PASCAL Laser Platform Produces Less Pain Responses Compared To Conventional Laser System

A novel semi-automatic and multi-shot photocoagulator called as PASCAL (Pattern scan laser, Opti-Medica Corp., Santa Clara, California, USA) was introduced with a reduction in pulse duration of each laser spot from typical 100 ms down to 10-30 millisecond. Compared with the conventional laser, shorter pulses have been shown to significantly reduce the risk of damage to the adjacent retinal tissues. One eye was treated with PASCAL laser, the other was treated with conventional laser with 30 minutes resting intervals. To avoid a bias about orientation or becoming accustomed to laser procedure, PASCAL laser was performed in the first eyes in half of the patients (14 patients) randomly.

Maintaining of good glycemic regulation and performing panretinal laser photocoagulation (PRP) with conventional laser device (ELLEX Integre, Adailade, Australia) when it is indicated are evidence based effective methods for proliferative diabetic retinopathy.One eye was treated with conventional laser, the other was treated with PASCAL laser with 30 minutes resting intervals. To avoid a bias about orientation or becoming accustomed to laser procedure, conventional laser was performed in the first eyes in half of the patients (14 patients) randomly.