Ultrashort pulsed laser retinal effects vary widely depending on the configuration of the laser energy as it reaches the retina and surrounding structures. Tissue response is determined by: wavelength, pulsewidth, energy per pulse, peak irradiance, linear optics of the beam path, and non linear optics of the ultrashort beam. In vivo, we have reported a range of lesions from visible and from near infrared ultrashort laser pulses. New data from additional infrared studies in vivo is combined with our previous data to present an overview of retinal effects and how these might be selected for retinal surgical use.