Thermal model of laser-induced eye damage. Final report, Oct 1973--Sep 1974

This report describes the development of computerized models for predicting the temperatures and thermal damage (protein denaturation) caused by the exposure of eyes to laser beams. The extent of thermal damage or the threshold level for thermal damage may be predicted either for the cornea, lens or retina of the eye -- wherever the energy deposition is greatest. Included is a description of the models and data for predicting the thermal damage to monkey and human eyes for known laser exposures. Model predictions were found to be in reasonably good agreement with experimental results for pulse durations ranging from about 10 to the minus 7th power sec to 1000. However, major discrepancies arise with pulses less than about 10 to the minus 7th power sec. With such short pulses, the predicted temperature rises are much too small to cause thermal damage. Therefore, some other damage mechanism at present unidentified, appears responsible for the damage caused by the very short pulse. (GRA)