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Abstract
The effect of intraocular diathermy on the closure of intravitreal vessels was studied in a new experimental model and compared with previous studies on argon laser photocoagulation. Intravitreal vessels could be closed easily with diathermy regardless of size or type of vessel. Complete occlusion occurred in 60 per cent of treated vessels and partial occlusion of the vascular tree occurred in an additional 20 per cent. The rate of hemorrhage was 20 per cent. Most hemorrhages were less than one-half disk diameter in area. Diathermy appears indicated in areas in which a background reaction might be damaging or the vessels are surrounded by excessive amounts of glial tissue or when the media is opaque.