Laser-induced chorioretinal venous anastomosis using combined lasers with different wavelengths

Abstract

To evaluate the effectiveness of combined lasers with different wavelengths in creating chorioretinal venous anastomosis (CRVA) in nonischaemic central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). In this retrospective, noncomparative, consecutive case series, records of all patients with a diagnosis of nonischaemic CRVO who underwent combined laser treatment to induce CRVA and who were followed-up for 6 months or longer were reviewed. Records of 85 patients (85 eyes) were analysed. These patients were divided into two groups. In group 1 (24 cases, 24 eyes), combined lasers with two different wavelengths (argon blue-green laser combined with Nd-YAG laser were used. In group 2 (61 cases, 61 eyes), combined lasers with three different wavelengths (argon blue-green laser combined with krypton red laser and Nd-YAG laser) were used. Functional anastomosis formed in 13 out of 24 eyes (54%) in group 1 and 47 out of 61 eyes (77%) in group 2. In patients with successful anastomosis, visual acuity improved for two or more lines in 49 out of 60 eyes (82%), with the remaining eyes undergoing no change. There were no serious complications. The use of three laser wavelengths results in the creation of laser anastomosis and the success rate may be higher than when using two wavelengths alone.