Related Experiment Videos
Pilot trial of transscleral diode laser retinopexy in retinal detachment surgery
J A Haller1, J I Lim, M F Goldberg
1Wilmer Ophthalmological Institute, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Md.
Objective:
To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the transscleral diode laser for retinopexy in rhegmatogenous retinal detachments.
Design:
Ten consecutive patients with primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachments underwent scleral buckling surgery, using the transscleral diode laser for retinopexy. Patients were followed up for at least 6 months.
Study Participants:
Ten patients with primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachments were enrolled. Patients with chronic detachments, a retinal break greater than 90 degrees, history of uveitis or infectious retinopathy, or proliferative vitreoretinopathy were excluded.
Main Outcome Measure:
Retinal reattachment. Secondary measures: visual acuity and complications, including choroidal, retinal, and vitreous hemorrhage, inflammation, and scleral damage.
Results:
By 6 months, nine of 10 retinas were successfully repaired following only one operation. The retina of the 10th patient redetached at 6 1/2 weeks owing to proliferative vitreoretinopathy. Following a vitrectomy and retinal reattachment procedure, the retina of the 10th patient has remained attached for 1 year. No significant complications were encountered with the laser retinopexy, although small presumed breaks in Bruch's membrane occurred in three eyes and a moderate scleral thermal effect occurred in two. Visual results in the postoperative course were comparable to those achieved previously with cryotherapy.
Conclusion:
In this pilot series, transscleral diode laser retinopexy served as a safe and effective means of obtaining chorioretinal adhesion in retinal detachment surgery.