PILOT TRIAL OF TRANSSCLERAL DIODE-LASER RETINOPEXY IN RETINAL-DETACHMENT SURGERY

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the transscleral diode laser for retinopexy in rhegmatogenous retinal detachments. Design: Ten consecutive patients with primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachments underwent scleral buckling surgery, using the transscleral diode laser for retinopexy. Patients were followed up for at least 6 months. Study Participants: Ten patients with primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachments were enrolled. Patients with chronic detachments, a retinal break greater than 90-degrees, history of uveitis or infectious retinopathy, or proliferative vitreoretinopathy were excluded. Main Outcome Measure: Retinal reattachment. Secondary measures: visual acuity and complications, including choroidal, retinal, and vitreous hemorrhage, inflammation, and scleral damage. Results: By 6 months, nine of 10 retinas were successfully repaired following only one operation. The retina of the 10th patient redetached at 6 1/2 weeks owing to proliferative vitreoretinopathy. Following a vitrectomy and retinal reattachment procedure, the retina of the 10th patient has remained attached for 1 year. No significant complications were encountered with the laser retinopexy, although small presumed breaks in Bruch's membrane occurred in three eyes and a moderate scleral thermal effect occurred in two. Visual results in the postoperative course were comparable to those achieved previously with cryotherapy. Conclusion: In this pilot series, transscleral diode laser retinopexy served as a safe and effective means of obtaining chorioretinal adhesion in retinal detachment surgery.