DIODE LASER ENDOPHOTOCOAGULATION

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Abstract
To evaluate the utility, safety, and reliability of diode laser endophotocoagulation in a sizable clinical series. Two hundred twenty-six consecutive eyes treated with diode endophotocoagulation were studied prospectively. Surgical indications included proliferative diabetic retinopathy (134 eyes), proliferative vitreoretinopathy (27 eyes), complicated retinal detachment (50 eyes), and miscellaneous (15 eyes). A retrospective comparison group of 67 consecutive eyes undergoing vitrectomy with argon endolaser photocoagulation was also studied. The desired intraoperative effect of diode endophotocoagulation was achieved in 99.6% cases without complication. Final visual acuity was improved in 159 eyes (71%), and was 5/200 or better in 157 eyes (70%) with diode endophotocoagulation. In comparison, final visual acuity was improved in 48 eyes (73%), and was 5/200 or better in 45 eyes (68%) for argon endophotocoagulation. No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups regarding rate of visual improvement or final visual results. This series supports the conclusion that the diode laser is as safe, reliable, and effective for endophotocoagulation as argon treatment.

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