title: Preoperative laser photocoagulation to mark tiny retinal breaks in eyes with retinal detachment.
abstract: We used preoperative argon laser photocoagulation to create a white intraretinal color change to mark the location of a tiny retinal break in an aphakic eye with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. The break was visible only by fundus biomicroscopy with a three-mirror contact lens and could not be seen by indirect ophthalmoscopy. Intraretinal uptake of laser energy is accomplished with a small spot size and moderate energy levels. This technique facilitates rapid intraoperative identification and localization of small retinal breaks that are otherwise difficult to visualize.
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008028:Light Coagulation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011300:Preoperative Care; D012167:Retinal Perforations / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery