Subthreshold micropulse diode laser treatment in diabetic macular edema. A comparative pilot study.

Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: to compare the effectiveness of subthreshold micropulse diode laser (810nm) and conventional argon laser (514 nm) photocoagulation for the treatment of clinically significant macular edema in diabetic patients. Methods: 23 eyes of 16 patients were randomized to either treatment. Follow–up was conducted for a minimum of 5 months. Changes in visual acuity and macular edema measured by optical coherence tomography were examined. Results: Visual acuity remained stable in all treatment groups throughout the observation period. Changes in retinal thickness were small both foveally and perifoveally. In patients with focal macular edema a significant reduction in retinal thickness (9% ∼ –26µm, p=0.02) was seen foveally 3 months after diode laser photocoagulation. Conclusions: Subthreshold micropulse diode laser and conventional argon laser treatment showed an equally good effect on visual acuity. Subthreshold micropulse diode laser showed a stabilizing or even improving effect on macular edema. The combination of micropulse diode laser followed by supplementary argon laser may be particularly favourable in treatment of diabetic macular edema.

Keywords: diabetic retinopathy • laser • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: treatment/prevention assessment/controlled clinical trials