Comparative study of Transscleral Diode Laser Retinopexy with Cryoretinopexy

ABSTRACT

Transscleral diode laser retinopexy and cryoretinopexy were performed in pigmented rabbits, and light and electron microscopic, and immunohistochemical studies were done. Acute lesions produced by cryoretinopexy showed significant retinal destruction and, in contrast, those produced by transscleral diode laser showed reaction limited to the outer retina and choroid. Chronic lesions by cryoretinopexy showed marked retinal thinning and chorioretinal adhesions. Pigment-laden cells were aggregated at the level of the retinal pigment epithelium, with some having migrated into the sensory retina. The laser lesions showed similar findings but less in size and severity. Acute lesions showed absence of reactivity with all antibodies. While marked expressions of GFAP, vimentin, and S-100 epitopes were seen in chorioretinal scar tissues made with cryoretinopexy, expressions with less intensity were seen with diode retinopexy. Migrating pigment-laden cells were labelled positive for cytokeratins and few cells were positive for anti-macrophage antibody. These results suggest that although transscleral diode laser induce less inner retinal destruction and more localized burns than cryoretinopexy, both forms of treatment produce similar deep retinal Muller cell reaction, as demonstrated by the immunohistochemical studies.