Abstract
Purpose: :
To assess the minimal number of laser burns to regress the neovascularization in PDR patients using the PASCAL photocoagulator and to compare that number with historical data
Methods: :
A retrospective medical record review of patients who underwent PASCAL treatment for diabetic retinopathy at the St. Mary Eye Hospital was performed
Results: :
The study included 60 eyes from 40 patients. The mean age was 61.3 years (range 46-79) and the mean follow up was 9.8 months (range 8-12). Panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) was performed in 60 eyes. Neovascularization(NV) regressed in 47 eyes(73%)(Group A) and 13 eyes(27%) had persistent neovascularization (Group B) 3 months after the treatment. The average number of laser burns applied to the Group A, Group B was 3001 and 2106, respectively. The group A needs more spots than the group B (3001 vs 2106, p=0.007, Mann-Whitney U-test). Total average areas of retinal ablation(πR2 x pulses) are 376.9mm2 in NV regression group with the PASCAL photocoagulator and 274.8mm2 in conventional laser with historical data recommended by ETDRS. But, considering the retinal branching effect produced by conventional laser, the ablated area of PASCAL is about the same as that of historical data.
Conclusions: :
The data indicate that the PASCAL photocoagulator needs more than about 3000 burns to regress the neovascularization in proliferative diabetic retinopathy.
Keywords: diabetic retinopathy