Grid laser photocoagulation for macular oedema in uveitis or the Irvine-Gass syndrome

Abstract

Aims: To determine the effect of modified macular grid photocoagulation in patients with refractory macular oedema due to uveitis or cataract extraction.

Methods: In this study 20 patients with macular oedema underwent modified macular grid laser photocoagulation and were followed by means of standardised examinations (day 0, months 2, 6, and 12) consisting of best corrected visual acuity and fluorescein angiography.

Results: The mean visual acuity increased from 0.16 before to 0.3 after laser treatment (p = 0.013), and fluorescein leakage was significantly reduced (p = 0.005). Visual prognosis was influenced by duration of the uveitis, not by sex or age.

Conclusion: Modified macular grid laser photocoagulation had a beneficial effect on macular oedema caused by uveitis or the Irvine-Gass syndrome. A prospective, randomised study is needed to determine the exact place of modified macular grid photocoagulation in the treatment of patients with inflammatory or postsurgical macular oedema.

Figure 1

Visual acuity of treated patients before compared with 6 months after grid laser treatment.

Figure 2

Mean visual acuity 1 year and 6 months before grid laser treatment, at the day of laser treatment, and 2, 6, and 12 months after grid laser treatment.

Figure 3

Fluorescein angiography of three cases. Left (A, C, and E); before grid laser treatment; right (B, D, and F) the same eyes 6 months after grid laser treatment.

Figure 4

Angiographic macular oedema before compared with 6 months after grid laser treatment (for grading see Materials and methods). Cases under the line represent eyes with decreased leakage on follow up angiogram.