ABSTRACT
Objective: To determine the visual outcome of laser treatment in clinically significant macular edema
Methods:This interventional and qausi experimental study was carried out at Diabetic Association of Pakistan [DAP] during January 2011 and December 2012. Approval was taken from Research Ethical Committee of Isra Postgraduate Institute of Ophthalmology. Records of 925 eyes of 464 patients with "Clinical Significant macular edema" [CSME], treated with laser photocoagulation were analyzed. Bestcorrected visual acuity [BCVA] at the time of presentation and at the last follow up, minimum of one year and maximum of 45 months was recorded and compared. SPSS version 20.0 was used to analyze the data
Results:Diabetic retinopathy was found in 20.3% [1777] of 8742 diabetic attending DAP Hospital" amongst whom 39.6% [705] had Sight threatening diabetic retinopathy. Laser was advised in 96.4% [680] individuals, accepted by 70.5% [480] individuals. Amongst 960 eyes of 480 patients who accepted laser, 925 eyes had clinically significant macular edema and 35 eyes had PDR who are not included in this study. Amongst 925 eyes with CSME, Grid laser was done in 913 eyes [99%] and focal laser was done in 12 eyes [1%]. After a follow up of 12 to 45 months, it was found that best corrected visual acuity had declined in 2.4% [22] eyes, stabilized in 67% [619] eyes and improved in 30.7% [284] eyes. One line improvement on Snellen's chart was fond in 21.3% [197] eyes, 2 lines in 8% [74] eyes, 3 lines in 1.2% [12] eyes and 4 lines in one [0.1%] eye with p-value of 0.000
Conclusion:Laser therapy is an effective treatment in stabilizing/improving the vision in diabetic macular edema particularly at those centers where only Argon Laser is available and OCF, FFA facilities do not exist
ABSTRACT
Objective: To determine the acceptance of retinal screening, Laser uptake and subsequent follow-up in diabetic patients attending the Diabetes Centre of Diabetic Association of Pakistan [DAP], Karachi
Study Design: Observational case series
Place and Duration of Study: Diabetic Centre of Diabetic Association of Pakistan [DAP], Karachi, from January 2011 to December 2012
Methodology: All the diabetic patients were screened for Diabetic Retinopathy [DR] with non-Mydriatic Fundus Camera [NMFC]. Patients with DR were examined by the ophthalmologist using fundus lens and slit lamp. DR was graded for severity on the basis of modified Airlie House Classification. Patients with Sight Threatening Diabetic Retinopathy [STDR] were advised Laser treatment. Each patient was followed-up for at least 6 months. The records of patients recommended Laser were retrieved, and called for re-examination
Results: Retinal screening was accepted by all of the 8368 registered diabetics attending DAP Centre. On fundus photography, 21.2% [1777] individuals were found to have DR. Seven hundred and five [39.5%] patients were found to have STDR. Laser was advised to 96.4% [680] of STDR patients; amongst whom 70.5% [480] accepted Laser treatment. Out of 480 patients who had Laser treatment, 21.2% [107] turned out for follow-up after 6 months
Conclusion: Acceptance of retinal screening and Laser application was good; but follow-up was suboptional