U. Menchini

Argon versus Krypton Panretinal Photocoagulation Side Effects on the Anterior Segment

The modification of corneal sensitivity, accommodation, pupillary diameter and endothelial cell density after argon versus krypton panretinal photocoagulation were studied prospectively in 88 eyes of 64 diabetic patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy, randomized for one of the two laser treatments. In both groups a marked internal ophthalmoplegia and reduction of corneal sensitivity occurred after laser photocoagulation. At no time, 2, 90 and 180 days after PRP, were these parameters significantly different. Endothelial cell loss was non significantly greater in the krypton group. The results indicated that the side effects commonly observed on the anterior segment after PRP are comparable using argon or krypton lasers.

Laser Treatment of Macular Subretinal Neovascularizations in Angioid Streaks

A serous hemorrhagic maculopathy with a subretinal neovascular membrane appears in about 70% of cases of angioid streaks. In this study a series of 60 eyes (31 patients) was reviewed. In 13 eyes macular subretinal neovascularizations were photocoagulated with blue-green argon laser, green argon laser, dye laser (rhodamine 6G) at 590 nm and red krypton laser. The authors present and discuss the results obtained and suggest that photocoagulation of subretinal new vessels not involving the fovea can be worth performing.

Pneumoretinopexy in the treatment of retinal detachment with macular hole

Nine eyes of nine patients affected by retinal detachment with macular hole were treated with pneumoretinopexy and postoperative positioning.All the eyes were myopic (mean 13.3d., sd 3.3), two were amblyopic and one was aphakic.The operative technique included eye softening and intravitreal SF6 gas injection only. Barrage laser photocoagulation was carried out after retinal reattachment.In seven eyes (77.8%) the retina reattached in a mean of three days and the visual acuity improved. No recurrences were observed after a mean of 11.6 months.No severe complications occurred. Vitreous flare was present in 44% and increase of floaters in 55% of the eyes.We believe that pneumoretinopexy can be employed as the first treatment in case of myopic retinal detachment with macular hole.

Dye laser photocoagulation of macular subretinal neovascularization in pathological myopia

The authors present a randomized study of 27 eyes affected by pathological myopia with macular subretinal neovascularization which were treated with a tunable dye laser. The effectiveness of three different wavelengths (577, 590 and 620 nm) in the direct treatment of subretinal neovascularizations was evaluated in 3 groups of 9 patients each.Statistical analysis of both visual and anatomical results did not show significant differences among the three wavelengths used.

Prevalence of retinopathy in diabetic subjects from out-patient clinics in Lombardy (Italy), and associated risk factors A multicentre epidemiologic study

There is little information on the prevalence of diabetic complications in Italy. For this reason, a multicentre population-based study was carried out in 1983-1985 in 12 representative out-patient clinics for the treatment of diabetes in the Lombardy region. Out of a total population of 17,704 patients 1160 diabetic subjects were randomly selected within strata based on their duration of disease (less than or equal to 5; 6-10; 11-20; greater than 20 years). Eight hundred and thirty-eight responders were examined using standardised protocols. The estimated prevalences (adjusted for duration of disease) for the total population involved in the study were 29.7% and 7.6% for background and proliferative retinopathy respectively. The overall standardised rates were higher in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) (53.6%) than in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) (34.7%) for both background (41.1%, 28.4% respectively) and proliferative (12.5%, 6.2% respectively) retinopathy, and increased with the duration of disease. The analysis of the relationship between diabetic retinopathy and the calculated risk factors did not show any association with hypertension or metabolic control, except for post-prandial blood glucose in subjects with durations 6-10 and greater than 20 years; an association with azotaemia was found in subjects with durations less than or equal to 5 and 11-20 years. Diabetic retinopathy appeared to be independently associated with the type of treatment and not with the type of diabetes, metabolic control, or hypertension.

Age-related macular degeneration and vitreous hemorrhage

Age-related macular degeneration led to vitreous hemorrhage (VH) in six eyes of four patients. Macular involvement was bilateral in three patients and fluorescein angiography performed before VH showed extensive subretinal hemorrhage in the macular region in all eyes. We examine the possible causal mechanisms of VH resulting from age-related macular degeneration. Local risk factors, as outlined in our series by fluorescein angiography, are discussed and systemic risk factors are considered. Three out of the six eyes underwent pars plana vitrectomy for removal of intravitreal blood, and had severe inflammatory reactions in the postoperative period. In the three non-operated eyes spontaneous reabsorption of VH was observed at the end of follow-up.

Complications of argon laser retinal buckling performed in myopic subjects presenting rhegmatogenous degenerations.

Twenty-two eyes of twenty-two patients suffering from retinal peripheral degenerations underwent preventive equatorial buckling with argon laser photocoagulation. The fellow eye was used as control. We evaluated the effects of laser photocoagulation on corneal sensitivity, on accommodation, on pupillary diameter and light reflex. In the postoperative period, up to the 3rd month, results were significant with respect to the control eye. The mechanisms to which the onset of these undesired alterations is due are discussed.

Bullous retinal detachment in diffuse retinal pigment epitheliopathy

Central serous choroidopathy can occur in an atypical, severe clinical expression also known as diffuse retinal pigment epitheliopathy. We report two cases in which this affection was complicated by a bullous retinal detachment of the lower quadrants. In one case the subretinal leaking point was photocoagulated. The evolution was favourable in both cases with resolution of the detachment and partial recovery of the visual acuity.