In vitro noncontact intravascular femtosecond laser surgery in models of branch retinal vein occlusion

Purpose: To investigate intravenous femtosecond laser surgery in models of branch retinal vein occlusion. Materials and Methods: Non-amplified near infrared femtosecond laser was used to ablate polyamide sutures and human hairs inserted into the vascular lumina of porcine retinal veins in vitro. Specimens were subjected to multiphoton laser scanning microscopy and electron microscopy. Results: Regular laser cuts within sutures and hairs were detected with laser microscopy and electron microscopy. Neither laser microscopy nor histology revealed collateral damage of the vascular wall. Conclusions: Non-amplified femtosecond lasers may allow precise atraumatic non-contact intravenous retinal surgery controlled by high-resolution imaging of the target.