DIODE-LASER PHOTOCOAGULATION OF CHOROIDAL NEOVASCULAR MEMBRANES

Background. Krypton or argon laser treatment of choroidal neovasculari zation (CNV) has been shown to be effective in reducing the incidence of severe visual loss. The usefulness of diode laser in the treatment of many chorioretinal disorders is currently under evaluation. Methods . Our study involved 42 eyes of 41 patients affected with CNV which we re treated with a near infrared diode laser. Results. The mean follow- up was 10.12 months. Visual acuity improved in 12 eyes (28.6%), did no t change in 17 eyes (40.5%) and worsened in 13 eyes (30.2%). Mean visu al acuity before treatment was 0.23 and 0.21 after treatment. Recurren t CNV was seen in 13 eyes. In a subgroup of 24 well-defined juxtafovea l or extrafoveal CNVs which underwent direct photocoagulation visual a cuity improved in 8 eyes (33.3%), was unchanged in 11 (45.8%) and wors ened in 5 (20.9%). Five eyes showed recurrent CNV. Conclusions. Our re sults appear to support the use of diode laser in the treatment of CNV s. The deeper penetration into the choriocapillaris of the diode wavel ength could be effective in blocking CNV by inducing a more extensive chorioretinal atrophy.