Efficacy of various laser wavelengths in the treatment of clinically significant macular edema in diabetics.
OBJECTIVE
To compare various laser wavelengths: argon green (514 nm), vs krypton red (647 nm), vs frequency doubled Nd:YAG (532 nm), and vs diode (810 nm), for laser photocoagulation treatment in clinically significant macular edema (CSME) in diabetics.


METHODS
Four different wavelengths were used to sequentially treat 271 eyes of 164 diabetic patients with CSME. Follow up was conducted for a minimum of 6 months (9.8 +/- 1.3 months). Retreatment was performed if residual edema involving the foveal avascular zone persisted at 3 months.


RESULTS
Reduction/elimination of CSME was observed in 93.3% of argon-treated eyes, 88.5% in krypton red group, 92.9% with frequency doubled Nd:YAG, and 84.8% with diode laser with no statistically significant difference between the groups (P > 0.05 for all groups). The number of eyes requiring retreatment was highest with the diode laser having 44.3% of eyes requiring retreatment and least with frequency doubled Nd:YAG having only 15.5% of eyes requiring retreatment (P = 0.0002).


CONCLUSIONS
All lasers are equally effective in reducing/eliminating CSME. However, Nd:YAG may have an advantage because of requiring fewer retreatments.
Gupta
V
V
Department of Ophthalmology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
Gupta
A
A
Kaur
R
R
Narang
S
S
Dogra
M R
MR
D000328:Adult; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D006801:Humans; D017075:Laser Coagulation / Q000379:methods*; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012086:Reoperation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity