The burns produced by the krypton laser in the retina are different from those produced by the argon laser. Specifically, the burns from the krypton laser do not involve the inner retina. Also, the krypton laser spares the nerve fiber layer near the macula. In contrast, nerve fiber layer burns are common with the argon laser. Pigment epithelium and outer segments are usually destroyed by both krypton and argon photocoagulation, but there is no uptake of energy by the vascular tissues within the retina when krypton photocoagulation is used. Further, krypton treatment is more effective in penetrating nuclear sclerosis of the lens and can be used to treat some diabetic eyes with this condition that cannot be treated with the argon laser.