ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on vitreoretinal surgical applications of the argon green and diode lasers. The intensity of the laser burn depends upon the duration and power settings of the laser, the degree of underlying pigmentation, the working distance of the endolaser tip from the retinal surface and the angulation of the endolaser tip relative to the retinal surface. During vitrectomy procedures, the endolaser is used most commonly to create a laser barricade around retinal holes, surround retinectomy edges or giant retinal tear margins, and deliver scatter laser photocoagulation. The 20-gauge endolaser probe is available in various styles: straight or curved, blunt or tapered tip, simple or aspirating, or illuminating. Rows of peripheral laser treatment are sometimes applied to ‘wall-off’ the area of prior detachment in eyes with reattached retinas in the setting of proliferative vitreoretinopathy and cytomegalovirus retinitis. The diode laser has been proven safe, reliable, and as effective as the argon laser.
