Fundus reflectometry: a step towards optimization of the retina photocoagulation.

A method is described for monitoring the light reflected from exposed areas during and after argon laser photocoagulation of rabbit eyes. The light serves as a measure of the retinal blanching and thus of the tissue reaction. It is shown, that the reflected light changes its time-dependent behavior qualitatively if hemorrhages occur. The energy necessary for a therapeutic coagulation is shown to decrease with decreasing exposure time as does the therapeutic band width for clinical coagulations. A relationship between exposure time and therapeutic band width was found and is discussed.