Retina Rejuvenation Therapy for Diabetic Macular Edema

Retinal Damage Profiles and Neuronal Effects of Laser Treatment: Comparison of a Conventional Photocoagulator and a Novel 3-Nanosecond Pulse Laser

“…A similar energy setting was used in the 2RT clinical trials to range find for each patient. 20,21 The second energy setting was equivalent to that being used in 2RT clinical trials for DME and equated to exactly two-thirds of the 2RT-H energy level (i.e., subthreshold; see Table 1); this was defined as the ''low'' energy setting (2RT-L; 109 mJ/cm 2 /pulse). Previous in vitro experiments had established that this lower energy setting was within the therapeutic range of the laser.…”

“…19 Furthermore, the 2RT laser has already been tested for treatment of DME patients in the clinic and shown to have an effect on retinal thickness reduction similar to that with the conventional continuous wave (CW) laser. 20,21 Although retinal-sparing laser regimens, including the use of short-pulse nanosecond lasers, are proving to be just as efficacious as the modified ETDRS procedure in providing therapeutic benefit to DME patients, 16,20,22 it is crucial to the understanding of the ameliorative mechanism of retinal laser treatment in general that detailed cellular effects to the retina be elucidated. In particular, it is essential to understand whether neurons are adversely affected following therapeutic lasing.…”

Nanosecond Laser Treatment for Age-Related Macular Degeneration Does Not Induce Focal Vision Loss or New Vessel Growth in the Retina

“…28 In addition, safety trials for use of nanosecond pulsed lasers for treatment of diabetic macular edema in a clinical setting do not report abnormal angiogenesis and instead suggest a potential therapeutic benefit over photocoagulation treatments. 51,52 In conclusion, further work is required to fully elucidate the safety profile, efficacy, and mechanism of action of nanosecond laser treatment for use in patients with AMD. However, the results of the present study suggest that when used at a clinically relevant dose, the nanosecond laser system is likely to be safe for maintaining retinal sensitivity and neuronal integrity.…”

The 2014 Bowman Lecture—Bowman’s and Bruch’s: a tale of two membranes during the laser revolution

“…90 A pilot clinical trial using the system in patients with macular oedema demonstrated the efficacy of the system with a rapid clearance of fluid from the neural retina and no loss of photoreceptor cell function associated with the location of any of the lesions, as demonstrated by microperimetry. 91 A significant number of patients showed improvement of visual acuity. In two further trials carried out on patients with early AMD problems were identified with both the laser system and the trial design.…”