%0 Journal Article
%T Experience with the Pascal  photocoagulator: An analysis of over 1200 laser procedures with regard to parameter refinement
%A Sheth Saumil
%A Lanzetta Paolo
%A Veritti Daniele
%A Zucchiatti Ilaria
%J Indian Journal of Ophthalmology
%D 2011
%I Medknow Publications
%X Aim: To systematically refine and recommend parameter settings of spot size, power, and treatment duration using the Pascal  photocoagulator, a multi-spot, semi-automated, short-duration laser system. Materials and Methods: A retrospective consecutive series with 752 Caucasian eyes and 1242 laser procedures over two years were grouped into, (1) 374 macular focal / grid photocoagulation (FP), (2), 666 panretinal photocoagulation (PRP), and (3) 202 barrage photocoagulation (BP). Parameters for power, duration, spot number, and spot size were recorded for every group. Results: Power parameters for all groups showed a non-gaussian distribution; FP group, median 190 mW, range 100 - 950 mW, and PRP group, median 800 mW, range 100 - 2000 mW. On subgroup comparison, for similar spot size, as treatment duration decreased, the power required increased, albeit in a much lesser proportion than that given by energy = power x time. Most frequently used patterns were single spot (89% of cases) in FP, 5 ¦¶ 5 box (72%) in PRP, and 2 ¦¶ 2 box (78%) in BP. Spot diameters as high as ¡Ö 700 ¦Ìm on retina were given in the PRP group. Single session PRP was attempted in six eyes with a median spot count of 3500. Conclusion: Overall, due to the small duration of its pulse, the Pascal  photocoagulator tends to use higher powers, although much lower cumulative energies, than those used in a conventional laser. The consequent lesser heat dissipation, especially lateral, can allow one to use relatively larger spot sizes and give more closely spaced burns, without incurring significant side effects.
%K Barrage photocoagulation
%K focal photocoagulation
%K laser power
%K laser spot size
%K laser treatment duration
%K panretinal photocoagulation
%K pascal  photocoagulation
%U http://www.ijo.in/article.asp?issn=0301-4738;year=2011;volume=59;issue=2;spage=87;epage=91;aulast=Sheth