Abstract
Purpose: :
To determine if there was a change in the average ages of patients receiving laser treatment for diabetic retinopathy between 1999 and 2004 in a hospital clinic setting.
Methods: :
A retrospective chart review of 304 patients receiving diabetic laser treatment for the first time. All patients were treated in the same hospital–based clinic by the same surgeon. The age, gender, and type of photocoagulation (focal or panretinal) were recorded and analyzed.
Results: :
A total of 153 (50.3%) male and 151 (49.7%) females underwent photocoagulation during the time period studied, of which 167 (54.9%) received focal treatment and 137 (45.1%) received panretinal treatment. The overall average age of the patients decreased during the time period (r = –.131, p = .022). The average age of men was younger than women (men 57.0, women 60.3, p = .008).
Conclusions: :
During the time period studied, the average age decreased of patients receiving laser photocoagulation for the first time. A larger, randomized, prospective study is warranted to determine if this result reflects trends in patient populations or in physician practices.
Keywords: diabetes • laser • aging