Background. Two new modalities of minimally invasive retinal laser treatments were developed in recent years,

In both cases the target structure (RPE or CNV) can be selectively treated without substantially collateral damage in retinal and choroidal structures.

Conceptional Aspects. The original concepts of both treatments will be discussed in light of newest experimental results and clinical experience.

Results. There is experimental evidence that the selective RPE treatment is based on photomechanical microeffects rather than coagulative processes. In Photodynamic Therapy of choroidal neovascularization the long-term therapeutic effect is stabilization and sealing of the CNV rather than the originally anticipated occlusion of neovasculature.

Conclusion. Basic experimental investigations and clinical trials led to conceptional changes in both new treatment principles under discussion. Practical consequences from these conceptional changes will be presented and discussed.