title: Transscleral delivery of Nd: YLF laser at 1,047 nm causes vascular occlusion in experimental pigmented choroidal melanoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aims of this study were to determine the scleral attenuation of focused neodymium: yttrium-lanthanum-fluoride laser at 1,047 nm applied transsclerally and whether transscleral delivery can close the vascular supply at the base of experimental choroidal melanoma in rabbits.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-two New Zealand albino rabbits were included. Scleral laser attenuation was measured across fresh sclera. B16F10 melanomas were established in the subchoroidal space of 49 rabbits. Twenty-one animals were killed immediately after transscleral treatment, 14 were followed for 2 weeks to 4 weeks, and 14 were followed without treatment. Ophthalmoscopy, fundus photographs, and fluorescein angiography were performed before treatment, immediately after, and weekly during the follow-up. Eyes were examined by light microscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sclera attenuated laser energy by 31% ± 7%. Immediately after treatment, angiography showed diffuse hypofluorescence in 71% (15 of 21 rabbits). Light microscopy showed vascular occlusion extending at least two thirds of the tumor thickness from the base. Seven of the 14 tumors followed for 15 days ± 8 days were eradicated. There was no correlation between tumor height and eradication.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Rabbit sclera attenuated 31% ± 7% of laser energy. A single transscleral treatment causes tumor vascular closure at the base and may serve as an adjuvant therapy to ensure destruction of deep and intrascleral tumor cells.
authors: *Retina Service, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; and †Department of Ophthalmology, University of Sao Paulo Medical School, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Francisco Max
authors: FM
authors: Damico
authors: Beatriz S
authors: BS
authors: Takahashi
authors: Felipe B
authors: FB
authors: Acquesta
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002830:Choroid Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D017075:Laser Coagulation / Q000379:methods*; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008546:Melanoma, Experimental / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D009887:Ophthalmoscopy; D011817:Rabbits; D012590:Sclera; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured