Abstract
Purpose: :
To describe the effectiveness of subthreshold laser treatment (SLT) with infrared micropulse diode laser for the treatment of retinal arterial macroaneurysms (RAM) associated with macular exudation.
Methods: :
Interventional case series including 8 cases of RAM who underwent treatment with SLT. Complete ophthalmic examinations, including Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study visual acuity (ETDRS-VA), OCT and fluorescein angiography, were performed at the moment of the study entry and at 3-month intervals, with a planned follow-up of 12 months. Main outcome measures were the decrease in mean foveal thickness (MFT) on OCT, and the changes in ETDRS-VA.
Results: :
The change in MFT from the initial values was statistically significant (p<0.001) with resolution of exudation. At the 12-month evaluation, all the patients gained at least 10 letters (two lines) in ETDRS-VA. No laser scar was detectable after SLT.
Conclusions: :
SLT is a promising approach for the treatment of symptomatic RAM.
Keywords: laser • vascular occlusion/vascular occlusive disease