Optical coherence tomography after laser photocoagulation for clinically significant macular edema.
OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate the utility of optical coherence tomography (OCT) for documenting an early response to laser photocoagulation in clinically significant macular edema (CSME) secondary to diabetes.


METHODS
Five eyes of four patients were selected for review based on the diagnosis of CSME. All eyes had a clinical diagnosis of CSME based on slit lamp biomicroscopy. All eyes underwent focal/grid laser photocoagulation to areas of retinal thickening detected by OCT and clinical exam. Pre and post-treatment optical coherence tomograms were obtained for all patients.


RESULTS
All eyes selected for review had an early positive response to focal laser photocoagulation. OCT was useful for demonstrating areas of retinal thickening prior to laser treatment. Serial macular maps demonstrated the resolution of retinal thickening after laser photocoagulation in all eyes.


CONCLUSIONS
OCT is a useful tool for evaluating and documenting CSME both before and after focal/grid laser photocoagulation. OCT is capable of detecting an early positive response to photocoagulation for macular edema.
Rivellese
M
M
Ophthalmology Department, New England Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA.
George
A
A
Sulkes
D
D
Reichel
E
E
Puliafito
C
C
D000368:Aged; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000150:complications; D003941:Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007368:Interferometry; D017075:Laser Coagulation; D008027:Light; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014054:Tomography / Q000379:methods*