Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose:To determine the effect of argon laser scatter retinal photocoagulation on choroidal blood flow (CBF) in the foveal region in eyes with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). Methods:Nine eyes (5 patients) with PDR were included in this study. CBF values (velocity, volume, flow) in the foveal region were recorded before and 1 month after photocoagulation using laser Doppler flowmeter (Oculix). We investigated whether there was a difference in CBF measurements before and after photocoagulation. Results:Macular edema was not present before and after photocoagulation in all patients. The mean velocity, volume, flow were, respectively, 370.35 ± 36.94, 0.35 ± 0.05, and 7.31 ± 0.99 before photocoagulation, and 344.40 ± 34.48, 0.58 ± 0.06, and 12.32 ± 1.53 after photocoagulation (arbitrary units) (mean ± S.E.). The mean volume and flow after photocoagulation significantly increased by 83.2% ± 21.0% (p<0.05) and 85.5% ± 38.4% (p<0.05) compared with before photocoagulation. In contrast, photocoagulation did not significantly change the mean velocity. Conclusions:These results indicate that argon laser retinal photocoagulation may increase CBF in the foveal region in eyes with PDR by vasodilation of the choriocapillaries.
Keywords: diabetic retinopathy • macula/fovea • choroid