Early Pathological Changes of Photocoagulation in the Human Retina

Since the introduction of the Zeiss light coagulator, renewed interest in the pathological changes produced in the retina and choroid by light energy is apparent from the numerous articles and publications on this subject. The early work of the effect of light energy upon the eye has been reviewed by Meyer-Schwickerath 1 and Byrnes et al. 2 More recently emphasis has been placed upon the relation of the intensity of the stimulus and the degree of pathological reaction. 2-5 Following atomic explosions Byrnes et al 2 and Rose et al 3 noted differences in the degree of reaction depending upon the distance of the eye from the fireball. Most of the pathological work has been performed in animal eyes, 2,5,6 and there have been few reports mentioning the changes in human eyes. 1,4,7 Eyes which were to be removed because of intraocular malignant melanomas were used to study the effect