Subliminal Laser as Additional Therapy to Reduce Intravitreal Injection Number for the Patients with Macular Diseases

Abstract

Summary Introduction Intravitreal injections have become one of the most performed surgical procedures in ophthalmology. There is a need to look for an effective alternative therapy for patients with anti-VEGF complications and systemic disease contraindications. Aim of the study To evaluate Subliminal laser effectiveness on reducing macular disease edema. Materials and methods Subliminal laser treatment was done three times with three month intervals for patients with macular edema due to retinal diseases. On 1st, 3rd, 6th and 9th month visit the best corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure, macular thickness and macular volume were registered. Results Mean visual acuity before treatment was 0,52 (SD=0,31) that changed to 0,56 after the 9 month treatment (p>0,05). Mean central macular thickness from 326,12 μm reduced to 308,15 (p=0,76). Without significant difference, inner cycle volume changed from 1353,80 mm3 to 1297,57 mm3 (p=0,81) and outer cycle volume from 1179,4 mm3 to 1112,56 mm3 (p=0,51). Conclusions Subliminal laser controls macular edema level and could be a solution for patients who cannot afford or are emotionally distressed by monthly intravitreal injections. This treatment method can be used as additional therapy to reduce the number of intravitreal injections.