Experimental Investigation of Using a Yellow (577nm) Laser for Diabetic Retinopathy

This paper presents an experimental investigation comparing the effects of yellow (577 nm) and green (525 nm) diode lasers on retinal tissue, particularly for panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) treatment of diabetic retinopathy. While green lasers are conventionally used, yellow lasers may offer enhanced selectivity for hemoglobin absorption and reduced intraocular scattering. The study uses ex vivo porcine eyes to assess lesion sizes and energy deposition from each laser type. Results show that yellow lasers produce significantly smaller lesions at higher energy densities, suggesting improved thermal confinement and reduced collateral damage. The findings validate prior theoretical predictions and propose the yellow laser as a safer and more effective PRP modality.