Effect of scleral indentation on diode laser transscleral retinal photocoagulation.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of the degree of scleral indentation with a modified AlGaAs diode laser for transscleral retinopexy in the rabbit. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Transscleral diode laser photocoagulation was performed on the eyes of Dutch-belted rabbits using a modified AlGaAs diode laser with a wider base and various prism protrusions. RESULTS: The transscleral photocoagulation generally became more efficient with an increasing amount of scleral indentation. Effectiveness increased up to a prism protrusion of 1.5 mm. CONCLUSION: This study shows that a wide-based AlGaAs diode laser with a 1.5-mm protrusion provides a more easily oriented probe for creating more efficient chorioretinal burns.