Pain Perception of Patients Undergoing Laser Panretinal Photocoagulation: Comparison of Single-Spot Versus Multispot Techniques

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To compare pain intensity with single-spot versus multispot technique in laser panretinal photocoagulation, using a 532-nm, solid-state laser system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective, interventional, randomized, single-masked comparison trial. Patients received two types of intervention: conventional single-spot technique, with an exposure time of 150 ms, and multispot technique, done with an exposure time of 20 ms, Both techniques used power sufficient to produce visible gray-white burns, and spot size of 20 μm. Participants received both treatments in the same eye, each one in one hemiretina, and were randomized to receive first single- or multispot technique and to the initial site of treatment. We assessed pain intensity using a numerical pain scale immediately after completion of each treatment. RESULTS: > .05). CONCLUSION: .