Panretinal photocoagulation by a Multicolor Laser Photocoagulator with
a Scan Delivery System

Yasuhiro Lesato

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of a novel Multicolor Laser Photocoagulator with Scan Delivery System (Nidek, Gamagori, Japan) in panretinal photocoagulation for eyes with diabetic retinopathy associated with opaque media.

Methods :Eighteen eyes with proliferative diabetic retinopathy were included in this study.
Nine eyes were treated with conventional single spot green laser, while the remaining nine eyes were treated with Multicolor Scan Laser. The laser conditions were as follows; green, pattern 4×4arrays, spot size:200μm, laser powe:300 mW to 600 mW, pulse duration 20ms. If coagulation spots cannot be obtained with green laser, yellow then red laser was used depending on the degree of media opacity. The severity of pain caused by laser was evaluated using visual analog scale.The operation time was also recorded.

Results :Adequate laser spots were obtained with green laser in three eyes, while yellow or red laser was required in 6 eyes with opaque media. The average pain score was 3.6 for Multicolor Scan Laser, while 7.2 for a single spot conventional laser. The operation time needed for one quadrant was 4.2 minutes in Multicolor Scan Laser, while 12.4minutes for the conventional laser.

Conclusion: Multicolor Scan Laser cause much less pain and requires shorter operation time in panretinal photocoagulation. It could deliver adequate coagulation spots to the eyes with mild to moderate media opacity which a conventional green laser cannot be used.