Abstract
Purpose: :
To determine the changes in proficiency of focal and grid retina laser photocoagulation application following repeated use for individual retina specialists new to the NAVILAS® (OD-OS, GmbH; Teltow, Germany) platform.
Methods: :
Seventeen eyes from 17 patients were treated with focal laser at 3 sites by 7 different retina physicians new to the NAVILAS®. All treatment plans were transcribed onto a fluorescein angiographic image previously acquired by the NAVILAS®. This plan was then displayed and aligned in real-time on a live fundus view on an attached computer monitor. The laser photocoagulation treatments were then applied using either single spots or automated pattern. Procedure times and number of spots were recorded from the beginning of laser application to placement of the final burn.
Results: :
An average of 190 spots was applied to each eye ranging from 79 to 274 spots per treatment. An average of 2.22s was required per spot (laser session time in seconds / number of applied spots), which is an average of 0.55 spots per second (number of applied spots / laser session time in seconds). Proficiency (number of spots per second) improved with subsequent treatments by a single physician. Operator performance was highly dependent on previous treatment experience with the NAVILAS®. The most experienced NAVILAS® operator in the study improved to 1.05 seconds per shot after 5 previous treatments.
Conclusions: :
The NAVILAS® provides an efficient platform for focal laser photocoagulation. Despite requiring an entirely new interface for laser application, surgeons demonstrated rapid improvement in their proficiency during treatments.
Keywords: laser • macula/fovea • retina