Effects of laser wavelengths on experimental retinal detachments and retinal vessels.

We studied the effects of the yellow (577 nm), orange (595 nm) and red (630 nm) dye lasers, the argon blue-green (488, 514.5 nm) and green (514.5 nm) lasers, and the krypton red (647 nm) laser on experimentally produced serous and hemorrhagic retinal detachments and on retinal vessels in rabbits. Retinal detachments were created by either injecting balanced saline solution or partially hemolyzed blood under the retina. All laser wavelengths except the argon blue-green bypassed the sensory retina and produced no damage on either the sensory retina or the underlying retinal pigment epithelium with serous retinal detachment. Each laser wavelength, however, produced a specific effect on the detached retina with hemorrhagic fluid. Blue-green, green, yellow and orange wavelengths damaged the sensory retina more severely than the red wavelengths. Laser coagulation of the retinal vessels with the blue-green, green and orange wavelengths produced vasospasms.