Abstract
Purpose: :
The enlargement of laser scar a long time after photocoagulation is called atrophic creep. The purpose of this study was to determine the characteristics of atrophic creep in eyes with diabetic retinopathy.
Methods: :
We reviewed the medical records of 81 eyes of 47 patients who underwent photocoagulation for diabetic retinopathy in an area ≤8000 µm from the foveola. We analyzed the gender, age, type of diabetes, condition of photocoagulation, and vitreous surgery after the photocoagulation.
Results: :
All of the 81 eyes showed severe atrophic creep with a follow-up period ≥10 years. There were 23 men and 24 women. The mean age at the time of photocoagulation was 55.74+19.3 years. Only 3 patients had type 1 diabetes. Argon green laser was used in all patients, and the spot size was 100-200 µm with a duration of 0.1-0.2 second. In these 81 eyes, 49 eyes underwent vitreous surgery after photocoagulation, and the atrophic creep after vitreous surgery was more severe in these eyes than in eyes without vitreous surgery.
Conclusions: :
The atrophic creep after photocoagulation in eyes with diabetic retinopathy is enhanced by vitreous surgery after photocoagulation. We must assess the indications of vitreous surgery more carefully after photocoagulation in eyes with diabetic retinopathy. These patients should be examined more frequently after photocoagulation close to macular area.
Keywords: diabetic retinopathy • vitreoretinal surgery • vitreous