[Use of diode laser in the treatment of intraocular tumors: preliminary report].

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of diode laser transpupillary thermotherapy and to determine in what extent it may act as the only method of therapy of choroidal tumors, and when it should be used in combination with other methods. The study has preliminary character.

PATIENTS

15 eyes of 14 patients aged 38 to 82 years (mean--57 years) were treated because of intraocular tumor with the use of diode laser transpupillar thermotherapy in 13 patients primary intraocular tumor was diagnosed, and in 1 patient there was metastasis; in 13 cases tumors were localized unilaterally, whereas in 1 case they appeared in both eyes. The follow-up period (from the start of the treatment) ranged from 1 to 3 months.

METHODS

All patients were treated with transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) with the use of diode laser OcuLight SLx, IRIS Medical instruments, Inc. The power and size of the laser spots depended on the tumor size and pigmentation. Mean power used for the treatment was 600 mW, while mean exposure time was 1 minute.

RESULTS

Altogether, within 15 treated eyes in 8 cases regression, in 6--stabilization and in 1--progression was stated. As to complications and side effects, visual field scotomas in the treated area as well as deterioration of visual acuity were found during the treatment. In 2 cases a slight improvement of visual acuity was found.

CONCLUSIONS

In selected cases transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) can be effective especially in regard to small tumors (height up to 4.5 mm). Probably in the future it will be the only method of treatment. Treatment of larger tumors (height more than 4.5 mm) should be connected with the use of ruthenium plaque (106Ru). All complications and side effects found in the course of treatment were not dangerous to the eye (small hemorrhage) and were relatively easily tolerated by the patients. With longer follow-up of greater group of patients probably it will be possible to establish optimal parameters, advantages and possible other complications of such therapy.