Retinal laser – Protocols and practical tips

Background: Many a young doctors in training find retinal laser photocoagulation a daunting task. However, if correct protocols are followed and checklists are observed, then it is not difficult to have a successful laser sitting with a happy patient. Most of the complications can be avoided with correct settings and techniques. Purpose: To enumerate the basic protocols of retinal laser photocoagulation and provide practical tips including laser settings and checklists for hassle?free laser experience. Synopsis: Laser settings for a pan?retinal photocoagulation (PRP) for proliferative diabetic retinopathy differ from those for a focal laser for macular edema. A fill in PRP is indicated when an active Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) is seen after the initial PRP is completed. The settings and protocols for laser photocoagulation for lattice degeneration are different, and various techniques of barrage laser are discussed. Practical tips and checklists are given, which will not be found in any textbooks. Highlights: Animated illustrations and fundus photos are used to explain the correct techniques of performing laser photocoagulation in different indications and scenarios. Detailed instructions and checklists are provided, which can be very useful to avoid complications and medicolegal problems. The practical tips and guidelines in an easy?to?understand manner make this video highly educational for the novice retinal surgeons who want to perfect their technique of retinal laser photocoagulation.

Research advances of focal therapy for prostate cancer / 现代泌尿外科杂志

Prostate cancer is now the second most common malignancy in men worldwide, with an increasing incidence in China. Most prostate cancer patients receive whole-gland therapy after diagnosis, but patients with localized prostate cancer may not benefit from the treatment due to side effects. With the development of imaging technology and the theory of "index lesion," focal therapy has been greatly developed, which includs high intensity focused ultrasound, focal laser ablation, cryotherapy, irreversible electroporation and photodynamic therapy. This study reviews the clinical trials in recent years and reveals that high intensity focused ultrasound and focal laser ablation have better failure-free survival and postoperative functional control compared with other focal therapy techniques.

Funduscopy-guided fluorescein angiography-free focal laser photocoagulation for central serous chorioretinopathy

Purpose: To identify and correlate hypopigmented spots on fundoscopy with the leakage points on fluorescein angiography (FA) in patients with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) to provide criteria for FA?free focal laser photocoagulation (FLP). Methods: Fifty consecutive patients of acute CSCR were evaluated between March and October 2019 confirming the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Colocalization of leakage points with discrete hypopigmented spots on clinical fundoscopy was evaluated using FA. Positive predictive value (PPV) was calculated to identify the status of association between these to formulate criteria for FA?free FLP of CSCR patients in future. Results: Out of the 50 eyes, 38 (76%) had a discrete hypopigmented spot on fundoscopy which coincided with the leakage point on FA. The PPV of finding a leakage point at the area of discrete hypopigmented spot is 95%. Colocalization with a pigment epithelial detachment was found in 25 (65.7%) of these 38 eyes. Retinal pigment epithelial irregularities were found associated in all of these 38 eyes. Subretinal homogenously hyperreflective material was found in 8 (21.05%) of 38 eyes. optical coherence tomography following FLP of leakage point in all cases showed complete resolution of CSCR in 47 (94%) eyes. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that hypopigmented spots on clinical fundus examination in CSCR patients, when present, coincide with the leakage point of FA. This may aid to undergo FA?free FLP treatment in CSCR patients

New Method of Quantitative Analysis of Hard Exudate Using Optical Coherence Tomography: Application in Diabetic Macular Edema

PURPOSE: In the present study, the volume of hard exudates (HEs) was quantitatively measured using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and the agreement and correlation with area of HEs in fundus photography were analyzed. METHODS: The medical records of patients with diabetic macular edema who underwent focal laser treatment and were followed up more than 3 months were retrospectively evaluated. An automated customized program designed for measuring HE volume was used. The HEs in each OCT B-scan binary image were measured using 512 × 128 pixels, 6 mm × 6 mm OCT cube scans. The volume was measured by summing the segmented HEs in each 128 B-scan image. The area was measured in 6 mm x 6 mm fundus photography. The volume and area were measured before and 3 months after the treatment. The agreement of increase and decrease in HEs, and the correlation of volume and area of HEs were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 35 patients (39 eyes) were included in the study. The volume was significantly reduced from 0.07978 to 0.02565 mm³ at 3 months (p < 0.001). The area was also significantly reduced from 15.35 to 8.60 mm² at 3 months (p < 0.001). The volume was decreased in 34 eyes and increased in 5 eyes. The area was decreased in 37 eyes and increased in 2 eyes. A significant correlation between volume and area was found (p < 0.001) as well as agreement between increase and decrease in volume and area. CONCLUSIONS: In the 3-dimensional quantitative volumetric analysis, the volume and area of HEs were correlated and the direction of increase and decrease was concordant. Considering the distribution of HEs in multiple layers of the retina, volumetric analysis could be considered a substitute for the analysis of HE area.

To laser or not?

A 64-year-old male patient presented to the clinic with diminished vision in his right eye for the past 2 years. Examination revealed a best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of counting fingers at 1 m with a scarred choroidal neovascular membrane (CNVM) in the right eye while the left eye had a BCVA of 20/20 with a small peripapillary subretinal hemorrhage along with angioid streaks in both eyes. Multimodal imaging revealed the presence of a CNVM in the left eye which was treated with focal thermal laser. Regression was noted on optical coherence tomography angiography at 1 month post-laser, but at 3-month follow-up, exacerbation of the CNVM was observed. Subsequently, four intravitreal ziv-aflibercept injections were given, and scarring of CNVM was noted on OCT. Thermal laser in the background of angioid streaks has worsened the breaks in the Bruch's membrane leading to worsening of the CNVM.

A Case of Focal Laser Photocoagulation Added to Systemic Immunomodulatory Therapy for Bilateral Lupus Chorioretinopathy

PURPOSE: To report a patient diagnosed with bilateral lupus chorioretinopathy who received focal laser photocoagulation. CASE SUMMARY: A 20-year-old female presented with decreased vision in her left eye. She had been treated with systemic corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, plasmapheresis and hemodialysis during systemic lupus erythematosus flare-up. Retinal hemorrhage and cotton wool spots were observed in both eyes on funduscopic examination. Optical coherence tomography showed bilateral serous retinal detachment. Flurorescein angiography (FA) revealed multiple leakages of dye in both maculae. Despite improvements of the systemic disease, subretinal fluid was not resolved. Focal laser photocoagulation was applied to multiple leakage spots identified on FA in both eyes and serous detachment improved. After several months, additional focal laser photocoagulation was performed because there was a small amount of subretinal fluid, which was completely resolved.

Photodynamic Therapy and Focal Laser Photocoagulation in Chronic Central Serous Chorioretinopathy

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the treatment efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) and focal laser photocoagulation in chronic central serous chorio retinopathy (CSC). METHODS: A retrospective study in a clinical practice setting including 40 eyes of 40 patients with chronic CSC which were treated with PDT or focal laser photocoagulation were recruited in this study from March 2011 to December 2013. Mean change in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), presence or absence of resolution of subretinal fluid (SRF) and pigment epithelial detachment (PED), recurrence rate, and complications were analyzed. RESULTS: PDT was performed in 23 eyes of 23 patients and focal laser photocoagulation was performed in 17 eyes of 17 patients, and all patients were followed up for more than six months. Location of leakage point and appearance of leakage showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups. Both groups showed significant improvement in BCVA at one month and six months after the treatment; however, there was no statistically significant difference in BCVA improvement between the two groups. In both groups, SRF and PED were partially or completely resolved. Resolution of SRF was better in the PDT group at one month after the treatment; however, no statistically significant difference in the resolution period was observed between the two groups. None of the patients experienced adverse events in the PDT group, but one patient developed choroidal neovascularization after treatment in the focal laser photocoagulation group. Two patients showed recurrence in the PDT group and needed retreatment. CONCLUSIONS: Both treatments are beneficial in patients with chronic CSC. Focal laser photocoagulation can be a good treatment option in terms of cost-effectiveness and convenience.

Quantitative Analysis of Diabetic Macular Edema after Laser Photocoagulation

PURPOSE: Diabetic macular edema is one of major causes leading to visual loss and it is difficult to be quantified. We investigated a volumetric quantification of retinal thickness change before and after focal laser photocoagulation with Heidelberg Retina Tomograph (HRT). METHODS: Ten patients who were diagnosed as diabetic retinopathy with clinically significant macular edema (CSME) in only one eye and treated with focal laser photocoagulation were studied. The opposite eyes which had no CSME were studied as control group. In the eyes which had CSME, the volume above reference plane (VARP) bounded by three consecutive circle centered at the fovea (diameter 1, 2, and 3 mm) were measured. The retinal thickness of control group was also measured with the same method. We performed focal laser photocoagulation for the eyes which had CSME and measured VARP at 1, 2, and 3 months after laser treatment. RESULTS: Three months after laser treatment, the VARP of treated eyes measured in each diameter was significantly decreased, however, there was no significant difference in control group. There was no significant difference in visual acuity change between before and 3 months after laser treatment. CONCLUSION: From the above results, we concluded that HRT could be used to quantify the change of diabetic macular edema before and after laser treatment.

Laser Photocoagulation in Diabetic Macular Edema

Diabetic macular edema is the leading cause of decreased vision from diabetic retinopathy. The most promising treatment for diabetic macular edema has been photocoagulation and we have reviewed 18 cases, 25 eyes, of macular edema which were treated either by focal laser photocoagulation or grid-pattern photocoagulation between January 1988 to December 1990 and followed for at least 4 months. Visual acuity improved in 8 eyes(57.1%) of 14 eyes treated with focal laser photocoagulation and 4 eyes(36.4%) of 11 eyes treated with grid-pattern photocoagulation. Visual acuity was stable in 6 eyes(42.9%) treated with focal laser photocoagulation and 4 eyes(36.4%) treated with grid-pattern photocagulation. Of 3 eyes(27.3%) with diffuse macular edema was worsened visual acuity although treated with grid-pattern photocoagulation.

Laser Photocoagulation in Diabetic Macular Edema

Diabetic macular edema is the leading cause of decreased vision from diabetic retinopathy. The most promising treatment for diabetic macular edema has been photocoagulation and we have reviewed 18 cases, 25 eyes, of macular edema which were treated either by focal laser photocoagulation or grid-pattern photocoagulation between January 1988 to December 1990 and followed for at least 4 months. Visual acuity improved in 8 eyes (57.1 %) of 14 eyes treated with focal laser photocoagulation and 4 eyes (36.4%) of 11 eyes treated with grid-pattern photocoagulation. Visual acuity was stable in 6 eyes (42.9%) treated with focal laser photocoagulation and 4 eyes (36.4%) treated with grid-pattern photocagulation. Of 3 eyes (27.3%) with diffuse macular edema was worsened visual acuity although treated with grid-pattern photocoagulation.

Clinical Analysis on Focal Laser Treatment of Diabetic Maculopathy

Diabetic maculopathy which is the major cause of blindness in nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy, has been treated clinically with laser photocoagulation. We reviewed 21 cases(26 eyes) of diabetic maculopathy which were treated by focal laser treatment and followed up for more than 6 months from January 1984 to December 1988. The results were as follows: 1. There was improvement of the visual acuity in 19 eyes(71.1%), no changes in 5 eyes(19.2%), and only two eyes(7.7%) showed worsened visual acuity. 2. The two eyes which showed worsened visula acuity after treatment showed stage IV of diabetic maculopathy.