Abstract
In interventions in the eye, various qualities of laser radiation play a role. Laser light can easily be focused and managed temporally; therefore, it permits enormous leeway in the choice of power and intensity. It also has a defined wavelength. The various tissues have different absorption spectra. This also influences the depth of the penetration of light. Depending on the type of laser settings (wavelength, pulse duration, energy, fluence, and irradiance), light interacts differently with tissue. Since we are not attempting to present a complete list but, instead, wish to explain the main mechanisms of light interactions with matter, we shall be limiting all explanations to the following categories, listed in Table 7.1:
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Notes
- 1.
Power  =  pulse energy/pulse duration (W). Irradiance  = power/irradiated area (W/cm2). Fluence  =  pulse energy/irradiated area (J/cm2). Irradiance is sometimes called intensity, but this usage leads to confusion.
- 2.
Gerhard Meyer-Schwickerath, German ophthalmologist (1920–1992).
- 3.
The basic wavelength of the Nd:YAG laser is 1,064 nm. By non-linear processes, the frequency can be doubled; i.e., the wavelength can be halved to 532 nm.
- 4.
A measure of the effectiveness of a given temperature increase and its duration is given by the Arrhenius equation.
- 5.
Except at larger distances from the PE, where the temperature increase is delayed.
- 6.
For the pulse durations considered, the equilibrium temperature is nearly reached.
- 7.
Laser In Situ Keratomileusis (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis).
- 8.
1 femtosecond  =  1 fs  =  10−15 s. Typical pulse durations in this procedure are on the order of 100 fs.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Flammer, J., Mozaffarieh, M., Bebie, H. (2013). Interventions with Laser Light. In: Basic Sciences in Ophthalmology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-32261-7_7
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-32261-7_7
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-642-32260-0
Online ISBN: 978-3-642-32261-7
eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)