Short-term effectiveness of intelligent navigated laser photocoagulation versus subthreshold micropulse laser in patients with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy

AIM:To compare the short-term effectiveness of intelligent navigated laser photocoagulation and 577-nm subthreshold micropulse laser(SML)treatment in patients with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy(cCSC).METHODS:This observational retrospective cohort study included 60 consecutive patients who underwent intelligent navigated laser photocoagulation(n=30)or 577-nm SML treatment(n=30)for cCSC between Jan.2021 and Oct.2022.During 3mo follow-up,all patients underwent assessments of best correct visual acuity(BCVA)and optical coherence tomography(OCT).RESULTS:The operation of laser treatment was successful in all cases.At 1mo,BCVA improved significantly more in the intelligent navigated laser photocoagulation group compared to the SML group(P<0.05).The change was not significantly different at 3mo(P>0.05).Central macular thickness(CMT)in the intelligent navigated laser photocoagulation group was lower than in the SML group at 1mo(P<0.05).The subfoveal choroidal thickness(SFCT)in two groups were all significantly improved at 3mo(all P<0.05).The change between two groups was not significantly different at 1mo or at 3mo(P>0.05).CONCLUSION:Intelligent navigated laser photocoagulation is superior to SML for treating cCSC,leading to better improvements in vision and CMT for short term.

Navigation technology/eye-tracking in ophthalmology:principles,applications and benefits-a narrative review

Navigation technology in ophthalmology,colloquially called“eye-tracking”,has been applied to various areas of eye care.This approach encompasses motion-based navigation technology in both ophthalmic imaging and treatment.For instance,modern imaging instruments use a real-time eye-tracking system,which helps to reduce motion artefacts and increase signal-to-noise ratio in imaging acquisition such as optical coherence tomography(OCT),microperimetry,and fluorescence and color imaging.Navigation in ophthalmic surgery has been firstly applied in laser vision corrective surgery and spread to involve navigated retinal photocoagulation,and positioning guidance of intraocular lenses(IOL)during cataract surgery.It has emerged as one of the most reliable representatives of technology as it continues to transform surgical interventions into safer,more standardized,and more predictable procedures with better outcomes.Eye-tracking is essential in refractive surgery with excimer laser ablation.Using this technology for cataract surgery in patients with high preoperative astigmatism has produced better therapeutic outcomes.Navigated retinal laser has proven to be safer and more accurate compared to the use of conventional slit lamp lasers.Eye-tracking has also been used in imaging diagnostics,where it is essential for proper alignment of captured zones of interest and accurate follow-up imaging.This technology is not routinely discussed in the ophthalmic literature even though it has been truly impactful in our clinical practice and represents a small revolution in ophthalmology.