Abstract
To examine the laser-tissue interactions for contact transscleral irradiation, argon and CW Nd: YAG light was delivered through a synthetic sapphire crystal which was held in direct conjunctival contact perpendicular to the peripheral retina. The threshold for retinal whitening was 0.5 J in the rabbit, 1.0–1.5J in the monkey, and 1.0–4.0 J in human eyes. Histologic examination of the acute injury and at 2 days, 1, 3, 6, and 12 weeks, showed coagulative lesions centered around the pigmented layers in the rabbit. While severe chorioretinal disruption and hemorrhage did occur depending on species, energy level, and probe location, no scleral perforation was noted at any setting. These preliminary studies suggest that transscleral contact lasers may be used safely in clinical situations where selective ablation of the peripheral retina or pigmented tissues is the primary objective.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Beckman H, Kinoshita A, Rota AN, Sugar HS (1972) Transscleral ruby laser irradiation of the ciliary body in the treatment of intractable glaucoma. Trans Am Acad Ophthalmol Otolaryngol 76:423–436
Brodell LP, Olk RJ, Arribas NP, Okun E, Johnston GP, Boniuk I, Escoffery RF, Grand MG, Burgess DB, Schoch LH (1987) Neovascular glaucoma: a retrospective analysis of treatment with peripheral panretinal cryotherapy. Ophthalmic Surg 18:200–206
Daikuzono N, Joffe SN (1985) Artificial sapphire tip for contact photocoagulation and tissue vaporization with the Nd:YAG laser. Med Instrum 19:173–178
De Roetth A Jr (1968) Cyrosurgery for the treatment of advanced chronic simple glaucoma. Am J Ophthalmol 66:1034–1041
Edmonds C, De Roetth A, Howard GM (1970) Histopathologic changes following cryosurgery and diathermy of the rabbit ciliary body. Am J Ophthalmol 69:65–72
Fankhauser F, Van der Zypen E, Kwasniewska S, Pascal R, England C (1986) Transscleral cyclophotocoagulation using a neodymium YAG laser. Ophthalmic Surg 17:94–100
Federman JL, Ando F, Schubert HD, Eagle RC (1987) Contact laser for transscleral photocoagulation. Ophthalmic Surg 18:183–184
Geeraets WJ, Williams RC, Chan G, Ham WT Jr, Guerry III D, Schmidt FH (1960) The loss of light energy in retina and choroid. Arch Ophthalmol 64: 606–615
Geeraets WJ, Williams RC, Chan G, Ham WT Jr, Guerry III D, Schmidt FH (1962) The relative absorption of thermal energy in retina and choroid. Invest Ophthalmol 1:340–347
Peyman GA, Conway MD, Raichand M, Lin J (1984) Histopathologic studies on transscleral argon-krypton photocoagulation with an exolaser probe. Ophthalmic Surg 15:496–501
Scheie HG, Frayer WC, Spencer RW (1955) Cyclodiathermy. A clinical and tonographic evaluation. Arch Ophthalmol 53:839–846
Schimek RA, Spencer R (1979) Cryopexy treatment of proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Retinal cryoablation in patients with severe vitreous hemorrhage. Arch Ophthalmol 97:1276–1280
Smith RC, Stein MN (1968) Ocular hazards of transscleral laser radiation. I. Spectral reflection and transmission of the sclera, choroid and retina. Am J Ophthalmol 66:21–31
Smith RC, Stein MN (1969) Ocular hazards of transscleral laser radiation. II. Intraocular injury produced by ruby and neodymium lasers. Am J Ophthalmol 67:100–110
Van der Zypen E, Fankhauser F (1982) Lasers in the treatment of chronic simple glaucoma. Trans Ophthalmol Soc UK 102:147–153
Weekers R, Lavergne G, Watillon M, Gilson M, Legros AM (1961) Effects of photocoagulation of ciliary body upon ocular tension. Am J Ophthalmol 52:156–163
Wilensky JT, Welch D, Mirolovich M (1985) Transscleral cyclocoagulation using a neodymium:YAG laser. Ophthalmic Surg 16:95–98
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Schubert, H.D., Talbot, C.W. & Federman, J.L. Contact transscleral retinopexy using a sapphire crystal probe. Graefe's Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 227, 95–99 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02169833
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02169833