Near infrared Nd:YAP laser radiationtransmission through the human eye tissue structure
Helena Jelínkováa , Jiří Paštab , Jan ŠulcaMichal Němeca , Petr Korandaa , and Petr Hrabalb
a Czech Technical University, Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical EngineeringBřehová 7, 115 19 Prague 1, Czech Republicb Central Military Hospital, Clinic of Ophthalmology 169 02 Prague 6, Czech Republic

ABSTRACT
Comparison of the eye tissue transmission for two (1.08 µm and 1.34 µm) Nd:YAP laser wavelengths was done.
The lasers were working in pulsed free-running regime. The interaction energy of ∼ 100 mJ and spot diameterof 3 mm was used for both wavelengths yielding in the radiation fluence ∼ 0.51 J/cm2 . From the step by steptransmission measurement of the human eye structures (in vitro) was recognized that the value of the absorbed
energy in particular segments was different for monitoring wavelengths yielding in the two orders fluence difference
on the retina. From the results follows that the 1.34 µm radiation is absorbed mainly by the anterior segmentsof the eye in contrast to 1.08 µm for which the main part of the radiation going through all eye layers.
Keywords: infrared laser, Nd:YAP, retina, ocular damage.

1. INTRODUCTION
Plasma breakdown generated by high power lasers is used in ophthalmic microsurgery for disruption of thedifferent membranes, for example for a posterior capsulotomy.1–6 For that purpose Nd:YAG laser generatingplasma breakdown (laser spark) by nanosecond or picosecond pulses is used. In our previous papers we reported
about application of both types of these pulses and success of treatments was shown.6 It is understandable thata probability of a breakdown inside the eye is higher for picosecond pulses. It follows from the three order higher
power of picosecond pulses compared with the nanosecond pulses. In the case, when the breakdown inside of thetargeted tissue did not form, the whole energy can reach (is reaching) the retina. Due to defocusation of it is
not big fluence but nevertheless some hazard exists here.6 The aim of this work was to measure transmission of
the transparent eye tissues for the Nd:YAP laser radiation operating at the wavelength 1.08 µm, which is very
closed to commonly used radiation 1.06 µm (Nd:YAG laser) and compare it with the passage of the Nd:YAPlaser radiation at other possible wavelength 1.34 µm. This wavelength is nearer to the so called “eye safe region”
than Nd:YAG or Nd:YAP base wavelengths (1.06 µm and 1.08 µm). Through our measurement it could be seen
where the energy is absorbed inside the eye medias.

2. EXPERIMENTAL SETUP
2.1. Sources of the laser radiations
As radiation sources Nd:YAP laser systems was used in an arrangement of oscillator and amplifier. Nd:YAP
system composed of two crystals [∅ 6 × 120 mm (oscillator) and ∅ 7 × 120 mm (amplifier)] with the ends cut in2 ◦/2 ◦ angle which were placed into an outer focus of a double elliptical silver coated cavity. The crystals werepumped by one xenon flashlamp being in a common focus of both cavity ellipses. For the investigated subject,
Further author information: (Send correspondence to H.J.)
H.J.: E-mail: hjelin@troja.fjfi.cvut.cz, Tel: +420-221-912-259, Fax: +420-221-912-252J.Š.: E-mail: sulc@troja.fjfi.cvut.cz, Tel: +420-221-912-240, Fax: +420-221-912-252
M.N.: E-mail: nemecm@troja.fjfi.cvut.cz, Tel: +420-221-912-243, Fax: +420-221-912-252
P.K.: E-mail: koranda@troja.fjfi.cvut.cz, Tel: +420-221-912-240, Fax: +420-221-912-252
J.P., P.H.: E-mail: pasta@uvn.cz; Tel: +420-220-203-190; Fax: +420-224-314-098

the oscillator part of the whole laser system was used only. The mirrors of an open resonator determined which
wavelength was generated. The 1.34 µm resonator of Nd:YAP laser was formed by a concave (r = 10 m) mirror
M1 with the reflectivity 100 % and 1 %, and a flat mirror M2 with the reflectivity 70 % and 1 % for λ = 1.34 µm
and 1.08 µm, respectively. The resonator for the generation of 1.08 µm radiation was formed by the concave
mirror (r = 10 m) M3 and flat output coupler M4 with the reflectivity RM 3 = 100 % and RM 4 = 30 % (forwavelength 1.08 µm), respectively. The lengths of all resonators were 46 cm.
For transversal mode control of this resonator, a diaphragm with the diameter 2 mm was placed inside theresonators. The laser was working in free running regime and the output energy of this system was adjust to be∼ 30–180 mJ for both wavelengths.

2.2. Measuring instruments
For measurement of the output laser energy and through the eye transmitted radiation, a computer-operated
two channel Molectron JD2000 Joulemeter/Ratiometer with two Molectron detectors (J25, voltage responsivity
8.59 V/J) was used. Spectrophotometer Specord NIR61 was used to find out of vitreous humor and lens low
energy level transmission. For post operation record a microscope Nicon SMZ-2T, Mitsubishi CCD color video
camera (CCD-100) and PC computer were used as well as a scanning electron microscope - JEOL (JSM 6400).

2.3. Experiment arrangement and tissue preparation during the experiment
For the interaction investigation the human eye tissues (in vitro) were used. The experimental arrangement isillustrated on Figure 1. Up to the experiment the eyes were stored at the temperature 4 ◦ C in a saline solution.
Chosen radiation was directed vertically into the eye by a proper mirror M which reflectivity under the angleof 45 ◦ was R45◦ = 100 % for 1.08 µm or 1.34 µm, and R45◦ = 90 % for 0.63 µm (guiding He-Ne laser beam).
To determine the value of the energy falling into the eye, the 4 % energy of the laser beam was declined before
the mirror M by the beam splitter BS and this energy was measured by Molectron detector D1. The eye
was placed on a special holder EH which allows the passage of the radiation into the eye. Above the eye, thesecond Molectron detector D2 was placed to find out the transmitted energy. After the calibration measurement(without the eye tissue), the above mentioned arrangement allows us to have the value of the transmitted energy
in every laser shot.

Figure 1. Photography of experimental arrangement for measurement of eye structures transmission. (OC – laser resonator output coupler, BS – beam splitter, EH – eye holder, D1, D2 – energy detectors.)

The measurement was divided into 4 steps - the transmission of following tissues was measured:a) cornea, aqueous humor - anterior chamber fluid, lens, and vitreous humor;b) cornea, aqueous humor, and lens;c) cornea, and aqueous humor;d) cornea itself.
Ad a) In the first measurement the value of the energy falling during the straight laser irradiation onto the retina
was measured. Therefore the posterior pole of the eye was cut and the energies passing the cornea, aqueous humor,lens, and vitreous humor were measured for six various input energy from 30 mJ up to 180 mJ. The transition
measurement for the every energy was repeated 20 times. The obtained data was automatically recorded via
Molectron Joulemeter to the computer. Then the vitreous humor was removed and measured separately inspectrophotometer NIR61.
Ad b) The rest of the energy after its pass through the cornea, aqueous humor, and lens was measured. In thefollowing step the lens was removed and measured separately.
Ad c) The transmission of the cornea and aqueous humor was measured.
Ad d) At the end the cornea transmission was investigated. This procedure was repeated for both comparedwavelengths – 1.08 µm and 1.34 µm.

2.4. Eye tissue analysis
The experiments were monitored by the Mitsubishi CCD color video camera (CCD-100) via Nikon SMZ-2T
microscope, and also eye tissues were immediately photographed after the laser treatment. PC computer wasused for the notation and storage of records (the interaction changes). After the final treatment the solid tissues
were stored in formaldehyde solution and prepared for histological examination. It was done in the Departmentof pathology of Central Military Hospital, Prague.

3. RESULTS
Above described method was used for transmission measurements of four human eye samples at wavelength
1.08 µm and three samples at wavelength 1.34 µm. From this measurements and recalculation it was seen thatthe cornea absorbs ∼ 14 % input energy of 1.08 µm and 21 % of 1.34 µm; in the aqueous humor 9 % of 1.08 µm
and ∼ 31 % of 1.34 µm were lost. The lens absorbed 23 % 1.08 µm energy and 33 % energy of 1.34 µm. Father∼ 5 % energy of 1.08 µm, and 11 % energy of 1.34 µm is absorbed in the vitreous humor. By adding absorptionsof eye tissues altogether we can conclude, that approximately 50 % energy of 1.08 µm wavelength reaches theretina, in a contrast with 0.5 % of 1.34 µm energy reaching the retina after passage through the all eye tissues.
From the measurements calculated results (applications of Lambert–Beer’s law) are summarized in the Table 1and Table 2.
Table 1. Results of human eye tissue transmission measurements at wavelength 1.08 µm.

Wavelength:
Water absorption:
Part of the human eye
Thickness
Cornea1 mm
Aqueous humor
2 mm
Lens
5 mm
Vitreous humor
16 mm
All layers in front of retina
24 mm
Energy reach retina

1.08 µm0.153 cm−1
Transition
85.9 ± 6.9 %89.8 ± 7.3 %
70.1 ± 2.9 %85.3 ± 3.1 %49.3 ± 4.7 %Abs. coeff.
1.55 ± 0.80 cm−1
0.55 ± 0.41 cm−1
0.71 ± 0.08 cm−1
0.10 ± 0.02 cm−1
0.30 ± 0.04 cm−1

Abs. energy
14.1 %
8.7 %
23.1 %
4.8 %
50.7 %
49.3 %

Table 2. Results of human eye tissue transmission measurements at wavelength 1.34 µm.

Wavelength:
Water absorption:
Part of the human eye
Thickness
Cornea1 mm
Aqueous humor
2 mm
Lens5 mm
Vitreous humor
16 mm
All layers in front of retina
24 mm
Energy reach retina

1.34 µm2.18 cm−1
Transition
78.8 ± 4.0 %61.2 ± 1.8 %31.5 ± 5.9 %2.9 ± 0.9 %0.5 ± 0.1 %Abs. coeff.
2.40 ± 0.51 cm−1
2.22 ± 0.14 cm−1
2.35 ± 0.38 cm−1
2.24 ± 0.20 cm−1
2.22 ± 0.08 cm−1

Abs. energy
21.2 %
30.6 %
33.0 %
10.7 %
99.5 %
0.5 %4. DISCUSSION
Goal of our work was to measured the transmission of the particular optic system (cornea, aqueous humor, lens,and vitreous humor) for wavelengths 1.08 µm and 1.34 µm. From that the value of the transition, absorption
coefficient, and absorbed energy percentage part was calculated. The results were compared with the measured
water absorption (it was comparable with work of Boulnuois7 ). For the wavelength 1.08 µm some differences exist(see Table 1), what probably means that also other tissues molecules except of H2 O play significant role at thiswavelengths. For the wavelength 1.34 µm measured absorption coefficient was close to value water absorption for
all investigated tissues (see Table 2).

Figure 2. Protective layer of water – thickness of water which block 99.5 % of input radiation energy in dependence onradiation wavelength.

On the consumption, that the tissue absorption dependencies are the same like water also in the vicinity ofwavelength 1.34 µm, the water layer thickness with defined transmission was calculated for wavelengths in range
from 1150 nm up to 1550 nm. By this way is possible to find the thickness of the water which allow to transmit
only specified part of input radiation. This “protective layer of water” in mentioned range of wavelengths wascalculated for the following transmission values: 5 %, 0.5 %, and 0.05 %. This value is showing how much %energy from the input one reaching the retina. The “protective layer of water” thickness can be compared withthe dimension of the eye and from the Figure 2 it is seen that the wavelength 1.34 µm is limiting value for the0.5 % from the input which could reach the retina. This is the significant result from the point of view of theexperiments done by Zuclich, etal.8 Here is written that effect of 1.34 µm radiation in retina is worst during thetime than effect of 1.06 µm. Therefore lowering energy dose which could reach, in the accident case, the retina issignificant.

5. CONCLUSION
Comparison of the transparent eye tissue transmission for two Nd:YAP laser wavelengths (1.08 µm and 1.34 µm)
was done. The interaction energy of ∼ 100 mJ and spot diameter of 3 mm was used for both wavelengths yieldingin the radiation fluency ∼ 0.51 J/cm2 . From the step by step transmission measurements of the transparent
human eye tissues (in vitro) was recognized that the value of the absorbed energy in particular segments wasdifferent for monitoring wavelengths yielding in the two orders fluence difference on the retina. From the results
follows that the 1.34 µm radiation is absorbed mainly by the anterior segment of the eye in contrast to 1.08 µm
for which the main part of the radiation is transmitted through all transparent eye layers.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This research has been supported by the Grant of the Czech Ministry of Education No.CEZ: JO4/98:210000012“Research in the Field of Biomedical Engineering”.

REFERENCES
1. D. Aron-Rosa, J. J. Aron, M. Griesemann, et al., “Use of neodymium-YAG laser to open the posterior capsuleafter lens implant surgery a preliminary report,” Am. Intraocular Implant Soc. J. 6, pp. 352–354, 1980.
2. F. Fankhaused and E. Van ser Zypen, “Future of the laser in ophthalmology,” Trans. Ophthalmol. Soc. UK
102, pp. 159–163, 1982.
3. A. C. Terry, W. J. Stark, A. E. Maumenee, et al., “Neodymium-YAG laser for posterior capsulotomy,” Am.
J. Ophthalmol. 96, pp. 716–720, 1983.
4. R. H., R. F. Steinert, C. A. Puliafito, et al., “Long-term follow-up of Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy,”
Am. Intraocular. Implant. Soc. J. 10, pp. 164–168, 1984.
5. D. M. Fasterberg, P. L. Schwartz, and H. Z. Lin, “Retinal detachment following neodymium-YAG laser
posterior capsulotomy,” Am J. Ophthalmol. 97, pp. 288–291, 1984.
6. H. Jelínková, J. Pašta, K. Hamal, M. Čech, and I. Procházka, “Ten years of Nd:YAG Q-switched/mode
locked ophthalmic laser system clinical treatment,” in Ophthalmic Technologies IX., P. O. Rol, K. M. Joos,and F. Manns, eds., Proceedings of SPIE 3591, pp. 229–234, 1999.
7. J. L. Boulnois, “Photophysical processes in recent medical laser developments: a review,” Lasers in Medical
Science 1, pp. 47–66, 1986.
8. J. A. Zuclich, S. T. Schuschereba, H. Zwick, S. A. Boppart, J. G. Fujimoto, F. E. Cheney, and B. E. Stuck,“A comparison of laser-induced retinal damage from infrared wavelengths to that from visible wavelengths,”
Lasers and Light 8(1), pp. 15–29, 1997.