Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Diode laser photocoagulation of choroidal neovascular membranes

  • Published:
International Ophthalmology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background. Krypton or argon laser treatment of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) has been shown to be effective in reducing the incidence of severe visual loss. The usefulness of diode laser in the treatment of many chorioretinal disorders is currently under evaluation. Methods. Our study involved 42 eyes of 41 patients affected with CNV which were treated with a near infrared diode laser. Results. The mean follow-up was 10.12 months. Visual acuity improved in 12 eyes (28.6%), did not change in 17 eyes (40.5%) and worsened in 13 eyes (30.2%). Mean visual acuity before treatment was 0.23 and 0.21 after treatment. Recurrent CNV was seen in 13 eyes. In a subgroup of 24 well-defined juxtafoveal or extrafoveal CNVs which underwent direct photocoagulation visual acuity improved in 8 eyes (33.3%), was unchanged in 11 (45.8%) and worsened in 5 (20.9%). Five eyes showed recurrent CNV. Conclusions. Our results appear to support the use of diode laser in the treatment of CNVs. The deeper penetration into the choriocapillaris of the diode wavelength could be effective in blocking CNV by inducing a more extensive chorioretinal atrophy.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Gass, JDM. Photocoagulation of macular lesions. Trans Am Acad Ophthalmol Otolaryngol 1971; 75: 581–608.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Schatz, H, Patz, A. Exudative senile maculopathy: 1. Results of argon laser treatment. Arch Ophthalmol 1973; 90: 183–96.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Bird, AC. Recent advantages in the treatment of senile disciform macular degeneration by photocoagulation. Br J Ophthalmol 1974; 58: 367–76.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Macular Photocoagulation Study Group. Argon laser photocoagulation for neovascular maculopathy: five year results from randomized clinical trials. Arch Ophthalmol 1991; 109: 1109–14.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Macular Photocoagulation Study Group. Krypton laser photocoagulation for neovascular lesions of age-related macular degeneration: results of a randomized clinical trial. Arch Ophthalmol 1990; 108: 816–24.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Brancato, R, Pratesi, R, Leoni, G et al. Retinal photocoagulation with diode laser operating from a slitlamp microscope. Lasers Light Ophthalmol 1988; 2: 73–8.

    Google Scholar 

  7. McHugh, JDA, Marshall, J, Capon, M et al. Transpupillary retinal photocoagulation in the eyes of rabbit and human using a diode laser. Lasers Light Ophthalmol 1988; 2: 125–43.

    Google Scholar 

  8. McHugh, JDA, Marshall, J, ffytche, TJ et al. Initial clinical experience using a diode laser in the treatment of retinal vascular disease. Eye 1989; 3: 516–27.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Puliafito, CA, Deutsch, TF, Boll, J, To, K. Semiconductor laser endophotocoagulation of the retina. Arch Ophthalmol 1987; 105: 424–7.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Brancato, R, Pratesi, R, Leoni, G et al. Histopathology of diode and argon laser lesions in rabbit retina. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 1989; 30: 1504–10.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Gabel, VP, Birngruber, R, Hillenkamp, F. Visible and near infrared light absorption in pigment epithelium and choroid. In: Shimizu, K (ed) International Congress Series nr 450, XXI-II Concilium Ophthalmol Kyoto, Excerpta Medica, Elsevier, Amsterdam, Oxford, pp 658–662, 1978.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Frankhauser, F, Van Der Zypen, E, Kwasniewska, S, Loertscher, H. The effect of thermal mode Nd:YAG laser radiation on vessels and ocular tissues. Ophthalmology 1985; 3: 419–26.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Brancato, R, Menchini, U. Microchirurgia laser in oftalmologia. Milano: Ghedini editore, pp 605–635, 1989.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Mainster, MA. Wavelength selection in macular photocoagulation: tissue optics, thermal effects and laser systems. Ophthalmology 1986; 93: 952–8.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Menchini, U, Lanzetta, P, Soldano, F, Ferrari, E, Virgili, G. CW Nd:YAG laser photocoagulation in proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Br J Ophthalmol 1995; 79: 642–5.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Nussbaum, JJ, Pruett, RC, Delori, FC. Macular yellow pigment. The first 200 years. Retina 1981; 1: 296–310.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Cohen, SM, Weishaar, PD, Murray, TG. Effect of photocoagulation on laser power transmission through human retina. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 1995; 36 (4, suppl): 833.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Ulbig, MW, McHugh, DA, Hamilton, AMP. Photocoagulation of choroidal neovascular membranes with diode laser. Br J Ophthalmol 1993; 77: 218–21.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Cohen, SM, Shen, JH, Smiddy, WE. Laser energy and dye fluorescence transmission through blood in vitro. Am J Ophthalmol 1995; 119: 452–7.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Goebel, W, Pfeiffer, N, Grehn, F. Patient discomfort during laser treatment. A comparison between diode and argon laser. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 1994; 35 (4, suppl): 1372.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Guyer, DR, Fine, SL, Murphy, RP, Green, WR. Clinicopathologic correlation of krypton and argon laser photocoagulation in a patient with a subfoveal choroidal neovascular membrane. Retina 1986; 6: 157–63.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Miller, H, Miller, B, Ryan, SJ. The role of the pigment epithelium in the involution of subretinal neovascularization. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 1986; 27: 1644–52.

    Google Scholar 

  23. McHugh, JDA, Marshall, J, ffytche, TJ et al. Macular photocoagulation of human retina with a diode laser: a comparative histopathological study. Lasers Light Ophthalmol 1990; 3: 11–28.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Yoshimura, N, Matsumoto, M, Shimizu, H et al. Photocoagulated human retinal pigment epithelial cells produce an inhibitor of vascular endothelial cell proliferation. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 1995; 36: 1686–91.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Glaser, BM, Campochiaro, PA, Davis, JL, Sato, M. Retinal pigment epithelial cells release an inhibitor of neovascularization. Arch Ophthalmol 1985; 103: 1870–5.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Avila, MP, Weiter, JJ, Jalkh, AE et al. Natural history of choroidal neovascularization in degenerative myopia. Ophthalmology 1984; 91: 1573–81.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Brancato, R, Pece, A, Avanza, P et al. Photocoagulation scar expansion after laser therapy for choroidal neovascularization in degenerative myopia. Retina 1990; 10: 239–43.

    Google Scholar 

  28. Jalkh, AE, Weiter, JJ, Trempe, CL et al. Choroidal neovascularization in degenerative myopia: role of laser photocoagulation. Ophthalmic Surg 1987; 18: 721–5.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Bottoni, F, Hendrikse, F, Hoyng, C et al. A long-term follow-up study of scar formation after laser treatment of subretinal neovascular membranes. Laser Light Ophthalmology 1989; 2: 253–8.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Shah, SS, Schachat, AP, Murphy, RP et al. The evolution of argon photocoagulation scars in patients with ocular histoplasmosis syndrome. Arch Ophthalmol 1988; 106: 1533–6.

    Google Scholar 

  31. Rice, TA, Murphy, RP, Fine, SL et al. Stability of size of argon laser photocoagulation scars in ocular histoplasmosis. In: Fine, SL, Owens, SL (eds) Management of retinal vascular and macular disorders. Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, pp 187–190, 1983.

    Google Scholar 

  32. Olk, RJ, Fine, SL, Scheraga, D et al. Long-term follow-up of ocular histoplasmosis treated with argon laser photocoagulation. Retina 1981; 1: 238–44.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Morgan, CM, Schatz, H. Atrophic creep of the retinal pigment epithelium after focal macular photocoagulation. Ophthalmology 1989; 96: 96–103.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Dastgheib, K, Bressler, SB, Green, WR. Clinicopathologic correlation of laser lesion expansion after treatment of choroidal neovascularization. Retina 1993; 13: 345–52.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Bandello, F, Brancato, R, Leoni, G et al. Cellular basis of chorioretinal atrophy after diode laser photocoagulation. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 1993; 34 (4, suppl): 963.

    Google Scholar 

  36. Johnson, R, Schatz, H. Delayed choroidal vascular filling after Krypton laser photocoagulation. Am J Ophthalmol 1985; 99: 154–8.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Cohen, SM, Fine, SL, Murphy, RP et al. Transient delay in choroidal filling after Krypton red laser photocoagulation for choroidal neovascular membranes. Retina 1983; 3: 284–90.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ophthalmology, University of Udine, 33100, U dine, Italy

    Paolo Lanzetta, Gianni Virgili & Ugo Menchini

Authors
  1. Paolo Lanzetta
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Gianni Virgili
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Ugo Menchini
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

This study was supported in part by the CNR (93.04525.CT04).

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Lanzetta, P., Virgili, G. & Menchini, U. Diode laser photocoagulation of choroidal neovascular membranes. Int Ophthalmol 19, 347–354 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00130853

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00130853

Key words

Search

Navigation