Intraocular pressure variation during xenon and ruby laser photocoagulation

There is a sharp pressure surge lasting about a millisecond simultaneous with the explosion of ocular tissue during heating by the xenon photocoagulator or ophthalmic ruby laser. The data presented supports the possibility of secondary effects due to a shock wave, and suggests the desirability of avoiding the "pop" in ocular xenon photocoagulation. With newer lasers using short pulse duration with generation of higher pressure fronts, intraocular pressure changes need further investigation before clinical ophthalmic use.