Diode Laser Panretinal Photocoagulation in Diabetic Retinopathy

ABSTRACT

One hundred and eight eyes of 108 patients with diabetic retinopathy were randomly divided and treated with either diode(50 eyes) or argon laser(58 eyes). In the diode laser group, neovasculizations regressed completely in 8(25.8%) eyes, 15 eyes(48.4%) unchanged or partially regressed and Worsened in 8 eyes(25.8%) among 31 eyes of proliferative diabetic retinoapathy. In argon-green group 12(34.3%) of 35 proliferative retinopathy eyes showed complete remission, 13 eyes(37.1%) partially regressed or unchanged while 10 eyes(28.6%) worsened. In the diode laser group, 6(12.0%) eyes showed improvement, 25 eyes(50.0%) no chang and 19 eyes(38.0%) decreased in visual acuity. In argon blue-green group, vision improved in 11 eyes(19.0%), unchanged in 27 eyes(46.5%) and worsened in 20 eyes(34.5%). The mean follow up time was 15 months for the diode laser group and 13 months for the argon laser group. The number of laser spots required to complete PRP was higher in diode laser group. Much more patients in the diode group complained pain during laser treatment. There was no difference in the photocoagulation effect between two lasers.