| Titel | Laser Photocoagulation to prevent Retinal Detachment in Acute Retinal Necrosis | 
| Abstract Nr. | A1017 | 
| Doel | Acute Retinal Necrosis (ARN) is a relatively rare but aggressive retinitis in immuno-competent patients.  Retinal detachment (RD) occurs in more than 75% of patients and is a main factor in visual prognosis. We studied the benefit of early laser photocoagulation in ARN on retinal detachment rate and visual outcome.  | 
| Methodes | Retrospective study : 26 eyes of 21 patients (5 bilateral involvement) with ARN were included in the study.  All patients received intravenous antiviral treatment for 1 week, followed by oral therapy for a further 6 to 8 weeks.   Laser photocoagulation was performed in 17 eyes. RD rate and visual outcome were studied.  | 
| Resultaten | RD occurred in 7 of 9 (78%) eyes that did not receive laser photocoagulation, and in 6 of 17 (35%) treated eyes (p = 0.039).    There was no significant difference in delay of laser therapy between patients who did or did not develop RD (p = 0.38), and the use of steroids in combination with the antiviral treatment (n=11) did not influence RD rate (p=0.691). Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at the last visit (follow up 3.7y (0.4-12y) [mean(range)] was significantly different between groups (p=0.022) : BCVA With laser : 0.39 ± 0.17 (snellen : mean ± SD), BCVA without laser : 0.19 ± 0.11.  | 
| Conclusie | in this small retrospective study, laser photocoagulation reduced the RD rate in ARN and was correlated with a better visual outcome. Although there is a link between laser photocoagulation and RD rate, BCVA should be regarded cautiously, as central retina and optic nerve involvement are important for visual prognosis as well. | 
| Naam | MISSOTTEN | 
| Initialen | T | 
| Instituut | Moorfields Eye Hospital | 
| Stad | London UK | 
| Naam | LAU | 
| Initialen | C | 
| Instituut | Moorfields Eye Hospital | 
| Stad | London UK | 
| Naam | LIGHTMAN | 
| Initialen | S | 
| Instituut | Moorfields Eye Hospital | 
| Stad | London UK |