Indian Journal of Ophthalmology

ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Year
: 2011  |  Volume : 59  |  Issue : 2  |  Page : 87--91

Experience with the Pascal® photocoagulator: An analysis of over 1200 laser procedures with regard to parameter refinement


Saumil Sheth, Paolo Lanzetta, Daniele Veritti, Ilaria Zucchiatti, Carola Savorgnani, Francesco Bandello 
 Department of Ophthalmology, University of Udine, Udine, Italy

Correspondence Address:
Saumil Sheth
1, Faroodi Mansion, Cama Road, Andheri (West), Mumbai - 400 058, India

Aim: To systematically refine and recommend parameter settings of spot size, power, and treatment duration using the Pascal® photocoagulator, a multi-spot, semi-automated, short-duration laser system. Materials and Methods: A retrospective consecutive series with 752 Caucasian eyes and 1242 laser procedures over two years were grouped into, (1) 374 macular focal / grid photocoagulation (FP), (2), 666 panretinal photocoagulation (PRP), and (3) 202 barrage photocoagulation (BP). Parameters for power, duration, spot number, and spot size were recorded for every group. Results: Power parameters for all groups showed a non-gaussian distribution; FP group, median 190 mW, range 100 - 950 mW, and PRP group, median 800 mW, range 100 - 2000 mW. On subgroup comparison, for similar spot size, as treatment duration decreased, the power required increased, albeit in a much lesser proportion than that given by energy = power x time. Most frequently used patterns were single spot (89% of cases) in FP, 5 Χ 5 box (72%) in PRP, and 2 Χ 2 box (78%) in BP. Spot diameters as high as ≈ 700 μm on retina were given in the PRP group. Single session PRP was attempted in six eyes with a median spot count of 3500. Conclusion: Overall, due to the small duration of its pulse, the Pascal® photocoagulator tends to use higher powers, although much lower cumulative energies, than those used in a conventional laser. The consequent lesser heat dissipation, especially lateral, can allow one to use relatively larger spot sizes and give more closely spaced burns, without incurring significant side effects.


How to cite this article:
Sheth S, Lanzetta P, Veritti D, Zucchiatti I, Savorgnani C, Bandello F. Experience with the Pascal® photocoagulator: An analysis of over 1200 laser procedures with regard to parameter refinement.Indian J Ophthalmol 2011;59:87-91


How to cite this URL:
Sheth S, Lanzetta P, Veritti D, Zucchiatti I, Savorgnani C, Bandello F. Experience with the Pascal® photocoagulator: An analysis of over 1200 laser procedures with regard to parameter refinement. Indian J Ophthalmol [serial online] 2011 [cited 2024 Mar 29 ];59:87-91
Available from: https://journals.lww.com/ijo/pages/default.aspx/article.asp?issn=0301-4738;year=2011;volume=59;issue=2;spage=87;epage=91;aulast=Sheth;type=0