Reduction of energy in photocoagulation with the Zeiss-Oberkochen xenon-arc apparatus

A photocoagulation method for treating retinal holes requiring relatively little energy is proposed. This consists in firing only one shot over the hole, the cathode hot-spot and its mirror image being adjusted so that they fall on functionally irrelevant tissue near the center of the lesion. The retinal area to be coagulated around the hole is then exposed only to relatively low light intensity, but heated additionally by conduction from the center. This results in strong stimulation of the cellular elements without damage to the choroid. As an example one case treated in this manner is described in detail.