The Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study historical review and relevance to today's management of diabetic macular edema.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To provide an historical review of the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) in the management of diabetic macular edema (DME), and to discuss its relevance to the management of DME. RECENT FINDINGS: The ETDRS reported that argon laser treatment is beneficial in the management of 'clinically significant' DME. The study provided guidelines for the treatment with focal and/or grid laser based on fluorescein angiographic patterns. In today's world, with the advent of optical coherence tomography, 'clinically significant' DME is now classified into center-involved DME (CI DME) and noncenter-involved DME (non-CI DME). Modified ETDRS focal/grid laser photocoagulation has been utilized in more recent clinical trials [diabetic retinopathy clinical research (DRCR) Protocols I and T] in combination with intravitreal injections. SUMMARY: The ETDRS provided outcomes data for DME, both untreated and following laser therapy. In the management of patients with DME today, the modified ETDRS focal/grid laser photocoagulation treatments remain relevant in combination with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy as ophthalmologists and their patients choose how best to treat DME. Ongoing studies in eyes with DME, nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy, and good visual acuity will help further define the place of modified ETDRS focal/grid laser in the treatment of DME.

Short-pulse duration retinal lasers: a review.

The development of lasers for biological use was an important medical advance in the 20th century with numerous evidence-based therapeutic applications to retinal disease, including capillary leakage at the macula. Although the role of photocoagulative laser in the treatment of macular oedema has diminished, there is evidence for a modified role in clinical management, particularly for extrafoveal leakage. Additionally, it may reduce the frequency of required intravitreal injections and assist in visual stabilization when used as an adjunct. The tissue destructive effect of photocoagulative lasers has motivated the development of safer macular lasers and the search for novel therapeutic applications, including treatment of drusen and regeneration of dysfunctional retinal pigment epithelium.

Krypton red laser photocoagulation of the ocular fundus. 1982.

The theoretical rationale, the histopathologic evidence, and the preliminary clinical studies related to krypton red laser (KRL) photocoagulation of the ocular fundus are reviewed. The authors report on their experience with currently available laser systems using this wavelength (647.1 nm) for photocoagulation of retinal vascular proliferative diseases and chorioretinal diseases associated with exudative manifestations. A histopathologic and clinical comparison of argon blue-green laser (ABGL), the pure argon green laser (AGL), and the krypton yellow laser (KYL), with reference to photocoagulation treatment of the ocular fundus is also discussed.

Laser tissue welding: a biotechnological advance for the future.

Laser tissue welding as well as other alternative methods of closure will play a more important role in surgical specialties as laparoscopic, endoscopic, and microsurgical techniques continue to develop. Laser tissue welding uses laser energy to anastomose tissues and is ideally suited for applications in which suturing and stapling is difficult. Recent advances have led to a better understanding of the mechanisms of tissue welding. Additionally, technical achievements including the introduction of protein solders and temperature-controlled feedback systems have led to the acceptance of laser tissue welding in clinical medicine. In this article, we describe the history and development of laser tissue welding and review the current and potential applications of this technology.