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Transscleral Diode Laser Coagulation With Temperature Control of Burn Intensity as a New Approach to Metered Laser
Ernest V Boiko1, Alexey A Suetov1, Taisiia A Doktorova1
1Saint Petersburg Branch, S. Fyodorov Eye Microsurgery, Federal State Institution, Saint Petersburg, Russia.
Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between changes in temperature on the surface of the sclera and the intensity of retinal burns during transscleral diode laser coagulation.
Methods:
Transscleral diode laser coagulation of the fundus was performed on 20 eyes from 10 chinchilla rabbits, using laser radiation of different powers ranging from 0.16 to 0.28 W. IR thermography was used to investigate temperature changes on the scleral surface at the point of exposure during the development of retinal burns of varying intensity. The time of burn formation, the morphology of burns, their diameter, and the depth of damage to the choroid and sclera were also studied using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and histological examination.
Results:
The temperature change on the sclera's surface during the formation of burns of varying intensity and using different power ranged from 1.42 ± 0.43 to 4.08 ± 0.35°C, whereas the average burn formation time ranged from 1.58 ± 0.44 to 21.85 ± 1.69 seconds. A correlation was found between the change in the temperature on the surface of the sclera and the depth of damage to the choroid and sclera, with an increase in laser radiation power from 0.16 to 0.28 watts (W), for different levels of burns severity.
Conclusions:
During transscleral diode laser retinal coagulation, the intensity of the burns formed is related to the temperature change on the scleral surface at the point of exposure.
Translational Relevance:
The approach developed in the study can be used to create an automated laser system for transscleral diode-laser retinal coagulation with control of the intensity of burns.
Insights
This study shows that scleral surface temperature changes correlate with retinal burn intensity during transscleral diode laser coagulation. This finding can help develop automated laser systems for precise retinal treatments.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Laser Medicine
Background:
- Transscleral diode laser coagulation is used for fundus treatments.
- Controlling retinal burn intensity is crucial for effective and safe procedures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between scleral surface temperature changes and retinal burn intensity during transscleral diode laser coagulation.
Main Methods:
- Transscleral diode laser coagulation was performed on rabbit eyes (n=20).
- Infrared thermography monitored scleral surface temperature.
- Optical coherence tomography (OCT) and histology assessed burn morphology and damage depth.
Main Results:
- Scleral temperature changes ranged from 1.42 ± 0.43 to 4.08 ± 0.35°C.
- A correlation was observed between scleral temperature change and the depth of choroidal and scleral damage.
- Increased laser power (0.16–0.28 W) correlated with burn severity.
Conclusions:
- Retinal burn intensity during transscleral diode laser retinal coagulation is linked to scleral surface temperature changes at the exposure site.
- This research enables the development of automated laser systems for controlled transscleral diode-laser retinal coagulation.
