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Subthreshold Diode Micropulse Laser (SDM) for Persistent Macular Thickening and Limited Visual Acuity After Epiretinal Membrane Peeling
Authors Luttrull JK
Received 26 February 2020
Accepted for publication 9 April 2020
Published 29 April 2020 Volume 2020:14 Pages 1177—1188
DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/OPTH.S251429
Checked for plagiarism Yes
Review by Single-blind
Peer reviewer comments 3
Editor who approved publication: Dr Scott Fraser
Jeffrey K Luttrull
Private Practice, Ventura County Retina Vitreous Medical Group, Ventura, CA 93003, USA
Correspondence: Jeffrey K Luttrull 3160 Telegraph Road, Suite 230, Ventura, California 93003, USA
Tel/Fax +1 805-650-0865
Email jkluttrull@gmail.com
Purpose: To examine the effect of low-intensity/high-density subthreshold diode micropulse laser (SDM) on visual acuity (VA) and macular thickness in eyes with limited visual recovery and persistent macular thickening after epiretinal membrane peeling.
Methods: A retrospective review of medical records identified all patients undergoing SDM after membrane peeling in a clinical vitreoretinal subspecialty practice. Exclusion criteria included other obfuscating ocular disease or loss to follow-up after SDM treatment.
Results: All 19 eyes of 18 patients identified were included for study. After membrane peeling, VA improved from an avg. Snellen 20/240 [logMAR 1.08] to 20/72 [0.56] (p=0.0004). Attributed to persistent macular thickening following membrane peeling, overall VAs then gradually declined to an avg. of 20/91 [0.66] by 4− 109 months (avg. 41) post vitrectomy, at which point panmacular SDM was performed. An avg. 15 months post SDM, both VA (to avg. 20/68 [0.53]) and maximum macular thickness improved (p=0.007 and p=0.008, respectively). There were no adverse treatment effects.
Conclusion: Low-intensity/high-density subthreshold (sublethal) diode micropulse laser (SDM) may reduce macular thickening and improve visual in eyes with persistent macular thickening after membrane peeling even years after vitrectomy.
Keywords: laser, micropulse, subthreshold, epiretinal membrane, macular thickening, macular edema, reset, heat-shock proteins
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