Focal navigated laser photocoagulation in retinovascular disease: clinical results in initial case series

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate clinical results after the use of a novel integrated imaging and laser device to perform focal retinal navigated laser photocoagulation in perifoveal abnormalities and retinovascular disease.

Methods: Interventional case series of 25 consecutive eyes with perifoveal and retinovascular diseases treated with a navigated laser photocoagulator Navilas (OD-OS, Berlin, Germany). We treated eyes with perifoveal telangiectasia (n = 3), central serous chorioretinopathy (n = 2), and diabetic macular edema with focal leakage (n = 20).

Results: The treatments were performed without a contact lens and without topical anesthesia. There was no inadvertent photocoagulation of the fovea, and all laser applications accurately hit the preplanned points. Mean and median (± standard deviation) foveal thickness at baseline was 535 ± 171 μm and 402 ± 152 μm, respectively. Mean and median (± standard deviation) foveal thickness at 6 months was 318 ± 112 μm and 221 ± 127 μm, respectively. This represents a statistically significant decrease in foveal thickness (P = 0.003). Mean and median visual acuity at baseline was 20/80 and 20/50, respectively. Mean and median visual acuity at 6 months was 20/50 and 20/40, respectively, which represents a significant improvement (P = 0.011).

Conclusion: Precise retinal targeting with a navigated laser photocoagulator resulted in highly accurate perifoveal laser application and no foveal damage. At 6 months after the treatment, significant decreases in central foveal thickness and significant improvements in visual acuity were identified.