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Purpose: To evaluate the effects of subthreshold micropulse laser (SML) in addition to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy for diabetic macular edema (DME)., Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were systematically searched for studies that compared anti-VEGF with SML and anti-VEGF monotherapy for DME. Outcome measures were best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT), and the number of anti-VEGF injections., Results: Eight studies including 493 eyes were selected. Four studies were randomized controlled, and the other four were retrospective. Meta-analysis showed that there was no significant difference in BCVA (mean difference [MD] -0.04; 95%CI -0.09 to 0.01 logMAR; P = 0.13;). CMT was thinner in the group of anti-VEGF with SML (MD -11.08; 95%CI -21.04 to -1.12 µm; P = 0.03); however, it was due to a single study that weighed higher, and the sensitivity and subcategory analyses did not support the finding. The number of anti-VEGF injections was significantly decreased in the group of anti-VEGF with SML (MD -2.22; 95%CI -3.02 to -1.42; P < 0.0001)., Conclusion: Current evidence indicates that adding SML to anti-VEGF therapy could significantly reduce the number of anti-VEGF injections compared to anti-VEGF monotherapy, while achieve similar BCVA and CMT., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Intravitreal injection anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (IVI anti-VEGF) therapy serves as the primary treatment for centre involving diabetic macular oedema (DMO). Conventional laser therapy (CLT) adjunct has proven beneficial; however, it is not widely used due to significant risks of retinal scarring. Subthreshold micropulse laser (SML) therapy has, however, emerged as a comparable alternative to combination therapy, offering a distinct advantage by mitigating the risk of retinal scarring., Methods: A search of six databases was conducted. A meta-analysis of mean differences was performed including subgroup analyses where appropriate. Primary outcome was the number of injections at 12-14 months; secondary outcomes were changes in central macular thickness (CMT) and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at 6-8 months and 12-14 months., Results: A total of ten papers including six randomised clinical trials and four retrospective clinical studies were included in our study, capturing 563 eyes of 478 patients. Overall, the risk of bias was moderate for these studies. Significantly fewer anti-VEGF therapy injections were administered in the combination therapy versus anti-VEGF monotherapy patients at 12-14 months who had poor visual acuity (6/18 Snellen or worse) at baseline, mean difference - 2.25 (95% CI; - 3.35, - 1.15; p < 0.05). Combination therapy was not associated with significantly fewer intravitreal injections in patients with a higher visual acuity (6/15 Snellen or better) at baseline. Our analysis also showed significant improvements to both BCVA and CMT were reached at 6 - 8 month post-baseline at the 95% confidence intervals: - 1.13 (- 2.09, - 0.16) and - 4.04 (- 7.59, - 0.50). These improvements remained statistically significant at 12-14 months: - 0.94 (- 1.67, - 0.20) and - 1.92 (- 3.52, - 0.32) respectively with combination therapy., Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that combination therapy (SML + IVI anti-VEGF) is associated with fewer intravitreal injections. We report a better BCVA and a reduction in CMT at 6 and 12 months from baseline with combination treatment compared to the IVI anti-VEGF monotherapy comparator. SML is a proven non-scarring cost-effective therapy for DMO that should be readily available in the medical retinal therapy as it may reduce the burden of care., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Purpose: To evaluate stereopsis in term-born, preterm, and preterm children with and without retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and its treatment., Methods: The cross-sectional study included 322 children between 3 and 11 years of age born term or preterm, with or without ROP, and with or without treatment for ROP. The ROP treatments were laser therapy, intravitreal injection (IVI) of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor, or their combination. Stereoacuity was measured using the Titmus Stereo Test, and the results among various age groups were analyzed., Results: Stereopsis was found to improve with increasing age at testing (P < 0.001) across the entire study population. The term group exhibited significantly better stereoacuity than the preterm group (P < 0.001). At 3-5 years and 6-8 years, the preterm children without ROP exhibited significantly better stereoacuity than did those with ROP (P < 0.001 and P = 0.02, respectively); however, at 9-11 years, both groups exhibited similar stereoacuity (P = 0.34). The stereoacuity in the children with untreated ROP was similar to that of the children with treated ROP in all age groups (P > 0.05). No significant differences in stereopsis were identified between children with ROP treated with laser versus with IVI (P > 0.05). From multivariate analysis, younger age at testing (P = 0.001) and younger gestational age (P < 0.001) were associated with poorer stereopsis., Conclusions: Stereopsis development gradually improved with age in all groups. The children born preterm exhibited poorer stereoacuity than those born term. Children with ROP treated with laser photocoagulation versus IVI may exhibit similar levels of stereoacuity. Younger age at testing and gestational age were independent risk factors for poorer stereoacuity., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Purpose: To summarize the mechanism and the clinical applications of subthreshold laser (STL) in retinal practice. Subthreshold or "non-destructive" laser includes all types of laser treatments that produce minimal or no damage to the tissues and no visible signs after application., Methods: A descriptive review of articles from literature databases (PubMed, Medline, Embase, Cochrane, Web of Science) published before August 2023, which discuss current STL treatments of retinal diseases., Results: This review provides evidence for STL as a treatment option for central serous chorioretinopathy, diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, macular edema due to retinal vein occlusion, and other maculopathies. In most published reports, STL has shown a therapeutic effect without damage to the underlying tissue., Conclusion: Subthreshold laser treatment has shown safety and efficacy in the management of some retinal and macular diseases. Stimulation of the retinal pigment epithelium without destroying adjacent neuroretina has been shown to be sufficient in inducing retinal repair in many clinical cases. Recent research and clinical studies continue to explore the mechanisms and improving therapeutic benefits of this technology as well as extend the range of retinal disorders treatable by this modality., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Purpose: This study is to describe the 6-year results of combined phacoemulsification surgery and endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation (Phaco-ECP) surgery in patients with uncontrolled glaucoma and no previous glaucoma surgery., Methods: This is a retrospective case series of 84 eyes. The primary outcome measure was intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction 6 years postoperatively. Secondary outcome measures were the cumulative probability of failure of the surgical procedure at 6 years. Failure was defined as IOP higher than 21 mm Hg or lower than 6 mm Hg or IOP not reduced by 20% from baseline at the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6-year time points or further laser or other surgery to reduce IOP at any timepoint., Results: There was a statistically significant decrease in mean IOP from 18.9 mmHg pre-operatively to 13.7, 12.8, 13.0, 12.7, 12.5, and 12.3 mmHg at the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 years post-operatively respectively (p < 0.001). Fifty-seven (68%) reached criteria for failure by 6 years. In 36% of cases, this was due to inadequate IOP control, whereas 32% required further laser or surgery. When we excluded patients who only had selective laser trabeculoplasty rather than further surgery, the failure rate reduced to 51%. Eleven percent had a post-operative complication, 2.4% requiring further surgical intervention., Conclusions: At 6 years postoperatively, combined phaco-ECP achieved a significant reduction in IOP in patients with uncontrolled glaucoma and no previous drainage surgery. Significant complications were uncommon, but 68% was classified as surgical failures by the six year point., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Purpose: To develop a selective micropulse individual retinal therapy (SMIRT) based on the age and appearance type of the patient, to derive a formula for calculating power, and evaluate clinical efficacy for the treatment of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR)., Methods: 73 patients (aged 30-65 years) with acute CSCR and types 1-4 on the Fitzpatrick scale were divided into 2 groups. In the first group (33 patients), the testing of the micropulse mode (50 µs, 2.4%, 10 ms, 100 µm, 0.4-1.9 W) on the Navilas 577 s laser system defined as selective by computer modeling was performed. A logistic regression function based on probability damage detection (PDD) of the 1584 laser spots from power, age, and type on the Fitzpatrick scale was constructed. PDD is the probability of detecting the laser spots using the autofluorescence method. The second group was divided into 4 subgroups of 10 eyes each. Groups 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3 were treated without preliminary testing. The power for Groups 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3 was obtained with the inverse PDD function, so that PDD was 50%, 70%, and 90%, respectively. Control group 2.4 went without treatment., Results: The transmission and absorption coefficients of laser radiation of the eye depend on the age and the Fitzpatrick scale type. In Groups 2.1-2.3, complete resorption of subretinal fluid was observed 3 months after CSCR treatment in 5 (P < 0.35), 8 (P < 0.023), and 10 eyes (P < 0.0008) out of 10, respectively., Conclusion: The developed SMIRT is effective for CSCR treatment with PDD 90%., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Purpose: To investigate the refractive and biometrical developments of children with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) who received laser photocoagulation (LP) or intravitreal ranibizumab injection as treatment., Methods: This case-control study involved cases with Zone II Stage 3 ROP. Fourteen children (28 eyes) who received single LP were included in the laser group, and 14 children (27 eyes) who received single intravitreal ranibizumab injection were included in the injection group. The mean age at operation was 37.00±1.72 and 36.36±1.66 weeks for the laser and injection groups, respectively (P=0.161), and refraction measurements and biometry were performed at the mean age of 5.00±1.63 and 5.00±0.94 years for the laser and injection groups, respectively (P=1.000). Spherical equivalent (SE) after mydriatic refraction and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were measured by refraction test. Central corneal thickness (CCT), anterior corneal surface curvature and curvature radius, anterior chamber depth (ACD), lens thickness (LT) and axial length (AL) were measured by biometry using the IOL Master700 biometric instrument (Carl Zeiss Meditec AG). The biometrical images were reanalysed using a self-developed program in MATLAB (R2016a, MathWorks, Inc.) to obtain additional eye parameters, including the curvatures of the posterior cornea and the anterior and posterior surfaces of the lens. SPSS (V.23.0) was used for statistical analysis. Independent sample t test was used to compare the eyeball biological and refractive state measures of the two groups, and Pearson correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the correlation between SE and the biological parameters., Results: 1. (1) Cornea-related parameters: CCT (0.54±0.04mm vs 0.55±0.02mm, P>0.05), anterior corneal surface curvature radius (7.56±0.26 mm vs 7.67±0.43mm, P>0.05) and posterior corneal surface curvature radius (6.82±0.27mm vs 6.79±0.42mm, P>0.05). (2) ACD (3.21 ± 0.25mm vs 3.22 ± 0.19mm, P>0.05). (3) Lens-related parameters: anterior lens surface curvature radius (10.04±0.89mm vs 9.82±1.08mm, P>0.05), posterior lens surface curvature radius (5.49±0.55mm vs 5.92±0.73mm, P<0.05) and LT (3.80±0.14mm vs 3.59±0.16mm, P<0.05). (4) AL (21.82±1.07 vs 22.68±1.61, P<0.05). (5) Parameters related to refractive state: SE (-2.43±3.56 vs -0.53±3.12, P<0.05) and BCVA (log MAR, 0.17±0.14 vs 0.21±0.18, P>0.05). 2. (1) The SE of children in the laser group was positively correlated with LT (r=0.438, P<0.05), negatively correlated with ACD (r=-0.437, P<0.05) and had no significant correlation with other eyeball biological indicators (P>0.05). (2) The SE of children in the injection group was negatively correlated with AL (r=-0.537, P<0.05), positively correlated with CCT (r=0.455, P<0.05) and had no significant correlation with other eyeball biological indicators (P>0.05)., Conclusion: LP and intravitreal ranibizumab injection as ROP treatments produce myopic refraction with increased degree of myopia in children who received LP than in children who received ranibizumab injection. The increased myopia after LP is due to the increases in LT and posterior lens curvature and a shallow ACD., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Purpose: To assess the safety and effectiveness of augmented MicroPulse (MP-TSCPC) with limited Continuous Wave Transscleral Cyclophotocoagulation (CW-TSCPC) in patients with refractory glaucoma., Methods: Thirty-eight eyes of 38 patients underwent combined MP-TSCPC and CW-TSCPC at Massachusetts Eye and Ear. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and Wilcoxon paired sign rank tests were performed to evaluate intraocular pressure (IOP), glaucoma medication burden, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and adverse events., Results: With success defined as IOP reduction ≥ 30% and IOP between 5 and 18 mmHg, the cumulative probability of success at 1 year and 1.5 years were 0.81 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.68-0.96) and 0.65 (95% CI, 0.50-0.86), respectively. With success defined as IOP reduction ≥ 50% and IOP between 5 and 18 mmHg, the success probability at 1 year and 1.5 years were 0.72 (95% CI, 0.57-0.89) and 0.56 (95% CI, 0.40-0.78), respectively. IOP and medication burden reductions were significant at all follow-up visits compared to baseline. Average IOP decreased from 27.9 mmHg at baseline to 11.4 mmHg at 1 year (p < 0.001) and 10.0 mmHg at 1.5 years (p < 0.001). Average medication burden decreased from 3.8 to 1.7 at 1.5 years (p = 0.001). No significant differences in visual acuity were observed at any time point. No long-term sight-threatening complications due to the combined procedure were observed, and most of the complications observed were mild and transient., Conclusion: In patients with refractory glaucoma, the combination of augmented MP-TSCPC with limited CW-TSCPC provides a significant IOP-lowering effect and decrease in medication burden without increased risk of postoperative complications., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Purpose: To present a combined treatment modality in the management of stage 3B Coats disease and to evaluate its efficacy in the long-term follow-up., Methods: This study was a retrospective review of 29 eyes from 29 consecutive patients who had stage 3B Coats disease with total exudative retinal detachment (ERD). The combined treatment modality consisted of external drainage of subretinal fluid (SRF), followed by endolaser photocoagulation via a nonvitrectomy approach, and intravitreal ranibizumab injection. Final disease status, anatomic success, and final visual acuity were the main outcome measures., Results: The treated eyes initially received one session of external drainage of SRF, followed by an average of 1.4 sessions (range, 1 to 3 sessions) of endolaser photocoagulation and intravitreal ranibizumab injection. With a median follow-up period of 40 months (range, 21-81 months), all eyes demonstrated no disease progression, including 6 eyes that required vitrectomy with silicone oil tamponade due to increasing ERD after initial treatment. No enucleation was required. At the final follow-up, anatomic success with retinal reattachment and no active disease was achieved in 24 of 29 eyes (82.8%). Fibrosis was observed in 22 eyes (75.9%) with a mean onset time of 9 months (range, 5-16 months); of these, 3 and 9 eyes developed tractional retinal detachment and epiretinal membrane, respectively. In 62.1% of the eyes, the final visual acuity was only light perception or no light perception., Conclusion: The combined treatment modality presented in this study is an effective way in the management of stage 3B Coats disease with total ERD.

Aim: To evaluate the incidence and clinical indications for which eyes were treated for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) outside the guidelines set by International Classification of ROP (ICROP)., Methods: Medical records of the patients treated at a single tertiary care ophthalmology hospital for ROP from January 2016 to December 2019 were retrospectively analysed to evaluate the indications for which they were treated., Results: Out of 241 eyes, 33 eyes (13.7%) were treated outside the guidelines. The reasons for the treatment outside the guidelines were structural changes (n = 24, 72.7%), persistent stage 3 ROP that did not show any sign of regression for 6 weeks (n = 7, 21.2%) and active ROP with fellow eye being treated (n = 2, 6.1%). The recorded specific structural changes were tangential traction with temporal vessel straightening concerning for macular distortion and ectopia (n = 5, 15.2%), and stage 3 neovascularisation or ridge with anteroposterior traction with risk of progression to stage 4 disease (n = 19, 57.6%). Pre-plus disease was present in 11 eyes (33.3%).After the treatment, ROP stages regressed and retinal vessels grew either until the ora or at least into zone III in all the treated eyes. None of the eyes showed worsening of structural changes after treatment. The mean follow-up of the patients was 12.4 ± 11.7 months., Conclusion: Experts occasionally recommend treatment in eyes with disease milder than type 1 ROP. This study may help paediatric retinal practitioners in decision-making in borderline cases.

Purpose: This study evaluates the 6-month safety and efficacy of micropulse transscleral cyclophotocoagulation (MP-TSCPC) in cases of uncontrolled glaucoma/ocular hypertension using a reduced energy protocol., Methods: Retrospective analysis of patients undergoing MP-TSCPC from January-April 2018 was carried out. Patients received up to 90 s of laser with settings of 2000 mW/Cm2 and a duty cycle of 31.3%., Results: A total of 29 patients were included, with a mean age of 64.7 ± 15.1 years. The most common diagnosis was primary open angle glaucoma (41.4%) with a mean Logmar visual acuity of 1.5 ± 1.2. All subjects had either undergone intraocular surgery (58.6% filtration surgery) or continuous wave diode laser prior to micropulse treatment. Mean pre-laser IOP was 26.2 ± 11.1 mmHg. There was a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in IOP at 1 month to 15.8 ± 5.4 mmHg (39.7% reduction), at 3 months to 15.04 ± 5.25 mmHg (42.6% reduction) and at 6 months to 18.19 ± 7.47 mmHg (30.6% reduction). There was also a corresponding reduction (p < 0.05) in the number of topical agents required to control pressure from a baseline of 3.31 ± 0.97, to 2.72 ± 0.88 at 1 month, 2.76 ± 0.91 at 3 months and 2.90 ± 1.08 at 6 months. Requirements for oral acetazolamide reduced from 41.3% (1/29) at baseline to 3.4% (1/29) at 6 months. Success rates were 75.9% at 1 month, 79.3% at 3 months and 58.6% at 6 months. There was no drop in the visual acuity, no change in central retinal thickness and no cases of intraocular inflammation., Conclusions: MP-TSCPC at a decreased duration is effective at reducing intraocular pressure in ethnically diverse glaucoma patients refractory to previous glaucoma laser or surgeries at 6 months follow-up, with no significant complications. Further work is needed to confirm efficacy in the long term and to determine optimal settings.

Purpose: Subthreshold micropulse laser irradiation has been used for the treatment of retinal edema; however, there are few reports about the mechanism of its therapeutic effect. In this study, we compared threshold short pulse and subthreshold micropulse laser irradiation in mice and investigated their mechanism., Methods: Nine to 12-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were used in this study. After general anesthesia, threshold short pulse or subthreshold micropulse laser irradiation was performed on the right eye using IQ577. Enucleation was performed 24 h after the laser irradiation, and histological and gene expression analyses were carried out., Results: Coagulation spots and atrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium were observed after threshold short pulse laser irradiation but not after subthreshold micropulse laser irradiation. Twenty-four hours after laser, aquaporin (AQP) 1, 2, 7, and 11 levels were significantly elevated by 1.7- to 3-fold in the threshold short pulse laser group compared with non-treated control group. AQP 3 was increased significantly and prominently by 100-fold. VEGF-A and VEGFR2 were upregulated 1.5- and 2.3-fold, respectively. In the subthreshold micropulse laser group, AQP 3 was increased by 6-fold compared with the non-treated control group. Angiopoietin-1 and the adrenomedullin (AM) receptor CLR were decreased by 0.6-fold and 0.5-fold, respectively., Conclusion: Threshold short pulse laser irradiation caused retinal damage and prominent changes in the expression of various genes. Contrarily, subthreshold micropulse laser irradiation did not induce retinal damage; it upregulated AQP 3, which might have improved retinal edema by drainage of subretinal fluid.

Purpose: To demonstrate superiority of intravitreal ranibizumab 0.5 mg compared to focal and peripheral laser treatment in patients with radiation retinopathy for choroidal melanoma., Methods: Inclusion criteria were as follows: patients with radiation retinopathy and visual acuity impairment due to radiation maculopathy accessible for laser therapy, age ≥ 18 years, and BCVA less than 20/32. The main objective was to study the change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) over 6 months from ranibizumab 0.5 mg (experimental) compared to focal laser of the macula and panretinal laser treatment of the ischemic retina (control) in patients with radiation retinopathy in choroidal melanoma. The secondary objectives of the radiation retinopathy study were to compare functional and anatomical results between ranibizumab and laser group over 12 months and to measure the frequency of vitreous hemorrhage and rubeosis iridis., Results: The intention-to-treat analysis included 31 patients assigned to ranibizumab (n = 15) or laser treatment (n = 16). In terms of BCVA at month 6, ranibizumab was superior to laser treatment, with an advantage of 0.14 logMAR, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.25, p = 0.030. The positive effect of ranibizumab disappeared after treatment was discontinued. Similar results without statistically significant difference were found with respect to macular thickness. In both groups, no change was observed at month 6 in the size of ischemia in the macula or periphery compared to baseline. There was 1 case of vitreous hemorrhage in the laser group and no case of rubeosis iridis over time., Conclusions: This study showed a statistically significant improvement in visual acuity and clear superiority of ranibizumab compared to laser treatment up to 26 weeks, but this effect disappeared at week 52 after completion of intravitreal treatment. Ranibizumab and PRP are considered equivalent in terms of the non-appearance of proliferative radiation retinopathy during the study., Trial Registration: EudraCT Number: 2011-004463-69.

Purpose: To provide a diagnostic algorithm of recurrence and treatment failure after intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) injection for retinopathy of prematurity type 1 (ROP1) and the stepwise therapeutic approach for both conditions., Methods: Retrospective chart review of all patients diagnosed with ROP1 initially treated with IVB in 6 tertiary referral centers of Toluca and Mexico City from 2005 to 2017. Treatment failure was defined as persistence or progression of neovascularization, elevation of the ridge, worsening of plus disease, or retinal crunch within the first week after treatment. Recurrence was defined as the new appearance of plus disease, an elevated ridge, or pathological new vessels after an initial regression of ROP following treatment. Therapy was observation, switch of anti-VEGF agent, retinal photocoagulation, vitrectomy, or a combination of two or more, depending on the severity of findings., Results: A total of 672 patients who received intravitreal bevacizumab injection for ROP1 treatment were included. Of these, 2.5% (17 patients) failed to treatment, 6.8% (46 patients) developed a recurrence for ROP, and 5.5% (37 patients) carried a misdiagnosis of recurrence and were diagnosed with other than ROP1 after examination. Based on the severity of findings, patients with recurrence or treatment failure were further treated by observation, repeat anti-VEGF intravitreal injection (bevacizumab or other), laser photocoagulation, vitrectomy, or a combination of these. Based on the treatment results, a therapeutic algorithm was created., Conclusions: Intravitreal injection of anti-VEGFs for the treatment of ROP warrants close follow-up as some of these patients may have treatment failure or recurrence of the disease. It is crucial to differentiate between them to avoid a misdiagnosis and offer the correct treatment. We propose a novel algorithm for the follow-up and treatment approach of ROP1 following initial treatment with IVB. This algorithm offers a summary of our recommendations based on a large case series of ROP1 patients. It is meant to grow and expand as more clinical evidence becomes available.

Purpose: To investigate the effect of 360° intra-operative laser retinopexy (ILR) for the prevention of retinal re-detachment in patients treated with pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD)., Methods: A retrospective single-institution cohort study was performed. Consecutive patients with primary uncomplicated RRD who underwent 23-gauge PPV with gas endotamponade between July 2013 and July 2016 were included in the study (n = 151). Two cohorts were compared: one which received laser retinopexy only around identified tears/holes/lattice zones (Control group, n = 86), and one which received additional 360° intra-operative laser retinopexy (360° ILR group, n = 65)., Results: Retinal re-detachment was seen in 4/65 eyes (6%) in the 360° ILR group compared to 18/86 eyes (21%) in the control group. In multiple logistic regression, the 360° ILR was associated with a 75% reduction in the odds of retinal re-detachment compared to control (OR = 0.248, 95% CI [0.079-0.772], p = 0.016). There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of epiretinal membrane formation between the two groups., Conclusions: Intra-operative 360° laser retinopexy during PPV with gas endotamponade resulted in a significant reduction in the odds of postoperative retinal re-detachment in eyes with uncomplicated primary RRD.

Background: To assess the effect of pan-retinal photocoagulation (PRP) on choroidal vascular parameters in eyes with advanced diabetic retinopathy (DR)., Methods: Forty patients (65 eyes) with severe nonproliferative DR or proliferative DR who underwent PRP were included. Changes in choroidal vascular parameters were assessed at 3, 6, and 12 months after PRP by using swept-source optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography and were compared with baseline values., Results: Choroidal vascularity index (CVI) significantly decreased from 66.27% ± 1.55% at baseline to 65.85% ± 1.61%, 65.77% ± 1.29%, and 65.74% ± 1.60% at 3, 6, and 12 months after PRP, respectively. The ratio of luminal area to stromal area (L/S ratio) also significantly decreased from 1.98 ± 0.15 at baseline to 1.94 ± 0.14, 1.95 ± 0.13, and 1.93 ± 0.14 at 3, 6, and 12 months after PRP, respectively. The subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) similarly showed a significant decrease from 319.50 ± 56.64 μm at baseline to 299. 07 ± 51.14 μm, 294.70 ± 58.96 μm, and 280.93 ± 53.57 μm at 3, 6, and 12 months after PRP, respectively. However, the choriocapillaris vessel density in both the fovea and parafovea showed no significant differences following PRP., Conclusion: Eyes with advanced DR showed a significant reduction in CVI, L/S ratio, and SFCT over 12 months after PRP treatment.

Purpose: To investigate the changes in the near reading speed after panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) in diabetic retinopathy patients., Methods: This non-randomized, prospective, clinical study enrolled diabetic retinopathy patients who underwent PRP from January 2016 to June 2017. The near reading speed was measured before and 1 week, 1 month, and 4 months after PRP by using an iPad application for the assessment of reading speed; near best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) were also analyzed. The reading speed of age-matched healthy individuals was compared with that of diabetic retinopathy patients., Results: Forty-seven patients were enrolled in this study. The baseline near reading speed of diabetic retinopathy patients was significantly slower than that of age-matched healthy controls. The near reading speed was reduced at 1 week after PRP, but recovered at 1 and 4 months after PRP. Near BCVA showed a similar pattern after PRP. SFCT increased at 1 week after PRP and significantly decreased at both 1 and 4 months after PRP., Conclusion: The near reading speed of diabetic patients was significantly slower than that of age-matched healthy controls. The speed was temporarily reduced at 1 week after PRP, potentially due to short-term impairment of parasympathetic nerve innervation.

Purpose: Both trabeculotomy (TE) as well as transscleral endodiode laser cyclophotocoagulation (CPC) are common approaches in glaucoma surgery. The purpose of this study was to perform an intraindividual comparison of these procedures carried out by the same surgeon in the same patient on the same day., Methods: An observational monocentric retrospective cohort study was conducted. Patients with a bilateral refractory open-angle glaucoma who underwent trabeculectomy in one eye and transscleral endodiode laser cyclophotocoagulation in the fellow eye simultaneously were included and followed up with over the course of 1 year., Results: Eighty-two eyes of 41 patients were included. Seventeen patients (41.5%) were men and 24 (58.5%) women. The mean age was 68.7 ± 9.5 years. The diagnosis comprised 33 (80.5%) patients with a primary open-angle glaucoma, five (12.2%) patients with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma, and three (7.3%) patients with pigment dispersion glaucoma. A reduction in intraocular pressure (IOP) was seen in both after TE (from 26.2 ± 13.2 to 10.6 ± 4.1 mmHg, 52 weeks post-treatment) as well as CPC (from 24.2 ± 9.9 to 15.0 ± 5.4 mmHg, 52 weeks post-treatment). In comparison to each other, TE was significantly more effective in lowering the IOP (10.6 ± 4.1 vs. 13.4 ± 5.0; p = 0.0030, 52 weeks post-treatment) and needed antiglaucomatous medications (0.45 ± 0.80 vs. 1.24 ± 1.13; p = 0.0009, 52 weeks post-treatment). Consistently, the achievement rate of an IOP ≤ 16 mmHg without antiglaucomatous medications was significantly higher in TE-treated eyes (65.8% vs. 31.6%; p = 0.0019). Re-interventions, including 10 secondary TEs, were commonly required in those eyes undergoing CPC, especially in younger patients., Conclusions: Trabeculectomy was demonstrated to be more effective in reducing IOP in comparison to fellow eyes receiving CPC. In particular, in younger patients, an additional TE in the CPC-treated eyes was necessary. The outcome of those secondary TEs however was comparable to the primarily performed TEs. Our study thus supports the use of CPC as tool to control IOP, especially in the context of bilateral refractive glaucoma.

Purpose: To provide a focused review of sickle cell retinopathy in the light of recent advances in the pathogenesis, multimodal retinal imaging, management of the condition, and migration trends, which may lead to increased prevalence of the condition in the Western world., Methods: Non-systematic focused literature review., Results: Sickle retinopathy results from aggregation of abnormal hemoglobin in the red blood cells in the retinal microcirculation, leading to reduced deformability of the red blood cells, stagnant blood flow in the retinal precapillary arterioles, thrombosis, and ischemia. This may be precipitated by hypoxia, acidosis, and hyperosmolarity. Sickle retinopathy may result in sight threatening complications, such as paracentral middle maculopathy or sequelae of proliferative retinopathy, such as vitreous hemorrhage and retinal detachment. New imaging modalities, such as wide-field imaging and optical coherence tomography angiography, have revealed the microstructural features of sickle retinopathy, enabling earlier diagnosis. The vascular growth factor ANGPTL-4 has recently been identified as a potential mediator of progression to proliferative retinopathy and may represent a possible therapeutic target. Laser therapy should be considered for proliferative retinopathy in order to prevent visual loss; however, the evidence is not very strong. With recent development of wide-field imaging, targeted laser to ischemic retina may prove to be beneficial. Exact control of intraoperative intraocular pressure, including valved trocar vitrectomy systems, may improve the outcomes of vitreoretinal surgery for complications, such as vitreous hemorrhage and retinal detachment. Stem cell transplantation and gene therapy are potentially curative treatments, which may prevent retinopathy., Conclusions: There is lack of evidence regarding the optimal management of sickle retinopathy. Further study is needed to determine if recent progress in the understanding of the pathophysiology and diagnosis of sickle retinopathy may translate into improved management and outcome.

Purpose: To assess the impact of micropulsed laser (MPL) on modifying the number of aflibercept injections when used as an adjuvant therapy in diabetic macular edema (DME)., Methods: A prospective randomized interventional clinical study included patients with DME attending Al Hadi Clinic, Kuwait, during the period from May 2017 to December 2018. Patients were allocated in two groups; group A received aflibercept injections alone and group B received combined aflibercept injections followed by MPL within a week. The primary outcome was the number of Aflibercept injections in each group guided by the change in central macular thickness (CMT). All the patients were followed for 18 months. Secondary outcome measures included best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), contrast sensitivity (CS), and any recorded complications., Results: Fifty-four eyes of 51 patients were included (27 in each group). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in baseline characteristics except for the age that was statistically higher in group B (p = 0.001). The number of injections were significantly lower in group B (4.1 ± 1.1) than group A (7.3 ± 1.1) (p < 0.005). At 18th month, there was significant reduction in CMT in both groups (p < 0.005) with no statistical difference between the two groups (p = 0.989). Final BCVA in both groups showed statistically significant improvement (p < 0.005) without statistically significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.082). In both groups, the CS showed significant improvement from baseline (p < 0.005). No ocular or systemic adverse effects were observed in either group., Conclusion: Supplemental MPL in eyes with DME may decrease the burden of the aflibercept injection frequency while resulting in comparable anatomical and visual outcomes.

Purpose: This literature review and meta-analysis aims to compare intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering efficacy, failure rates and loss of light perception (LP) rates 6 months after an IOP-lowering surgical procedure in neovascular glaucoma (NVG) eyes., Methods: MEDLINE and EMBASE were used as data sources. Only studies including NVG patients who underwent two different surgical approaches were considered. The treatment effect measures were (i) weighted mean difference (WMD) for IOP reduction, (ii) risk ratio (RR) for failure rates and (iii) risk difference (RD) for loss of LP. Outcome measures were reported with a 95% confidence interval (CI) and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Analysis was performed using RevMan v5.0., Results: No RCT were retrieved. Seven comparative non-randomised studies were eligible. In glaucoma drainage devices (GDDs) vs cyclophotocoagulation arm, there was no statistical difference in IOP-lowering efficacy (WMD = - 3.63; CI [- 8.69, 1.43], P = 0.16), although failure rates and loss of LP were lower in the GDDs group (RR = 0.64, CI [0.41, 0.99], P = 0.05; and RD = - 0.15, CI [- 0.25, - 0.05], P = 0.004, respectively). In the Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) vs trabeculectomy arm, there was no statistical difference in IOP-lowering efficacy and loss of LP (WMD = 0.78, CI [- 2.29, 3.85], P = 0.62 and RD of 0.04, CI [- 0.05, 0.14], P = 0.34, respectively), but failure rates were lower in trabeculectomy group (RR of 2.25, CI [1.14, 3.71], P = 0.02)., Conclusions: There is lack of high-quality evidence on the subject as no RCT were retrieved comparing two different IOP-lowering procedures in NVG patients. Our findings are based, therefore, on non-RCT studies and should be interpreted with caution. There appears to be no difference in IOP-lowering efficacy between GDDs and cyclophotocoagulation, although GDDs appear to be safer. AGV and trabeculectomy also seem to provide similar IOP-lowering results with trabeculectomy showing lower failure rates.

Background: The objective of the study was the investigation of the effects of intravitreal bevacizumab (BEV) with or without additional macular grid laser photocoagulation (GRID) for macular edema (ME) secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO)., Methods: Prospective, randomized, monocentric study. Thirty-two patients were included. Initially, all eyes in both groups received three monthly injections of BEV, followed by additional injections if re-treatment criteria were met. In the BEV + GRID group, photocoagulation was performed 2 weeks after the first BEV injection and laser re-treatment was allowed. The follow-up was 38 weeks. Main outcome measures were best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central retinal thickness (CRT). Changes of foveal avascular zone (FAZ) and of retinal ischemia, as well as the number of injections were also evaluated., Results: Sixteen eyes were randomized into each group. At baseline, BCVA was similar in both groups (BEV + GRID: 20/71; BEV: 20/60; P = 0.51). At 38 weeks, BCVA significantly improved in the two groups (BEV + GRID gain of 9 ± 11.2 letters and 16.25 ± 10.08 letters in the BEV) with no difference between them (P < 0.06). With regard to anatomical findings, initial CRT in BEV + GRID was 496.2 μm ± 138.4 μm and 538.9 μm ± 156.9 μm in BEV (P < 0.1697). At 38 weeks, CRT decreased in both groups significantly, 98.2 μm in the BEV + GRID (P = 0.02) and 141.7 μm in the BEV group (P = 0.01), with no significant difference between groups (P < 0.17). The area of FAZ a significantly increased in both groups (41% (P = 0.04) in BEV + GRID; 35% (P = 0.03) in BEV) during the study and the grade of peripheral ischemia remained unchanged. The mean number of injections was 3.8 (range 3-6) with no significant difference between groups., Conclusions: Our data demonstrate a beneficial effect of bevacizumab in ME in eyes with BRVO. A loading phase of three injections led to a significant improvement in vision in both groups, which persisted at week 38. Additional grid laser photocoagulation exhibited no beneficial functional or anatomical effect during the study, nor did it reduce the number of injections. The FAZ area increased significantly in both groups, but overall retinal ischemia did not. Further studies investigating more numerous eyes and longer follow-up are needed to confirm these data.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of navigated focal laser photocoagulation in patients with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) and active leakage on fluorescein angiography (FA)., Methods: Thirty-two eyes of 32 patients (age 48 ± 11, m/f = 24/8) with persistent or recurrent CSCR (> 3 months) who received navigated laser photocoagulation (Navilas®) of leaking point(s) between June 2013 and 2016 were included in this retrospective case series. Outcome parameters after 4 weeks and 3 months were the number of patients presenting with complete resolution of subretinal fluid, the volume of subretinal fluid measured on SD-OCT (Spectralis Heidelberg Engineering©), and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA/ (Snellen equivalent)., Results: Complete resolution of subretinal fluid was achieved in 17 eyes (50%) after 4 weeks and in 24 eyes (75%) after 3 months with an average number of 1.3 laser procedures (range 1-3). Five eyes displayed a nearly complete resolution with a reduction of over 80% of the subretinal fluid compared to baseline. Three eyes showed no reduction in subretinal fluid. BCVA improved from median 0.58 (range 0.16-1.25) to 0.66 (0.16-1.0) (p = 0.001). The seven patients who had been treated within the central 1 mm of the ETDRS-OCT Grid but outside the avascular foveal zone showed an improvement of BCVA from median 0.6 (range 0.2-1.0) to 0.8 (0.2-1.0). No patient experienced a treatment-induced visual loss., Conclusions: Laser treatment with Navilas® using eye tracking and FA-based planning is a safe and effective alternative therapy in patients with chronic CSCR.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the retinal tissue response upon selective retina therapy (SRT) with or without real-time feedback-controlled dosimetry (RFD) in rabbits., Methods: Eighteen eyes of nine Chinchilla Bastard rabbits were treated by SRT with or without RFD (Q-switched Nd:YLF, wavelength 527 nm, pulse duration 1.7 μs). RFD operated by optoacoustic and reflectometric methods detects the microbubbles from retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) damage in real time. After SRT, light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were performed at 1 h, 1 day, 3 days, 7 days, and 1 month. The RPE-damaged area on SEM was measured by ImageJ 1 h after SRT., Results: Without RFD, the RPE-damaged area of 76 SRT-treated spots showed a strong positive correlation with ramping pulse energy (Pearson's correlation coefficient, 0.706; P < 0.001). With RFD, there was a weak positive correlation between the RPE-damaged area of 92 spots and ramping pulse energy (Pearson's correlation coefficient, 0.211; P = 0.044). The detection rate of RFD was 91.8% by evaluating 563 SRT spots. Histology revealed that SRT with RFD produced a selectively disrupted RPE monolayer while sparing the photoreceptor layer inner segment., Conclusions: RFD can be useful to titrate the pulse energy of visually undetectable SRT treatment.

Purpose: To evaluate oxygen consumption by photoreceptors, we estimated changes in pre-retinal oxygen pressure (PO 2 ) after selective retina therapy (SRT) compared with conventional photocoagulation (PC) in rabbits., Methods: One eye of each of 10 Chinchilla Bastard rabbits received both 144 laser SRT spots and 144 laser PC spots. Color fundus photography, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and fluorescein angiography were used to evaluate the lesions after treatment. Fiber-optic sensors (optodes) were used to determine the pre-retinal PO 2 levels of untreated, SRT-treated, and PC-treated areas of laser-damaged eyes 7 days after treatment. The pre-retinal PO 2 was measured in the other five eyes (controls). The same procedures were applied to these remaining five eyes 4 weeks after treatment. Light microscopy (LM) was used to evaluate histological changes 7 days and 4 weeks after treatment., Results: We found no significant difference in the mean pre-retinal PO 2 values among untreated, SRT-treated, and control eyes 7 days after treatment. However, the mean pre-retinal PO 2 value in PC-treated regions (24.3 ± 4.9 mmHg; mean ± SD) was higher than those in untreated regions (17.0 ± 1.8 mmHg; P = 0.019), SRT-treated regions (16.7 ± 2.6 mmHg; P = 0.015), and controls (16.9 ± 2.4 mmHg; P = 0.018). Similarly, the mean pre-retinal PO 2 of only PC-treated regions (25.2 ± 4.7 mmHg) was higher than those of the untreated regions (16.3 ± 2.5 mmHg; P = 0.006), SRT-treated regions (17.7 ± 3.1 mmHg; P = 0.023), and controls (16.4 ± 2.4 mmHg; P = 0.007) 4 weeks after treatment. OCT and LM revealed selective retinal pigment epithelium damage with the sparing of photoreceptors in SRT lesions., Conclusions: SRT treatment did not induce changes in the oxygen consumption of photoreceptors, or the pre-retinal PO 2 .

Purpose: This study investigated microglia and inflammatory cell responses after selective retina therapy (SRT) with microsecond-pulsed laser in comparison to continuous-wave laser photocoagulation (cwPC)., Methods: Healthy C57BL/6 J mice were treated with either a train of short pulses (SRT; 527-nm, Q-switched, 1.7-μs pulse) or a conventional thermal continuous-wave (532-nm, 100-ms pulse duration) laser. The mice were sacrificed and their eyes were enucleated 1, 3, 7, and 14 days after both laser treatments. Pattern of cell death on retinal section was evaluated by TUNEL assay, and the distribution of activated inflammatory cells and glial cells were observed under immunohistochemistry. Consecutive changes for the expression of cytokines such as IL-1β, TNF-α, and TGF-β were also examined using immunohistochemistry, and compared among each period after quantification by Western blotting., Results: The numbers of TUNEL-positive cells in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) layer did not differ in SRT and cwPC lesions, but TUNEL-positive cells in neural retinas were significantly less on SRT. Vague glial cell activation was observed in SRT-treated lesions. The population of inflammatory cells was also significantly decreased after SRT, and the cells were located in the RPE layer and subretinal space. Proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β and TNF-α, showed significantly lower levels after SRT; conversely, the level of TGF-β was similar to the cwPC-treated lesion., Conclusions: SRT resulted in selective RPE damage without collateral thermal injury to the neural retina, and apparently produced negligible glial activation. In addition, SRT showed a markedly less inflammatory response than cwPC, which may have important therapeutic implications for several macular diseases.

Purpose: To give an updated review of laser approaches to non-exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD)., Methods: PubMed and Medline database searches were carried out using the terms "laser" and "photocoagulation" associated with "age-related macular degeneration", and latest publications up to May 2017 have been reviewed. Moreover, the design of an ongoing single-center, non-randomized, phase I-II, pilot study, the PASCAL-GA trial, coordinated by F. Bandello, MD and G. Querques, MD from the IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, is described., Results: Either standard or subthreshold laser strategies have been tried to induce regression of distinct phenotypes of AMD, as reticular pseudodrusen (RPD), nascent geographic atrophy (nGA), and drusen-associated geographic atrophy (DAGA), with heterogeneous results. The aim of the PASCAL-GA protocol is to assess if subthreshold laser can restore the retinal pigment epithelium function in eyes with RPD and nGA offering a protective effect against extensive GA., Conclusions: New-generation medical and surgical approaches, including subthreshold laser photocoagulation, may have some success in downstaging AMD.

Background: Chronic central serous chorioretinopathy is a serious therapeutic problem as it may lead to significant visual impairment. The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate functional and morphological effects, as well as factors influencing visual outcome in patients treated by subthreshold micropulse laser., Methods: Fifty-one eyes with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy lasting longer than 4 months (18 months on average) underwent up to two sessions of subtreshold micropulse laser treatment. Change in best corrected visual acuity, central retinal thickness, central retinal volume, average central retinal thickness and maximum subretinal fluid height were measured. Relation between the effects of the treatment and the initial retinal morphological and functional parameters was then analyzed., Results: The total resorption of subretinal fluid was achieved in 36 cases (70.6%). There was, however, only a minor improvement in best corrected visual acuity of approximately one line on the Snellen chart. No correlation was observed between the effects of the treatment and the duration of the symptoms, retinal morphology and initial visual acuity. Younger patients responded better to the therapy., Conclusion: Subthreshold micropulse laser treatment in chronic serous chorioretinopathy provides good morphological results, however significant improvement of visual acuity is not to be expected.

Background: To determine the feasibility and efficacy of a retinal telephotocoagulation treatment plan for diabetic macular edema., Methods: Prospective, interventional cohort study at two clinical sites. Sixteen eyes of ten subjects with diabetic macular edema underwent navigated focal laser photocoagulation using a novel teleretinal treatment plan. Clinic 1 (King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) collected retinal images and fundus fluorescein angiogram. Clinic 2 (Palmetto Retina Center, West Columbia, SC, USA) created image-based treatment plans based on which macular laser photocoagulation was performed back at clinic 1. The primary outcome of the study was feasibility of image transfer and performing navigated laser photocoagulation for subjects with diabetic macular edema between two distant clinics. Secondary measures were change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central retinal thickness (CRT) by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography at 3 months after treatment., Results: The teleretinal treatment plan was able to be successfully completed in all 16 eyes. The mean logMAR BCVA at baseline was 0.49 ± 0.1, which remained stable (0.45 ± 0.1) 3 months after treatment (p = 0.060). The CRT improved from 290.1 ± 37.6 μm at baseline to 270.8 ± 27.7 μm 3 months after treatment (p = 0.005). All eyes demonstrated improvement in the area of retinal edema after laser photocoagulation, and no eyes demonstrated visual acuity loss 3 months after treatment., Conclusion: This study introduces the concept of retinal telephotocoagulation for diabetic macular edema, and demonstrates the feasibility and safety of using telemedicine to perform navigated retinal laser treatments regardless of geographical distance.

Purpose: Stage 4A retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a critical phase where retinal detachment develops, but fovea is preserved. The present study aims to evaluate the effect of the first treatment choice (laser photocoagulation (LPC) or intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR)) applied in this critical phase on the prognosis of the disease., Methods: Records of patients diagnosed with stage 4A ROP and whose first treatment was applied in our clinic were evaluated retrospectively. All patients were referred to our clinic for the treatment of advanced ROP . While group 1 was composed of the patients who were administered LPC as first treatment, group 2 included patients where IVR was applied as first treatment. The patients in both groups were referred to surgical treatment in the presence of progression., Results: The present study included a total of 31 eyes in 16 patients with stage 4A ROP. Eighteen eyes of nine patients in group 1 were first applied LPC, and 13 eyes of seven patients in group 2 were first applied intravitreal ranibizumab. While anatomic outcomes of ten eyes in both groups were favorable, eight eyes in group 1 and three eyes in group 2 displayed progression and were referred to vitreoretinal surgery., Conclusions: Laser and/or IVR treatment may be effective as a non-surgical treatment for stage 4A ROP. Especially stage 4A ROP until 6 clock hours can regress without surgical treatment. However, in stage 4A with involvement wider than 6 clock hours, non-surgical regression is difficult. Prospective controlled large series studies are necessary.

Purpose: To assess retinal sensitivity after selective retina therapy (SRT) in patients with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR)., Methods: Seventeen eyes of 17 patients with CSCR lasting longer than 3 months were treated with SRT (wavelength 527 nm Nd: YLF laser, 50-150 μJ/pulse, spot diameter 200 μm). Measurement of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), optical coherence tomography, fluorescence angiography, and microperimetry (MAIA™) were conducted before, and 1 and 3 months after treatment. Microperimetry was performed in the central 10° of the macula, and at the test spots applied near the vascular arcade for energy titration. In addition to the treatment effect, all test irradiation spots were thoroughly analyzed with regard to their sensitivity changes., Results: The mean logMAR BCVA had improved from 0.06 to 0.02 after 1 month (p = 0.11) and to 0.03 after 3 months (p = 0.003). Eleven out of 17 eyes (64.7%) showed complete resolution of subretinal fluid after 3 months. Retinal sensitivity in the central 10° increased after 1 month (median: 25.9 dB) and 3 months (26.6 dB) as compared with that before treatment (23.0 dB) (p < 0.001). Analysis of the test spots revealed a slight decrease in retinal sensitivity after 1 month (ΔdB = -0.5 ± 2.1, p = 0.006), while there was no significant difference from baseline after 3 months (ΔdB = -0.3 ± 2.2, p = 0.09). No correlation was found between laser energy and the change in focal retinal sensitivity., Conclusions: Results suggest that SRT is a safe and effective treatment for persistent CSCR and does not leave permanent scotoma regardless of irradiation energy in the therapeutic range.

Background: Photocoagulation lesion intensity relies on the judgement of retinal blanching. Lesions turn out variable due to observer-dependent judgement and time dependency of blanching. We investigated lesion variability per patient and per physician in clinical routine treatments., Methods: In this observational clinical trial, different physicians performed panretinal photocoagulation for diabetic retinopathy. Study eyes received 20-30 study lesions at 20 ms (three physicians, nine eyes) and 200 ms (four physicians, 12 eyes) irradiation time (532 nm continuous wave photocoagulator, 300 μm spot size). Lesions were imaged after 1 hour with photography and optical coherence tomography (OCT). We measured lesion diameters in fundus and OCT images, and graded intensities according to a previously published six-step classifier., Results: 200-ms lesions were larger and more severe (568, 474-625 μm [median, IQR], predominantly class 6) than 20-ms lesions (397, 347-459 μm, predominantly classes 3-4). The impact of laser power was small compared to other factors. Lesion intensities and diameters in fundus and OCT images varied significantly between patients and between physicians. Median photographic lesion diameters varied by up to a factor of 1.61 (20 ms) or 1.5 (200 ms) respectively., Conclusions: In this study, the treated area of retina varied by up to a factor of 1.61 2  = 2.59 for a given spot number. As clinical efficacy depends on the treated area, which is a function of lesion number by area per lesion, our results implicate poor control of the overall treatment effect if treatments are administered according to lesion number or spacing alone. Better ways of laser effect control should be sought.

Purpose: Symptomatic retinal arterial macroaneurysms (RAM) are primarily investigated by fundus fluorescein angiography after presenting with visual disturbance. The natural history includes spontaneous regression and occasionally occlusion of the arteriole distal to the aneurysm. RAM may be managed conservatively. Interventional treatment options include focal argon laser photocoagulation, Nd:YAG laser hyaloidotomy, and pars plana vitrectomy. The purpose of this study was to elicit the rates of distal vessel occlusion and aneurysm thrombosis in RAM at presentation, and their relevance to the treatment of RAM. Furthermore, visual outcomes were examined., Methods: Retrospective review of cases of RAM presenting to a tertiary ophthalmology care centre was accomplished in a university teaching hospital. The angiographic features, treatment indications, and visual outcomes in patients with RAM were recorded. Angiographic features noted were distal vessel patency and aneurysm thrombosis at presentation., Results: Ten patients with RAM were identified. Ninety percent had an angiographically patent distal arteriole, with 40 % showing spontaneous thrombosis of the aneurysm sac at presentation. Patients presenting with a spontaneously thrombosed RAM were managed conservatively, those with flow within the aneurysm wall were treated with focal laser, and those with subhyaloid haemorrhage underwent Nd:YAG laser hyaloidotomy. LogMAR visual acuity improved from 0.3 (±0) at presentation to 0.15 (±0.1) in the conservative group, and from 0.78 (±0.23) to 0.24 (±0.18) in those who underwent one intervention. One patient lost vision after multiple RAM., Conclusion: Thrombosis within the aneurysm wall is an important feature in deciding to treat RAM, and selective use of interventions improves vision in affected patients.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the regression of neovascularization elsewhere (NVE) after panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) based on its location in relation to the internal limiting membrane (ILM)., Methods: Participants in this retrospective case series were 47 patients with active NVE within the vascular arcade. All patients were treated with PRP and followed up for at least 12 months. The time to regression of NVE based on its location relative to the ILM on spectral domain-optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) was analyzed., Results: The proportion of eyes, showing regression of NVE at the end of follow-up period was 19/25 (76 %) in the "below ILM" group and 13/22 (59 %) in the "above ILM" group. The "below ILM" group was associated with a twofold enhanced regression of NVE in comparison to the "above ILM" group (HR = 2.13, p = 0.038)., Conclusions: Regression of NVE is determined by its location relative to the ILM. Patients with "below ILM" NVE were found to show a twofold increased regression rate in comparison with the "above ILM" group, while the proportion of eyes showing regression of NVE at the end of the follow-up period was significantly greater in the "below ILM" than the "above ILM" group.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of intravitreal bevacizumab injections combined with laser photocoagulation in the treatment of adult-onset Coats' disease., Methods: Thirteen eyes of 13 patients suffering from adult-onset Coats' disease were retrospectively included and analyzed. All patients were treated at baseline using intravitreal bevacizumab injections combined with laser photocoagulation. Follow-up treatment was performed as necessary., Results: The mean age of the subjects was 40.3 years, and the mean follow-up period was 24.8 months. The mean number of bevacizumab injections was 2.69, and the mean number of laser treatment sessions was 1.68. The mean baseline best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.72 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR; 20/104 Snellen equivalent), while the mean BCVA at the final visit was 0.68 logMAR (20/95; P = 0.548). In three patients (23.0 %), BCVA had improved by more than 3 lines, and seven patients (54.0 %) showed stable BCVA (changes within 2 lines of visual acuity) after treatment. The mean central foveal thickness improved significantly, from 473 μm at baseline to 288 μm at the final visit (P = 0.023). Final BCVA was significantly correlated with a baseline BCVA (P < 0.001; ρ = 0.882). The final BCVA of patients who had subfoveal hard exudates at baseline was significantly worse than that of patients without such exudates (P = 0.005)., Conclusions: Intravitreal bevacizumab injection combined with laser photocoagulation may be an effective treatment option for adult-onset Coats' disease. Both poor initial BCVA and the occurrence of subfoveal hard exudates at baseline were associated with poor prognosis and poor therapeutic response.

Transscleral cyclophotocoagulation is not usually considered as the first line surgical therapy for glaucoma. However, it still remains an important tool for lowering intraocular pressure in certain patients. It is quick and easy to perform and acts through an alternative physiological approach compared to filtration surgery. As the ciliary body is not directly visible, an empirical distance from the limbus is often used for placement of the laser probe; however, the anatomical structures can be highly variable. Diaphanoscopy provides a very simple and effective way to visualize the ciliary body before or parallel to the cyclophotocoagulation. It helps to direct the laser beam more precisely to the ciliary body and to prevent a false anterior placement of the beams, that carries a great risk of side effects. This article provides an overview on the concept of diaphanoscopy for cyclophotocoagulation.

Background: Enhanced depth imaging (EDI) and spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) provide high-definition cross-sectional images of the choroid. Information on alterations in choroidal thickness (CT) after laser photocoagulation (LC) in aggressive posterior retinopathy of prematurity (APROP) and threshold disease (TD) is rare., Patients and Methods: A total of 75 eyes were retrospectively analyzed in 4 groups. Groups 1 and 2 included patients with APROP and TD, respectively, who underwent LC. Group 3 included ROP children who did not undergo LC and group 4 included full-term children. Infants aged ≥4 < 7, who had examination of subfoveal (SF) CT with SD-EDI-OCT, visual acuity (VA), spherical equivalent (SE), anterior segment and fundus examination, axial lenght (AXL) were included. The results of SFCT, VA and SE at the age of ≥ 4 < 7 years, AXL, gestational age (GA), birth weight (BW) and age at examination were compared between the groups. Potential risk factors (GA, BW, SE, AXL and SFCT) influencing visual acuity were evaluated by using multivariate linear regression analysis., Results: The results of SFCT and AXL were not significantly different between groups 2 and 3 or between groups 3 and 4. There was a significant difference between the other groups for SFCT and AXL and VA was significantly different between all groups. The SE was not significantly different between groups 3 and 4 but there was a significant difference for SE, BW and GA between the groups. Age at examination was not significantly different between the groups. Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed SFCT for groups 1 and 2, GA for group 3 and GA, SFCT and AXL for group 4 as independent risk factors influencing visual acuity., Conclusion: The regression model used for groups 1-4 explains the variation of the dependent risk factor LogMar VA for groups 1-4 with 31.2 %, 43.5 %, 9.6 % and 69.4 %, respectively. These values expressed in percentage demonstrate that even more predictors may influence the dependent factor LogMar VA than evaluated in the study.

Purpose: Comparative study of cyclophotocoagulation (CPC) and cyclocryocoagulation (CCT) as primary surgical procedures in patients with open-angle glaucoma with regard to efficacy and complications., Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, 184 eyes of 112 patients in whom cyclodestructive surgery was performed as a primary surgical procedure were examined. CPC was performed on 133 eyes and CCT on 51 eyes. A standardised multiple measurement of intraocular pressure (IOP) was performed on all patients preoperatively and at the follow-up examination after an average of 5.5 (1.5-12) months. In addition, the best-corrected visual acuity and the number of antiglaucoma agents were recorded., Results: On average, a reduction in IOP was observed after both of the cyclodestructive procedures (CPC: -1.55 ± 2.50 mmHg, p < 0.05; CCT: -2.33 ± 3.06 mmHg; p < 0.05). The average difference in IOP reduction between the two procedures (0.78 mmHg) proved to be statistically insignificant (p = 0.08). In contrast, greater patient age and higher preoperative IOP values were found to be highly significant influencing factors. In 45 % and 70 % of the patients treated with CPC and CCT, respectively, IOP was reduced by at least 20 %, with no increase in medication or with a reduction in medication of at least one substance with no increase in pressure. CPC and CCT produced an average loss of visual acuity of more than two lines in 10.5 % and 9.8 % of cases, respectively. Permanent hypotension did not occur in any of the cases., Conclusions: A moderate reduction in IOP is achievable with both procedures, with CCT tending to produce a greater reduction in pressure. The efficacy of primary cyclodestructive procedures increases with increasing patient age and with higher preoperative IOP values. The risk of serious complications can be considered low.

Purpose: To investigate the short-term efficacy of subthreshold micropulse yellow laser photocoagulation in the treatment of chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC)., Methods: A retrospective case series study was performed from April 2012 to June 2014 at Nune Eye Hospital. A total of ten eyes of ten chronic or chronic recurrent CSC patients received subthreshold micropulse yellow laser photocoagulation with a 15 % duty cycle at a reduced energy level from the micropulse laser test burn. Laser exposure time was 20 ms, and the spot diameter was 100 μm. Patients were followed up at the authors' hospital for at least 3 months., Results: Mean age of patients was 43.9 years. The baseline best-corrected visual acuity was 0.21 ± 0.21 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR), which was improved to 0.055 ± 0.093 logMAR (p = 0.020) at the  3-month follow-up and 0.035 ± 0.063 logMAR (p = 0.012) at final follow-up. Central macular thickness at baseline was 349.2 ± 53.2 μm, which was changed to 250.7 ± 28.8 μm (p = 0.009) at the 3-month follow-up and 261.2 ± 38.31 μm (p = 0.009) at final follow-up., Conclusions: Subthreshold micropulse yellow laser photocoagulation showed short-term efficacy in treating chronic CSC without retinal damage. However, prospective, randomized, and comparative large-scale studies are needed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of this treatment.

Background: To evaluate the effectiveness of endolaser photocoagulation by a two-port pars plana nonvitrectomy approach for treating Coats' disease with shallow exudative retinal detachment., Methods: This study included 24 patients (23 boys with an age range of 2-17 years, and one girl, age 6 years) with stage 3 Coats' disease (25 eyes) from December 2012 and May 2014 at a single center. All of the 25 eyes were complicated with serous or total retinal detachment and received none-vitrectomized endolaser: two (23- or 25-gauge) incisions were routinely made 3 mm posterior to the corneal limbus and a laser was applied directly on the abnormal blood vessels. Additional treatments included subretinal fluid drainage (five eyes), intravitreal triamcinolone injection (seven eyes), and intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injection (17 eyes). Best-corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure, and fundus and abnormal vascular changes were recorded to determine therapeutic effects., Results: Twenty-four out of the 25 treated eyes (96 %) had retina reattached. The number of treatment sessions differed case by case (1-5 sessions, average 1.96) and the time to full treatment of retinal reattachment was 4 months in average. One patient (4 %) presented with retinal redetachment. Five (20 %) eyes received further laser treatment with indirect ophthalmoscope and four eyes (16 %) presented with total retinal detachment at their first visits received consecutive treatments. At the end of the follow-up period (mean, 10.08 months), telangiectasias of 24 (96 %) eyes were resolved and no severe complications occurred., Conclusions: Endolaser photocoagulation by a two-port pars plana nonvitrectomy approach is an effective treatment for advanced Coats' disease with serous retinal detachment. The long-term safety of the approach needs further investigation.

A prematurely born male infant (24+5 gestational weeks, birth weight 485 g) was diagnosed with bilateral aggressive posterior retinopathy of prematurity (AP-ROP) in zone I. After obtaining informed written consent from the parents, one eye was treated with diode laser photocoagulation and the other eye with 0.25 mg intravitreal ranibizumab. Laser photocoagulation was found to be an effective tool for fast regression of AP-ROP; however, medium-term evaluation showed poor macular formation and peripheral retinal detachment. The intravitreal injection led to a slower but better control of the AP-ROP and central foveal reflexes showed better anatomical outcome.

Background: Coats' disease is a non-hereditary acquired, usually unilateral eye disorder that predominantly occurs in young males (1/100,000) with the onset of symptoms generally appearing in the first two decades of life. Coats' disease is characterized by telangiectatic changes, blood leaks from the defective vessels with retinal exudation followed in advanced stages by retinal detachment., Case Report: A 14-year-old male patient presented in our department with gradual visual loss in the right eye. Based on the clinical and diagnostic findings Coats' disease was diagnosed. The exudative retinal detachment in the right eye was initially treated with intravitreal bevacizumab injection (B-IVOM) followed by cryocoagulation and combined with a second administration of B-IVOM 2 weeks later. On the grounds of a persistent exudative retinal detachment a new round of cryotherapy was conducted. We proceeded with laser coagulation of the residual Coats areas and with three cycles of B-IVOM therapy. The subretinal and intraretinal exudates regressed over several weeks so that the patient remained symptom-free 22 months after therapy. At the last examination the visual acuity was 0.8 in the right eye., Conclusion: The favorable development for our patient demonstrates that adjuvant therapy with intravitreal anti-VEGF injections in addition to laser and cryocoagulation in a case of advanced Coats' disease with exudative retinal tissue damage could lead to the stabilization of the retinal findings and to preservation of good visual acuity.

Background: To compare the anatomic and functional results between optical coherence tomography (OCT)-guided selective focal laser photocoagulation (OCT-laser) and conventional modified Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (mETDRS) laser treatment for diabetic macular edema (DME)., Methods: We analyzed treatment outcomes in 47 consecutive eyes treated with OCT-laser compared to 31 matched eyes treated with mETDRS. In the OCT-laser group, we identified 'significant actively-leaking microaneurysms on OCT' (SALMO) which are responsible for edema in OCT B-scan images, and thoroughly ablated them with photocoagulation. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and retinal thickness by OCT were compared at baseline and 12 months after treatment between two groups., Results: OCT-laser treatment resulted in significant improvements in BCVA, central subfield thickness (CST), and maximum retinal thickness (MRT) from baseline at 12 months from the time of therapy (+2.5 letter score, p = 0.04; -45.56 μm in CST, p < 0.001; -91.6 μm in MRT, p < 0.001). The mean number of treated 'SALMO' was 5.6 ± 4.0 (range 1-26), while the number of MAs in 'treatable lesions' by fluorescein angiography (FA) in the same eye was 16.3 ± 11.8 (range 2-42). There was no difference between OCT-laser and mETDRS groups in changes of these parameters from baseline at 12 months (p = 0.56, p = 0.89, p = 0.43 respectively). Fundus autofluorescence (FAF) and OCT revealed less tissue damage in OCT-laser-treated eyes, compared to eyes treated with mETDRS (p < 0.001)., Conclusions: OCT-laser shows similar anatomic and functional outcomes compared to conventional laser (modified ETDRS), with significantly less retinal damages.

Background: Lymphangioma, a rare benign malformation of lymphatic channels, is among the surgically treatable diseases of the lymphatic vessels. However, damage to surrounding structures together with incomplete resection due to adjacent organ infiltration and a high recurrence rate have encouraged the search for alternative treatments. This study aimed to identify the best therapeutic management for this difficult-to-treat disease., Methods: This report describes a case of congenital lymphangioma in the gluteal region in a young woman. First, sclerotherapy of the lymphangioma was performed and then surgical excision of residual lesions. Finally, as a third therapeutic step, the patient also was subjected to a cycle of laser therapy with the aim of further improving the appearance of the gluteal region. Pulsed dye laser was used to remove cutaneous dyschromias, and an erbium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser was used to remove surface irregularities and obtain better skin smoothness. The outcome assessments included standardized photography, the physician's global assessment, the patient's satisfaction scores, and magnetic resonance imaging of the gluteal region., Results: All the lesions of lymphangioma were removed. After the last laser treatment, the skin of the entire treated region was eutrophic and uniform in color, and it appeared to be smooth and soft when palpated. The patient was satisfied with the clinical and aesthetic results achieved., Conclusions: The combination of sclerotherapy with surgery can be a good solution for the treatment of lymphangioma. The authors also propose laser therapy as an additional therapeutic approach that may follow surgery or sclerotherapy with the aim of improving the skin trophism and the appearance of the affected region.

Background: To compare pain score of single spot short duration time (20 milliseconds) panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) with conventional (100 milliseconds) PRP in diabetic retinopathy., Methods: Sixty-six eyes from 33 patients with symmetrical severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (non-PDR) or proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) were enrolled in this prospective randomized controlled trial. One eye of each patient was randomized to undergo conventional and the other eye to undergo short time PRP. Spot size of 200 μm was used in both laser types, and energy was adjusted to achieve moderate burn on the retina. Patients were asked to mark the level of pain felt during the PRP session for each eye on the visual analog scale (VAS) and were examined at 1 week, and at 1, 2, 4 and 6 months., Results: Sixteen women and 17 men with mean age 58.9 ± 7.8 years were evaluated. The conventional method required a mean power of 273 ± 107 mW, whereas the short duration method needed 721 ± 406 mW (P = 0.001). An average of 1,218 ± 441 spots were delivered with the conventional method and an average of 2,125 ± 503 spots were required with the short duration method (P = 0.001). Average pain score was 7.5 ± 1.14 in conventional group and 1.75 ± 0.87 in the short duration group (P = 0.001). At 1 week, 1 month, and 4 months following PRP, the mean changes of central macular thickness (CMT) from baseline in the conventional group remained 29.2 μm (P = 0.008), 40.0 μm (P = 0.001), and 40.2 μm (P = 0.007) greater than the changes in CMT for short time group., Conclusion: Patient acceptance of short time single spot PRP was high, and well-tolerated in a single session by all patients. Moreover, this method is significantly less painful than but just as effective as conventional laser during 6 months of follow-up. The CMT change was more following conventional laser than short time laser.

Background: Navilas laser is a novel technology combining photocoagulation with imaging, including fluorescein angiographic (FA) images which are annotated and aligned to a live fundus view. We determine the time necessary for planning and treatment of macular edema utilizing the Navilas., Methods: The screen recordings during treatments were retrospectively analyzed for treatment type, number of laser shots, the duration of planning (measured from the time the planning image was selected to time of marking the last planned treatment spot), and total time of laser application., Results: A total of 93 treatments (30 grid, 30 focal and 33 combined treatments) by four physicians from three sites were included. An average of 125 spots were applied to each eye. The total time spent for each focal treatment - including the planning was 7 min 47 s (±3 min and 32 s)., Conclusions: Navilas is a novel device providing a time efficient platform for evaluating FA images and performing threshold macular laser photocoagulation.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the accuracy of a navigated laser photocoagulator in clinically significant macular edema (CSME)., Methods: Focal laser treatment for diabetic macular edema (DME) in 36 patients was digitally planned on fundus images and performed with navigation using NAVILAS® (OD-OS, Teltow, Germany). Treatment intensity was controlled visually during treatment so the laser spots applied were barely directly visible after treatment. Using color images (CI) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) 4,137 laser spots (mean 115 per eye) were analyzed at 1 month follow-up and accuracy of spot placement was determined., Results: In total 79% of laser spots were visible on CI of which 96% were within 100 µm of the planned target position. On an intention-to-treat (ITT) basis, 76% of the laser spots were placed and visible within the 100 µm target and OCT confirmed that laser effects were limited to the outer retina. The mean time for focal treatment was < 7 min (±3 min)., Conclusions: After NAVILAS treatment for DME a high percentage of laser effects could be visualized on post-treatment color images and the location showed high concordance with the preplanning target.

Due to demographic change the incidence of diabetic retinopathy has risen in spite of new facilities and prevention campaigns and is still one of the leading causes of blindness in Germany. The combination of focal/grid laser photocoagulation and an intravitreal anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) regimen is the first line approach for clinically significant macular edema with foveal involvement and is evidence-based. Vitreomacular interface abnormalities can be effectively treated by modern vitreomacular surgery. Unfortunately, no proven treatment modality can be provided for ischemic maculopathy. The management of systemic risks factors, such as hyperglycemia and arterial hypertension, remains a task of great importance despite all modifications and increase of knowledge during recent years. Innovative developments in the field of intravitreal pharmacotherapy have opened up new vistas. There are good prospects that modern ophthalmology will not be limited to preserving visual function but to allow improvements and consequently enhance health-related quality of life for diabetic patients.