Clinical applications of the MicroPulse diode laser

Purpose To evaluate the efficacy of the Iris Oculight MicroPulse 810 nm diode laser in the treatment of macular oedema secondary to either branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) or diabetic maculopathy and in the treatment of proliferative diabetic retinopathy. The specific advantages of this type of laser delivery are greater retinal pigment epithelial specificity and less damage to the inner retina, thus preserving visual field and colour contrast sensitivity. Methods Fifty-two eyes of 33 consecutive patients were treated over a 6-month period. Thirteen eyes had proliferative diabetic retinopathy and 39 had macular oedema secondary to BRVO or diabetic maculopathy. Panretinal and grid pattern photocoagulation were performed using the micropulse mode with the laser on for 100-300 μs and off for between 1900 and 1700 μs repeatedly in a pulse envelope of 0.1-0.3 s duration. Microaneurysms were not treated directly. Patients were assessed clinically and angiographically at 3 and 6 months. Results Ten eyes (77%) with proliferative disease showed some regression of new vessels at 6 months. Twenty-two eyes (57%) showed resolution of macular oedema at 6 months. Visual acuity was maintained in 27 eyes (69%) and improved in 11 eyes (28%). Conclusion Diode laser in micropulse mode is effective in the management of diabetic and occlusive macular oedema and proliferative diabetic disease.