ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of a new method of delivering diode laser (810 nm) spots through an indirect ophthalmoscope in conjunction with intravenous indocyanine green to treat choroidal neovascularizations (CNVs) larger than 5,400 microm. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective, non-comparative, interventional case series study was conducted with 8 patients with CNV secondary to age-related macular degeneration. Laser pulses were applied to the CNV within 5 minutes of an intravenous injection of 25 mg of indocyanine green. The laser spot was enlarged up to one disc diameter by shortening the distance between the indirect ophthalmoscope and the 20-diopter viewing lens. The follow-up period was 3 months. RESULTS: Three eyes had an improvement in visual acuity of more than 2 lines, and fluorescein angiography showed stabilization of the membrane and reduction of the hemorrhages and subretinal fluid at the last follow-up. Three other eyes maintained the same visual acuity and two had a decrease in visual acuity of more than 2 lines at the 3-month follow-up examination. CONCLUSION: Laser treatment delivered through an indirect ophthalmoscope system may be used as a palliative treatment for CNVs larger than 5,400 microm.
