Retrospective analysis of retinal laser coagulation outcomes in diabetic retinopathy

Purpose: to analyze clinical and functional results of panretinal laser coagulation (PRLC) in patients with Diabetic retinopathy (DR) and diabetes mellitus type II. Material and Methods. We performed a retrospective 4-year analysis of the results of pattern PRLC in diabetic retinopathy in 1326 patients (1646 eyes) with diabetes mellitus type II. All patients were divided into groups: group I with PRLC only, group II -with additional PRLC, group III with vitreoretinal surgery, distributing by the groups with best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). Results. The distribution of the observed cases in three groups depended on the initial visual acuity, approximately uniform distribution by groups with BCVA with a decrease above 0.8 was noted in group I, in group II on the contrary - the greater number of cases in the group above 0.8, and in group III - in groups under 0.4. The analysis of BCVA within the follow-up showed that in group I visual acuity stayed the same within two years, in group II - within 12 months, in group III - up to 6 months with a subsequent significant decrease. By difference in losses of BCVA in group I and II losses did not exceed 1 line in 60%, and in group III only in 44%. Conclusion. PRLC in diabetic retinopathy in patients with diabetes mellitus type II allowed preserving high visual acuity with a loss of not more than 0.2 line within 4-year follow-up in 72% of cases, and in cases of timely treatment by a single PRLC - in 79%. PRLC allowed stabilizing DR within 4 years in 69% of cases, preserving high visual acuity in 72%. In DR progression 22% required additional PRLC and 9% -vitreoretinal surgery that was associated with the late treatment.