Initial clinical experience using a diode laser in the treatment of retinal vascular disease

Abstract

A pilot study has been carried out to investigate the clinical use of an infrared diode laser in the treatment of a number of retinal vascular conditions. A hand-held device was employed initially and subsequently a further prototype was developed for use in conjunction with a standard slit lamp microscope. Thirty-three eyes in thirty patients were treated for conditions such as proliferative diabetic retinopathy, exudative retinopathy and branch and central retinal vein thrombosis. Regression of neovascularisation was observed in 13 of 16 eyes (81%) with proliferative diabetic retinopathy and in six of eight eyes (75%) with branch retinal vein occlusion. Four eyes were successfully treated for established or incipient rubeosis iridis following central vein thrombosis. Focal photocoagulation applied to five eyes for diabetic exudative maculopathy resulted in partial resorption of the exudates. These results are presented together with information on the ease of use of the laser and its reliability. The implications of the development of this instrument in the context of its place in ophthalmic therapy are discussed.

Diode laser-induced thermal damage evaluation on the retina with a liposome dye system

“…No measurable autofluorescence occurring either from the thermal damage of the chorioretinal layers or from the liposomes could interfer with the fluorescence measurements. The range of power (100-400 mW) used in our study is in agreement with those found in the literature for infrared photocoagulation of the retina in pigmented rabbits [27][28][29][30][31][32]. Moreover the threshold radiant exposure for a chorioretinal thermal damage reported by McHugh and coworkers [32] is also in accordance with our data.…”

Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion

“…Luttrull et al [ 200 ] also reported resolution of macular edema with this laser treatment. McHugh et al [ 201 ] reported regression of neovascularization in six of eight eyes (75 %) with BRVO.…”

Halbleiterlaser zur Behandlung vaskulärer Netzhauterkrankungen

“…Diese Ge fahr ist jedoch auch durch eine Verlängerung der Expositionszeit nur gering zu minimieren. Wie bereits in zwei weiteren Studien mit Dio denlaser aufgezeigt, kann durch eine Verlän gerung der Expositionszcit mit weniger Ener gie koaguliert werden [12,13]. Die Gefahr einer Blutung aufgrund der höheren Ein dringtiefe wird damit jedoch nicht gemindert.…”