Symposium on Light-Coagulation: Argon Laser and Xenon Arc, Ghent 15-16 June, 1972 (Documenta Ophthalmologica Proceedings Series)

The purpose of this symposium on light-coagulation is not to show the superi­ ority of the argon-laser-coagulation or, on the contrary, of the classical photo­ coagulation, but rather to see, if possible, which are the respective indications and contraindications for xenon-are-coagulation as well as for argon-laser­ coagulation. So, for instance, the argon-Iaser-coagulator is perhaps more appropriate to treat the lesions at and around the macula and the optic disc, but for the peripheral lesions of the retina the xenon-arc photocoagulator is surely as effective. For the conservative treatment of intraocular tumours, the xenon­ arc-coagula tor is beyond doubt more efficacious than the argon-Iaser-coagu­ lator. We were very happy to have at this symposium Professor MEYER-SCHWICKE­ RATH, the creator and the pioneer of light-coagulation, his coworker, Professor WESSING, and Doctor HUNTER LITTLE, one of the pioneers of the laser-therapy. We thank them very warmly for having brought to us the results of their promi­ nent clinical experiments. After general considerations on laser-photocoagulation, we will have a discussion on macular alterations and their treatment as well as on peripheral retinal vascular or non vascular diseases. The most important part concerns the treatment of diabetic retinopathy. Finally the prevention of complications in argon laser retinal photocoagulation will be reviewed. Front Matter....Pages N1-IX Light, Lasers and Ocular Photocoagulation....Pages 1-9 Principles and Indications for Slit Lamp Argon Laser Photocoagulation....Pages 11-16 Argon Laser Retinal Photocoagulation: Instrumentation and General Techniques....Pages 17-26 Comparison between Laser-Photocoagulation and Xenon-Photocoagulation....Pages 27-29 Preoperative Evaluation of Macular Alterations, Fluorescein Studies....Pages 31-33 Macular Diseases: Classification and Treatment with Argon Laser Slit Lamp Photocoagulation....Pages 35-42 Techniques and Results of Photocoagulation in Non Diabetic Vascular Diseases of the Retina....Pages 43-52 Argon Laser Photocoagulation in Peripheral Retinal Nonvascular Diseases: Retinal Tears, Retinal Degenerations’ and Retinoschisis....Pages 53-60 Natural History and Preoperative Evaluation of Diabetic Retinopathy....Pages 61-70 Xenon Arc Therapy of Diabetic Retinopathy....Pages 71-76 Argon Laser Therapy of Diabetic Retinopathy....Pages 77-84 Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment with Argon-Coagulation and Xenon-Coagulation....Pages 85-86 Preventing Complications in Argon Laser Retinal Photocoagulation Hunter....Pages 87-95