Action of laser light on the ocular development of chick embryos.

The effects of low-power 632.8 nm coherent light (laser) on the ocular development of chick embryos were studied in stages 10-20 (Hamburger-Hamilton). Irradiation zones were located in the optic vesicles and the mesencephalo-diencephalic border region. A total number of 30 embryos were irradiated and the morphological alterations 48 to 96 h after irradiation were described. Teratogenic alterations observed were divided in 4 groups: 1) anophthalmic, 2) microphthalmic, 3) abnormal localization of the crystalline lens and 4) folded retina.