Comparison of krypton and argon laser photocoagulation. Results of stimulated clinical treatment of primate retina
W. E. Smiddy, S. L. Fine, H. A. Quigley, R. M. Hohman and E. A. Addicks
We compared the clinical and histological effects of argon blue-green laser
(ABGL), argon green laser (AGL), and krypton red laser (KRL)
photocoagulation on the primate retina. Burns were produced in juxtafoveal
and papillomacular bundle and in nonmacular areas in a manner simulating
treatment of a choroidal neovascular membrane (NVM). In the juxtafoveal and
papillomacular bundle areas, ABGL photocoagulation caused extensive inner
retinal damage while KRL photocoagulation spared inner retinal structures.
The effects of AGL photocoagulation in the fovea were intermediate in
extent between KRL and ABGL photocoagulation. Axonal transport studies also
showed differential effects of these wavelengths on retinal ganglion cell
function. Nonmacular effects were similar for all three modalities. These
results suggest that the krypton red wavelength may be more suitable than
the argon green or argon blue-green wavelengths in treating choroidal NVMs
near the fovea.
