Which form of tissue damage by lasers occurs through energy absorption and heat buildup, commonly referred to as the cooking effect?

• A. Photomechanical
• B. Photochemical
• C. Photothermal
• D. Thermal

Answer: (D)

Heat-based tissue damage occurs when laser energy is absorbed and converts to heat, raising the tissue temperature and causing protein denaturation and coagulation—the cooking effect. This is the thermal form of laser-tissue interaction, where injury arises from heat buildup. Photochemical damage involves chemical changes from light exposure, not primarily heat, and photomechanical damage comes from rapid energy deposition causing mechanical disruption. So the heat-driven, thermal damage best fits the description.