Chapter 76 History of Photocoagulation KENNETH R. JAEGERS and JAMES F. VANDER Table Of Contents |
The effect of solar light on the retina has been known for centuries. After
observing burns of the retina caused by watching an eclipse, Socrates
warned against the danger of viewing the sun during an eclipse and
suggested instead viewing its reflection in water. The first description
of a central scotoma following solar burn of the retina dates back
to Theophilus Bonetus, who practiced in Geneva during the 17th century.1 The French painter Degas may have sustained a solar retinal burn because
he dated his visual impairment from a sunny day when he stood guard
duty near a moat during the Franco-Prussian War in the 1860s. Although we now think that solar maculopathy probably results from a photochemical effect, not a thermal or photocoagulative effect, it was the observation of this phenomenon that inspired the earliest experimental research on fundus photocoagulation. Both Czerny in 1867 and Deutschmann in 1882 used a concave mirror and a convex lens to focus sunlight through dilated pupils onto the retina of rabbits. After a few seconds of exposure, grayish burns of various sizes developed that gradually turned into pigmented scars.2,3 Maggiore performed the first experimental photocoagulation of the human retina in 1927.4 He focused sunlight for 10 minutes into an eye that was to be enucleated because of a malignant tumor. In 1945, several patients sought medical attention after viewing a solar eclipse. Meyer-Schwickerath, after observing macular damage in these patients, theorized that focused sunlight might be used intentionally to create a potentially therapeutic chorio-retinal lesion.5 Clinical experience led him to the carbon-arc lamp and, eventually, to the xenon-arc lamp. The xenon-arc lamp, which became available commercially in 1958, produces an emission spectrum similar to that of sunlight, emitting all wavelengths between 400 and 1600 nm. Hence, it produces a full-thickness burn without selective tissue targeting. The xenon-arc lamp burns steadily, and no adjustments are necessary during treatment. These were advances over earlier sources. Over the years, xenon has proved to be an extremely useful light source and has promoted the clinical application of light coagulation as an accepted therapeutic tool. However, it has been superseded by the argon blue-green laser, argon green laser, krypton red laser, dye lasers and, more recently, the diode laser. In 1960, Theodore Maiman used a ruby crystal in the first ophthalmic laser.6 Flocks and Zweng used this laser in their clinical investigations.7–9 Although the ruby laser produces a pure wavelength of 694 nm and is highly coherent, its red wavelength makes adequate treatment of retinal vascular abnormalities difficult. This difficulty was overcome with the introduction of the argon blue-green laser in 1968.10,11 These wavelengths are fairly well absorbed by hemoglobin and therefore permit direct closure of vascular anomalies. The advent of the argon green laser, with less xanthophyll absorption, made macular photocoagulation safer. These were followed by the development of the krypton red laser.12–14 The tunable organic dye laser, developed during the early 1980s, offers a continuous spectrum of wavelengths from 560 to 640 nm.15,16 The practical introduction of the semiconductor diode laser to the field of ophthalmology occurred in the late 1980s. This is a compact, portable laser with emissions in the near-infrared range with wavelengths between 805 and 810nm. All these lasers produce a photocoagulative tissue effect by transforming light energy into thermal energy, which produces the desired tissue effect in the photocoagulated tissue or, sometimes, in neighboring tissues by thermal conduction. An alternative method of inducing a laser effect on ocular tissues uses ionizing photodisruption. This is the method used by the neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser, and it has its principal applications in treating the tissues of the anterior segment. The excimer laser is photoablative, making use of ultraviolet radiation to produce tissue disruption in the absence of a thermal effect. |
PRINCIPLES OF RETINAL PHOTOCOAGULATION |
Lasers are grouped according to their active medium, which can reside in
solid, liquid, gaseous, or semiconductor states. Argon and krypton lasers
are examples of gas-ion lasers in which the active medium is an
ionized rare gas. The ruby and Nd:YAG lasers are solid-state lasers. Semiconductor
crystals of gallium arsenide (GaAs) or indium phosphide comprise
the active media of diode lasers. Although the technical aspects concerning the production of a laser beam depend on the type of laser being considered, the instruments routinely used in the treatment of retinal disorders all produce a collimated beam of monochromatic light that creates a specific tissue reaction in the photocoagulated retina or choroid. Light energy is absorbed to a variable degree, depending on its wavelength, by the pigments found in the fundus. These are melanin, hemoglobin, and macular xanthophyll. Intensity of any given photocoagulation burn is directly proportional to the duration and magnitude of the temperature increase. Melanin, found in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and the choroid, absorbs light best. Hemoglobin absorbs yellow, blue, and green wavelengths well. Red and infrared, however, are absorbed poorly. Xanthophyll is located primarily in the macula and resides largely in the inner and outer plexiform layers of the neurosensory retina. Blue light is well absorbed, whereas green, yellow, and red wavelengths are poorly absorbed. Some clinical implications of these findings include decreased absorption and therefore the need for increased power in lightly pigmented fundi, the advantage of krypton red and diode lasers in the presence of vitreous hemorrhage and cataract, and the contraindicated use of blue or argon blue-green laser when treating macular disorders. The histopathologic characteristics after fundus photocoagulation have been studied extensively. Geeraets and colleagues and then Curtin and Norton showed that high-intensity light energy produces tissue damage involving all layers of the choroid, RPE, and sensory retina, whereas very low energy light intensity involves primarily the pigment epithelium and photoreceptor elements with sparing of the inner retinal layers.17,18 Zweng and different groups of coworkers in several studies noted that ruby laser photocoagulation burns cause early adhesion of the sensory retina to the pigment epithelium and choroid.7–9 In addition, after mild burns, they detected marked destruction and clumping of RPE and marked disruption of the outer half of the sensory retina. The histopathologic effects of argon, krypton and tunable dye lasers have been shown to vary depending to a large extent on the intensity of the burn created.19,20 In general, with longer wavelengths, deeper choroidal penetration and greater sparing of the inner retinal layers are achieved. |
VARIABLES OF LASER TREATMENT |
DELIVERY SYSTEMS AND INSTRUMENT SETTINGS After the decision has been made in favor of laser treatment, the ophthalmologist is faced with multiple options including which type of laser to use, how to deliver the laser treatment, and which settings to employ. At present, there are three main delivery systems from which to choose: the slit-lamp biomicroscope, the laser indirect ophthalmoscope (LIO), and the endolaser probe. The slit-lamp remains the delivery method of choice for most cases, especially those requiring precise laser burn application such as macular photocoagulation. If a slit-lamp system is selected, a contact lens is used. The specific lens chosen depends on the location of the treatment area within the fundus and the surgeon's preference. For panretinal photocoagulation (PRP), the wide-field view provided by a panfunduscopic lens is often helpful. The laser spot size produced with this lens is significantly magnified compared with a more traditional contact lens. The LIO facilitates peripheral retinal photocoagulation and allows for treatment of patients who previously could not be treated with a slit-lamp system (e.g., pediatric or mentally retarded patients). It can be used to treat with argon, krypton, or diode systems. Using the LIO has become increasingly popular since its introduction in 1981.21 Coupled with the diode laser's portability and studies demonstrating its effectiveness,22 the LIO has largely replaced cryotherapy in the treatment of retinopathy of prematurity. Laser treatment may also be delivered during vitrectomy surgery using endolaser probes. Newer probes combine laser capability with illumination alone or combined with aspiration functions. After the type of delivery system has been chosen, variables such as the wavelength, power, spot size, and duration must be considered. The wavelength used is determined primarily by the disease being treated, although for many conditions more than one type of laser may be appropriate. In the past, the argon laser was a blue-green laser. Blue light, however, is scattered by cataractous lenses and absorbed by macular xanthophyll, characteristics that make it an undesirable choice for photocoagulation. Hence, the advent of the argon green laser that emits light that is well absorbed by melanin and hemoglobin but poorly absorbed by macular xanthophyll. Longer wavelengths such as krypton red or diode penetrate deeper into the choroid than green lasers and may therefore be more painful. However, these wavelengths are poorly absorbed by hemoglobin and are more effective in the presence of vitreous hemorrhage. These lasers are also better able to penetrate cataractous lenses. Other parameters to be considered include the laser power, duration of each exposure, and the spot size. These are interrelated variables that are adjusted during treatment by the ophthalmologist when necessary. Settings depend on the condition being treated, the clarity of the media, and the background pigmentation of the fundus. In general, topical anesthesia is adequate for most laser treatments. Periocular anesthetic injection may be necessary in cases in which extensive PRP is planned, in particularly sensitive patients, or in cases in which absolute akinesia is necessary, such as with juxtafoveal lesions. |
TREATMENT OF RETINAL VASCULAR DISEASES |
DIABETIC RETINOPATHY Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in people 20 to 55 years of age. The most common cause of decreased vision in patients with diabetes is macular edema. Over the past 2 decades, multicenter randomized clinical trials evaluating laser treatment in the setting of diabetic retinopathy have been undertaken. These trials and the practical application of their recommendations are discussed in this chapter. In 1976, the National Eye Institute completed the Diabetic Retinopathy Study (DRS), a collaborative study to evaluate the effectiveness of scatter PRP for proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).23 More than 1700 patients with advanced retinopathy were enrolled in the study. One eye was arbitrarily assigned to treatment using either xenon arc or argon laser photocoagulation while the other eye was observed. This study showed that both argon and xenon scatter photocoagulation reduced the risk of severe vision loss by 50%.24,25 In this study, “severe vision loss” was defined as visual acuity worse than 5/200 at two consecutive follow-up visits 4 months apart. Because of fewer harmful side effects compared with those associated with xenon, argon is the preferred treatment modality. In the DRS, certain high-risk characteristics (HRCs) were identified as being the most accurate prognostic indicators of visual loss. HRCs include neovascularization on or within one disc diameter of the disc (NVD) that is equal to or greater than one fourth to one third of the disc area in extent or any NVD or retinal neovascularization else-where (NVE) associated with preretinal or vitreoushemorrhage (Fig. 1B). For eyes with these clinicalcharacteristics, prompt PRP is recommended. Forpatients with severe or severe nonproliferativediabetic retinopathy (NPDR), as well as for patientsin whom adequate follow-up cannot be ensured, early scatter therapy may be considered.26 The presence of rubeosis iridis or neovascular glaucoma in the setting of PDR, even without HRCs, may warrant PRP.27–29 The precise mechanism of formation of neovascular tissue remains uncertain, as does the mechanism by which PRP induces regression of this tissue. Traditionally, new vessel formation was thought to be a response to a possible angiogenic factor that may be produced by zones of ischemic retina.30 Destruction of these zones by PRP might then eliminate the source of this angiogenic stimulus. Although this approach may not accurately reflect the true pathophysiology involved, it does serve as a helpful model for understanding the proper methods of treatment for this condition. These concepts apply to other proliferative retinopathies as well including central retinal vein occlusion, branch retinal vein occlusion, SC sickle disease, sickle thalassemia, retinopathy of prematurity, Eales' disease, dominant familial exudative retinopathy, and X-linked dominant incontinentia pigmenti. Of note, pregnancy can exacerbate and accelerate all aspects of diabetic retinopathy. It is unusual for pregnant patients without retinopathy at the onset of pregnancy to pro-gress to PDR during their pregnancy. However, patients with preexisting PDR are at greatest risk of visual loss and need to be observed closely and treated aggressively. Methods To complete scatter treatment, burns should be applied to the retina beginning at points on an oval defined as two disc diameters above, below, and temporal to the center of the macula, and one disc diameter nasal to the disc, and should extend peripherally at least to the equator (Fig. 2). This approach may help avoid inadvertent macular burns. A report by Blankenship suggests that sparing of the posterior aspect of the fundus may be possible without diminishing the beneficial effects of treatment.31 With the Goldmann lens, a 500-μm spot size is used, whereas with the panfunduscopic lens, a 200-μm spot is used. When vitreous hemorrhage is present, it may be necessary to reduce the size of the spot to 200 μm or to use a krypton or diode laser rather than an argon laser. The Krypton Argon Regression of Neovascularization Study found that krypton and argon were equally effective in inducing regression of NVD.32 Care should be taken to avoid hitting any visible retinal vessels. The power setting should be such that a moderate white retinal coagulation is apparent. The power setting required to achieve this endpoint is recorded for future reference and is defined as the baseline power setting for the treatment session. It frequently needs to be higher for a panfunduscopic lens than for a three-mirror lens. In general, application should be scattered uniformly, with the distance between burns being one burn diameter. It may be wise to treat inferiorly during the first session because vitreous hemorrhage, should it occur, tends to settle inferiorly. To minimize impairment of the temporal visual field, burns within four to five disc diameters of the disc on the nasal side should be arranged in rows parallel to the nerve fibers. Exposure time should be set at 0.1 or 0.05 second. In general, at least 1600 to 1800 burns should be applied. We usually treat over multiple sessions. Occasionally PRP fails to induce regression of neovascularization and vision decreases. This can be a result of increased macular edema, focal bleeding from persistent neovascular fronds, retinal detachment, or neovascular glaucoma. Regression of HRCs occurs in 70% of cases within 3 weeks of treatment.33 Not surprisingly, patients who demonstrate a favorable early objective response to laser therapy have a significantly better visual prognosis than those who do not.34 In the case of increasing NVD or persistent NVD with bleeding, supplemen-tal treatment may be helpful. Peripheral retinal cryo-ablation may also be effective in causing regression of NVD or NVE. Cryotherapy is especially helpful in the setting of significant media opacities. About six applications are necessary in each quadrant. If vitreous hemorrhage has occurred and appears to be nonclearing, vitrectomy surgery may be indicated. DIABETIC MACULAR EDEMA Diabetic macular edema (DME) is a clinical diagnosis made with the slit-lamp biomicroscope. Intraretinal thickening is divided into focal and diffuse forms. Focal retinal edema is usually caused by specific leaking microaneurysms visible as pinpoint areas of leakage on fluorescein angiography (FA). The diffuse form of macular edema, conversely, usually represents a more widespread disruption of the inner blood-retina barrier. FA typically depicts large areas of leakage. It is important to remember that leakage of dye on FA does not always mean intraretinal thickening is present. Diagnosis of macular edema is based on the clinical examination of the retina. The Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) was a multicenter, randomized, prospective clinical trial designed to address three main questions: Is laser photocoagulation effective in the treatment of DME? When in the course of diabetic retinopathy is it most effective to initiate PRP? Is aspirin effective in altering the course of diabetic retinopathy? The ETDRS demonstrated that laser photocoagulation for macular edema decreased the risk of moderate visual loss (defined as a doubling of the visual angle) by more than 50% especially in eyes with patterns of macular edema now known as clinically significant macular edema (CSME).35 Focal treatment also increased the chance of moderate visual gain. CSME was defined as retinal thickening within 500 μm of the center of the macula, intraretinal hard exudate within 500 μm of the center of the macula associated with adjacent retinal thickening, or retinal thickening greater than one disc area any part of which is within one disc diameter of the center of the macula (Fig. 3A). The beneficial effects of treatment demonstrated in this trial suggest that all eyes with CSME should be considered for focal photocoagulation (see Fig. 3B). Visual acuity was not a factor in determining the presence or absence of CSME and some eyes in the treated group had20/20 visual acuity. Many retinal specialists, how-ever, defer treatment in asymptomatic patients with20/20 visual acuity except when hard exudate is encroaching on the fovea. When CSME is present, fluorescein angiography is helpful in ruling out macular ischemia as a cause for decreased vision. If significant perifoveal capillary nonperfusion is present, then macular photocoagulation is associated with a higher risk of producing an immediate and permanent reduction in visual acuity. If photocoagulation is performed in such cases, care should be taken to avoid directly treating the few remaining perifoveal capillaries. Methods Various treatment strategies have been devised for photocoagulation of DME. Although the optimal method remains uncertain, most adhere to the basic principles described in the ETDRS. The argon green laser is widely used, although evidence now suggests that other wavelengths, such as dye yellow and orange, krypton red, and the diode, are comparable.36–39 A pretreatment fluorescein angiogram is generally used during photocoagulation to identify treatable lesions. Focal laser treatment involves direct laser treatment to all leaking microaneurysms. When directly treating a microaneurysm, a 50- or 100-μm burn with 0.1-second duration is used, and one usually attempts to induce a slight change in the color of the lesion. Use of the 50-μm spot size may be associated with a higher risk of rupturing Bruch's membrane and resultant choroidal neovascularization (CNV), so very low energy levels should be used initially.40 Initial treatment is directed at lesions located within two disc diameters of the center of the macula, but not closer than500 μm from its center. However, if vision is lessthan 20/40 and follow-up examination reveals persistent CSME, additional treatment of lesions up to 300 μm from the center is recommended. Areas of diffuse leakage or nonperfusion within two disc diameters of the center of the macula are treated with a grid pattern. Diode laser has been shown to be as effective as argon laser in the treatment of diffuse DME.41 The goal of treatment in such cases is to produce a burn of light to moderate intensity. A 100- to 200-μm spot size is used, and burns are typically spaced one burn-width apart. Burns may be placed in the papillomacular bundle but, again, not closer than 500 μm from the center of the macula at the first treatment. For patients with a combination of focal and diffuse edema, a modified grid technique may be employed.42 In addition to the development of CNV mentioned earlier, other complications can occur after focal macular photocoagulation. Permanent visual loss may ensue after treatment. Causes includehemorrhage, perifoveal capillary occlusion, enlargement of photocoagulation scars to involve the fovea, marked lipid exudation as edema resolves, or in-advertent foveal burns. Paracentral scotomataare a frequent side effect, especially after heavy treatment. Some patients present with CSME in the presence of PDR with HRC. Because PRP can exacerbate preexisting macular edema, it is generally advisable to initiate focal or grid treatment prior to or along with PRP. Performing nasal PRP first and completing the PRP is additional sessions may help prevent a worsening of the macular edema. Regarding the use of aspirin, the ETDRS found that aspirin use did not affect the progression of retinopathy. Aspirin did not increase the risk for vitreous hemorrhage, the duration of or severity of vitreous hemorrhage, nor the rate of pars plana vitrectomy. Visual outcomes were not affected by aspirin use.43 Therefore, there is no ocular contradiction to the use of aspirin in patients with diabetic retinopathy. |
RETINAL VENOUS OCCLUSIONS | ||
BRANCH RETINAL VEIN OCCLUSION Branch retinal vein occlusions (BRVOs) usually occur at arteriovenous crossings, with the arteriole typically crossing anterior to the vein.44 Visual loss may be a result of macular hemorrhage or edema, capillary nonperfusion, RPE changes or vitreous hemorrhage (Fig. 4). The Branch Vein Occlusion Study (BVOS) was a prospective, randomized multicenter clinical trial designed to address the following questions: Is macular argon laser photocoagulation beneficial in preserving or improving central visual acuity in eyes with 20/40 or worse vision secondary to macular edema related to a branch vein occlusion? Can peripheral scatter argon laser photocoagulation prevent the development of retinal neovascularization? Can peripheral scatter laser treatment prevent vitreous hemorrhage from retinal neovascularization? This study demonstrated conclusively the effectiveness of argon laser photocoagulation for the treatment of macular edema and retinal neovascularization (Fig. 5).45,46 After 3 years of follow-up, the gain of at least two lines of visual acuity from baseline maintained for two consecutive visits was significantly greater in treated eyes. As a result, laser photocoagulation is now recommended for patients with macular edema from branch vein occlusion. In addition, Roseman and Olk have shown that krypton red is effective for treating macular edema and neovascularization from BRVO in eyes with cataracts, vitreous hemorrhage, or extensive intraretinal hemorrhage.47 Visual improvement, however, is unlikely in cases with marked capillary nonperfusion and severe visual loss.
If, after 3 months, visual acuity is 20/40 or worse, laser treatment is indicated. Grid treatment with a spot size of 100 to 200 μm and 0.1-second duration is placed in areas of leakage as shown on FA. There should be sufficient clearing of retinal hemorrhage before FA or laser because visual acuity may increase and FA may be more useful in terms of evaluating the macula for evidence of capillary nonperfusion. Recommendations concerning intensity of burns, spacing between laser burns, and treating near the fovea as well as potential complications are similar to those for laser treatment of DME. Eyes are reevaluated in 4 months and retreated if persistent macular edema accounts for the decrease in visual acuity. The BVOS also assessed the role of scatter photocoagulation in preventing formation of retinal neovascularization and subsequent vitreous hemorrhage in patients with ischemic occlusions.47 It was noted that scatter argon laser photocoagulation to the affected segments, as determined by color photography and FA, extending no closer than two disc diameters to the center of the fovea, significantly decreased the risk of developing retinal neovascularization and lessened the occurrence of vitreous hemorrhage. Eyes at greatest risk for the development of retinal neovascularization were those with ischemic branch vein occlusions defined as eyes having more than five disc areas of capillary nonperfusion on FA. The risk of hemorrhage impairing vision in untreated patients is fairly low, however, and as a result no difference was found in terms of final visual acuity between treated and untreated groups. The study therefore recommends that scatter laser treatment be deferred until retinal neovascularization is present. The methods, as well as risks, of treatment are similar to those relating to PRP in patients with diabetes, except that treatment is limited to the affected area. CENTRAL RETINAL VEIN OCCLUSION Central retinal vein occlusions (CRVOs) are caused by thrombosis formation within the vein at the level of the lamina cribrosa. Clinical findings in the setting of a CRVO include intraretinal hemorrhages in all four quadrants, increased dilation and tortuosity of the retinal veins, macular edema, nerve fiber layer infarcts, and disc edema. Acutely, the decrease in visual acuity is secondary to macular changes such as macular edema, hemorrhage and capillary nonperfusion. Long-term visual loss may be secondary to macular capillary nonperfusion, chronic macular edema, arteriole occlusion, tractional or exudative retinal detachment and neovascular glaucoma.48,49 Anterior segment neovascularization is much more common with CRVOs than BRVOs. CRVOs are usually described as “ischemic” or “nonischemic” based on clinical examination and FA findings (Fig. 6). Roughly 75% to 80% of CRVOs are nonischemic. However, up to 34% of these will progress to the ischemic type usually within 1 year.46,47,50,51 An eye with a nonischemic CRVO typically has minimal capillary nonperfusion on FA, relatively few intraretinal hemorrhages, and a better visual prognosis than the ischemic variety. Ischemic CRVOs, conversely, have widespread capillary nonperfusion and are associated with a worse visual prognosis with increased risk of rubeosis iridis and neovascular glaucoma.52
The Central Vein Occlusion Study (CVOS) was a prospective, randomized, multicenter clinical trial designed to evaluate the role of PRP in promoting regression of anterior segment neovascularization resulting from ischemic CRVO, to determine the efficacy of macular grid laser photocoagulation for treating CRVO-related macular edema associated with visual acuity of 20/50 or worse, and to define the natural history of CRVO.53 The CVOS demonstrated that, although prophylactic PRP does decrease the risk of developing anterior segment neovascularization, prompt regression of neovascularization was more likely in eyes that had not received prior laser photocoagulation.54 Therefore, the study recommends observing ischemic CRVOs closely and treating with PRP at the first sign of iris or angle neovascularization rather than treating prophylactically. PRP may be warranted in the setting of acute ischemic CRVO if there is a high likelihood of poor patient compliance with follow-up. Unlike the BVOS, the CVOS did not demonstrate any benefit to laser photocoagulation for macular edema.55 Although laser therapy did decrease the amount of leakage on FA, there was no difference in visual acuity between treated and untreated eyes at any point in follow-up. An innovative treatment for nonischemic CRVO has previously been described.56 By using lasers to create an anastomotic connection between a retinal and a choroidal vein, a bypass to the obstruction can be created. Modifications to the initial technique have improved the rate of successful creation of chorioretinal anastomosis to 54%.57 Of the patients with a functioning anastomosis, 84% had visual improvement with an average improvement of 4.3 lines. BVOs may also benefit from such therapeutic intervention.58 The principle complication of this technique is the development of neovascularization, which can be subretinal, intraretinal or intravitreal. A pilot study using transscleral diode laser to create a chorioretinal anastomosis is under way. All patients with a CRVO should be examined at monthly intervals for the first 6 months. Particular attention should be given to anterior segment structures such as the iris, especially the pupillary margin, and the anterior chamber angle, with the practitioner looking specifically for neovascularization. Thus, an undilated examination of the anterior segment including gonioscopy is essential in following these patients. This close follow-up is especially important in eyes with symptoms of less than 1 month's duration, initial visual acuity less than 20/200, numerous intraretinal hemorrhages, and extensive capillary nonperfusion because these eyes have a much higher risk of developing anterior segment neovascularization.59,60 |
MISCELLANEOUS PROLIFERATIVE DISORDERS |
A multitude of other disorders can produce significant retinal ischemia
with subsequent neovascular proliferation. Some, as in the ocular ischemic
syndrome, are associated with decreased ocular blood supply. In
this condition, PRP may help control rubeosis iridis, neovascular glaucoma, and
posterior segment neovascularization.61–63 Other entities such as talc retinopathy and radiation retinopathy may
produce changes warranting PRP.64,65 Use of focal and grid lasers may be beneficial in treating radiation-induced
macular edema.66 Numerous other retinal vascular disorders can lead to posterior or peripheral retinal neovascularization. Experience using photocoagulation for the management of conditions such as proliferative sarcoid retinopathy or Eales' disease is certainly limited, and no controlled studies exist to verify the efficacy of treatment for such patients. Nevertheless, when progressive retinal ischemia and neovascularization develop, photocoagulation of areas of retinal nonperfusion is a rational approach and frequently leads to neovascular regression. SICKLE CELL RETINOPATHY Proliferative sickle cell retinopathy is most common in the SC form of this disorder. The initial finding is peripheral arteriolar occlusions, which cause retinal ischemia.67–71 Arteriovenous connections develop in the temporal periphery and lead to the typical sea fan formation and ultimately to vitreous hemorrhage. In the past, it was recommended that these arteriovenous communications be treated focally in an attempt to eliminate the feeder vessel entering the frond. This form of treatment poses some degree of risk, however, because it is not uncommon for the high-intensity burns used to occlude feeder vessels to rupture Bruch's membrane. As a result, peripheral scatter photocoagulation to areas of ischemia has gained favor as the treatment method of choice.72 Local scatter treatment is recommended for the compliant patient who will return for regular follow-up examinations. Otherwise, 360-degree scatter should be considered. RETINOPATHY OF PREMATURITY In 1988, the CRYO-ROP study first reported on the efficacy of peripheral retinal cryotherapy for “threshold” retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).73 Although cryotherapy is an effective treatment in many cases, the treatment occasionally may be technically difficult to perform and the complications, especially systemic ones, can be severe.74 Laser treatment is much less traumatic. The development of the laser indirect ophthalmoscope as a laser delivery system offers an alternative method of peripheral retinal treatment for these infants. McNamara and colleagues, in a randomized controlled clinical trial, showed that scatter photocoagulation to the peripheral avascular retina using the indirect laser system to deliver argon laser irradiation was as effective as cryotherapy in preventing visually significant structural retinal changes.75 The Laser ROP Study Group also concluded that laser photocoagulation was as effective as cryotherapy at inducing regression of threshold ROP.76 Additionally, laser photocoagulation appears to be effective in eyes with zone I threshold ROP whereas the CRYO-ROP study failed to show a significant benefit for treatment of these eyes.77–79 The argon and diode lasers appear equally effective in causing regression.80 The diode laser's portability makes it the preferred laser in many cases. The diode is also able to penetrate the tunica vasculosa lentis better than the argon. Seiberth and partners have demonstrated the effectiveness of transcleral diode laser therapy in the management of threshold ROP.81 |
OTHER RETINAL VASCULAR ABNORMALITIES |
RETINAL TELANGIECTASIA (COATS' DISEASE) In 1908, Coats published the first of two articles in which he described a condition characterized by retinal vascular changes and exudation.82 Retinal telangiectasia or Coats' disease occurs in healthy young males, although females are occasionally affected. Of these cases, 90% are unilateral. The superior temporal quadrant is most commonly involved. The hallmark of Coats' disease is the development of “lightbulb” telangiectasis in the retinal periphery, which can lead to subretinal exudation that has an affinity for the posterior pole. Untreated leakage usually has a poor prognosis, with eyes developing macular lipid exudation, exudative retinal detachment, and secondary glaucoma. Although the spectrum of clinical severity is wide and not all eyes need treatment, when lipid is threatening to or does involve the macula treatment is indicated. Treatment is directed at obliterating the abnormal telangiectatic vascular changes by photocoagulation or cryotherapy. Posterior lesions are more easily treated with laser than cryotherapy. Although cryotherapy has traditionally been the treatment of choice in the management of Coats' disease, laser photocoagulation can be useful.83,84 Cryotherapy is probably superior if large areas of exudate are present beneath the telangiectatic areas, because it is difficult to achieve an adequate photocoagulation reaction when underlying exudate is present. Occasionally, subretinal fluid may need to be drained before an adequate tissue reaction can be obtained. Multiple treatment sessions are often necessary. The prognosis with treatment is best when only one or two quadrants are affected and diminishes significantly when the disease involves more than 180 degrees of the retinal periphery. With the successful obliteration of the abnormal vasculature, exudate usually begins to absorb in about 6 to 8 weeks. As long as 10 to 12 months may elapse, however, before it is entirely gone. Even after complete obliteration of all abnormal vessels and resorption of all exudate, follow-up examinations are mandatory. If new exudate begins to appear later, it can be assumed that new vascular abnormalities have developed. This disease has been noted to recur as long as 5 years after an apparent cure.83 The disease course may be especially severe in younger patients and they therefore need to be treated more aggressively. ARTERIAL MACROANEURYSM Arterial macroaneurysms are frequently encountered in patients with systemic hypertension but may also occur without apparent antecedent cause. They are often associated with surrounding exudation and, in some cases, present because of significant hemorrhage. Visual loss is usually secondary to macular edema, hard exudate, or hemorrhage. Hemorrhage from an arterial macroaneurysm may be located beneath, within, or anterior to the retina. FA is helpful in establishing the diagnosis, because the macroaneurysm usually retains fluoresceinand appears as a discrete hyperfluorescent spot(Fig. 7).85 Treatment of these lesions is controversial.86 Many resolve spontaneously after bleeding, and treatment is generally reserved for those that have an exudative component threatening the macula. The optimal method of treatment is also uncertain. Direct treatment of the macroaneurysm runs the risk of inducing hemorrhage or an arterial obstruction. If such treatment is attempted, very low energy levels and a large spot size should be used. Light treatment with a tight grid pattern around the macroaneurysm may be all that is necessary to arrest or reverse the exudative complications of this lesion. Overall, for eyes with macroaneurysms with a primarily hemorrhagic component, observation may be best because these tend to bleed only once. When macular edema and hard exudate are increasing and threatening the macula, laser therapy is probably indicated. RETINAL CAPILLARY HEMANGIOMA Retinal capillary hemangiomas are benign vascular hamartomas inherited as an autosomal dominant disease and are bilateral in 50% of cases. Importantly, 25% of patients with retinal capillary hemangiomas have von Hippel-Lindau disease, a phakomatosis associated with central nervous system hemangioblastomas, with cysts of the liver, pancreas, and kidney, and with renal cell carcinoma.87 A complete medical evaluation as part of the initial examination and continued follow-up is mandatory in these patients. The retinal capillary hemangioma itself appears as an orange-red lesion usually located in the equatorial or preequatorial region. The lesion may vary from that too small to detect ophthalmoscopically to those several disc diameters in size. Classically, the tumor is associated with dilated and tortuous afferent and efferent vessels. Although the tumor may remain stable for years or even regress spontaneously, it can also leak significantly, which leads to lipid exudation and exudative retinal detachment. As with Coats' disease, lipid in the macula should lead the examiner to perform a careful examination of the peripheral retina. Although treatment is clearly indicated for lesions causing macular edema or hard exudate in or threatening the macula, management of small asymptomatic lesions is more controversial. Given the relatively poor prognosis of large tumors, some prefer to treat all lesions as soon as they are discovered. Early attempts to eradicate these lesions included radiation and diathermy. The advent of photocoagulation provided another means for successful treatment of small and medium tumors. Photocoagulation offers significant advantages over the other modes of treatment. It requires no conjunctival incision and causes no scleral necrosis. The technique involves mild photocoagulation burns to the surface of the angioma. These are just intense enough to cause blanching on the surface of the tumor. The treatments are frequently spread out over several sessions and have as their major complicationshemorrhage and secondary exudative retinal detachment.88 Larger lesions are best managed with feeder vessel photocoagulation. Dye yellow wavelengths should be used in these instances because of their maximal absorption by hemoglobin.89 Cryotherapy is also effective and may be the treatment of choice in patients with hazy media.90,91 Other vascular anomalies such as idiopathic juxtafoveal retinal telangiectasis, retinal cavernous hemangioma and racemose hemangioma only occasionally warrant laser therapy. |
TREATMENT OF RETINAL BREAKS |
CREATING CHORIORETINAL ADHESIONS Before addressing the treatment of retinal breaks, some discussion of the different types of retinal breaks that may occur is warranted. A retinal break is defined as any full-thickness retinal defect. Retinal holes are breaks without vitreoretinal traction whereas a tear is a break with or caused by vitreoretinal traction. A horseshoe tear is caused by persistent vitreal traction pulling the flap anteriorly. In an operculated tear, conversely, a piece of retina has been torn completely free. A symptomatic break is associated with photopsias and entopsias. The incidence of retinal breaks in the general population is 5% to 7%.92,93 Treatment, either by laser photocoagulation or transcleral cryotherapy, aims at creating a chorioretinal adhesion that will prevent liquid vitreous from passing through the break, thereby causing a retinal detachment. Thus, it is important to know which breaks need treatment and which can be safely managed with observation alone. The presence or absence of symptoms is important in making this decision. Although asymptomatic breaks in patients without a history of retinal disease are at low risk for progressing to retinal detachment,94 patients with a retinal break who are experiencing symptoms may well need treatment. This is especially the case in acute, symptomatic horseshoe tears that will progress to retinal detachment between 25% and 90% of the time.95–97 Thus, the type of break is also important in the decision-making process. Most horseshoe tears and dialyses need treatment whether or not the patient is having symptoms. Atrophic holes and lattice degeneration only occasionally need to be treated.98,99 Operculated holes in a patients with symptoms should probably be treated. Either laser photocoagulation or cryotherapy can be used to treat retinal breaks. Transcleral cryotherapy is useful in the presence of media opacity. In the presence of clear media, however, laser photocoagulation, delivered at the slit-lamp biomicroscope or through the LIO, has become the treatment modality of choice. Laser treatment of posterior breaks avoids cutting cryotherapy. Laser also avoids liberation of RPE cells as seen with cryotherapy.100 Breaks that may be treated with laser therapy or cryotherapy are horseshoe tears that are either totally flat or have only minimal subretinal fluid (i.e., less than two disc diameters in area) under the edges. Breaks with bridging vessels can be treated in a similar fashion, but they may bleed subsequently and should be watched closely afterward. Adequate treatment of the break necessitates encircling it with two or three rows of laser application. Settings are adjusted to produce a 200- to 500-μm burn of moderate intensity. Treatment of flap tears should be extended to the ora serrata except in cases with posterior breaks where the entire break should be well surrounded. Inadequate anterior treatment is the most common cause of treatment failure. Close follow-up is essential because up to 14% of eyes develop new breaks at some point after treatment of a retinal tear.101,102 Breaks in lattice degeneration occur primarily as round holes within the lattice or as horseshoe tears at the edge of the lattice. The latter are more serious and warrant treatment if the patient is symptomatic or has a history of detachment in the contralateral eye. When laser treatment is given for lattice with break formation, we prefer to encircle the lattice by placing two or three rows of laser burns in sound retina around the area. The settings are generally the same as described for treatment of retinal breaks. A retinal detachment is referred to as subclinical if subretinal fluid extends at least one disc diameter from the break but no more than two disc diameters posterior to the equator. Because 30% of such retinal detachments progress,97 treatment is indicated, usually with a scleral buckling procedure or pneumatic retinopexy. In some cases, delimiting this type of detachment with photocoagulation is satisfactory. Again, such treatment is likely to fail unless carried to the ora serrata at each end of the detachment. DEGENERATIVE RETINOSCHISIS Degenerative retinoschisis is considered to be a posterior extension of peripheral cystoid degeneration resulting in a split in the outer plexiform layer of the neurosensory retina. It is usually bilateral and inferotemporal. It should be differentiated from rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Byer has demonstrated that clinical retinal detachment is rare.103 He therefore recommends prophylactic treatment only in the setting of a symptomatic and progressive schisis-retinal detachment. Patients are occasionally seen to develop outer-layer retinal breaks, but these rarely become associated with symptomatic retinal detachment secondary to the schisis. As a result of Byer's report, when outer-layer retinal breaks are present, we do not recommend treatment. If clinically symptomatic retinal detachment occurs, then scleral buckling is indicated. |
COMPLICATIONS |
Laser photocoagulation may be associated with complications involving anterior
and posterior segment structures, singly or in combination. In
addition to these objective findings, the patient may notice subjective
changes in her or his vision as well. There is also good evidence that
the treating ophthalmologist may personally suffer color vision changes
after chronic exposure to argon blue light.104 Corneal damage may range from a small corneal abrasion to an inadvertent
thermal burn. Iris burns can lead to iritis and posterior synechiae.105 Lenticular burns and transient loss of accommodative amplitudes have also
been reported.106,107 PRP can induce elevation in intraocular pressure, the peak of which usually occurs in the first 24 hours after treatment.108 Although the anterior chamber is usually open, occasionally choroidal effusion or detachment causes forward rotation of the ciliary body and secondary angle closure glaucoma. Secondary glaucoma due to choroidal detachment after PRP is probably related to the amount of treatment given during a session.109 The glaucoma is usually transient and can almost always be treated medically. PRP may also be associated with visual field loss, loss of color vision, nyctalopia, and worsening of preexisting macular edema. Blankenship and others have discussed methods to minimize the risk of PRP-induced macular edema.31,110,111 These methods include treating CSME before starting PRP if possible and dividing PRP into multiple treatment sessions. Both PRP and intense focal macular laser can cause CNV. The neovascular complex grows through an iatrogenic break in Bruch's membrane.112 The risk of this complication can be minimized by not using small, short-duration high-power burns, which tend to puncture Bruch's membrane. Laser scar enlargement can also occur. If the original burn is close enough to the fovea, an increasingly disturbing scotoma or a frank decrease in visual acuity may occur. This is especially noted in treatment of CNV related to high myopia. Inadvertent macular/foveal photocoagulation has also occurred. RPE tears and subretinal hemorrhage are other possible complications. Fortunately, the risk of encountering these problems can be minimized by using the appropriate laser settings, careful attention to the position of the fovea and dividing PRP into multiple treatment sessions. |
TREATMENT OF CHORIORETINAL DISEASES |
MACULAR DEGENERATION In the United States, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of severe visual loss in people older than 65 years of age. Most patients with AMD who suffer severe vision loss have CNV.113 AMD-related CNV tends to be a bilateral disorder and, over 5 years, CNV develops in nearly 60% of fellow eyes that were initially free of neovascularization.114 CNV represents new and abnormal blood vessel growth either between the RPE and Bruch's membrane or in the subretinal space. Typically patients with CNV present complaining of blurred or distorted vision and, on examination, are found to have evidence of neovascularization such as subretinal fluid, hemorrhage, or exudation. In cases where CNV is apparent or suspected, FA alone or combined with indocyanine green angiography should be performed (Fig. 8). The results of these studies help determine treatment options that include observation, laser photocoagulation, photodynamic therapy (PDT), transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT), laser prophylaxis, and dye-enhanced laser treatment. The Macular Photocoagulation Study (MPS) was a randomized, prospective multicenter clinical trial that documented that laser photocoagulation was preferable to observation in the management of select patients with well-defined CNV from AMD, ocular histoplasmosis, and idiopathic causes.115–118 Unfortunately, using the MPS criteria, only 15% of patients with AMD-related CNV are eligible for laser treatment and one half of these are subfoveal on presentation. Of nonsubfoveal membranes treated with laser, over 50% recur, usually on the foveal side of treatment. Recurrence of CNV is associated with a poor visual prognosis.119 In the MPS, the major outcome variable, severe visual loss, was defined as a loss of six or more lines from initial or baseline visual acuity. The MPS categorized CNV based on its location relative to the center of the foveal avascular zone as depicted by FA. Extrafoveal lesions are CNV200 μm or more from the center of the foveal avas-cular zone, whereas juxtafoveal lesions are between1 and 199 μm from the center. Subfoveal membranesextend through or underneath the foveola. For ex-trafoveal CNV related to AMD, severe vision loss occurred in 64% of untreated eyes versus 46% of treated eyes after 5 years of follow-up.115 Fifty-four percent of treated eyes developed recurrent CNV, which was typically subfoveal. For juxtafoveal lesions, severe vision loss after 5 years was noted in 65% of untreated eyes versus 55% of treated eyes.116 As in the extrafoveal group, the major cause of vision loss was persistent and recurrent CNV. The MPS has demonstrated a treatment benefit of laser treatment over observation for subfoveal recurrent CNV.118 Although occult CNV may benefit from lasers in certain circumstances, in the MPS the treatment benefit was greatest for eyes that had only classic CNV.120,121 Later, the MPS evaluated laser treatment for subfoveal CNV in the subfoveal118 and subfoveal recurrence122 studies. Both studies reported a treatment benefit, but only if the CNV was relatively small. The MPS also evaluated laser treatment of idiopathic CNV and CNV related to ocular histoplasmosis. Outcomes in both groups were better than for AMD-related CNV with a decreased incidence of severe visual loss and fewer recurrences.123,124 METHODS Recognizing that CNV can grow at the rate of70 μm/day,125 the MPS recommends projection of a FA no more than 72 hours old to guide laser treatment. This helps ensure complete treatment of the CNV. There is a higher rate of recurrence if theinitial treatment fails to completely cover the CNV.126Although topical anesthesia usually suffices, if the patient cannot fixate with the fellow eye or if there is too much eye movement, retrobulbar anesthesia is indicated. A test burn is usually given in a safe location to determine the appropriate power setting. We typically begin with a 200-μm spot size, 200-mW power, and 0.2- to 0.5-second duration. The perimeter of the lesion is outlined first with overlapping burns with treatment extending 100 μm beyond the CNV. Then, the center is treated. Burns should be heavy, white, and confluent.122,124 There appears to be no difference between argon green and krypton red wavelengths in terms of final outcomes.118 The dye yellow laser is also effective. A posttreatment FA is obtained 2 to 3 weeks later. Persistent or recurrent CNV can be managed according to the clinical and angiographic findings. NEW TREATMENT MODALITIES Although laser photocoagulation of AMD-related CNV is useful in selected situations, most patients with CNV are not candidates for conventional treatment. Because of these limitations, new treatment modalities are under investigation. One of these, PDT, is currently being used in the management of subfoveal CNV.127–132 Unlike conventional laser treatment that results in the thermal destruction of normal as well as abnormal tissues, PDT uses nonthermal laser light to activate a photosensitizing agent that initiates a free radical cascade resulting in selective occlusion of the CNV without damaging the overlying neurosensory retina. This selective tissue destruction with PDT is achieved by sequestration of the photosensitizer in the target tissue, which is then irradiated with low energy light. The photosensitizing dye is injected intravenously 15 minutes before laser treatment using the diode laser. A subthreshold treatment is delivered such that the treating ophthalmologist cannot appreciate a change in the clinical appearance of the patient's fundus. Several photosensitizing agents are under investigation including verteporfin (Visudyne), tin ethyl etiopurpurin (SnET2/Purlytin), and luteium texaphyrin (Lu-Tex). The Treatment of Age-Related Macular Degeneration with Photodynamic Therapy (TAP) Study is using verteporfin as the photosensitizing agent. The 12-month data from this study, which is being conducted in 609 patients at 22 centers in North America and Europe, indicate that verteporfin therapy reduces the risk of vision loss compared with placebo for some patients with AMD who also have subfoveal CNV.133 Predominately classic CNV lesions (where the area of classic CNV was greater than or equal to 50% of the area of the entire lesion at baseline) had a significant treatment benefit. Lesions in which the classic component was less than 50% of the entire lesion had no benefit from treatment. Purlytin has been proven effective in phase I/II trials and recruitment for a phase III trial has been completed. Other therapies on the horizon include using conventional laser in new ways. Examples include TTT, dye-enhanced laser photocoagulation, and using laser prophylactically to prevent the development of CNV. TTT delivers heat to the choroid and RPE through a dilated pupil using a modified diode laser, and has been reported to be effective in the treatment of choroidal melanomas.134,135 TTT delivers less thermal energy compared with traditional laser. This may result in less damage to adjacent tissues, an important factor when treating CNV near or under the fovea. Reichel and coworkers performed TTT on 16 eyes in 15 patients deemed untreatable by MPS standards.136 Most of these patients experienced either stabilization or improvement of vision. A randomized, prospective clinical trial is currently under way to evaluate the ultimate role of TTT in the treatment of occult, subfoveal CNV associated with AMD. Dye-enhanced laser photocoagulation, like PDT, is based on the administration of an exogenous dye that is concentrated in the target tissue. Using a laser with an emission wavelength similar to the wavelength of absorption of the dye permits relatively specific tissue targeting. Indocyanine green has a wavelength of absorption of 805 nm, which is close to the diode laser's emission wavelength of 810 nm. Thus, intravenous administration of in-docyanine green dye before diode laser therapy may allow selective treatment of CNV with less energy.137,138 Olk and associates have demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in visual acuity in eyes with nonexudative AMD treated prophylactically with diode laser macular grid photocoagulation.139 The Prophylactic Treatment of AMD Trial (PTAMD) is currently in progress comparing subthreshold treatment with the diode laser to observation in eyes with nonexudative AMD. CENTRAL SEROUS CHORIORETINOPATHY Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSR) is an idiopathic condition typically characterized by one or more serous detachments of the retina. Small serous detachments of the RPE are sometimes located within the larger area of neurosensory detachment. Although classically associated with young men, its incidence in older patients and women may not be as low as originally thought.140 Concomitant pregnancy or steroid therapy may exacerbate findings and can even lead to exudative retinal detachment.141–143 FA findings usually include a pinpoint area of hyperfluorescence at the level of the RPE (Fig. 9B). Later frames reveal pooling of dye under the neurosensory detachment. The classic “smokestack” configuration of leakage is only found in 7% to 10% of patients. Most patients experience spontaneous resolution of subretinal fluid with subsequent improvement in visual acuity, typically over a 2- to 4-month period. However, many patients may note permanent subjective visual changes including alterations in color vision, decreased contrast sensitivity, and subtle visual field changes.144,145 Recurrences are common and usually occur within one disc diameter of the original leakage site.146 Roughly 5% of patients will undergo multiple recurrences that lead to RPE decompensation and a significant, permanent decrease in visual acuity 147,148. Although the differential diagnosis of CSR includes Harada's disease, optic nerve pits, posterior scleritis, rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, and choroidal tumors, the most important disease to consider is AMD with associated CNV formation. The presence of drusen in an older patient should make one suspicious of CNV. Thus, it is essential to remember that especially in patients older than age 45, what appears to be a pigment epithelial detachment may actually be early CNV.149 If there is any doubt about whether the lesion in question is a pigment epithelial detachment or CNV, careful observation with close follow-up is essential. Only laser photocoagulation has been consistently shown to be effective in treating CSR. Indications for treatment vary and, given the favorable natural history of untreated CSR, most cases go without treatment. Treatment may be considered for patients who have not improved after four months of observation, who have immediate visual requirements or who have bilateral, recurrent, or chronic disease. Although laser hastens visual recovery, ultimate visual acuity is similar in treated and untreated eyes.150–153 However, one study of chronic CSR without RPE decompensation found laser treatment superior to observation in terms of final visual acuity and incidence of recurrence.154 Patients with diffuse, chronic RPE changes may benefit from grid pattern of laser treatment.147 Treatment is guided by FA findings. Very light laser is applied directly to focal leaking spots visible on FA. Typical settings include 100- to 200-μm spot size, 0.1-second duration, and 100-mW power. The power may be increased just enough to blanch the RPE. The patient should be rechecked in 2 to 3 weeks and, if after 4 to 6 weeks no improvement has occurred, repeated FA and retreatment may be considered. Patients should be given an amsler grid and instructed to report any changes. Complications, although uncommon, include paracentral scotomata and iatrogenic CNV formation. |