Pathology of monkey retina following irradiation with an argon laser.

The argon continuous wave laser was used to inflict experimental injuries of an order similar to that which might be achieved in clinical situations. These lesions differed markedly from previously reported retinal injuries induced by ruby and neodymium lasers and by the xenon photocoagulator. It was found possible to fundamentally change the structural patterns of the media and adventitia of retinal arteries and to consistently thrombose choroidal vessels but not retinal arteries under the conditions employed.