Survey of the use of laser protective eyewear among international retina specialists: a European vitreoretinal society study

Abstract

ObjectiveTo report the trends for the use of eye protection methods during retinal laser in clinic and operating room.Methods and analysisRetrospective analysis of a 14-item survey questionnaire submitted to the European Vitreoretinal Society members.ResultsResponses from 630 members were analysed. Most of the respondents practised in Europe (52.7%), followed by North America (21.0%). The majority of respondents had laser filters in the microscope for the operating surgeon (92.1%), or used protective goggles (6.8%). Only 38.9% of respondents indicated that auxiliary staff in the operative room used protective goggles during laser treatment. Three-dimensional retina viewing system was used by only 22.5% of respondents, of those, 34.5% reported use of laser protection goggles by the operating surgeon. Rates of laser protection by auxiliary staff were 62.9% for indirect laser and 60.8% for slit lamp laser. We found a higher rate for use of laser protection by auxiliary staff in North America-based practices for endolaser (p<0.00001), laser indirect ophthalmoscope (p<0.00001) and slit lamp laser (p=0.00033) compared with the rest of the world.ConclusionThe use of laser protection methods is routinely adopted by the physicians in the operating room and clinic, but less so by their assisting or auxiliary staff.