New Lasers For Ophthalmology: Retinal Photocoagulation With Pulsed Diode Lasers

The application of high-power pulsed semiconductor (diode) lasers to photocoagulation of the retina is reported for the first time. A laser diode (M/A-COM Laser Diode Laboratories model LDT-350) emitting 100 mW average output power at 901 nm was used in the experiment. Therapeutically useful lesions were also obtained with a cw diode laser emitting 100 mW at 800 nm. These results confirm previous expectations regarding the potentials of high-power laser diodes in medicine, and demonstrate that very compact laser systems will be available for applications in ophthalmology and other medical fields in the near future.