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Initial clinical experience using a diode laser in the treatment of retinal vascular disease

Eye volume 3, pages 516–527 (1989)Cite this article

Abstract

A pilot study has been carried out to investigate the clinical use of an infrared diode laser in the treatment of a number of retinal vascular conditions. A hand-held device was employed initially and subsequently a further prototype was developed for use in conjunction with a standard slit lamp microscope.

Thirty-three eyes in thirty patients were treated for conditions such as proliferative diabetic retinopathy, exudative retinopathy and branch and central retinal vein thrombosis. Regression of neovascularisation was observed in 13 of 16 eyes (81%) with proliferative diabetic retinopathy and in six of eight eyes (75%) with branch retinal vein occlusion. Four eyes were successfully treated for established or incipient rubeosis iridis following central vein thrombosis. Focal photocoagulation applied to five eyes for diabetic exudative maculopathy resulted in partial resorption of the exudates. These results are presented together with information on the ease of use of the laser and its reliability. The implications of the development of this instrument in the context of its place in ophthalmic therapy are discussed.

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Author information

Affiliations

  1. The Department of Clinical Ophthalmology, Institute of Ophthalmology, Judd St, London, WC1H 9QS

    J D A McHugh & J Marshall

  2. Department of Ophthalmology, St Thomas' Hospital, Lambeth Palace Rd, London, SE1 7EH

    T J Ffytche

  3. Moorfields Eye Hospital, City Rd, London, EC1 2PD

    A M Hamilton

  4. Scientific Generics, Kings Court, Kirkwood Rd, Cambridge, CB4 2PF

    A Raven

  5. Keeler Ltd, Clewer Hill Rd, Windsor, SL4 4AA, Berks

    C R Keeler

Authors
  1. J D A McHugh
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  2. J Marshall
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  3. T J Ffytche
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  4. A M Hamilton
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  5. A Raven
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  6. C R Keeler
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Additional information

J. D. A. McHugh is the Allerton Vision Research Fellow.

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McHugh, J., Marshall, J., Ffytche, T. et al. Initial clinical experience using a diode laser in the treatment of retinal vascular disease. Eye 3, 516–527 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1038/eye.1989.83

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