The effect of photocoagulation on visual acuity in diabetic patients suffering from diabetic macular edema and diabetic retinopathy

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of photocoagulation and range of treatment on visual acuity (VA) in patients with diabetic macular edema. Material and method: 56 patients with type 11 diabetes mellitus - 109 eyes were divided into four groups depending on the type of treatment. The evidence of macular edema based on biomicroscopic evaluation or fluorescein angiography was the criterion of the need to start with photocoagulation. VA was evaluated every 6 months up to 3 years after the treatment. Results: In the first group, 54 eyes were treated by focal photocoagulation. VA was stabilized in 45 (83.3%), improved in 3 (5.6%), and in 6 (11.1%) eyes became worse. In the second group, 7 eyes were treated by grid photocoagulation. VA was stabilized in 6 (35.7%) eyes, and 1 (14.3%) eye got worse. In the third group, 29 eyes were treated with combination of the direct treatment in macular region with panretinal photocoagulation (PRP). In the latter group, VA was stabilized in 22 (75.9%) eyes, improved in 3 (10.3%), and in 4 (13.8%) eyes it got worse. In the fourth group, 19 eyes were treated with a combination of grid photocoagulation and PRP. VA was stabilized in 16 (84.2%), improved in 2 (10.5%) eyes, and got worse in 1 (5.3%) eye. Conclusion: Results of this study affirm the benefit of photocoagulation for keeping the visual acuity. Reasonable range and correct timing of treatment are indispensable (Fig. 6, Tab. 2, Ref. 21). Full Text (Free, PDF) www.bmj.sk.