Abstract
Purpose:
To assess the efficacy and safety of subthreshold micropulse diode laser photocoagulation for diabetic macular edema (ME).
Methods:
Single center, retrospective, nonrandomized interventional case series Patients : 39 consecutive diabetic patients (57 eyes) with clinically significant ME and a central macular thickness(CMT) < 500 micron by optical coherence tomography. Observation procedures : Subthreshold micropulse diode laser photocoagulation (577 nm) was done with a 15% duty cycle (0.2 sec; 100 micron) at the burn threshold energy. The treated area was monitored on color images for 12 months. Main outcome measures: CMT and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at 1, 3, 6, 12 months.
Results:
After 1 months, there was a significant reduction of CMT (P < 0.05, paired t test). After 6 months, there was a significant improvement of BCVA (P = 0.19, paired t test). The preoperative CMT and BCVA (logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution; logMAR) were 330.5 um and 0.351 respectively, vs 321.8 um and 0.328 at 3 months. Visual acuity was improved or maintained within 0.2 logMAR for 12 months in 94.7% of the patients. No obvious laser scars were detected in any patient.
Conclusions:
In patients with moderate diabetic ME, subthreshold micropulse diode laser photocoagulation controls ME and maintains visual acuity with minimal retinal damage. These findings prove the efficacy of this method for Korean patients.
Keywords: 585 macula/fovea •
578 laser •
499 diabetic retinopathy