Retinal damage from suprathreshold Q-switch laser exposure.

The eyes of rhesus monkeys were exposed to suprathreshold Q-switched laser pulses at wavelengths of 440, 530 and 694nm. The energy level which resulted in hemorrhaging following foveal exposure was determined for the different wavelengths. A comparison of the extent and type of retinal damage between foveal and extramacula exposure sites was obtained using both assessment with the fundus camera and histological evaluation of the lesions.