[Experimental study of corneal endothelial damage by Nd:YAG laser].

Evaluation by scanning electron microscopy revealed that rabbit eyes that underwent experimental anterior capsulotomy by Q-switched Nd:YAG laser suffered no endothelial damage, while the endothelium was focally denuded in those that received laser shots focussed within 0.8 mm behind it, and the Descemet's membrane was disrupted by laser shots focussed at the endothelium. The implications of clinical laser application were discussed.