title: Fifteen-year argon laser and xenon photocoagulation results of Bascom Palmer Eye Institute's patients participating in the diabetic retinopathy study.
abstract: Fifteen years after panretinal photocoagulation in the Diabetic Retinopathy Study, 86 (57%) patients had died, 14 (9%) could not be located, and 51 (34%) of 151 patients were examined to determine the long-term treatment effects. Of the eyes randomized to photocoagulation only 1 (5%) of 19 argon-treated and 1 (3%) of 32 xenon-treated eyes had received additional laser treatment, but 8 argon-treated and 7 xenon-treated eyes had had cataract removal. Eleven (58%) of the initially argon-treated and 13 (41%) of the initially xenon-treated eyes had 20/40 or better acuity, and 18 (95%) of the initially argon-treated and 26 (82%) of the initially xenon-treated eyes had 20/200 or better acuity. Of the control eyes 17 (33%) had 20/40 or better, and 30 (58%) had 20/200 or better acuity. Argon and xenon panretinal photocoagulation for diabetic retinopathy provide good results for at least 15 years.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Miami School of Medicine.
authors.forename: G W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Blankenship
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001128:Argon; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007834:Lasers; D008028:Light Coagulation; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011897:Random Allocation; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014978:Xenon
chemical_list: D014978:Xenon; D001128:Argon