Initial clinical experience using a diode red laser (670 nm) in the treatment of retinal disease

Aim: To investigate the clinical use of a 670-nm diode red laser in the treatment of a number of retinal conditions. Methods: In all, 17 eyes of 17 patients were treated for conditions such as proliferative diabetic retinopathy, retinal neovascularization in central retinal vein occlusion, rhegmatogenous retinal lesions and retinal breaks, and prophylactic peripheral retinopexy prior to silicone oil removal after three port pars plana vitrectomy. Results: Regression of neovascularization was observed in all the eyes treated for vascular proliferation at the 3-month follow-up visit. Adhesive pigmented scars were observed in the remaining eyes 1 month after treatment. No major complications were recorded. Conclusions: In this pilot study, the 670-nm diode laser appears to be a promising modality for laser photocoagulation of the retina.