Abstract

The high-power densities achieved with the focused mode-locked trains of a Nd:YAG laser in the OPL 3 laser manufactured by the Meditec Corp. is being used as a surgical instrument. Optical breakdown is achieved reliably with a total energy of ~3 mJ. Optical breakdown acts like a very line pair of scissors to allow precise sectioning of membranes, bands, and adhesions in clinical situations that heretofore required surgical incision.

© 1983 Optical Society of America