Navilas is short for navigated laser and it is the first and only navigated retinal laser system in the world.
Navilas uses computer-assisted tracking and navigation to help deliver precise laser treatment for a wide-range of retinal diseases. These include diabetic retinopathy or maculopathy, central serous chorioretinopathy and AMD.
Advantages of Navilas over conventional retinal laser
Excellent precision and safety
Through transparent pre-planning, precise laser positioning and protective zones for sensitive areas.
More comfortable
By using glare-free light (infrared) treatment option without treatment contact lenses; or by use of gentle microsecond pulses.
Fewer subsequent treatments
As a consequence of precision and better planning transparency.
How does laser effect the retina?
A retinal laser system concentrates light on the retina – at a point that normally only measures a tenth of a millimetre.
This heats the tissue at this spot. The tissue ‘burns’ and leads to coagulation of the protein components. This coagulation, although inherently destructive, can positively affect the course of a retinal disease.
For one, this re-seals leaking vessels. In addition, it inactivates diseased areas that no longer receive circulation. Both of these things lead to an improvement in the supply to still-functioning areas of the retina, and therefore to its preservation.
In addition, it has been shown that increased heat within retinal tissue triggers the production of messenger substances, which has a positive impact on the healing of the disease itself.
Is Navilas better than other retinal lasers?
Navilas is based on the same principle as other lasers, but the treatment itself is carried out very differently. With Navilas, James is able to plan treatment entirely digitally and with extra precision, and position the laser with computer assistance.
Scientific studies have shown that this computer assistance can help achieve better results. Precise application leads to a higher sealing rate of defective vessels. Another study has shown that fewer subsequent treatments are required with Navilas than with conventional retinal lasers. Faster and better improvement of vision has also demonstrated.
Navilas is less painful than conventional laser systems. Studies which compared how patients’ sensation of pain differed between the Navilas and conventional lasers showed that Navilas patients found treatment to be significantly more pleasant than treatment with conventional lasers.
Navilas is the only retinal laser that works with navigation, eye tracking and digital planning.
Navilas is produced in Germany and has been in clinical use since 2010.
James is the first ophthalmologist in Oceania to use Navilas and has the most extensive experience with Navilas.
What are the risks of laser treatment?
In conventional laser treatment, the effect is achieved through the destruction of a small area and therefore leads to the impairment of small areas of the retina. In general, this is not consciously perceived by the patient, as the damaged parts of the retina usually only measure a tenth of a millimetre.
Furthermore, treatment is usually directed at areas of the retina which were already damaged to begin with. In certain cases, vision may deteriorate, however.
What is sub-threshold microsecond pulsed laser?
In this tissue-sparing modality, the laser beam is applied in repeated, short pulses of less than one thousandth of a second. This warms the tissue, but it cools again in the pause between the laser pulses. The tissue therefore, does not reach a high enough temperature for coagulation to occur. This can start the healing process gently, without demonstrably damaging the tissue.
This procedure therefore exploits the positive effect of the laser without destroying photoreceptors (vision cells) or impairing vision.
The navigation capability of Navilas, compared to conventional laser systems, overcomes the major risk of disorientation which could otherwise lead to over or under-treatment with this modality.
