What type of damage can laser burns cause to the retina?

Laser burns can cause significant damage to the retina, primarily through direct thermal injury, which can result in burns and hemorrhages. Such injuries disrupt the layers of the retina and can lead to the loss of photoreceptor cells, which are crucial for vision. The severity of damage can vary depending on the wavelength, intensity, and duration of exposure to the laser, but high-energy lasers can easily lead to permanent loss of vision if the injury is severe enough. This potential for acute injury and subsequent visual impairment makes it critical to recognize that laser burns to the retina can indeed produce serious consequences, including both burns and hemorrhages that compromise visual function.

Other options suggest less severe outcomes that do not accurately reflect the potential consequences of retinal laser burns. Some imply that vision can remain unaffected or only temporarily impaired, which does not capture the serious nature of these injuries. Thus, the understanding that laser burns can lead to both immediate retinal damage and long-term vision loss distinguishes the correct choice.