Photocoagulation of active toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis

Active, recurrent, protracted toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis that had been unresponsive to intensive medical therapy with pyrimethamine, sulfamethoxypyridazine, intramuscular folicic acid, or clindamycin and corticosteroids, was treated with photocoagulation in five eyes. Four eyes healed rapidly within a few weeks. In one patient's eye, lens and vitreous opacities prevented adequate treatment with the red III intensity level of the xenon are photocoagulator. Subsequent surgical diathermy and cryocoagulation resulted in prompt healing of the lesion. Noninvasive photocoagulation of active toxoplasmosis retinochoroiditis is recommended in protracted cases if the media are clear, the macula is threatened, or there are severe complications from systemic medications.