title: [Indications for Retinal Laser Therapy Revisited].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Laser therapy is an important treatment option in retinal diseases, especially in cases of vascular involvement. Most approaches are based on coagulation of retinal structures. As there is increasing use of agents targetting vascular endothelial growth factor in the treatment of macular diseases, indications for the use of laser treatment need to be reviewed carefully, especially with respect to their significance in first line therapy. This article explains recent strategies and treatment protocols.
  
  
  METHODS
  Review of current literature in PubMed as well as synopsis of relevant guidelines.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Retinal laser therapy is still widely used within retinal opthalmology and covers a large spectrum of indications. Despite the success of medical approaches, retinal laser therapy remains an indispensable treatment option for proliferative diabetic retinopathy, central or peripheral vein occlusion and less frequent pathologies, such as retinopathy of prematurity or Coats's disease.
authors.affiliation: Zentrum für Augenheilkunde, Universität zu Köln.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Enders
authors.affiliation: Zentrum für Augenheilkunde, Universität zu Köln.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Schaub
authors.affiliation: Zentrum für Augenheilkunde, Universität zu Köln.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fauser
mesh_terms: D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D017075:Laser Coagulation; D053685:Laser Therapy; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D012170:Retinal Vein Occlusion / Q000601:surgery; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
chemical_list: D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A