DIODE-LASER ENDOPHOTOCOAGULATION

Purpose: To evaluate the utility, safety, and reliability of diode las er endophotocoagulation in a sizable clinical series. Methods: Two hun dred twenty-six consecutive eyes treated with diode endophotocoagulati on were studied prospectively. Surgical indications included prolifera tive diabetic retinopathy (134 eyes), proliferative vitreoretinopathy (27 eyes), complicated retinal detachment (50 eyes), and miscellaneous (15 eyes). A retrospective comparison group of 67 consecutive eyes un dergoing vitrectomy with argon endolaser photocoagulation was also stu died. Results: The desired intraoperative effect of diode endophotocoa gulation was achieved in 99.6% cases without complication. Final visua l acuity was improved in 159 eyes (71%), and was 5/200 or better in 15 7 eyes (70%) with diode endophotocoagulation. In comparison, final vis ual acuity was improved in 48 eyes (73%), and was 5/200 or better in 4 5 eyes (68%) for argon endophotocoagulation. No statistically signific ant difference was found between the two groups regarding Fate of visu al improvement or final visual results. Conclusion: This series suppor ts the conclusion that the diode laser is as safe, reliable, and effec tive for endophotocoagulation as argon treatment.