title: Late-stage diffuse unilateral subacute neuroretinitis: photocoagulation of the worm does not improve the visual acuity of affected patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the visual outcome following direct laser photocoagulation of the worm in patients with late-stage diffuse unilateral subacute neuroretinitis (DUSN).
  
  
  METHODS
  The study reports on 22 DUSN patients diagnosed in its late stage, in whom the worm was identified and subsequently destroyed by laser photocoagulation. Information gathered included initial and final visual acuities and length of follow-up. Statistical analysis was performed with the Paired Student's t-Test. A p value of less than 0.05 was considered significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After a mean follow-up of 13.1 months, visual acuity improved in 2 patients, remained unchanged in 19 patients and decreased in one patient. Comparison of the visual outcome before and after laser treatment was not statistically significant (p = 0.302).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Destruction of the worm by laser photocoagulation in eyes with late-stage DUSN does not improve the visual acuity of affected patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Retina and Vitreous Unit, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil.
authors.forename: Carlos Alexandre de A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.forename: Alexandre H B
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Gomes
authors.forename: Raul N G
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Vianna
authors.forename: João Pessoa
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Souza Filho
authors.forename: Carlos A de A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Garcia Filho
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Oréfice
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D017075:Laser Coagulation; D008297:Male; D009887:Ophthalmoscopy; D012173:Retinitis / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity