Diode endolaser photocoagulation.

Endolaser photocoagulation was applied using a diode laser in 25 patients. Indications were for treatment of complications of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (17 patients), proliferative vitreoretinopathy (four patients), complex retinal detachments (three patients), and a retinal break (one patient). Good retinal and retinal pigment epithelial laser uptake was observed in all cases. The clinical appearance of the burn while it is being made is similar to that with the argon laser, but it is subtly lighter, especially in less-pigmented areas and eyes. Predictable clinical results and no adverse effects have been observed. While the clinical utility of the diode laser is analogous to that of standard argon endolaser systems, numerous logistical advantages are offered by this system.