Abstract
Purpose: :
To present the analysis of long term results of laser photocoagulation for peripheral retinal pathologies in one teaching hospital of Taiwan.
Methods: :
Retrospective analysis of 227 cases (283 eyes) treated with argon laser photocoagulation for peripheral retinal pathologies from January 2004 to June 2007. Inclusion criteria were peripheral retinal pathologies on one or both eyes except laser photocoagulation for retinal vascular disease related eye diseases(DM retinopathy 14 cases, CRVO 2 cases, BRVO 9 cases) or the eye had already processed extensive retinal detachment at initial presentation(26 cases) . Follow up period was 8 to 41 months.
Results: :
180 cases (male 92 cases, female 88 cases, 232 eyes) were analyzed. There were 49 eyes (21.1%) observed horseshoe tears with visible vitreoretinal tractions/ 1 eye (0.4%) without visible vitreoretinal traction, 12 eyes (5.2%) observed round holes with operculum/ 85 eyes (36.6%) without operculum, 22 eyes (9.5%) observed lattice degeneration with hole(s)/ 62 eyes (26.7%) without hole and 1 eyes (0.4%) observed white without pressure with suspicious small hole. Peripheral retinal pathologies were associated with vitreous hemorrhage in 6 (2.6%) eyes, localized retinal detachment in 22 eyes (9.5%), both associated with vitreous hemorrhage and localized retinal detachment in 2 cases (0.9%) and giant retinal tear in 1 (0.4%) eye. High myopia was found in 106 cases (59%, average degree in right eye -9.0 (D), in left eye -8.4 (D)), and pseudophakia in 3 (1.3%) eyes. Peripheral retinal pathologies related to trauma were found in 26 (11.2%) eyes. The sequent retinal detachment following laser treatment in 3 cases (1.3%, all observed horseshoe tear(s) with visible vitreoretinal traction(s)). Successful scleral buckling procedure was done in 2 cases (0.9%). One case (0.4%) with postoperative redetachment of retina due to ineffectual pneumopexy underwent scleral buckling and pars plana vitrectomy procedures and retina was attached well finally.
Conclusions: :
All peripheral retinal pathologies with risk should be treated by laser photocoagulation. Tear(s) with visible traction should be treated immediately for prevention of sequent serious complications. The successful rate for laser photocoagulation for peripheral retinal pathologies was more than 98%. No major complication attributable to laser treatment was noted.
Keywords: retinal detachment