Comparison of Effects of IVTA and Photocoagulation, Depending on Types of Diabetic Macular Edema

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To compare the effects of IVTA with focal laser photocoagulation, for cystoid macular edema and sponge-like macular edema categorized by findings of optical coherence tomography (OCT). METHODS: This study comprised 104 eyes of diabetic macular edema. OCT findings were used to divide the eyes into one group with sponge-like macular edema, and one group with cystoid macular edema. Each group was then divided into two subgroups, one with eyes treated with IVTA, and the other with eyes treated with laser photocoagulation. Visual acuity and macular thickness were compared between the subgroups at 1, 2, and 3 months after therapy. RESULTS: Regardless of the type of macular edema, the group treated with IVTA showed a more rapid improvement of visual acuity (P0.05), but patients who definetely had focal leakage showed better improvement and consistency of visual acuity when treated with focal laser photocoagulation. CONCLUSIONS: The correct therapeutic method, depending on the type of macular edema, grouped by OCT and FAG, should result in better improvement of visual acuity. Further study is needed to determine the optimal combination therapy depending on the type of macular edema.