Laser ablation and associated bubble formation are known to damage biologic tissue. Imaging of tissue straining during ablation would further the understanding and control of laser-induced damage. We have investigated the use of polariscopic imaging to monitor the strain induced by holmium laser radiation. The laser energy was delivered via an optical fiber either within or 1.7 mm from the surface of a photoelastic tissue phantom, poly(acrylamide) gel, whose viscoelastic properties could be controlled to mimic various tissues. Our results demonstrate that dynamic polaroscopy is a sensitive method to probe the strain experienced by the tissue during pulsed laser irradiations. Only compressive strain is observed when the bubble is formed within the phantom, whereas significant tensile strain is induced when the bubble is formed at or next to the surface. ©1997 American Institute of Physics.