Krypton red laser photocoagulation for subretinal neovascularization.

A series of 75 well-defined, consecutive patients with subretinal neovascularization secondary to a variety of macular diseases were treated with krypton red laser (KRL) photocoagulation and are reported on prospectively. Two thirds of the patients had subretinal neovascularization secondary to involutional (senile) macular degeneration. Most patients had clinical and/or fluorescein angiographic manifestations of neovascularization that posed a poor visual prognosis. The technique of treatment using the krypton red wavelength, as well as special considerations in the pre- and post-operative management, are reviewed. The results suggest that this wavelength is effective in the successful, anatomic elimination of subretinal neovascularization and improvement of the visual status with certain potential advantages compared to conventional argon blue-green laser (ABGL) radiation. Since this clinical study is void of randomization and controls, no absolute conclusions can be made with regard to the effectiveness of this form of treatment compared to other laser treatments or to the natural course of the macular diseases themselves. However, the results of this study are extremely encouraging, warranting further investigation.