Navigated Pattern Laser System versus Single-Spot Laser System for Postoperative 360-Degree Laser Retinopexy

Recurrences and Macular Complications after Perfluorocarbon-Liquid-Free Vitrectomy for Primary Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment

INTRODUCTION

This study investigates factors associated with recurrent rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD), macular complications, and visual outcomes after pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) without perfluorocarbon liquids (PFCLs) for primary RRD.

METHODS

A longitudinal cohort study included consecutive patients with RRD who underwent PFCL-free PPV. Postoperative visual acuity and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography findings [cystoid macular edema (CME), epiretinal membrane (ERM), ellipsoid zone/interdigitation zone (EZ/IZ) damage] were collected. Logistic regression and linear mixed models analyzed rates and risk factors for RRD recurrence, CME, ERM, EZ/IZ damage, and visual acuity at 12 months.

RESULTS

346 eyes with RRD were studied. Single-operation success rates were 96% and 93% for uncomplicated (n = 274 eyes) and complicated (n = 72 eyes) RRD, respectively. Factors associated with RRD recurrence were posterior retinal breaks [odds ratio (OR) = 10.7 compared to peripheral retinal breaks, p = 0.008], silicone oil tamponade (OR = 5.66 compared to gas, p = 0.01), and sectorial laser retinopexy (OR = 4.34 compared to 360° laser retinopexy, p = 0.007). The prevalence of CME, ERM, and EZ/IZ damage at 12 months was 10%, 9%, and 6%, respectively. Eyes with EZ/IZ defects had worse postoperative visual acuity in both uncomplicated and complicated RRD. Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (OR = 2.95, p = 0.03) and silicone oil tamponade (OR = 3.70 compared to gas, p = 0.05) were associated with EZ/IZ damage.

CONCLUSIONS

PFCL-free PPV demonstrated satisfactory single-operation success rates for uncomplicated and complicated RRD, with a low prevalence of macular complications. Analyzing factors associated with RRD recurrence can provide provisional recommendations for PFCL-free approaches in the absence of randomized trials.

[Non-contact navigated laser retinopexy for peripheral retinal tears and rhegmatogenous degenerations: first experience]

PURPOSE

To evaluate the first outcomes of non-contact navigated laser retinopexy for peripheral tears and rhegmatogenous degenerations of the retina.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This prospective single-center interventional pilot study included 58 patients (68 eyes), among which 19 males and 39 females aged 47.5±16.9 years with peripheral retinal degenerations and symptomatic retinal tears who received non-contact laser retinopexy with the Navilas 577s navigated laser system and non-contact PRP widefield objective. All patients (68 eyes) underwent laser treatment for the following disorders: horseshoe tear in 13 eyes, retinal hole in 11 eyes, operculated retinal hole in 3 eyes, lattice degeneration in 19 eyes, snail track degeneration in 1 eye, vitreoretinal tufts in 16 eyes, and progressing bullous retinoschisis in 5 eyes. Pain intensity was assessed using a four-point verbal rating scale.

RESULTS

All patients were followed up for 5 to 21 months (9.0±3.3 months on average). Stable condition of the retina was observed in 65 cases (95.5%). In 3 eyes (4.4%), newly formed retinal tears prompted additional laser treatment: horseshoe tear in 2 eyes and retinal hole in 1 eye. The mean pain score during non-contact navigated laser retinopexy was 0.9±0.5. No complications associated with laser treatment were observed.

CONCLUSION

Non-contact navigated laser retinopexy performed with the Navilas 577s navigated laser system is a safe and well-tolerated procedure with effectiveness comparable to conventional laser retinopexy.

[Selective panretinal laser photocoagulation in ischemic central retinal vein occlusion]

PURPOSE

To compare the effectiveness and safety of panretinal laser photocoagulation targeting far-periphery (sPRP) versus conventional panretinal laser photocoagulation (cPRP) in patients with ischemic central retinal vein occlusion (iCRVO) in terms of the degree of macular edema.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study included eight (5 males and 3 females, mean age 59.4±17.2 years) and seven (6 males and 1 female, mean age 75.7±9.1 years) patients in sPRP and cPRP groups, respectively. iCRVO was defined as a CRVO case with baseline best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of <0.2, central retinal thickness (CRT) of >500 µm and severe intraretinal hemorrhages. sPRP included dense photocoagulation of far-periphery over 360˚ and standard photocoagulation of the mid-periphery. Primary outcome measures were CRT and macular volume at the end of the follow-up. BCVA served as the secondary outcome measure.

RESULTS

The median of the follow-up period was 9.5 months (ranged from 1.5 to 19 months). In the sPRP group, at the end of the follow-up both CRT and macular volume significantly decreased from 892.0±149.4 µm to 391.8±131.2 µm (p<0.001) and from 16.6±4.1 mm³ to 9.7±1.4 mm³, respectively (p=0.008). In the cPRP group, at the end of the follow-up CRT and macular volume changes were statistically insignificant: from 761.0±162.1 µm to 705.0±181.8 µm (p=0.46) and from 13.6± 3.2 mm³ to 11.8±1.7 mm³, respectively (p=0.38). At the end of the follow-up, cPRP group did not have changes in BCVA, while in the sPRP group BCVA increased statistically significantly from 1.45±0.6 LogMAR (≈0.06) to 1.1±0.6 LogMAR (≈0.14) (p=0.03). There were no adverse events or complications associated with laser treatment in any of the study patients.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates the superiority of sPRP compared with cPRP for treatment of patients with iCRVO, showing that selective laser treatment of the far-periphery results in significant reduction of macular edema associated with severe retinal ischemia.

Safety and efficacy of the use of navigated retinal laser as a method of laser retinopexy in the treatment of symptomatic retinal tears

PURPOSE

To investigate the safety and efficacy of the use of navigated retinal laser as a delivery method of laser retinopexy in the treatment of symptomatic retinal tears.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective observational study of 69 patients presenting to a district general hospital in the United Kingdom with a diagnosis of symptomatic retinal tear who underwent retinopexy using a navigated retinal laser (Navilas 577s). Patients were followed up at two weeks or later to assess the efficacy and safety of the use of navigated retinal laser for retinopexy treatment.

RESULTS

In total, 72 retinal tears in 69 patients were identified in our cohort. Of these cases, 70 (97.2%) retinal tears were treated with retinopexy using a navigated laser with a median treatment time 200 seconds. Two retinal tears could not be imaged on the navigated laser system and so underwent cryopexy. In 67/70 (95.7%) of retinal tears, one session of laser treatment using the navigated laser system was sufficient for primary management. The remaining three tears required a second session. No retinal tears treated with navigated laser treatment progressed to retinal detachment. There were no other complications seen with the use of this laser.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of navigated retinal laser as a method of laser retinopexy for the treatment of retinal tears shows comparable safety and efficacy with other studies using traditional retinal laser systems.

Wide-Field Imaging with NAVILAS Laser System

Purpose: to study the potential of wide-field imaging with NAVILAS laser system.

Material and methods. In this study we included patients diagnosed with indirect ophthalmoscopy as having one of the follows: diabetic retinopathy (6 eyes), central retinal vein occlusion (5 eyes), choroidal melanoma (3 eyes), rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (4 eyes), and peripheral chorioretinal degeneration (10 eyes). Using NAVILAS 532 laser system and a wide-field contact lens (HR Wide Field (VOLK)) a wide-field central image and a panoramic (consisted of 4 to 6 images) images were obtained in all patients. Fundus images were evaluated according to their diagnostic value versus indirect ophthalmoscopy and wideness of the viewing angle versus standard color fundus photography (55°). In each patient within a single session were obtained: 1) a central fundus image and 2) panoramic image (4-field and in dynamic mode). In a subgroup of patients with central retinal vein occlusion and lattice retinal degeneration, we studied the ability of simultaneous laser photocoagulation wide-field imaging.

Results. A single field images obtained with NAVILAS allows to visualize up to 130.3 ± 9.6° of the eye fundus while four-field and dynamic acquisition up to 150.1 ± 8.9° and 171.3 ± 17.0°, respectively. Representative findings of diabetic retinopathy, central retinal vein occlusion, choroidal melanoma, rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, and peripheral lattice degeneration were identified in all cases. Insufficient visualization was found for “snail track” degeneration because the subtle retina and choroid changes were hardly seen on the low magnified image. In 4 patients with lattice retinal degeneration and 3 patients with central retinal vein occlusion within a single session, both wide-field imaging and laser photocoagulation were performed. Surgical goals were achieved in all cases.

Conclusion. Wide-field imaging with NAVILAS laser system demonstrated high potential in the documentation of the most widely spread eye fundus disease the and represents an adequate alternative for wide-field fundus cameras. Aside from wide-field imaging this approach also allows for simultaneous laser photocoagulation in entire eye fundus including far peripheral retina. 

Navigated Retina Laser Therapy as a Novel Method for Laser Retinopexy of Retinal Tears

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

To describe the use of a navigated laser system for the treatment of retinal tears.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A planned pattern laser retinopexy was performed using a navigated laser photocoagulator incorporating rapid panretinal photocoagulation technology with an individualized target overlay to produce a 3 × 3 square pattern surrounding a horseshoe tear. Institutional review board approval was not applicable for this case.

RESULTS

Successful laser retinopexy 360° around the tear was achieved.

CONCLUSION

In select cases, a navigated laser system may be utilized for the treatment of retinal tears. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2018;49:e206-e209.].