Abstract

Shorter pulses used in pattern scanning photocoagulation (10-20 milliseconds [ms]) tend to produce lighter and smaller lesions than the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study standard 100-ms exposures. Smaller lesions result in fewer complications but may potentially reduce clinical efficacy. It is worthwhile to reevaluate existing standards for the number and size of lesions needed.The width of the coagulated zone in patients undergoing retinal photocoagulation was measured using optical coherence tomography. Lesions of "moderate," "light," and "barely visible" clinical grades were compared for 100, 200, and 400 µm spot sizes and pulse durations of 20 ms and 100 ms.To maintain the same total area as in 1,000 standard burns (100 ms, moderate) with a 400-µm beam, a larger number of 20-ms lesions are required: 1,464, 1,979, and 3,520 for moderate, light, and barely visible grades, respectively. Because of stronger relative effect of heat diffusion with a smaller beam, with 200 µm this ratio increases: 1,932, 2,783, and 5,017 lesions of 20 ms with moderate, light, and barely visible grades correspond to the area of 1,000 standard burns.A simple formula is derived for calculation of the required spot spacing in the laser pattern for panretinal photocoagulation with various laser parameters to maintain the same total coagulated area.

View details for Web of Science ID 000294456100027

View details for PubMedID 21642898