[Laser coagulation and cryocoagulation in the treatment of isolated retinal angiitis]

Isolated retinal vasculitis (IRV) is a form of retinal vasculitis without other inflammations of the eye or systemic vasculitis. Occlusion of retinal vessels without subsequent retinal ischemia and neovascularization is one of the main problems in the management of such patients. Laser photocoagulation seems to be a method to control this problem. Argon laser photocoagulation was used in the treatment of 34 IRV patients (56 eyes) (29 men and 15 women aged 25-41 years, mean age 32.9 +/- 5.2 years). A total of 168 sessions were carried out. Regression of neovascularization was achieved in 29 of 44 eyes (79.5%). Additional cryotherapy had to be performed in 15 eyes, good results were attained in 9 eyes (60%). Patients treated with prednisolone in a daily dose of 10-20 mg during laser coagulation had IRV recurrences more rarely than those treated with lower doses (5 mg) (0-6.7% vs. 50%, p < 0.0013), those treated with metipred-depot for 7-14 days (0-6.7% vs. 53.8-66.6%, p < 0.0023), or untreated ones (0-6.7% vs. 73.9%, p < 0.0000).