Photostimulation with subthreshold yellow micropulsed laser for chronic residual subfoveal rhegmatogenous retinal detachment after surgery

Purpose The aim of this pilot study, the first of this kind, was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Subthreshold Yellow Micropulsed Laser (SML) to treat eleven patients with chronic residual subfoveal Retinal Detachment (RD) after surgery to repair Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment (RRD). Methods Eleven eyes with residual subfoveal RD after surgery, dating from eight to sixteen months before treatment have been evaluated. Evaluation included visual acuity, Amsler test, ophthalmoscopy, Autofluorescence (AF) and Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (SD-OCT). Results After treatment we recorded improved visual acuity and Amsler test, disappearance of subfoveal detachment by ophthalmoscopy, reduced retinal pigment epithelial distress by AF and restored macular retinal profile without neuroretinal alterations by SD-OCT evaluation in nine eyes. Conclusions Photostimulation with SML, selective for the Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE), is proved to be painless, effective and safe. The possibility to reabsorb subretinal liquid by foveal and parafoveal RPE photostimulation, without neuroretinal damage, opens new prospects for the therapy of this pathology. If further studies confirm the results of the present pilot study, SML treatment can be considered the first and only non invasive option for chronic residual RD after retinal surgery to repair RRD.