Laser-induced corneal injury: validation of a computer model to predict thresholds.

The exposure and emission limits of ICNIRP, IEC 60825-1 and ANSI Z136.1 to protect the cornea are based on a limited number of studies. To broaden the database, a computer model was developed to predict injury thresholds in the wavelength range from 1050 nm to 10.6 µm and was validated by comparison with all applicable experimental threshold data (ED) with exposure duration between 1.7 ns and 100 s. The model predictions compare favorably with the data with an average ratio of computer prediction to ED of 0.94 (standard deviation ± 30%) and a maximum deviation of less than 2. This computer model can be used to improve exposure limits or for a quantitative risk analysis of a given exposure of the cornea.