Thermal side reactions during in vitro contact cyclophotocoagulation with the continuous wave Nd:YAG laser.

We compared the effects of continuous wave Nd:YAG laser irradiation on the ciliary body and sclera of enucleated porcine eyes produced by two means of transmission: contact coagulations via a quartz fiber (core 600 microns), and noncontact coagulations via a focussing handpiece. Application times ranged from 10 ms to 1.5 seconds. During contact coagulations using plane fiber tips the temperature at the fiber tip, due to deposits of carbonized tissue, sometimes increased markedly, increasing the risk of perforation. Clinical application of the contact method using plain fiber tips is not recommended.