Photocoagulation delivery systems for continuous-wave lasers.

The recent discovery of the argon and krypton-ion continuous-wave (c-w) lasers has pro- vided the scientific community with laser emission lines in every portion of the visible spectrum. It is now possible to select laser wavelengths that are highly absorbed by haemo- globin, by the pigment epithelium, by the nuclear retinal layers, or by any ocular structure. Coagulation of these particular layers can be produced by correlating the absorption potential of the target tissue with the proper laser output. By irradiating this tissue with laser light of a wavelength similar to the absorption peak of the tissue, the minimal amount of energy is required to produce a therapeutic effect.