PRIMARY LASER PHOTOCOAGULATION FOR THE TREATMENT OF GIANT RETINAL TEARS.

PURPOSE: Laser photocoagulation has typically been used as an adjunctive treatment to pars planar vitrectomy in achieving retinopexy in the treatment of giant retinal tears. We describe three cases where the giant retinal tear was treated with laser photocoagulation alone.

METHODS: A retrospective case report of three patients with giant retinal tears who underwent primary laser photocoagulation.

RESULTS: Fundus examination up to 18 months after primary laser photocoagulation of all 3 patients revealed a flat attached retina and no significant complications.

CONCLUSION: Laser photocoagulation alone is a viable alternative treatment for giant retinal tears in the absence of significant subretinal fluid.