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R Birngruber

Publications and source records attributed to R Birngruber.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Influence of temperature and time on thermally induced forces in corneal collagen and the effect on laser thermokeratoplasty.

PURPOSE: To investigate thermomechanical aspects of corneal collagen denaturation as a function of temperature and time and the effect of the induced forces on refractive changes with laser thermokeratoplasty (LTK). SETTING: Medical Laser Center Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany. METHODS: In a material-test setup, porcine corneal strips were denatured in paraffin oil at various constant temperatures for 10 and 500 seconds, and the temporal course of the contractive forces was studied under isometric conditions. Typical LTK lesions were performed in porcine eyes in vitro with a continuous-wave infrared laser diode at a wavelength of 1.87 microm for 10 and 60 seconds. The laser power was chosen to achieve comparable denatured volumes at both irradiation times. The refractive changes were measured and analyzed by histologic evaluations and temperature calculations. RESULTS: The time course of the induced forces was characterized by a maximal force, which increased almost linearly with temperature, and a residual lower force. After 500 seconds of heating, the highest force was achieved with a temperature of 75 degrees C. With a limited heating period of only 10 seconds, the forces steadily increased with temperature over the entire observation period. Laser thermokeratoplasty produced less refractive change after 10 seconds of irradiation than after 60 seconds, although the laser power was 25% higher in the short heating period. Polarization light microscopy of LTK lesions revealed different stages of thermal damage. CONCLUSION: The course of the contractive forces during and after heating is a complicated function of the spatial time/temperature profile. Laser thermokeratoplasty lesions produced with 2 irradiation times showed different stages of denaturation and induced refractive change.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Thermal and biomechanical parameters of porcine cornea.

PURPOSE: New methods in refractive surgery require a considerable understanding of the material "cornea" and are often studied by theoretical modeling in order to gain insight into the procedure and an optimized approach to the technique. The quality of these models is highly dependent on the preciseness of its input parameters. Porcine cornea often is used as a model in preclinical studies because of its similarity to man and its availability. METHODS: The important physical parameters for biomechanical deformation, heat conduction, and collagen denaturation kinetics have been determined for porcine cornea. Experimental methods include densitometry, calorimetry, turbidimetry, tensile tests, stress relaxation, and hydrothermal isometric tension measurements. RESULTS: The density of porcine cornea was measured as p = 1062+/-5 kg/m3, the heat capacity gave c = 3.74+/-0.05 J/gK. The stress-strain relation for corneal strips is represented by a third order approximation where the secant modulus yields about Esec approximately equal to 0.4 MPa for small strains less than 2%. The normalized stress relaxation is described by an exponential fit over time. The denaturation process of cornea is characterized by specific temperatures which can be related to the change of the mechanical properties. Denaturation kinetics are described according to the model of Arrhenius yielding the activation energy deltaEa = 106 kJ/mol and the phase transition entropy deltaS = 39 J/(mol x K). CONCLUSIONS: The established set of parameters characterizes the porcine cornea in a reliable way that creates a basis for corneal models. It furthermore gives direct hints of how to treat cornea in certain refractive techniques.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Subthreshold (retinal pigment epithelium) photocoagulation in macular diseases: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Subthreshold (retinal pigment epithelium) photocoagulation is a new photocoagulation method, which treats the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and avoids damage to the neural retina. The initial results in this prospective pilot study on various macular diseases are presented. METHODS: 12 patients with diabetic maculopathy (group I), 10 with soft drusen (group II), and four with central serous retinopathy (CSR) (group III) were treated and followed up for 1 year. Treatment was achieved using a train of repetitive short laser pulses (1.7 micros) of a green Nd:YLF laser (parameters: 527 nm, 100 and 500 pulses, repetition rate: 500 Hz, spot size: 160 microm, energies: 70-100 microJ). Laser energy was based on the visibility of test lesions on fluorescein angiography (50-130 microJ). Patients were examined at various times by ophthalmoscopy, fluorescein and ICG angiography, and infrared imaging. RESULTS: After 6 months hard exudates disappeared in six out of nine patients in group I and leakage disappeared in six out of 12 diabetic patients. In group II drusen were less in seven out of 10 patients. In group III serous detachment disappeared in three out of four cases. Visual acuity was stable in all cases. None of the laser lesions was clinically visible immediately. After 1 day most lesions were visible as yellowish RPE depigmentation. After 3 months some of the lesions were visible as hyperpigmented areas but most were not. Fluorescein angiography showed leakage only in the first week. Infrared imaging showed that most lesions can be visualised in groups I and II after a period longer than 1 week as hyperreflective areas. CONCLUSION: This study showed that subthreshold (RPE) photocoagulation is effective in some cases of diabetic maculopathy, drusens, and in CSR. Visibility of laser burns is not always necessary in the treatment of macular diseases presented here. Infrared imaging is an effective and non-invasive way of visualising subthreshold (RPE) laser burns.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Retinal sparing by selective retinal pigment epithelial photocoagulation.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether photocoagulation of the retinal pigment epithelium is possible with sparing of the photoreceptors. METHODS: Mild laser effects of a neodymium:yttrium-lithium-fluoride (Nd:YLF) laser (527 nm) were applied to 17 patients. To establish the necessary energy, test exposures were performed to the lower macula (laser variables: 1.7 microseconds, 100 and 500 pulses applied in a train at 500 Hz, 20-130 microJ, 160 microm). Of 179 test lesions, 73 were followed up at various time intervals up to 1 year by performing microperimetry directly on top of the laser lesions. RESULTS: All of the test lesions were at the threshold of retinal pigment epithelial disruption, and none of the laser effects were visible by ophthalmoscopy during photocoagulation; they were detectable only by fluorescein angiography. After exposure with 500 pulses, retinal defects were detected in up to 73% of the patients (100 microJ) after the first day. Most of these defects were no longer detectable after 3 months. After exposure with 100 pulses, no defects could be detected with 70 and 100 microJ after 1 day. The absence of microscotomas in the follow-up period suggests that retinal damage was minimal or, if it occurred, was functionally repaired. CONCLUSION: By choosing proper energy and number of pulses, it is possible to produce retinal pigment epithelial effects with no subsequent retinal damage detectable by microperimetry.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Photodynamic therapy with verteporfin for choroidal neovascularization caused by age-related macular degeneration: results of a single treatment in a phase 1 and 2 study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and short-term visual and fluorescein angiographic effects of a single photodynamic therapy treatment with verteporfin with the use of different dosage regimens in patients with choroidal neovascularization (CNV) from age-related macular degeneration. DESIGN: Nonrandomized, multicenter, open-label, clinical trial using 5 dosage regimens. SETTING: Four ophthalmic centers in North America and Europe providing retinal care. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with subfoveal CNV caused by age-related macular degeneration. METHODS: Standardized protocol refraction, visual acuity testing, ophthalmic examination, color photographs, and fluorescein angiograms were used to evaluate the effects of a single treatment of photodynamic therapy with verteporfin. Follow-up was planned through 3 months in 97 patients and for less than 3 months in 31 other patients. RESULTS: The mean visual acuity change (and range of change) from baseline at the follow-up examination at week 12 after a single treatment with regimens 1 through 5 was -0.2 (-3 to +2), -0.9 (-9 to +5), -1.6 (-9 to +2), +0.4 (-8 to +7), and +0.1 (-8 to +9) lines, respectively. Only the highest light dose (150 J/cm2) in regimens 2 and 3, which produced angiographic nonperfusion of neurosensory retinal vessels, caused marked vision loss. Some cessation of fluorescein leakage from CNV was achieved without loss of vision when the light dose used was less than 150 J/cm2. Systemic adverse events were rare. Cessation of fluorescein leakage from CNV was noted in all regimens by 1 week after photodynamic therapy. Fluorescein leakage from at least a portion of the CNV reappeared by 4 to 12 weeks after treatment in almost all cases. Progression of classic CNV beyond the area of CNV identified before treatment was noted in 42 (51%) of the 83 eyes with classic CNV followed up for 3 months after a single treatment. Eyes in which the area of any CNV leakage at 12 weeks was less than at baseline had a significantly better visual acuity outcome (+0.8 line) than eyes in which CNV leakage progressed (-0.8 line). CONCLUSIONS: Photodynamic therapy with verteporfin achieved short-term cessation of fluorescein leakage from CNV without loss of vision or growth of classic CNV in some patients with age-related macular degeneration. Except for nonperfusion of neurosensory retinal vessels at a light dose of 150 J/cm2, no other adverse events were of concern. Randomized clinical trials to investigate whether this new modality can preserve vision in patients with CNV secondary to age-related macular degeneration are justified.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Photodynamic therapy with verteporfin for choroidal neovascularization caused by age-related macular degeneration: results of retreatments in a phase 1 and 2 study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate safety and short-term visual acuity and fluorescein angiographic effects of photodynamic therapy (PDT) after retreatments with verteporfin for choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) that demonstrated fluorescein leakage after at least 1 course of PDT. DESIGN: Nonrandomized, multicenter, open-label phase 1 and 2 clinical trial using 2 different retreatment dosage regimens. SETTING: Four ophthalmic centers in Europe and North America providing retinal care. METHODS: Standardized protocol refraction, visual acuity testing, ophthalmic examinations, color photographs, and fluorescein angiograms were used to evaluate the results of multiple PDT treatments. Two regimens (regimens 2 and 4) for treatment and retreatment were chosen from 5 used in a single-treatment study. Both regimens used a verteporfin dose of 6 mg/m2 infused for 10 minutes. However, regimen 2 used a light dose of 100 J/cm2 applied 20 minutes after the start of the verteporfin infusion, whereas regimen 4 used a light dose of 50, 75, or 100 J/cm2 applied 15 minutes after infusion commenced. Posttreatment evaluations were planned in 31 participants up to 3 months after up to 2 retreatments given at 2- or 4-week intervals after initial PDT treatment. Similar posttreatment evaluations were planned after retreatments in 5 additional participants who were reenrolled some time more than 12 weeks after an initial PDT treatment. RESULTS: The average visual acuity change for the 31 participants who had retreatment within 2 to 4 weeks after the initial treatment and a follow-up examination 16 to 20 weeks after the initial treatment was 0.2 lines (range, -4 to 4 lines) in regimen 2 and -1.0 line (range, -5 to 3 lines) in regimen 4. Similar outcomes were noted in the 5 reenrolled participants. Cessation of fluorescein leakage from classic CNV for at least 1 to 4 weeks could be achieved without loss of visual acuity after at least 2 treatments in 2 (6.5%) of 31 patients. Similar to single-treatment effects, the disappearance of leakage was documented regularly at 1 week after each retreatment. Fluorescein leakage reappeared by 4 to 12 weeks after a retreatment in almost all cases. However, compared with baseline, leakage activity appeared to be reduced after multiple PDT courses. For the 31 patients who had follow-up for 3 months after the last retreatment and had received retreatment 2 to 4 weeks after the initial treatment, progression of CNV beyond the area identified before the retreatment was noted in 10 (48%) of the 21 eyes with classic CNV in regimen 2 and 9 (90%) of 10 eyes in regimen 4. The rate and severity of ocular or systemic adverse events were not increased by multiple applications. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple applications of PDT with verteporfin achieve repetitive, short-term cessation of fluorescein leakage from CNV secondary to AMD, without loss of visual acuity. This strategy can be used in randomized clinical trials investigating the efficacy of verteporfin in PDT for recurrent fluorescein dye leakage from persistent or recurrent CNV, following an initial or subsequent PDT treatment, with maintenance of visual acuity. Retreatments may achieve progressive cessation of leakage and prevent further growth of CNV and subsequent visual loss.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

[Diode laser thermokeratoplasty. Initial clinical experiences].

PURPOSE: Pulsed holmium lasers are currently used to correct hyperopia by means of laser thermokeratoplasty (LTK). Series of microsecond laser pulses are applied with a high repetition rate to induce shrinkage of corneal collagen fibers. The pulsed energy application results in intrastromal temperature peaks of up to 200 degrees C. A continuously emitting laser diode can--as we demonstrated recently in an invivo study on minipigs--be used for LTK and may be of advantage because the temperature rise is more steady. The aim of this study was to examine the safety, amount, and stability of hyperopic correction of diode LTK on blind human eyes. METHODS: We used a laserdiode that was set to continuously emit light at lambda = 1.854 microns/mu a = 1.04 mm-1 (group I, n = 4) or 1.87 microns/mu a = 1.92 mm-1 (group II, n = 4). Radiation energy was 100 to 150 mW for 10 s per coagulation. Eight coagulations on a single ring (group I) and 16 coagulations on a double ring (group II) diameter were applied in the cornea concentric to the entrance pupil by means of a vacuum-fixed application mask (group I = conjunctival fixation; group II = corneal fixation) and a handpiece with a focusing optic. Preoperatively as well as 1 week, 1, 2, 3, 6 12 and 18 months postoperative ophthalmologic controls were performed and the corneal refractive power was measured. RESULTS: In group I initial refractive changes of up to +4.9 D were achieved (1 week postoperative). However, due to the great penetration depth of the laser irradiation, large endothelial defects resulted beneath the stromal coagulations. In group II an initial refractive change of up to +6.8 D was achieved and as a result of the reduced penetration depth, the endothelial cell damage was much reduced. Partial regression of the refractive effect occurred in all subjects, which continued in higher refractive changes during the 2nd postoperative year. The refractive effect at 12 months was +0.6 to +1.5 D in group I and +0.9 to +5.7 D in group II. At 12 months the induced astigmatism was 0.5 to 2.2 D in group I and 0.3 to 1.6 D in group II. No serious adverse effects were noticed. CONCLUSION: A continously emitting laser diode working at a wavelength of 1.87 microns can be used to correct hyperopia by means of LTK safely and effectively. Regression occurs predominantly in the first 6 postoperative months. Further studies must be conducted to determine the importance of patient inherent parameters such as age in establishing a nomogram.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Confocal indocyanine green angiography with 3-dimensional topography. Results in choroid neovascularization (CNV)].

BACKGROUND: Confocal indocyanin green angiography (ICGA) offers detailed two-dimensional imaging of choroidal pathologies. However, the spatial extension of lesions is not reproduced. We developed a novel method for three-dimensional documentation of choroidal vascular abnormalities. METHODS: Focal series were performed using a laser scanning ophthalmoscope (Heidelberg Retina Angiograph). Thirty-two images within a distance of 4 mm were taken at a frequency of 20 Hz. Following correction of dislocation, a surface of normalized fluorescence intensity was determined and displayed topographically. RESULTS: In physiological eyes three-dimensional ICGA demonstrates the homogeneous concavity of the choroid with prominent overlay of retinal vessels. Classic choroidal neovascularization (CNV) imposes as substantial elevation. Occult CNV are demarcated despite negative conventional ICGA due to reduction of blocking phenomena. Therapeutic interventions such as photocoagulation, photodynamic therapy and surgery induce a resolution of CNV with or without residual defects within the choroidal pattern. CONCLUSION: Topographic ICGA allows for the first time in-vivo representation of prominence and depth of vascularized pathologies and provides a tool for improved diagnostic and therapeutic evaluation.

Choroidal Neovascularization↗
PubMed1999

Variability of RPE reaction in two cases after selective RPE laser effects in prophylactic treatment of drusen.

BACKGROUND: The value of prophylactic photocoagulation of soft drusen is unclear. Photocoagulation is usually performed by a continuous wave laser. METHODS: We report the cases of two patients with age-related macular degeneration with soft drusen who were treated by selective retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) photocoagulation of a pulsed Nd:YLF (527 nm) laser. Laser parameters were: wavelength 527 nm, number of pulses in a train 500, pulse duration 1.7 microseconds, energy per pulse 70 microJ, spot size 160 microns, repetition rate 500 Hz. RESULTS: Dosimetry performed individually showed that in both patients laser photocoagulation was performed at the threshold of RPE disruption. None of the laser effects was visible during photocoagulation. They were detectable only by fluorescein angiography. Despite identical photocoagulation parameters the RPE reaction was completely different. In the first patient RPE hyperpigmentation was notable at most photocoagulation sites and the drusen had disappeared after 6 months. In the second patient the laser effects were not visible after 6 months by biomicroscopy and the drusen stayed unchanged. CONCLUSION: These findings could reflect different repair mechanisms of the RPE after alteration and could represent a sign of a different viable stage in the life of RPE cells. Close attention should be paid to this phenomenon in the various drusen studies currently under way.

Fluorescein Angiography↗
PubMed1999

Continuous-wave diode laser thermokeratoplasty: first clinical experience in blind human eyes.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and stability of laser thermokeratoplasty (LTK) with a continuous-wave diode laser in blind human eyes and to optimize parameters for a study in sighted eyes. SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University Lübeck, Germany. METHODS: A continuous-wave diode laser was set to emit radiation with a wavelength of 1.854 microns (Group 1, n = 4) or 1.870 microns (Group 2, n = 4) and 100 to 150 mW power for 10 seconds. A focusing handpiece was coupled with an application mask and fixed by partial vacuum to the conjunctiva or cornea. The radiation was focused into the corneal stroma between 400 and 600 microns in Group 1 and set to 1000 microns in Group 2. Eight (Group 1, single ring) or 16 (Group 2, double ring) coagulations were applied. RESULTS: The refractive change increased with higher laser power and smaller ring diameters. Two rings of coagulations provided higher and more stable refractive changes of up to 5.66 diopters (D) than a single ring. The refractive effect stabilized between 3 and 6 months postoperatively. At 1 year, mean refractive change was +0.99 D +/- 0.39 (SD) in Group 1 and +2.32 +/- 2.24 D in Group 2. Extensive endothelial damage occurred in Group 1 but was minimal in Group 2. CONCLUSIONS: Diode LTK was used to treat hyperopia safely and effectively. Regression occurred mainly in the first 3 postoperative months. With a wavelength of 1.870 microns, corneal endothelial damage was limited.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Macular injury by a military range finder.

OBJECTIVE: The authors report the clinical findings of a civilian patient who unintentionally looked into the laser beam of a military range finder. Detailed information on the range finder is given. The objective is to illustrate the potential danger of such devices and to give detailed information on the device, the clinical findings associated with exposure, and the laser-tissue interaction mechanism. METHODS: The patient was examined with fluorescein angiography, indocyanine green angiography, microperimetry, and optical coherence tomography, both in the acute stage (2 hours) and 4 weeks later. Fluorescein angiography was performed again 4 months later. A total of 100 mg prednisone tapered over 9 days was prescribed. Additionally, 50 microg tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) and 0.5 mL pure C2F6 were injected in the vitreous. RESULTS: In the acute phase, hemorrhage was located beneath the retina, primarily beneath the retinal pigment epithelium. Retinal defects as seen initially over the subretinal blood were reduced after 4 weeks, but a retinal defect ranging from the lasered site toward the fovea remained. Visual acuity slightly increased from 20/100 to 20/63 after 4 weeks. Indocyanine green angiography showed a large hypofluorescent spot in the macula. Four months after the accident, a classic choroidal neovascularization developed, originating from the lasered site. The technical parameters of the range finder were: Nd:YAG laser (1,064 nm), pulse duration 10 ns, beam divergence 1.5 mrad, energy 10 mJ. CONCLUSION: A range finder can produce severe macular injury. The primary laser-tissue interaction mechanism seems to be explosive disruption of choroidal tissue. Intravitreal injection of TPA and C2F6 did not show a clear benefit to such laser lesions. A late complication can be secondary choroidal neovascularization.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Bubble formation as primary interaction mechanism in retinal laser exposure with 200-ns laser pulses.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Retinal laser photocoagulation is generally performed by laser pulses of a few hundred milliseconds. The tissue interaction mechanism is a pure thermal interaction mechanism. As pulse duration gets shorter, different, non-thermal interaction mechanisms start to appear. The time domain for a change of tissue interaction mechanism seems to be in the ns and micros range. The goal of this study was to characterize the tissue interaction mechanism with 200-ns laser pulses, which approximate the thermal relaxation time of single melanin granules. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The retinas of 19 eyes of 10 rabbits were irradiated by 10 and 500 repetitive laser pulses (wavelength, 532 nm; repetition rate, 500 Hz; pulse duration, 200 ns; per pulse energy, 0-120 microJ; retinal spot size, 100 microm). The effects were evaluated by fluorescein angiography, ophthalmoscopy and by theoretical thermal calculations. Light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were additionally performed on lesions irradiated by 500 pulses. RESULTS: Single pulse threshold energies for angiographic visibility were 3.5 microJ (10 pulses) and 2.1 microJ (500 pulses), for ophthalmoscopic visibility 9.0 microJ (10 pulses) vs. 8.6 microJ (500 pulses). At energy levels above ophthalmoscopic visibility macroscopically visible bubble formation inside the retina could be observed. This occurred at energy levels of 35 microJ (10 pulses) vs. 17 microJ (500 pulses). Microscopic evaluation of lesions irradiated with 500 pulses and energies at the angiographic threshold showed a damage primarily to the RPE. Additional outer segment damage of the photoreceptors could be found. A gap between damaged RPE cells and the outer segments could be repeatedly found as well as damaged RPE cells, which were detached from intact Bruch's membrane. Temperature calculation shows that temperatures above 100 degrees C may exist around single melanin granules. CONCLUSION: The studies suggest that RPE damage may occur by bubble formation around single melanin granules.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

[Ab externo erbium YAG laser sclerostomy versus conventional trabeculectomy. Treatment of glaucoma patients].

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to compare the efficacy of the Er-YAG laser sclerostomy ab externo versus trabeculectomy in the treatment of primary open-angle glaucoma. METHODS: Twelve patients with POAG underwent ab externo laser sclerostomy using an Er-YAG laser (Sklerostom 2.9; lambda = 2940 nm, t = 200 microseconds, 2 Hz, 400 microns, 15 mJ). Only local medication was used, and there were no risk factors for failure. As a control group 12 patients out of 248 standardized trabeculectomies were matched in terms of age, sex, diagnosis and local medications. No antimetabolites were used in either group. RESULTS: After a follow-up of 9 months in the sclerostomy group 53%; (7/12; P = 0.03) showed a patent fistula in comparison of 100% in the trabeculectomy group. There was a significantly lower mean IOP during the first postsurgical week in the group of sclerostomies (3.6 +/- 1.5 mmHg versus 7.5 +/- 2.7 mmHg; P = 0.0001) with a higher incidence of choroidal detachments (9/12 versus 2/12; P = 0.004). The choroidal detachments lasted longer in the sclerostomy group (3.5 months versus 0.3 months; P = 0.014). Iris incarcerations were found only in sclerostomies (7/12; P = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Based on these findings, Er-YAG laser sclerostomy prooved to be less effective than trabeculectomy in the treatment of glaucoma patients. Er-YAG laser sclerostomies were associated with a higher incidence of postsurgical complications such as hypotony, choroidal detachments and iris incarcerations. At this point Er-YAG laser sclerostomy is not superior to conventional trabeculectomy.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Therapeutic range of repetitive nanosecond laser exposures in selective RPE photocoagulation.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate whether selective damage the RPE while sparing the adjacent photoreceptors is possible with repetitive 200-ns pulses of Nd:YAG laser (532 nm) and what potential side effects can be expected with higher pulse energies. METHODS: We irradiated the retinas of 19 eyes of 10 chinchilla rabbits with 500 pulses from a Nd:YAG laser, each 200 ns in duration, at a repetition rate of 500 Hz (158 microns, 0-120 microJ). Threshold curves for different effects were established. Representative lesions were investigated by light and transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: It was possible to produce lesions, which were only visible by fluorescein angiography. The ED50 threshold energy per pulse for visibility by fluorescein angiography was 2.1 microJ per pulse, for visibility by ophthalmoscopy 8.6 microJ. Bubble formation, an uncommon phenomenon in retinal photocoagulation, occurred at energies of 15-25 microJ. Hemorrhage occurred at surprisingly high energy levels of more than 100 microJ. Histology performed on lesions visible only by angiography showed damage primarily to the RPE and outer segments, with very little damage to some inner segments dependent on the energy used. CONCLUSIONS: Selective RPE damage is possible with repetitive 200-ns laser pulses and appropriate energy; however, the collateral damage to the adjacent retina is more pronounced than with repetitive microsecond laser pulses. There is no risk of hemorrhage of retinal photocoagulation with the repetitive 200-ns laser pulses at low energy levels which would be used clinically.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Photodynamic therapy of subfoveal choroidal neovascularization: clinical and angiographic examples.

BACKGROUND: Conventional photocoagulation of subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is often accompanied by visual loss due to thermal damage to adjacent retinal structures. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) allows vascular occlusion by selective photochemical destruction of vascular endothelial cells only. In a pilot study we evaluated the use of PDT in CNV. METHODS: In a clinical phase I/II trial, patients with subfoveal CNV were treated with PDT. Benzoporphyrin derivative monoacid ring A (BPD) was used as sensitizer at a drug dose of 6 mg/m2 or 12 mg/m2. Irradiation was performed via a diode laser emitting at 690 nm coupled into a slit lamp. Safe and maximum tolerated light doses were defined by dose escalation from 25 to 150 J/cm2. Photodynamic effects were documented ophthalmoscopically and angiographically. RESULTS: Sixty-one patients received a single course of BPD-PDT. Preliminary results suggest no damage to retinal structures within the treated area clinically. Retinal perfusion was not altered, while CNV demonstrated immediate absence of fluorescein leakage in the majority of lesions subsequent to PDT. At optimized parameters (6 mg/m2 and 50 J/cm2) complete cessation of leakage from classic CNV occurred in 100% of cases at 1 week and in 50% at week 4. In 70-80% of classic CNV, leakage reappeared at week 12, but markedly less than before treatment. CONCLUSION: PDT allows temporary absence of leakage from CNV with preservation of visual acuity. The long-term prognosis of CNV secondary to age-related macular degeneration treated with repeated courses of PDT is being evaluated in a phase III trial.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Diode laser thermokeratoplasty: application strategy and dosimetry.

PURPOSE: To investigate suitable application parameters for efficient hyperopic correction by laser thermokeratoplasty (LTK) using mid-infrared laser diodes. SETTING: Medical Laser Center Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany. METHOD: A tunable continuous-wave laser diode in the spectral range between 1.845 and 1.871 microns was used. Transmitted by waveguides, the laser energy was used to induce coagulations on freshly enucleated porcine eyes to increase corneal curvature. The coagulations were equidistantly applied by a fiber-cornea contact and a noncontact focusing device that were adjusted on a ring concentric to the corneal apex. Different laser parameters and application geometries were evaluated. Refractive changes were measured by computer-assisted corneal topography before and after treatment. Polarization light microscopy and temperature calculations were used to analyze the coagulations. RESULTS: Because of the tunability of the laser diode, the influence of the corneal absorption coefficient (between 0.9 and 1.6 mm-1) on the refractive change could be measured. A laser power between 125 and 200 mW was adequate to achieve refractive changes up to 10.0 diopters. In the preferable focusing device, the refractive change increased almost logarithmically with the irradiation time up to 15 seconds. The number of coagulations on a fixed application ring showed no significant influence on refractive change; however, it showed an almost linear decrease with increasing ring diameter from 5.0 to 10.0 mm. Histological analysis revealed 3 stages of thermal damage. CONCLUSION: Diode LTK provided defined and uniform coagulations when using a well-adapted focusing device, resulting in sufficient refractive change. The results indicate that diode LTK is superior to pulsed holmium LTK.

Absorption↗