on numerous laboratory animals and recently on several hundred human beings. The essential parameters for such a medical instrument are the uniformity of energy output, the beam divergence for varying the size of the lesion, the repetition rate with adequate cooling, and the viewing and aiming optics. An advanced model of this instrument is described. Various methods of controlling these parameters are discussed in some detail along with the calibration data and some clinical results. The experience to date has shown that this laser photocoagulator is a safe, convenient, and precise device in the hands of a trained ophthalmologist.