Pattern scan laser photocoagulator on retinopathy: an annual clinical application summary

To evaluate the clinical efficacy of Pattern Scan Laser Photocoagulator (PASCAL) by observing the efficacy of PASCAL on retinopathy.

A total of 92 patients with retinopathy (121 eyes) who underwent PASCAL between December 2008 and February 2009 in our center were retrospectively analyzed to evaluate the visual acuity changes and recovery conditions of the patients from baseline to posterior to the treatment. The retinopathy included: diabetic retinopathy, ischemic retinal vein occlusion (IRVO), central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC), retinal periphlebitis (Eales disease) and retinal degeneration/holes.

The patients were subject to a 12-month follow up after PASCAL. The visual acuity findings were stated as below: for diabetic retinopathy (73 eyes), 10 eyes had improved visual acuity; 55 eyes were stabilized and 8 eyes progressed; for IRVO (13 eyes), 4 eyes showed improvement, 6 eyes were stabilized and 3 eyes progressed; for CSC (9 eyes), 6 eyes were alleviated and 3 eyes progressed; for retinal periphlebitis (5 eyes), 2 eyes had enhanced visual acuity and 3 eyes showed stable visual acuity; for retinal degeneration/holes (21 eyes), 5 eyes presented improved visual acuity, 16 eyes were stabilized and no eye progressed. Indirect ophthalmoscopic reexamination confirmed secured blockage by laser spots and favorable absorption of the retinal edema and newborn capillaries. No obvious leakage was observed during fundus fluorescein angiography and no laser-related ocular adverse effect was reported.

PASCAL is accurate, effective and well-tolerated. The duration of short laser pulse falls within the safety range, ensuring the stabilization and improvement in the patient's visual acuity. The parameters, long-term efficacy and complications of PASCAL should be further demonstrated by performing long-term clinical trials with larger sample size.