Initial clinical experience using a diode red laser (670 nm) in the treatment of retinal disease.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the clinical use of a 670-nm diode red laser in the treatment of a number of retinal conditions.


METHODS
In all, 17 eyes of 17 patients were treated for conditions such as proliferative diabetic retinopathy, retinal neovascularization in central retinal vein occlusion, rhegmatogenous retinal lesions and retinal breaks, and prophylactic peripheral retinopexy prior to silicone oil removal after three port pars plana vitrectomy.


RESULTS
Regression of neovascularization was observed in all the eyes treated for vascular proliferation at the 3-month follow-up visit. Adhesive pigmented scars were observed in the remaining eyes 1 month after treatment. No major complications were recorded.


CONCLUSIONS
In this pilot study, the 670-nm diode laser appears to be a promising modality for laser photocoagulation of the retina.
Lanzetta
P
P
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Udine Udine, Italy. paolo.lanzetta@uniud.it
Furlan
F
F
Bandello
F
F
D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D017075:Laser Coagulation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D015861:Retinal Neovascularization / Q000601:surgery; D012167:Retinal Perforations / Q000601:surgery; D012170:Retinal Vein Occlusion / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome