Photocoagulation of retinal, vascular, and macular diseases through intraocular lenses.

A survey of physicians in several retinal centers in this country provided information on more than 500 patients who underwent photocoagulation treatment primarily for retinal, vascular, and macular diseases, and in some instances, for retinal breaks. One hundred forty-two physicians responded to a questionnaire providing a broader experience on this type of photocoagulation. Seventy-eight of the physicians had not performed photocoagulation through an intraocular lens (IOL) and 64 had treated one or more patients. In view of the essentially satisfactory fundus lesions obtained by photocoagulation through IOLs, one can consider this as an acceptable form of treatment recognizing the problem of visualization in certain patients. If photocoagulation is anticipated at some time after the implantation of an IOL, the technique used should permit safe dilatation of the pupil. The special situation for IOLs in patients with diabetes and macular degeneration is discussed.