Argon laser photocoagulation in the management of retinal detachment and predisposing lesions.

During the years 1979-1982 we treated by argon laser photocoagulation 863 eyes of 551 patients affected by peripheral retinal degenerations and breaks. No case of progression to retinal detachment has been registered so far. In the same period, we treated 42 patients affected by retinal detachment of different topography (three posterior pole and 39 peripheral detachments) and size (mostly limited detachments, 12 as large as a quadrant, two larger than a quadrant). In 41 of these 42 eyes, the retina is still firmly attached after a 1- to 4-year follow-up, while in one case it was necessary to proceed surgically following a relapse. While argon laser photocoagulation is certainly the first choice treatment of retinal degenerations and breaks, it also appears to be a reliable alternative to scleral buckling in the management of specific cases of retinal detachment.