[Subthreshold micropulse diode laser photocoagulation combined with direct photocoagulation for diabetic macular edema in Japanese patients].

PURPOSE: To investigate the efficacy of subthreshold micropulse diode laser photocoagulation (SMDLP) combined with direct photocoagulation. METHODS: Twenty one eyes of 20 patients with diabetic macular edema were treated with SMDLP and direct photocoagulation for microaneurysms within 1 month after SMDLP. The mean visual acuity in logMAR units and central macular thickness (CMT) were evaluated both before and after laser treatment by retrospective chart review and optical coherence tomography (OCT). RESULTS: The mean visual acuity did not change significantly at 3 and at 6 months. The mean CMT was significantly reduced at 3 and 6 months (3 months: p = 0.018, 6 months: p = 0.004). Visual acuity improved or maintained for 6 months in all of the patients (100%, 20 eyes of 20 patients). CONCLUSION: SMDLP combined with direct photocoagulation maintains visual acuity and improves diabetic macular edema for at least 6 months.

Efficacy and safety of long-term corticosteroid eye drops after penetrating keratoplasty: a prospective, randomized, clinical trial.

PURPOSE: Endothelial rejection remains a major cause of graft failure after penetrating keratoplasty (PKP). Topical corticosteroids are the gold standard for preventing rejection; however, protocols for corticosteroid treatment have been diverse. The aim of the present study was to examine the efficacy and safety of long-term use of corticosteroid eye drops after PKP in a randomized, clinical trial. DESIGN: Randomized, nonblinded, clinical trial. PARTICIPANTS: We enrolled 42 patients (21 males and 21 females) with a mean age of 65.3 years who underwent PKP and maintained graft clarity for >1 year with topical steroid eye drops. INTERVENTION: Patients were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups: Administration of 0.1% fluorometholone 3 times a day (steroid group) or discontinuation of steroid eye drops (no steroid group). All patients were followed for 12 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Proportion of eyes without endothelial rejection and the proportion of eyes with clear grafts and the incidence of local or systemic side effects. RESULTS: Of the initial 42 patients, 4 in the steroid group and 6 in the no steroid group did not complete the trial. Of the patients who completed the trial, 1 patient in the steroid group and 6 in the no steroid group developed endothelial rejection at an average of 5.2±4.5 (mean ± standard deviation) months after study enrollment. The difference in the incidence of rejection between groups was found to be significant by both chi-square (P = 0.027) and Kaplan-Meier analyses (log-rank test, P = 0.032). No difference was observed between the 2 groups in visual acuity, intraocular pressure, epithelial damage, tear-film break-up time, cataract progression, infection, or incidence of systemic side effects. CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged use of 0.1% fluorometholone was beneficial for the prevention of rejection after PKP. Because no adverse consequences were noted, we recommend continuing use of the low-dose corticosteroids, even in non-high-risk cases.